'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Seth Rollins currently holds the Universal Title and is the seventh Title-holder for the belt that has been around since 2016. He has held the title for more than 80 days, having won the title at WrestleMania by taming the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar. Rollins has led the Raw brand superbly, putting on great matches time and time again. He has restored prestige into the title once again.
The Beast-Slayer has had a tremendous reign as the Universal Champion. He defended the title against arguably the best in-ring performer in WWE today, AJ Styles, in a match of the year candidate at Money in the Bank. He also successfully defended the title against one of Raw's top heels as he defeated Baron Corbin on two separate occasions, first at Super Show-Down and then at Stomping Grounds. Although Corbin is still chasing the reigning champion, it's very likely that Rollins will retain the Universal title against Corbin in the upcoming mixed tag-team match at Extreme Rules where Rollins and Becky Lynch will take on Corbin and Lacey Evans in a Winners Take All match for the aforementioned Universal title and Raw Women's Championship.
The thing that has made Rollins' reign even more impressive is how he has been able to dodge the 'Beast in the Bank'. Lesnar tried to cash in his contract at Super Show-Down, but Rollins smartly evaded the cash-in and viciously assaulted the Beast, thwarting the cash-in in the process.
However, Rollins will inevitably lose the title someday. It would take a formidable challenger to conquer the Beast-Slayer, who is at the top of the food chain right now. Here's a look at 3 stars who could dethrone Rollins and become the Universal Champion.
3. Drew McIntyre
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Drew McIntyre will be the Universal Champion by the end of 2019, and many would agree with me. Even if he doesn't win the title in 2019, he will certainly win it somewhere down the line.
WWE has been building up McIntyre for quite some time now, he is undoubtedly one of WWE's brightest prospects. The Scottish Psychopath is currently aligned with Shane McMahon, acting as Shane's henchman most of the time.
The duo is set to face the unlikely team of The Undertaker and Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules. McIntyre is currently working with the likes of Reigns, Shane and Taker. These three names are WWE's biggest stars and McIntyre will benefit immensely from working with these three stars.
Rollins and McIntyre have battled before and will inevitably do so again. When they do, it will most likely be for the Universal title and McIntyre should slay the Beast-Slayer.
2. AJ Styles
When AJ Styles arrived at Raw as a part of the Superstar Shake-Up, fans were ecstatic and elated to watch "The Phenomenal One" on the red brand. Styles is, by far, one of the greatest in-ring competitors this generation has seen, perhaps the only replacement WWE has found for Shawn Michaels.
Styles faced the Universal Champion, Seth Rollins, at Money in the Bank and was unsuccessful in his attempt. Many thought that the feud should have continued, but it was cut short due to Styles' back injury. Styles and Rollins shook hands after the match, but the commentators assured us that the match certainly wasn't the last one we'd seen between the two.
Styles is currently embroiled in a feud with Ricochet over the United States whereas Rollins is dealing with Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans alongside Becky Lynch. After the match that the two put on at Money in the Bank, it's a certainty that they will battle again sometime in the future. In my opinion, this match should be booked for the Universal title at SummerSlam in August.
Styles was a great WWE Champion on SmackDown Live, we're hopeful that he could replicate the same magic on Raw as the Universal Champion.
1.Braun Strowman
Make no mistake, Braun Strowman has had numerous opportunities at the Universal title. However, he has never been able to win the Universal title even after chasing it for almost two years now. He has had five opportunities since 2017 and has been unsuccessful every single time.
In my opinion, Strowman deserves at least one lengthy Universal title reign. He is one of the best big men we've ever seen. The Monster Among Men is extremely agile for a near 400-pound powerhouse and has freakish strength. Fans don't want to see Strowman flip vehicles over or destroy rings anymore, they want to see him at the top of the mountain as the Universal Champion. Right now, Strowman is not near the Universal title picture, but that could all change soon if he chooses to enter the title picture.
Perhaps, WWE thinks that Strowman would need to turn heel for a feud with Seth Rollins, who is a fan favourite. Raw already doesn't have credible babyfaces, hence WWE may not want to take a risk by turning Strowman heel again.
Strowman Vs Rollins could be a money-making feud in the WWE. The two can put on a great show and this rivalry will benefit both stars immensely.
