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Riddle became the WWE United States Champion at Elimination Chamber 2021, where he defeated Bobby Lashley and John Morrison in a Triple Threat match. Since his debut on WWE SmackDown in May 2020, Riddle had been struggling to find his place despite some terrific performances. Fans were mighty disappointed to see one of their beloved performers get lost in the shuffle.
However, a move to WWE RAW in October 2020 got him embroiled in the U.S. Championship picture with the former champion Lashley. On most occasions, it was Lashley who dominated The Original Bro. However, Riddle managed to sneak out with a victory after pinning John Morrison at Elimination Chamber.
With Lashley moving into the WWE Championship picture, the doors have opened for new opponents for Riddle on the Road to WrestleMania 37. Considering how stacked the WWE RAW roster is, many underused Superstars can also emerge to get a shot at the title.
Here in this article, we will look at five possible opponents for Riddle as the new WWE United States Champion. Do share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
#5 WWE RAW Superstar AJ Styles can bring his veteran experience onto the table
For the first time since joining WWE, AJ Styles seems directionless on the Road to WrestleMania. The WWE Championship scenario has progressed smoothly without his involvement. As a result, Styles may end up doing nothing of note on The Grandest Stage of Them All. However, The Phenomenal One is way too talented to simply go by the motions week in and week out.
Booking Styles in the US Championship picture with Riddle might be the best thing for both the Superstars. The Original Bro is still a newcomer on the main roster, and the upcoming WrestleMania event would be his first time at The Show of Shows.
If given a chance to work with a performer of Styles' stature, Riddle is bound to have an excellent showing. The two already wrestled over the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown last year, and their matches were nothing less than excellent.
Even if Riddle loses the feud, The Original Bro would benefit just by stepping in the ring with one of professional wrestling's best talents. Also, with Omos in the mix, WWE can have the giant debut in the ring in a match against Riddle. In such a case, the US Champion will do the bulk of the heavy lifting.
#4 WWE RAW Superstar Cedric Alexander can step back into the US Championship picture
One half of WWE RAW Tag Team Champions, Cedric Alexander, has become an integral part of WWE programming since joining The Hurt Business. In many ways, joining the group rescued his career as he was struggling in the 24/7 Championship picture early last year.
In 2019, Alexander was contending for the US Championship against AJ Styles. The two had some fun encounters, and it felt like that the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion could have dethroned Styles. However, his push soon fizzled out and was only revived when he won the tag titles.
Challenging Riddle for the US Championship would not only bring him back into the singles title picture, but it also makes logical sense. MVP can push him to get the US title back into the stable since Bobby Lashley has moved onto the WWE Championship scene.
It would lead to a series of compelling bouts between Riddle and Alexander on the Road to WrestleMania 37. The two stars could even clash against each other at The Show of Shows.
#3 Sheamus and Riddle can battle it out in a slugfest at WWE WrestleMania 37
Former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre's rivalry with Sheamus has somewhat cooled down since Elimination Chamber 2021. During the build-up to the event, it felt like The Celtic Warrior might walk out as the new WWE Champion. This would have led to a match between the two at WrestleMania 37.
However, now that none of them are champions, they will likely compete at Fastlane 2021. The Scottish Warrior is expected to win that bout and move back into the WWE Championship scenario for WrestleMania. It would leave Sheamus without any major storyline heading into the pay-per-view.
In such a case, Sheamus and Riddle can have an engaging feud over the US Championship. The two have already wrestled during the qualifying stages for RAW's Survivor Series team in November 2020.
Judging by the quality of that bout, they can surely tear the house down at WrestleMania by wrestling in a stiffer match than usual. Even their previous match was heavy on strikes, and the same can be expected from their clash if WWE goes in that direction.
#2 WWE RAW Superstar Braun Strowman might aim to win the US Championship
Braun Strowman was booked to face Bobby Lashley on WWE RAW by Shane McMahon. Many believed Strowman could find his way into the WWE Championship picture by winning the match. However, The Monster Among Men didn't just lose but was virtually squashed by Lashley.
Since then, fans are wondering what WWE has in store for Strowman heading into WrestleMania 37. While there have been indications on RAW about a possible feud between Shane-O-Mac and Strowman, it's not a match that sounds very exciting.
Instead, a feud with Riddle for the US Championship could be a lot of fun. Strowman works best with Superstars smaller in size than him, so it wouldn't come as a surprise if WWE goes ahead with a clash between the two.
Also, the former Universal Champion has never won the Unites States Championship, and it makes sense for him to chase the title. Strowman's brute strength coupled with Riddle's agility might result in a sure-fire banger at The Grandest Stage of Them All.
#1 Christian could return to WWE RAW and challenge Riddle for the US Championship
WWE legend Christian made his triumphant return to in-ring action during the 2021 Men's Royal Rumble match, where he entered at number 24. Looking better than ever, Captain Charisma lasted for 18 minutes in the bout. However, since then, he has been conspicuously absent from WWE television.
While reports suggested that he'll work a part-time schedule from here on, it isn't clear what the company has planned for the former two-time WWE World Champion. With a hint of unpredictability on the Road to WrestleMania 37, Christian could return anytime soon.
While a high-profile feud would make the fans happy, WWE has run out of time to build up to such a rivalry for Christian at WrestleMania 37. In such a case, a short feud with Riddle over the United States Championship could be ideal.
Most importantly, despite his strike-based offense, The Original Bro is quite a safe worker. Christian can be assured of a risk-free outing while also ensuring the match itself would be worthy enough of a stage like WrestleMania.
