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Brock Lesnar is a five-time world champion in WWE. The current and longest-reigning Universal Champion is scheduled to defend his title against Roman Reigns in a much-anticipated contest at WrestleMania 34.
2017 was a great year for Brock Lesnar. He didn't have a huge number of matches, but the few he had, were crafted to perfection. His rivalry with Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman were outstanding, and his title defence against Joe, Strowman, and Reigns in a Fatal 4-Way match at SummerSlam was one of the best matches of the year.
Lesnar is rumoured to leave WWE and join UFC after Mania. If WWE manages to keep him for another run, here are four superstars who should face the Beast Incarnate.
Honourable Mention: Bobby Roode and Sami Zayn
(Note: Lesnar faced Shinsuke Nakamura in NJPW in 2006. Therefore, Nakamura hasn't been included in the list)
# Cesaro
Cesaro is a record four-time RAW Tag-Team champion. The Swiss Superman has also had success as a singles wrestler, having won the WWE's United States Championship and the inaugural Andre the Giant Memorial Trophy at WrestleMania XXX. He was consequently recognized by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter as the Most Underrated Wrestler in the world a record four times, from 2013 to 2016.
Last year, Bryan Alvarez talked about Cesaro never getting a main-event push.
The craziest thing about Cesaro is, you know how he’s great in the ring, and he has great wrestling charisma, and he looks great, and he always wears a suit, and somehow Vince McMahon finds the man boring. That’s the whole reason why he’s not getting a push.
The situation is still unchanged. It is unfortunate that WWE never considered putting Cesaro against someone like Brock Lesnar because they think that Cesaro is not a main-event-level guy. But any match featuring Cesaro, if it’s given time, is absolutely fabulous.
Cesaro was a Paul Heyman guy for a short while in 2014. The stint did not last long due to him not getting over as a heel. Today the dynamics have changed. Cesaro being a fan-favourite performer would love to have Heyman by his side.
This storyline can set up a great feud involving Brock Lesnar, with the winner claiming bragging rights to have Paul Heyman as his advocate. Cesaro and Lesnar are both super strong athletes and can tear the house down if they ever step in the squared circle together.
#3 Finn Balor
Finn Balor was the face of NXT for around two years. A former NXT Champion, he became the inaugural Universal Champion just 27 days after his main-roster debut, when he defeated Seth Rollins at SummerSlam. After returning from a shoulder injury due to which he had to relinquish his title, Balor has dropped down to mid-card status, failing to make his way to the top.
Balor needs a high-profile rivalry to elevate him to the main-event scene. One match that was much talked about, but never happened, was Balor going against Brock Lesnar. One of the most technically gifted wrestlers in the world, Finn is one of the few small men in the WWE who has a considerable presence. The two athletes have contrasting wrestling skills and a high-flyer going against a dominant powerhouse will create a 5-star outing in the ring.
Finn Balor vs Brock Lesnar is the most interesting match from a fan's perspective that can happen this year. If Lesnar chooses to stay in WWE and retains the Universal Championship, Balor could be a great contender for the title, as he never actually lost it.
Balor talked about wanting to wrestle Brock Lesnar:
Listen, I don’t shy away from a fight for one second and I would absolutely love to be in there with Brock Lesnar.
Once I handle Bray Wyatt, I need to be going after the Universal Championship which I was never beaten for. Yes, Brock Lesnar is the current champion, but make sure you don’t forget that I relinquished the title due to injury, I was never beaten, and I definitely think that I deserve a title shot.
The Beast vs The Demon King will be a great 'David and Goliath' match. Balor is a highly undervalued performer, and a miraculous victory for him will arguably be one of the most famous underdog stories in WWE history. A match against Brock Lesnar will give Finn Balor a much-needed push and will be a fresh chapter in his career.
#2 Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley is rumored to return to WWE after a gap of 10 years. His last run with the company didn't take him to the top. Though he did win ECW and United States Championships, WWE could not book him as the superstar he was supposed to be, and thus was released a year later.
Lashley's return to the company could be as soon as the Raw after WrestleMania. To finally get over with the fans this time, he needs to have a distinguished rivalry with someone of his stature. Who better than Brock Lesnar? Lesnar and Lashley share a common story. Both left WWE to pursue other interests and ruled the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) industry. Since getting released from WWE, both have wrestled all over the world and decimated opponents everywhere.
WWE needs to book a match between two of the strongest performers in the history of pro-wrestling. Both have comparable wrestling skills; with style, strength, and agility coming together. Lesnar and Lashley carry great star-power, and a potential match between the two will set out any arena. Two unstoppable forces colliding with each other will be a treat for the WWE Universe.
In October last year, Lashley revealed why a fight with Brock Lesnar—in MMA and/or pro-wrestling—is a guaranteed box-office attraction.
Brock and myself, whether it's in professional wrestling or whether it's in a fight, I think it needs to be done.
Until the fight happens, no one knows…I think I would do well. I think our styles are very similar and I think it's gonna be tit-for-tat in a lot of ways.
Lashley and Lesnar are two very similar wrestlers. A match between the two will be nothing short of a blockbuster event which will see a hot crowd cheering for both of them. The matchup has money written all over it and will create some memorable moments for the highlight reels.
#1 Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan is possibly the best technical wrestler in WWE's history. A four-time World Champion, Bryan has completed his Grand Slam in WWE and headlined several major pay-per-view events, including SummerSlam 2013 and WrestleMania XXX. In March 2018, Bryan was medically cleared to wrestle again after a hiatus of almost two years.
Now that Bryan is back in action, a plethora of dream match options has become possible for The leader of the Yes Movement. One match that everyone wants to see is Bryan facing Brock Lesnar. Bryan and Lesnar were rumored to face each other in the main event of SummerSlam 2014, but the plans got nixed, and John Cena was added instead. Now with Bryan ready to get back inside the squared circle once, a blockbuster feud could happen with The Beast Incarnate.
Bryan vs Lesnar will be an epic clash of two contrasting wrestling styles. The fight between brute strength and endurance will be interesting to watch. Bryan may look weak in comparison to Lesnar, but his wrestling skills are second to none. Both in terms of in-ring abilities and character work, Bryan stands right at the top. Lesnar, on the other hand, may perhaps be the greatest fighter to ever step into the world of professional wrestling.
Paul Heyman talked about a potential Lesnar vs. Bryan program.
I have wanted to see Brock Lesnar vs Daniel Bryan even before Lesnar debuted on the main roster when Bryan was known as The American Dragon. I loved his matches even in the early part of his career and found him to be one of the most compelling, riveting performers in the history of this industry.
The match has everything going for it, Bryan's never-give-up attitude vs Lesnar's domination which would make this a dream showdown. A physical freak of nature going against a submission specialist will be a must-watch rivalry. If booked right, this would be a feud for the ages.
