WWE Raw 8/29/16 Retro Recap: Triple H Returns, New Universal Champion

Subscribe to TSC Wrestling with Fred Richani on YouTube for more wrestling interviews, news and reviews!

Fred Richani and Scott Anderson recap WWE Raw on Aug. 29, 2016, in Houston, where a fatal four-way decided the vacant Universal title after Finn Balor’s shoulder injury, plus a look ahead to Backlash.

Raw Review

Adapted from the episode and edited for clarity and brevity. Listen above for the full review.

Finn Balor became the first Universal champion at SummerSlam but had to vacate the title with a torn labrum after Seth Rollins powerbombed him into the barricade. So we got a fatal four-way, changed to an elimination match, with Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Big Cass, and the Houston crowd was behind Owens all night. Cass was eliminated first by Owens’ frog splash, then Owens, Rollins and Reigns kicked each other’s asses for 10 to 15 minutes in an intense match.

Then Triple H came out, pedigreed Reigns and told Rollins to pin him, and as Scott pointed out, the crowd cheered the babyface being eliminated. With Owens and Rollins left, Triple H picked up Owens, then turned and pedigreed his former protege, Rollins. Owens pinned him to become the new Universal champion. A guy told for years he’d never make it to WWE because of his look and weight made it on the independents, in Ring of Honor and in NXT in record time, and now he’s champion of Raw. Owens sold the shock beautifully, yanked the title out of Mick Foley’s hands and shot Stephanie McMahon a look. The fans chanted, “You deserve it.”

My only issues: Triple H stood in the ring for 30 seconds without anyone stopping him, and Owens needed his boss to do the dirty work, though that sets up a rematch with a babyface Rollins. Triple H gave Owens his chance in NXT, and whatever you think of Triple H, he has done a hell of a job developing talent. I just hope Owens isn’t booked like Randy Orton was as Triple H’s guy in 2013, piling up non-title losses. Scott thinks Balor could return to win the Royal Rumble and face Owens at WrestleMania.

Earlier, Chris Jericho vs. Owens was an awesome match, though I hope there’s something in store for Neville. At Backlash, AJ Styles challenges Dean Ambrose after beating John Cena clean at SummerSlam, and I expect AJ to win. Ambrose has been booked like a goof lately. Finally, rest in peace to Mr. Fuji, who died at 82, one of the all-time great managers, a multi-time WWE tag team champion and a former IWGP tag team champion. WWE’s tribute was very classy.