<
>

Kevin Owens wins WWE Universal Championship in Fatal 4-way elimination match

Kevin Owens won the Universal title in a Fatal 4-way elimination match Monday night on Raw. Nick Laham/ESPN

Kevin Owens won a Fatal 4-way elimination match Monday night on Raw to become the WWE Universal champion after Triple H made a surprise return and delivered a pair of Pedigrees.

The first was delivered to Roman Reigns, who received the Pedigree outside of the ring. Triple H then rolled Seth Rollins back into the ring to cover Reigns for the three count, and walked around the ring -- seemingly ready to do the same to Owens as he had done to Reigns. With Triple H, Rollins and Owens in the ring, he quickly turned around and delivered a Pedigree to Rollins -- his former protégé in The Authority -- instead.

After a moment of shock, Owens covered Rollins and won the title. He then embraced Triple H, who raised his hand.

Owens became the second person ever to hold the Universal title. Finn Bálor defeated Rollins to become the inaugural holder of Raw's new top title at SummerSlam, but Bálor had to relinquish his championship the following night due to a shoulder injury suffered during that match.

This is the first world title win for Owens and his third overall title win since joining the WWE; he's a two-time Intercontinental champion, and also held the NXT championship before joining the main roster. He defeated Neville to earn his spot in the originally-planned Fatal 4-way match.

Big Cass was the first to be eliminated, pinned by Owens.