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We all know who they are -- these are the guys that the WWE Universe knows have the tools to make it to the top, if it weren’t for some shoddy booking, status as a "babyface", or complete lack of personality (Hello, Charisma Vacuum!).
There have been more than 50 men to hold the WWE Championship and only four to hold the Universal Championship, making it the most sought-after title in sports entertainment. And while some of the men on this list deserve it, we just don’t see them taking home the titles this Christmas, or any Christmas.
With that, here are the five guys who should, but we think won’t ever, win the WWE Championship or Universal Championship.
#1 Cesaro
Why we like Cesaro: Cesaro is undoubtedly a phenomenal in-ring performer. His uppercuts send shock waves through arenas and his uncanny ability to swing the largest of men around like a bag of rice is awe-inspiring.
There aren't too many fans that don't admire the Swish Cyborg’s strength, physique, and tireless in-ring work. While Cesaro’s entrance music could use some work, walking in like James Bond and ripping off a tuxedo in one quick motion could make Bond himself envious.
Why he won't be Universal or WWE Champion: Just a few months ago, Cesaro was completely "over" with the crowd. But alas, all good things must come to an end in the WWE.
Now, Cesaro’s tear-away tuxedo has been replaced with a wilted green army jacket and a kilt as our “Peak of Physique” finds himself with fading former champion Sheamus to, almost unfathomably, make up one half of the Raw Tag Team Champions.
While he holds the tag team belt currently, we wouldn’t bet on Cesaro being set up for world championship status as he is paired up with a more charismatic and more successful partner in Sheamus.
Furthermore, his ability to shine as an individual is shrouded in a cloud of hype surrounding The Shield. Tough act to compete against.
#2 Samoa Joe
Why we like Samoa Joe: If we look back a couple of months, we saw Joe and Brock Lesnar really build up to a true and unabated heavyweight clash for the title. I remember watching that match and saying, “If anyone can take the title off Brock and make it believable, it’s Braun Strowman or Samoa Joe”.
Why he won't be Universal or WWE Champion: This is the one entry on this list we hope we're wrong about – but watching Samoa Joe feud with a once mysterious and now melancholy Finn Balor, and now Roman Reigns, after a long hiatus tells me he isn’t in the title picture anymore, and may never be again.
And after this week's Raw, we can surmise a beef and eventual title snatch from Reigns, as Roman obviously has bigger sights set on Wrestlemania and a probable meeting with Lesnar. Joe, at this point, will be set as a mid-card Intercontinental Champion, Raw's version of Baron Corbin.
#3 Jason Jordan
What we like about Jason Jordan: In-ring talent. That's all.
Why he won't be Universal or WWE Champion: This one is the easiest, so I’m not going to write much here. All the talent in the world with none of the personality. If Jason Jordan flipped the script on Kurt Angle and got rid of those "school boy" sneakers in the ring, we may have something.
Let's track back to his last great storylines. Run at the Intercontinental Championship? Lost! Run at the Survivor Series Team? Embarrassed and removed from the team!
Something needs to change in Jordan or else the above booking just won't get better. Until then, can you please call Chad Gable? Someone come get this Shelton Benjamin 2.0 off my screen!
#4 Rusev
Why we love Rusev: This one hurts. Has there been an arbitrary holiday more adored than “Rusev Day”? In our household, we are waiting for the day our Bulgarian Brute final brings home gold to truly allow the festivities to begin. Unfortunately, Rusev’s day may never come, and we are here getting lit off goblets of mastika celebrating a country and a champion we’ve never known.
And what tells us the eponymous holiday will never be? Because our beloved Rusev has travelled the dark, downward path from “monster” to simply “man”.
Does anyone remember when Rusev moved from NXT to the main roster? The guy was simply unstoppable. Intense as hell with no wrestling boots, and hair that makes AJ Styles pry to figure out “what conditioner are you using?”, Rusev was literally crushing any opponent in his way with a stomp to the lower back and a swift locking in of the Accolade. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen that level of domination.
Why he won't be Universal or WWE Champion: But as Rusev became “handsome”, his tenacity and integrity as a fierce competitor went out the window with that beautiful hair. Think I’m lying? Let’s look at Rusev’s last 6 nationally-televised matches.
WIN October 31: Smackdown Live, Rusev Defeats Big E
LOSS October 10: Smackdown Live, Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura Defeat Rusev and Aiden English
LOSS October 8: Hell in A Cell, Randy Orton Defeats Rusev
WIN September 19: Smackdown Live, Rusev defeats Randy Orton
LOSS August 29: Smackdown Live, Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura defeat Jinder Mahal & Rusev
LOSS August 20: SummerSlam, Randy Orton defeats Rusev (in less than 10 seconds)
Not the record nor the progress of a world champion, sorry. It may be awhile before we see Rusev back at his "crushing" peak - the booking just isn't screaming "champion."
#5 Braun Strowman
Why we love Braun Strowman: Since we’re speaking of "monsters" and "men."
I know it’s hard to believe, but say it with me folks, “Braun Strowman will never be WWE Champion”. Truth be told, if he was going to be, he would have already been crowned the true “Monster Among Men” by putting Brock Lesnar out to pasture.
But it’s not this loss to Lesnar, or a seemingly useless and insufferable feud with Kane that has resulted in yet ANOTHER through-the-ring slam, that’s demonstrable of a career nosedive that will prevent Strowman from glory. (On the contrary, Strowman is more over than anyone on the roster right now).
Why he won't be Universal or WWE Champion: Braun won’t ever be champion simply because he doesn’t NEED to be the champion.
A Superstar that may lack in charisma or in-ring talent may need the belt to solidify themselves as a real breadwinner in the WWE Universe (See Jinder Mahal). You would be hard-pressed to deny fearing a guy like Jinder if you bumped into him in the bar. As his body shifted to its own “monster among men” physique, his talent couldn’t keep up and needed the belt to circumvent what he lacked in personality.
With one roar, Strowman has the crowd massaging his sweat and saliva soaked beard. Proving you don’t have to beat the man to be the man.
