10 Times WWE Let Everyone Down At SummerSlam

6. The Universal Title's Unveiling (2016)

CM Punk, Kevin Nash SummerSlam 2011
WWE.com

At Battleground 2016, SmackDown's newly drafted Dean Ambrose successfully defended his WWE Championship against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, leaving Raw without a top belt. The Universal Title was WWE's solution, with Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley announcing that the first champion should be crowned at SummerSlam.

Rollins and Finn Bálor worked their way through a qualification tournament, earning the right to clash for the title at the PPV. The physical belt was also set to be unveiled at the event, and there was a great deal of anticipation heading in, with fans not only anxious for the match, but to see what Raw's apparent top prize was going to look like.

The big reveal couldn't have gone any worse, and the belt was derided as soon as it was unleashed. The crowd dismissed it immediately, and chants of "this belt sucks" plagued the ensuing match, turning what was supposed to be a landmark moment into a total farce. While Foley and Rollins both responded defensively on social media, the company only have themselves to blame.

It's not the worst belt they've ever designed, but the big red Universal Title is hideous, and not at all what the crowd were expecting.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.