WWE
Matt WilanskySean Coyle 6y

Roman Reigns defeats Brock Lesnar to win Universal championship at SummerSlam

WWE

NEW YORK -- The Roman Reigns coronation couldn't unfold without some sort of blight ruining his moment.

We've seen it before at WrestleMania 31, when Seth Rollins stole the moment from Reigns and Brock Lesnar. And on Sunday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Braun Strowman, who made his way to the ring and grabbed the mic, promised that no matter who won the main event of SummerSlam, Roman or "Beasty Boy" would face him.

The anticipation for the changing of the guard on Monday Night Raw and a possible seminal moment in Reigns's or Strowman's career had the entire audience on its feet.

"Let's go Roman!" a handful yelled.

"Roman sucks!" even more bellowed.

"Get these hands!" followed.

Something big was in the air, and only some of it had to do with the sheer size of the three men standing in the ring before the bell.

The match began as a one-on-one between Lesnar and Reigns, with Strowman standing ringside licking his chops for his opportunity. Reigns was on fire from the outset, superman-punching and spearing Lesnar repeatedly.

While it seemed as if the squash match similar to Goldberg-Lesnar at the 2016 Survivor Series was on, Lesnar fought back and caught Reigns with a guillotine choke and then a series of German suplexes.

Reigns fought back and went for a spear on Lesnar who was on the ropes. Lesnar moved and Reigns struck Strowman, sending the giant to the floor. Lesnar would pile on, hitting Strowman with an F-5, then grabbing a chair and smacking Strowman over and over, ultimately rendering Strowman immobile. Lesnar took the Money in the Bank briefcase and threw it all the way back up the entrance ramp as Strowman barely moved in front of him.

With his focus on his success in taking out Strowman, Reigns caught Lesnar with another spear, this one devastating enough for the three-count.

Reigns became the new champ and now, as he often states, owns the yard once again. He has showed up every week, ready to fight and face whoever stood in his way. He has earned this moment, one that would not be spoiled by anyone, not even Strowman, who was still lying on the ground as Reigns celebrated post-to-post.

A new chapter in his career has arrived and Sunday night's result offered a validation of someone who has proved he is among the best in the business week-in and week-out.

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