3 WWE SmackDown stars who may get a Universal Title shot this year and 2 who may not

#1 Big E could become SmackDown's biggest babyface by the end of 2021

Big E

One of the favorites to defeat Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship, Big E is currently in the Intercontinental Title scene on SmackDown.

The former New Day member lost the belt to Apollo Crews in a Nigerian Drum Fight at WrestleMania and is looking to get it back, although it does not look like he will be any time soon. Big E is not alone in his IC Title pursuit, with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens in the mix as well.

He may lose a multi-man match without getting pinned, which would allow an ascension up the card on SmackDown. Big E could rack up a few big wins against the likes of Cesaro and Seth Rollins, en route to a Universal Title program against Roman Reigns over the summer or fall of 2021.

The core matches of The Tribal Chief's reign will likely feature bigger names like Edge and Brock Lesnar but if neither of them challenges him at SummerSlam, Big E would be the perfect name to step in. He seems ready to ascend to the main event level, with his singles run on SmackDown being a success so far.

Big E does not even need to win his first match against Reigns if he does face the Universal Champion in 2021. It would be a great showcase of the two-time Intercontinental Champion's abilities as a top-tier superstar, while further building him up to dethrone Roman Reigns in 2022.