10 WWE Superstars who may become WWE/UNIVERSAL Champions in 2018

2017 was a good year for the WWE Superstars. From the Royal Rumble to Clash Of Champions, they have put up a good show, most of the time. For every good PPVs like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Hell in a Cell, we did get poor ones like Battleground.

With that being said, let's not forget NXT, because the stars of NXT have established themselves very well and every PPV they have had, they proved why they deserve to be on the main roster.

The current landscape of WWE is thriving with wrestlers from all around the world like NJPW, ROH, Impact and so on. Here is my list of ten Superstars who might or will be the next Universal or WWE champion in 2018

WWE

#10 Sami Zayn (SDL)

Sami Zayn at Heel in a Cell

At the start of 2017, no one thought that Sami Zayn, the ultimate babyface would turn heel and help his longtime friend Kevin Owens to beat Shane Mcmohan at the Hell in the Cell PPV. Throughout 2017, Sami had done nothing significant and was jobbing out for guys like Aiden English and Mike Kanellis.

Then all changed for Zayn when he helped Kevin Owens at Hell in a Cell. Since that day, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are featuring in one of the most interesting and fun storylines on SmackDown Live. Since they beat Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura at Clash of Champions, I think the next step for Sami would be a possible title win in 2018. So, we might see Zayn holding the big gold and have a great run as a heel champion in 2018.

#9 Jinder Mahal (SDL)

The Modern-day Maharaja

Jinder Mahal had the best 2017 in the WWE. From being a jobber to winning the WWE Championship, Jinder shocked the entire WWE Universe when he pinned Randy Orton to become The 50th WWE Champion in the company's history.

However, this wasn't the end because Jinder's title reign was for nearly six months and in that time period, he defeated Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura while defending his title successfully. In the end, Jinder lost the title to AJ Styles and lost again in their rematch at Clash of Champions.

He went on and faced Triple H at the live event in India, which was one of the most important matches in his career. We still don't know if Jinder's push was to promote WWE in India but I think with such a successful 2017, Jinder might become an x2 WWE Champion in 2018 and it will begin The Era of Modern Day Maharaja again.

#8 Braun Strowman (Raw)

Monster Among Men

Ever since the 2016 brand split, Braun Strownman is the highlight of the flagship show, Monday Night Raw. He proved that he was not just another big 7 feet tall guy. He can wrestle and has good mic skills.

2017 was the breakout year for Braun. He faced Roman Reigns at the start of the year, his match with Brock Lesnar at No Mercy PPV and SummerSlam and destroying The Miztourage. Clearly, the year 2018 will be good for Braun Strowman if they build him up properly as The Monster. There is nothing that can stop Braun next year and make him a champion.

#7 Samoa Joe (Raw)

Joe Joe Joe Joe

This Superstar was my first pick to win the Royal Rumble last year. That did not happen but he made his debut, next night on Raw. He became the right-hand man of Triple H and destroyed Seth Rollins. The year was decent for Samoa Joe and the highlight was facing Brock Lesnar on two occasions, Great Balls of Fire and SummerSlam. 2018 can be a great year for Joe.

With a possible Intercontinental title in 2018 and probably winning the Universal title on Raw and if that does not happen then Samoa Joe can get drafted to Smackdown Live, where he can face AJ Styles, have some epic matches and become the new WWE Champion. We are eagerly waiting for 2018 and all the good things that can happen to Samoa Joe.

#6 Bobby Roode (SDL)

Glorious

Bobby Roode was one of the best things on NXT in 2017. His NXT Title reign was GLORIOUS. He defeated Shinsuke Nakamura, Hideo Itami, Roderick Strong and others.He was undefeated until TakeOver Brooklyn where he lost his title to Drew McIntyre. He cut the promo as a champion and definitely has the charisma of a champion.

We can see that happening again in 2018 as The next WWE Champion. His recent run on the main roster has been weak. A feud with Ziggler and Corbin after SummerSlam took him nowhere. I think winning the rumble and becoming the WWE champion is the right call for Roode in 2018. Even if he doesn't win the rumble in 2018, we can still see him becoming the #1 contender for the title, becoming the champion and making Smackdown Live in 2018 GLORIOUS!!!

#5 Dean Ambrose/Seth Rollins(Raw)

Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins

These two men had an amazing 2017. Ambrose becoming the Intercontinental Champion and Raw Tag Team Champion, while Rollins went on to defeat Triple H at WrestleMania 33 and later becoming Raw Tag Team Champion with Dean Ambrose. A huge storyline was planned for these two men and that match at Wrestlemania.

But with Ambrose's recent injury, there is no specific time given on when he will return or even if he returns will he be able to compete at this years Wrestlemania. Apart from the injury and the Wrestlemania match, these two men are going to prove themselves as a singles competitor in 2018. Both the men are top contenders on the Raw brand and by 2018, either one of the men or eventually both at some point in 2018 might be Universal Champion.

#4 Kevin Owens (SDL)

KO

From 2015 to 2017, Kevin Owens proved why he is the best heel in the company ever since he made his debut. He is the opposite of the top babyface in the company. He is the top Heel of WWE. KO has become NXT, US, Intercontinental And Universal Champion within the span of three years. With great matches in his bag against Sami Zayn, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns, AJ Styles, Shane Mchmohan and so on, he has accomplished everything except the WWE title( and Tag Titles).

The coming year can be the year when KO becomes the WWE Champion and most likely becoming grand slam Champion. With good mic skills, promo and matches, Kevin Owens will surely rule 2018 and SmackDown Live with his new best friend Sami Zayn.

#3 Finn Balor (Raw)

Finn Balor

Finn Balor was the first ever WWE Universal Champion. The next night on Raw, he relinquished the title due to his injury. 2017 could have been the year of Balor but sadly that's not how things turned out. His feud with Wyatt did nothing for him or Wyatt. On the contrary, Finn had one of the best matches of the year with AJ Styles.

He never got his rematch for the title he never lost and 2018 seems like the year when he gets his rematch and wins the title once again. When Balor turns heel and creates a stable with Good Brothers(Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows), it would be astounding to watch NJPW stable again in WWE.

The newly formed Balor Club can do wonders and elevate all the stars and it can give the audience a fresh breath of air and something new to watch from Balor. If this happens, 2018 might just be the year of Balor.

#2 Shinsuke Nakamura (SDL)

The Rockstar

Shinsuke Nakamura was a huge deal in NJPW. He faced Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles in NJPW. Nakamura has the potential to win the Royal Rumble in Philadelphia and ultimately face "The Phenomenal One" AJ Styles. If this match does take place, I'm confident that it might be the best match of the night. AJ and Nakamura have faced each other at NJPW in 2015 and it was an awesome match (Go watch it, it's really good).

Nakamura raising his hands as the WWE Champion might happen at WrestleMania. 2018 might just be the year when the Rockstar of WWE becomes the WWE Champion.

#1 Roman Reigns (Raw)

Roman Reigns

This man has proved week in and out why he deserves to be the face of the company. Whether fans cheer for him or boo him, Roman has done it all. In past five years, he has become x3 WWE Champion, x1 US, Tag team and is currently the Intercontinental Champion. With 2017 almost in the history books, it's clear Roman Reigns will be facing Brock Lesnar.

It has been more than a year since Roman captured a major world title and WrestleMania 34 seems to be the coronation of The Big Dog when he defeats The Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. We all know this match was going to happen since last year's WrestleMania. Roman will win the only title in the company that he has never won and will have a good title reign as the Universal Champion.