Finn Balor wants the title he never lost back and the first-ever WWE Universal Champion lay down the challenge to Roman Reigns on SmackDown.
Earlier in the night, Tribal Chief refused to acknowledge John Cena, who opened the show to another massive reaction. The ‘Leader of C-Nation’ repeatedly called out Reigns but was answered by Paul Heyman. Reigns’ Special Council revealed that the ‘Head of the Table’ would address Cena, but only on his time.
When it came time for Reigns to answer Cena’s challenge he stated that Cena was a “nostalgia act” doing the “same old thing”. Reigns continued to say that we won’t be seeing John Cena in the main event of SummerSlam because his answer to the challenge is no.
This brought out Finn Balor to face the champion but not to acknowledge him, to lay down a title challenge of his own. A challenge, which Reigns accepted much to the delight of the live crowd.
Balor returned to SmackDown last week after a two-year hiatus from the main roster. During his time away he re-invented himself as the ‘Prinxe’ in NXT. While on the gold and black brand he won a series of physical and intense matches on his way to capture the NXT Championship for the second time.
Back in 2016, Balor defeated Reigns in his RAW debut for his shot at the newly-established Universal Championship at SummerSlam. Balor defeated Rollins at SummerSlam to become the inaugural Universal Champion but had to relinquish it the following night due to a shoulder injury.