4 best moments in WWE Universal Championship history

Ever since WWE revealed that Raw would get its very own World Title--after the red brand was left without a top title when Smackdown Live got the WWE Championship--fans were delighted to witness a brand new title belt debut in the WWE i.e. the Universal Championship.

However, after Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon revealed that the newly named Universal Title would simply be a red lookalike of the WWE Championship, people were not completely sold on WWE's new idea. Regardless, the design of the title was the least of the championship's problems, as worse events plagued the young history of the Universal Title.

From championship reigns that weren't booked optimally, to underwhelming title narratives, fans did not grow accustomed to the red belt--and instead, treated it like an unwanted prop.

A major reason behind that was the general approach towards the title. However, there is always a more glamorous side to every story, and the history of the Universal Title includes moments that will live on in pro-wrestling lore as truly groundbreaking.

The WWE, as always, turned things around--giving the WWE Universe what they want.

This list will look back on the moments that truly gave the Raw exclusive belt, a reason to be called a "World Championship".

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#1 Finn Balor

A moment that fans will remember as Finn Balor's finest one is his WWE Universal title victory

When Finn Balor's debut on the main roster saw him defeat Roman Reigns, to go on to become the number-one contender for the Universal Championship, fans rightfully lost their minds.

As WWE finally answered the people's prayers and sent a fresh face into the main event scene, no one would've prophesied that Balor would go on to defeat Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2016 for the title.

Balor became the inaugural WWE Universal Champion. However, it was unfortunate that Balor had to relinquish the title after suffering an injury during the match, irrespective of which, his win stills ranks as one of the very few times the stars aligned and the fans got exactly what they wanted.

#2 Lesnar and Goldberg's war brings prestige to the title

Lesnar and Goldberg tore the house down for the right to be called Universal Champion

Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg at Wrestlemania 20 was one of the worst Wrestlemania matches of all time, and many controversial factors that surrounded said match had forcefully put it in that category. However, when Goldberg and Lesnar met at Survivor Series 2016, fans couldn't believe the manner in which Goldberg squashed Lesnar in a blink-and-miss match.

Short, sweet and precise!

WWE then set the stage for the third encounter between these two behemoths to redeem themselves after their less-than-desirable match thirteen years ago, and boy did they do it in style.

With the Universal Title on the line, Goldberg and Lesnar destroyed everything in their path, so as to take home the Universal Title.

At the end of the contest, fans were on their feet after witnessing one of the best five-minute brawls of all time, with Lesnar standing tall at the end of it and the Universal Title in high sprites.

#3 A SummerSlam classic

One of the best fatal four-way title matches in history

When Samoa Joe, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and Universal Champion Brock Lesnar met at Summerslam 2017, fans witnessed one of the best multi-person main events in pro-wrestling history, as these four men caused mayhem in Brooklyn for the right to be Universal Champion.

What makes this moment so vital in the Universal Title's history is the pure emotion these men showed towards becoming champion--as Joe was on a hot streak, Strowman was on a white-hot run, Roman Reigns was polarizing as ever, and Lesnar was in fine form.

Lesnar came out the victor in this war, but the Universal Title was the biggest winner of the night, as these men and the electric atmosphere gave the belt a sense of prestige.

#4 The prizefighter finally wins the big one

Kevin Owens at the peak of his WWE career

There is no bigger moment in Universal Title history than the day Kevin Owens captured the title in possibly one of the greatest moments in Raw history.

Owens outlasted Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Big Cass with the assist from Triple H who turned on his protege Rollins in one of the most shocking betrayals of all time--something which perfectly blended with the atmosphere of this electric title match.

Moreover, it was a moment fans truly wanted to see, as KO has been one of the most consistent performers in the company for years; and even though his title reign never worked out in the long run, this was his moment.

Owens' Universal title victory indeed became a pioneering moment in the Universal Championship's history.