5 Best Wrestlers Who Should Hold The Universal Championship

It seems to be a common theme for me to write about the Universal Championship. I promise this wasn’t the original plan, but it has come to be a sticking point with me. The lazy design and the lack of importance it brings to shows give off the vibe that WWE creative doesn’t seem to care anymore, and Raw is heavily suffering for it. What it needs is a strong champion and a great storyline. I’m not talented enough to come up with a good storyline, so here are five (well, six) people I think would make the best champions.

 

5. Finn Balor

Finn only comes in at 5 on my list because he is the most obvious choice right now. Due a return any day now, he will no doubt challenge for the belt he never lost. It makes a lot of sense and Balor is definitely deserving of it. Being one of the best in the ring, as well as being the very first universal champion, the story is already made and ready for him. My whole issue with this, however, is that it is too predictable, and in the current era it is very easy to guess what is going to happen in upcoming episodes. A much needed surprise would be very welcome.

 

4. Brock Lesnar

This one I don’t even think I’m sold on but hey, controversy creates cash, and this one seems the most likely to happen so let’s run with it. Brock Lesnar is arguably WWE’s biggest asset. Every time he shows up it feels special, be it because of his part-time status or Heyman building him up. Brock holding the title can bring it some status and make it seem like a prize, for a prizefighter such as Brock. He is also not a bad wrestler, and whoever beats him will seem like a serious contender.

 

3. Braun Strowman

Braun has been one of the largest successes in recent memory. Being the black sheep of the Wyatts seemed like a perfect fit. A big man who is a bit green but in a stable to look after him, but it never seemed right. Until he became a monster after the brand split. Having already grown so much, it could be argued that he doesn’t need the belt. But by putting the belt on him it can test the waters to see if he could become a main eventer like the next Big Show or Kane, and whoever beats him for the belt would have an instant push.

 

2. Seth Rollins

Set to become the top babyface of Raw, Seth could be ready to finally become the face of the company. With the Universal title needing a top star to raise its stock, letting the very talented face of the company run with it makes a lot of sense. He is also one of the few people that the belt would actually improve as well, as by obtaining it he will have proved to himself that he can do it without the help of The Authority, neatly tying up his own character arc and helping him move away from the whiny heel persona he made famous before his injury. Bringing the belt along surely couldn’t hurt.

 

1. Kevin Owens

As of writing this it is 15:02 GMT on Sunday and WWE Fastlane is tonight, so this might already be out of date. Imagine it though: Owens somehow beats Goldberg, Jericho somehow gets a match at Wrestlemania against Owens title against title and loses. Owens stands tall. Having beaten one of the best performers of all time to retain the Universal Championship would raise the stock of both equally. What the title needs is a good long reign, and who better than the current Universal champion, who is astounding in the ring and has the hottest heel heat at the moment. People want to see Owens fall due to what he did at the festival of friendship, and by holding the title there will be more heat and more importantly, more attention on both Owens and the Championship. A few good title defenses after Wrestlemania followed by dropping the belt to any of the above would be the best direction for the Universal championship.

 

Honourable mention

Rusev

Rusev is one of the most tragic cases in WWE right now. From Riding a tank into Wrestlemania against John Cena to tagging with Jinder Mahal. Rusev’s fall from grace has been so fast and so far it is almost mind boggling. He is a fantastic heel, an amazing wrestler and deserves so much more than he currently has.

The only reason he is an honourable mention however, is because he would need the right storyline, which I believe to be the Lana GM storyline. I know, cheating to win the belt won’t give it the push it needs and we’ve seen the Cowardly heel act. But what if they book Rusev as a destroyer? Lana could try to stop him actively putting his belt on the line for anyone who bad mouths her. Frequent defences from a powerful champion has worked wonders in the past, with John Cena bringing the US title from near obscurity to a segment we looked forward to each week.