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The WWE Championship is the most prestigious prize in sports entertainment. Dozens of Hall of Famers have held the title over the last 70 years. The list includes legends like Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, Edge, Kurt Angle, and Kane.
With its prestige, it is no surprise that every wrestler aspires to win the top prize. The WWE Champion is often found on the posters of pay-per-views and is featured in marquee matches regularly.
The current champion is Bobby Lashley, who is in his first reign. The All-Mighty won the title in March after making quick work of The Miz. Given how dominant he has been, it would take a minor miracle to dethrone him. However, Lashley is bound to lose the WWE Championship someday.
Another star will take his place at the top when he loses, and then the whole cycle repeats itself.
It may be a little too far-fetched to predict the next five WWE Champions, but the prophecies have been made keeping the current situation and plans in mind.
#5 Drew McIntyre will be the next WWE Champion
Since the day Lashley won the title, Drew McIntyre has been a thorn in the path of the WWE Champion. The Scottish Psychopath wouldn't have lost the championship to The Miz in the first place if Lashley hadn't attacked him.
The two fierce rivals locked horns at WrestleMania 37. However, MVP distracted McIntyre, who fell victim to Lashley's devastating Hurt Lock. The Scottish Warrior received another shot at WrestleMania Backlash, but Braun Strowman was also involved. The All-Mighty retained the title after an all-out brawl by pinning Strowman.
Kofi Kingston inserted himself into the picture after he pinned the WWE Champion with some help from McIntyre. There is a possibility that Kingston could challenge for the WWE Championship at Hell in a Cell, but McIntyre is the favorite to become the next contender. McIntyre and Kingston will face each other in a #1 contender match next week.
After all, rumors suggest that Lashley and McIntyre will fight inside Hell in a Cell at the titular pay-per-view.
Although Lashley has been extremely dominant, McIntyre is determined to win back the top prize. Inside Hell in a Cell, MVP wouldn't be a factor and hence, the odds would be even. It would be hard to bet against a fired-up McIntyre, and Lashley needs to bring his best.
After a brutal encounter, the Scottish Warrior could reclaim the WWE Championship.
#4 Brock Lesnar could become a six-time WWE Champion
Brock Lesnar is a five-time WWE Champion and a first-ballot future Hall of Famer. The Beast Incarnate was one of Vince McMahon's most valuable assets until his contract expired last summer. The last time fans saw Lesnar at WrestleMania 36 when he dropped the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre.
His future with WWE is uncertain, but he would most likely return once fans are back in attendance. Given that he is one of the biggest draws in sports entertainment, this suggestion seems logical.
Now that live crowds are expected to return in mid-July, The Beast Incarnate's WWE return may be imminent. Once he returns, Lesnar would want to teach McIntyre a lesson in respect and regain the top prize in sports entertainment.
The Scottish Warrior and The Beast Incarnate have unfinished business, and it seems as if McIntyre has forgotten about Lesnar. If history is any indication, the longest-reigning Universal Champion strikes when his rivals least expect.
Their first battle took place in an empty arena. WWE ought to book a rematch of this magnitude in front of a live crowd. If they do collide, SummerSlam seems to be the perfect place. This was scheduled to close out last year's edition, but it could come to fruition this August.
McIntyre's third WWE Championship will be short as a voracious, ruthless beast would be chasing the WWE Champion.
#3 Keith Lee could become WWE Champion by dethroning Brock Lesnar
Keith Lee has all the tools to become WWE Champion. The Limitless One is charismatic, passionate, dedicated, and extremely talented. He ticks all the boxes as a potential top star. The former NXT Champion could become a great WWE Champion courtesy of his unique in-ring ability and passion.
The former NXT Champion officially debuted on the main roster as the 13th entrant in the 2020 Royal Rumble match. The first person he collided with was Brock Lesnar. The Beast was on a rampage, having tossed out eleven other competitors. However, Lee wasn't afraid of Lesnar and took the fight to him. Their showdown had the WWE Universe buzzing. Lesnar eliminated Lee while the latter was fighting with Braun Strowman.
Lee arrived on the main roster full-time in late August when Lesnar's contract expired. The Limitless One built momentum by defeating stars like Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler, and Andrade. He inserted himself into the US Championship picture in early 2021 but had to pull out of the title match due to injury before the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.
The former NXT North American Champion hasn't been seen since February, but he promised to return.
Keith Lee vs. Brock Lesnar would be a colossal dream match worthy of closing out WrestleMania next year. Lesnar is the perfect stepping stone for Lee to ascend to the top. The Beast Incarnate could put over Lee at WrestleMania 38, and a new WWE Champion could be crowned.
#2 Randy Orton could become an 11-time WWE Champion by dethroning Keith Lee
Randy Orton has held the WWE Championship an astounding ten times. He last won the coveted prize in October but had a short reign. It is impossible to keep the Apex Predator out of the title picture for long. Hence, Orton would likely insert himself into the fray after WrestleMania 38. Based on the prediction in the previous slide, Keith Lee would be WWE Champion at the time.
Keith Lee and Randy Orton are no strangers to each other. The Viper was Lee's first prominent opponent on the main roster. They fought together at Payback 2020, where the Limitless One defeated the veteran convincingly.
They could renew if Lee wins his first WWE Championship. If that happens, the chances are that Orton could win his 15th World Championship.
It may seem hasty and ill-advised to have Lee lose the title to Orton, but it makes sense from a storyline perspective. The Viper was his first rival on the main roster, and Orton wouldn't be pleased to witness Lee's rise. Hence, having the Apex Predator dethrone the Limitless One to become WWE Champion isn't a bad idea.
#1 John Cena could win the WWE Championship to make history and become a 17-time World Champion
John Cena is a 16-time World Champion, winning the WWE Championship thirteen times and the retired World Heavyweight Championship three times. If The Leader of the Cenation wins a world title again, he would break Ric Flair's long-standing record and become a 17-time World Champion.
Randy Orton would serve as the perfect opponent for this historic moment, and several reasons support this proposition. Cena and Orton are the PG Era's equivalent to Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. Their rivalry defined WWE in the post-Attitude Era. The two on-screen rivals have fought in all sorts of matches, from Hell in a Cell to "I Quit" matches.
Even though they may be rivals on WWE television, they are close friends off-screen. The former WWE Champions have tremendous respect for each other. Cena has publicly acknowledged his admiration for the Apex Predator. It is no wonder their matches together are tremendous and well-worked.
With their undeniable chemistry and history together, they need to fight again in a high-stakes match. Although they are past their prime, Cena and Orton could draw large crowds and put on great matches. Randy Orton would be the perfect WWE Superstar for Cena to dethrone en route making history.
