Rating the 5 Universal Championship reigns on RAW

WWE unveiled its new top-tier championship on a RAW episode after the brand split. They named it the Universal Championship in honour of the WWE Universe. Though it was named after the WWE Universe, the title did not get the reception it should have got from the fans. The fans booed the title design when it was first revealed by Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley.

Finn Balor defeated Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2016 to become the first ever Universal Champion. But he got injured during the match leading him to relinquish the title on the next night on RAW. Following that, Kevin Owens was crowned the second Universal Champion after he defeated Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Big Cass with some help from Triple H.

Bill Goldberg then ended Owens' long title reign by pinning him in 21 seconds at Fastlane 2017. Brock Lesnar overcame Goldberg at WrestleMania 33 then to kick-off one of the longest championship reigns in WWE history. He held the Universal championship for 504 days before losing it to Roman Reigns at SummerSlam 2018.

The IWC expected Reigns to hold on the title until WrestleMania. However, his reign was cut short due to Leukemia and the Big Dog had to relinquish his title. This Friday at WWE Crown Jewel Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman will battle to win the vacant Universal Title.

Also Read - 7 Reasons Why The WWE Universal Championship Is Cursed

Here are the ratings of all the 5 Universal Title reigns on RAW thus far

#1 Finn Balor

Balor will always be remembered as the first ever Universal Champion

Start - SummerSlam 2016

End - RAW after SummerSlam '16

Title Defenses on PPVs - 0

No. of Days as Champion - 1

The 'Demon King' Finn Balor won the Universal Championship at SummerSlam 2016 but accidentally injured his shoulder when taking a BuckleBomb during the match.

This injury kept Balor off TV for months so, he had to relinquish his title the next night on RAW. Since Finn had no title defences or championship feuds, there is no base to rate his reign.

Grade - --

#2 Kevin Owens

Triple H handed the Universal Championship to Kevin Owens

Start - RAW, 29th August 2016

End - Fastlane 2017, 5th March 2017

Title Defenses on PPVs - 5

No. of Days as Champion - 188

Kevin Owens unexpectedly won the Universal Championship on an episode of RAW after Triple H helped him eliminate Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins from the fatal 4-way elimination match also involving Big Cass. KO had his best friend Chris Jericho by side for each and every title defence as the Creative team portrayed him as a coward heel champion.

He defeated Seth Rollins inside Hell in A Cell to mark his first successful title defence. The duo had a gruelling encounter inside the demonic structure which saw KO emerge victorious in the end with some help from Jericho.

Next, Owens had a feud with Roman Reigns who failed to win the Universal Championship from the Prizefighter on two different PPVs. Chris Jericho's interference led to a DQ finish in their match at Roadblock: End of the Line while Braun Strowman destroyed the Big Dog at the Royal Rumble PPV to help Owens stay the Universal Champion.

But Owens' 188-day reign ended in the worst way possible as a 50-year-old Goldberg squashed him in 21 seconds at Fastlane to end Kevin's reign. Though it did not end in the way fans would have desired, Kevin Owens did a commendable job as a heel champion and put on fantastic matches on every PPV. I give an "A" grade to the reign of the youngest superstar to hold the Universal title.

Grade: A

#3 Goldberg

Goldberg played the role of a transitional champion

Start - Fastlane 2017, 5th March 2017

End - WrestleMania 33, 2nd April 2017

Title Defenses on PPVs - 1

No. of Days as Champion - 28

Goldberg made a triumphant return to the WWE as he squashed the company's strongest Superstar in just 1 minute and 26 seconds at Survivor Series. After he failed to win the Royal Rumble, Goldberg challenged the Universal Champion Kevin Owens for a title match at Fastlane which Chris Jericho (KO's best friend) accepted. The 50-year-old squashed KO in 21 seconds to win his first Universal title before Brock Lesnar attacked him on RAW which led to a championship match between the two at the Grandest Stage.

As this was supposedly Goldberg's last match, he passed the torch to the Beast by eating the pin for the first time at the hands of Lesnar. Though it was every fan's dream to see Goldberg return to the ring, nobody wanted the Myth to destroy a talented young Superstar to win a title. I give a "B" grade to Goldberg's title reign as the veteran put on the best match of his storied career at WrestleMania 33 and raised the stock of the Universal title.

Grade: B

#4 Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar had the longest Universal Title reign

Start - WrestleMania 33, 2nd April 2017

End - SummerSlam 2018, 19th August 2018

Title Defenses on PPVs - 7

No. of Days as Champion - 504

Brock Lesnar did not defend his title for 3 months after winning it as his first title defence came on 9th July 2017 at the Great Balls of Fire PPV. Lesnar had memorable feuds with Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman, Kane and Roman Reigns during his 504-day reign.

The Beast Incarnate also had an epic match with the Phenomenal AJ Styles at Survivor Series 2017 where the WWE Champion pushed the Universal Champion to his limits. Brock featured in numerous first time ever feuds during his reign but the way he easily defeated the young superstars left a sour taste in the WWE Universe's mouth.

Overall, Lesnar made the title more prestigious and relevant than ever as his appearances made RAW an exciting show. I give a "B+" grade to the Conqueror's 504 day Universal Championship reign.

Grade: B+

#5 Roman Reigns

The Big Dog's championship reign ended in the most emotional way possible

Start - SummerSlam 2018, 19th August 2018

End - RAW, 22nd October 2018

Title Defenses on PPVs - 1

No. of Days as Champion - 64

Roman Reigns finally defeated the Beast Brock Lesnar to win the Universal Championship thanks to Braun Strowman's interference. The 'Big Dog' had failed to conquer the Beast Incarnate at WrestleMania 34 and Greatest Royal Rumble before slaying him at SummerSlam 2018.

His first night as champion produced one of the most shocking episodes of RAW in recent memory as after he was done defending his title against Finn Balor, Braun Strowman came out to cash in his MITB. The Shield's music hit out of nowhere as Ambrose and Rollins came out dressed in the same black attire to help their brother. The trio hit the Monster a Triple Powerbomb to end the night.

Also Read - Best and Worst of Roman Reigns' Universal Title Reign

Reigns' first PPV title defense came against Braun Strowman at the Hell in A Cell PPV, where Brock Lesnar surprisingly came out in the middle of the match to take out both the superstars. Roman's reign was overshadowed due to the "Shield vs Dogs of War" feud but he was set to defend the title against Brock and Braun at WWE Crown Jewel.

However, leukaemia kept him away from doing so as the Big Dog had to, unfortunately, relinquish his title to put an emotional end to his reign. I give a "B+" grade to Roman Reigns' title reign and we all hope that the Big Dog recovers soon from his disease to win the Universal Championship again.