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Bobby Lashley ended WWE Hell in a Cell 2021 with his hand raised as he defeated Drew McIntyre to retain the WWE Championship inside the dreaded structure.
As a result, McIntyre can no longer challenge for the title as long as Lashley is holding it. This has led to some excitement for RAW, as we will get a fresh match on the top of the card in preparation for the return of live crowds. The All-Mighty WWE Champion has an intriguing summer ahead.
Bobby Lashley will most likely defend the WWE Title at Money in the Bank, before possibly heading into SummerSlam with the gold. From obvious megastars to a few current names, quite a few opponents could feasibly step up to face him in front of the returning fans.
These Superstars may take Lashley on at Money in the Bank, SummerSlam or possibly the pay-per-view after that. Either way, it looks like Monday Night RAW will see some improvements very shortly.
Here are five WWE Superstars who could possibly challenge Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship during the summer of 2021. Who would you like to see Lashley face next? Let us know by sounding off in the comments below.
#5 Brock Lesnar may return to give Bobby Lashley his dream match at SummerSlam
Let's start with the obvious choice to face Bobby Lashley this summer - Brock Lesnar.
While he has not been on WWE programming since losing to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 36, The Beast could return at any point once the fans are back. Lesnar has reportedly been in talks with the company, which is an encouraging sign for Lashley's SummerSlam match.
The All-Mighty has repeatedly mentioned his desire to face Brock Lesnar in a WWE ring and now seems like the perfect time to book it. Lashley is on top of the world, having beaten McIntyre multiple times. A match between him and Lesnar would be one of the biggest box office attractions in WWE today.
It is fitting for a grand stage like SummerSlam, which may be even bigger than WrestleMania this year. However, if The Beast does not return in the coming months to face Bobby Lashley, several other names can take on The All-Mighty WWE Champion over the summer.
#4 Keith Lee might challenge Bobby Lashley if he can return to WWE soon
This would be another colossal match for Bobby Lashley, but it would depend on whether Keith Lee is able to return to WWE soon. He hasn't been on TV for over four months for undisclosed reasons, with fans being left confused by his absence.
Hopefully, Lee is healthy and is ready to return soon. If he does, the former NXT Champion is a great option to pit against Lashley. The two heavyweight stars may be capable of hard-hitting magic together, with a match between them seeming perfect for a big pay-per-view.
If Brock Lesnar does not return this summer, and Keith Lee does, The Limitless One could be a threat to Bobby Lashley's WWE Championship reign. His last appearance on RAW saw The All-Mighty take him out prior to a scheduled triple threat match for the United States Championship.
Lee was supposed to win the US Title in that match at Elimination Chamber, but he was taken off TV and Riddle won the belt instead. However, he could go for the WWE Championship instead upon his return, whenever that may be.
#3 Damian Priest would be a worthy challenger for Bobby Lashley
Keith Lee isn't the only big man originally from NXT who may challenge Bobby Lashley soon. Damian Priest has been making waves on RAW. Although it's been a while since we've seen him, WWE may have a push in store for him.
The Archer of Infamy is great in the ring and has solid promo skills, which should see him in the upper echelons of the card. He may even be on tonight's episode of RAW, challenging Lashley to a title match at Money in the Bank. Priest would give the WWE Champion a tough challenge, that's for sure.
A match between them is sure to be hard-hitting, thanks to their collective fighting styles. Bobby Lashley's WWE Title reign has so far focused on him taking down big men, with Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman falling to The All-Mighty recently. Damian Priest could be next in line.
It may not happen at SummerSlam, but a one-month feud either in July or September sounds like a good idea for Lashley and Priest. It would boost the latter's profile within the WWE main roster while boosting the former's title reign.
#2 Kofi Kingston could challenge Bobby Lashley after pinning him last month
Speaking of current stars who could be built up to take on Bobby Lashley, Kofi Kingston pinned The All-Mighty WWE Champion last month on RAW. This has offered the New Day member a chance to rise to the main event scene again.
Even after losing a number one contender's match to Drew McIntyre, Kingston is in the hunt. MVP has confronted the Ghanaian in recent weeks, stating that he is comfortable "being a loser" and how Xavier Woods is holding him back. This could lead to Kofi Kingston turning heel and joining up with MVP and Bobby Lashley.
But another possibility is the former WWE Champion getting fired up for a title shot opposite The All-Mighty WWE Champion. Fans would be into this program, even if Kingston winning another world title is an unlikely prospect.
If he does turn heel and join Lashley and MVP, WWE may book Xavier Woods as a sympathetic babyface. He is severely underrated in the ring and could be boosted from a short program for the WWE Championship.
Either way, whether Kofi Kingston turns or not, Bobby Lashley could tangle with a member of The New Day in the near future. The seeds have definitely been planted.
#1 Finn Balor should return to WWE RAW and take on Bobby Lashley
One of the best choices to challenge Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship isn't even on the WWE main roster right now. Finn Balor may still be an NXT Superstar, but a move back to RAW or SmackDown seems imminent after his decisive loss to Karrion Kross.
Balor has enjoyed a career revival on the black-and-gold brand and, hopefully, will be presented as a main event star on the main roster. He would be a fantastic opponent for Lashley. If Brock Lesnar does not appear at SummerSlam, the Irishman wouldn't be a bad alternative at all.
Even beyond SummerSlam, WWE has to book Finn Balor to go after the world title on RAW. He and Bobby Lashley have worked well together in the past. The two even faced each other at WrestleMania 35 - something which could be tapped into for a potential WWE Championship feud.
Balor used the face paint to beat Lashley back then, which could lead to MVP challenging him to face The All-Mighty WWE Champion man-to-man. Also, they are both much bigger stars right now. A match between the pair in the next few months seems like a no-brainer.
As we have seen, WWE has multiple options when it comes to challengers for Bobby Lashley. In fact, programs with all five of these Superstars could make up the entirety of The All-Mighty WWE Champion's year. But how long will he keep the title? That remains to be seen.
