5 challengers for WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins after Brock Lesnar

In case you missed this week's RAW, Brock Lesnar did not make good on his promise to cash-in his Money in the Bank contract on Universal Champion Seth Rollins, instead punishing the Architect with a steel chair.

With the MITB contract still un-cashed, Rollins will presumably have to face the Beast at some point, unless Lesnar instead targets WWE Champion Kofi Kingston.

But if Rollins survives Lesnar, then it may be months before the WWE Universe see the Brock Party host, and will leave the Beastslayer without a challenger. On Monday Night RAW, there's no shortage of Superstars who want to take the red brand's top prize from Seth, but there are some that stand out.

Here are five challengers for WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins after Brock Lesnar

---

#5: Cesaro

The WWE Universe has been hoping for a Cesaro main event push for years.

The Swiss Superman has always been impressive since his 2012 WWE debut, but for the past few years has been a staple of the tag-team division with Sheamus as The Bar.

Now a singles star again, Cesaro has been a tour-de-force as a member of the RAW roster, trading victories with the always-impressive Ricochet. After Lesnar, a Rollins-Cesaro feud is nothing short of a dream match, as both men have proven themselves to be two of the most athletically gifted men in WWE today.

For years, many members in the WWE Universe have clamoured for a potential World title push for Cesaro, despite Vince McMahon's claims that the Swiss Cyborg doesn't have a certain X-factor to be a top star.

Could 2019 finally be the year of Cesaro, who for his entire run in WWE, has been a fixture of the mid-card and tag team scene? Only time will tell.

#4: AJ Styles

Styles and Rollins faced off at Money in the Bank, though the feud is far from over.

AJ Styles and Seth Rollins have already faced off once before for the Universal Championship, with Rollins retaining the gold against the Phenomenal One at the recent Money in the Bank event.

And though the arrival of Lesnar has disrupted everything in WWE recently, there are plenty of fans hoping for another bout between the two.

With a feud that was built which so much vigour as the one between AJ and Rollins, it seems highly unlikely that the company would have it end so quickly after just one match on a pay per view outside the big four.

There's no reason why these two can't rekindle their feud after Lesnar, with a rematch at this year's Summerslam, complete with possible Styles heel-turn and re-aligning with Gallows and Anderson being just some of the outcomes.

#3: Roman Reigns

The Big Dog and the Architect could have a great feud.

Since returning from his battle with leukaemia, Roman Reigns has kept clear from the Universal title picture, instead focussing his efforts on battling Drew McIntyre, Elias, and most recently, Shane McMahon.

And whilst these feuds have helped satiate the appetite of the Big Dog, Reigns would presumably hope to one day regain the title he was forced to vacate due to his diagnosis back in October last year.

As the two men to dethrone Lesnar for the gold, a Reigns-Rollins match could be great, especially if the feud is based on the mutual respect the two have, as well as their history in the Shield.

Reigns coming up short could actually be the best outcome for the Big Dog, as it'd hopefully silence critics who still believe that Roman is being unfairly pushed to the top.

#2: Braun Strowman

The Monster Among Men taking on Rollins' may be Strowman's last chance at becoming Universal Champion in his career.

It's hard to say whether the mystique of Braun Strowman has been irreparably damaged by his multiple failed Universal title matches against Brock Lesnar. If not, then Strowman could return to prominence by challenging Rollins for the gold, and be a fresh opponent for the Beast Slayer.

There have been few altercations between the two, and a Rolins-Strowman feud could lead to some exceptional storytelling by two Superstars who have consistently been cheered by the fans in a time where face/heel dynamics

If Rollins was to feud with the Monster Among Men though, we feel that Strowman would have to win the title from him, as anything short of a title victory would be the final nail in the coffin of Braun's Universal title dreams and main event push.

#1: Drew McIntyre

Is it McIntyre's destiny to become Universal Champion in 2019?

Drew McIntyre has been back on the main roster for just over a year now, and the Scottish Psychopath has certainly been impressive.

Despite just one title reign (briefly holding the RAW tag gold with Dolph Ziggler), McIntyre has been featured prominently throughout the year, battling several top stars and former World Champions.

Touted for years as a future World Champion himself, McIntyre is poised to feud for the Universal Championship with Rollins, after the Architect is finished with Lesnar. The Scotsman has proven himself as a main event player in the past, ruling as NXT Champion in 2017 and becoming one of the biggest stars ever on the developmental brand.

A Universal title feud, and possible title win is exactly what McIntyre needs to cement his return to WWE as one of the greatest of all time.