Who Has the Universal Belt in WWE?

Since its inception, the Universal Championship has been one of the most coveted titles in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). This prestigious belt represents the pinnacle of sports entertainment and is held by only a select few who have proven themselves to be the best in the business.

The Inaugural Champion: Finn Bálor

The Universal Championship was first introduced on July 25, 2016, during WWE’s brand extension. The inaugural champion was none other than Finn Bálor. The Irish sensation won a fatal four-way match against Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and Kevin Owens to become the first-ever Universal Champion.

Bálor’s reign as champion was unfortunately short-lived. He suffered a shoulder injury during his match with Rollins at SummerSlam and was forced to relinquish the title just one day after winning it. Despite his brief reign, Bálor will always be remembered as the first holder of the Universal Championship.

Kevin Owens: The Prizefighter

Following Bálor’s injury, a new champion needed to be crowned. Enter Kevin Owens, also known as “The Prizefighter.” On August 29, 2016, Owens defeated Seth Rollins to capture the Universal Championship.

Owens’ reign as champion lasted an impressive 188 days. During this time, he successfully defended his title against top superstars such as Roman Reigns and Chris Jericho. Owens proved himself to be a dominant force in WWE but eventually lost the championship to Goldberg at Fastlane in March 2017.

Brock Lesnar: The Beast Incarnate

After Goldberg’s victory over Owens, he faced Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33 for the Universal Championship. In a shocking turn of events, Lesnar defeated Goldberg to become the new champion.

Lesnar’s reign as Universal Champion is one of the longest in history, lasting for over 500 days. The Beast Incarnate successfully defended his title against formidable opponents like Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman. Lesnar’s dominance was finally brought to an end by Roman Reigns at SummerSlam in August 2018.

The Reign of Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns, often referred to as “The Big Dog,” defeated Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam to claim the Universal Championship. This victory marked the start of Reigns’ first reign as champion.

Reigns’ inaugural reign lasted for 63 days before he had to relinquish the title due to a legitimate battle with leukemia. After an emotional comeback, Reigns regained the Universal Championship in August 2020 by defeating “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt at Payback.

The Current Champion: Bobby Lashley

As of now, Bobby Lashley holds the Universal Championship. Lashley won the title by defeating The Miz on an episode of Monday Night Raw on March 1, 2021.

Lashley’s reign as champion has been nothing short of dominant. He has successfully defended his title against Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman, solidifying his place at the top of WWE’s food chain.

In Conclusion

The Universal Belt in WWE has seen several worthy champions throughout its existence. Finn Bálor, Kevin Owens, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and Bobby Lashley have all held this prestigious title and left their mark on sports entertainment history.

With each new champion comes new storylines and epic battles, making the Universal Championship a symbol of excellence and greatness in the WWE universe.