5 potential challengers for Braun Strowman's Universal Championship

Braun Strowman successfully claimed his first WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36, defeating previous champion Goldberg at the first WrestleMania "too big for one night".

The Monster Among Men, replacing Roman Reigns, defeated the WWE Hall of Famer in an emphatic fashion. After several running powerslams, Strowman defeated Goldberg in a match lasting just over 2 minutes in duration.

After several missed opportunities for the WWE Universal Championship in the past, many were quick to congratulate Braun Strowman on his quick and historic victory on the 'Grandest Stage Of Them All'.

But, such as the fast paced nature of WWE, many were quick to speculate who would be Braun Strowman's first Universal Championship challenger, along with other opponents the 'Monster Among Men' could face for SmackDown's richest prize in the future.

Here are 5 potential challengers for Braun Strowman's newly acquired WWE Universal Championship.

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#5. Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt

There is a lot of history to this potential feud. Bray Wyatt was once the leader of a young Braun Strowman in WWE. Braun Strowman made his WWE debut the night after WWE SummerSlam 2015, on Monday Night RAW as a member of the Wyatt Family. Dubbed as the "black sheep", Braun Strowman fit right in with Bray Wyatt's collection of backward followers led by the eponymous 'Eater of Worlds' himself.

However, once the 2016 WWE Draft rolled around, Braun Strowman was drafted to RAW and Bray Wyatt was drafted to SmackDown, thus ending their association on WWE television. The duo have rarely crossed paths since, minus a brief confrontation in the build up to Survivor Series 2016.

It would be fascinating to see Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman face off in a 'teacher vs pupil' type storyline. The phrase "I taught you everything you know, but not everything I know" comes to mind here.

In addition to their previous history, Bray Wyatt has yet to receive a rematch for the WWE Universal Championship, since The Fiend was defeated by the previous champion, Goldberg, at Super ShowDown in February.

Therefore, not only does The Fiend have a legitimate claim to the number one contendership for the Universal Championship, but Bray Wyatt also has a history with Braun Strowman. All the ingredients of a compelling Universal Championship feud.

#4. Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn

There is a solid argument that the last person to defeat the current WWE Universal Champion should be the number one contender for SmackDown's richest prize. Step in, the current WWE Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn.

Sami Zayn defeated Braun Strowman, along with his Artist Collective breatherens Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura, to win his first WWE Intercontinental Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber in March 2020.

Despite the match being a 3-on-1 handicap match, and having considerable assistance from Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn was the competitor to score the pinfall on the 'Monster Among Men' after flooring Braun Strowman with a version of his Helluva Kick finisher.

Fast forward to WrestleMania 36. While Braun Strowman is winning his first WWE Universal Championship by defeating Goldberg, Sami Zayn also retains his WWE Intercontinental Championship by defeating Daniel Bryan, a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion in his own right, on the very same night.

Therefore, Sami Zayn has momentum on his side after his Intercontinental Championship defense at WrestleMania, and also possibly has the number of the current Universal Champion. Whilst Braun Strowman may want to fix the previous loss to Sami Zayn on his record, the current Intercontinental Champion may want to join the likes of The Ultimate Warrior in holding the Intercontinental Championship and a World Championship at the very same time.

#3. Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns

The original plan for WrestleMania 36 was for Roman Reigns to challenge WWE Universal Champion Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship on the 'Grandest Stage Of Them All'. The Big Dog would even interrupt Goldberg on an episode of Friday Night SmackDown, claiming that he was "next". This would set their WrestleMania showdown in stone for April.

However, the match never went ahead. It was reported a week prior to WrestleMania that Roman Reigns had pulled out of WrestleMania due to health concerns and didn't want to compete during the ongoing global pandemic.

WWE would address the issue by announcing on the SmackDown prior to WrestleMania that Braun Strowman would be replacing ROman Reigns to face Goldberg for the Universal Championship at the 'Show Of Shows'.

Once the current global pandemic has subsided, logic suggests that Roman Reigns will pick up where he left off in WWE. Specifically in his quest for the WWE Universal Championship which Braun Strowman is currently in possession of. After missing out on his Universal Championship at WrestleMania, some consider Roman Reigns to be the uncrowned WWE Universal Champion.

Given Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns' previous history of spectacular matches in WWE, a 2020 feud between both SmackDown superstars is not only a mouth watering prospect, but also makes sense logically.

#2. Sheamus

Sheamus

Sheamus made his grand return to SmackDown in January of 2020. After nearly a year out of the ring, many were glad to see the 'Celtic Warrior' return to a WWE ring. However, since the former WWE Champion made his return, we haven't seen that much of substance from Sheamus.

Sheamus did participate in a brief feud with Shorty G and Apollo Crews on Friday Night SmackDown which culminated in Sheamus defeating Shorty G at the Royal Rumble in January. But, that has largely been about the most we have seen of the 'Celtic Warrior'.

Since returning to WWE, Sheamus has been vocal about eradicating "weak" superstars such as Shorty G, calling the former American Alpha member "vermin" in the process. This bully persona that Sheamus has adopted could lead to a future showdown with current Universal Champion Braun Strowman.

Thom Jones once said "There's always someone bigger and badder than yourself". That person could be Braun Strowman when it comes to Sheamus. Sick of seeing Sheamus throw his weight around and bully the SmackDown roster, we could see Braun Strowman challenge Sheamus to try and bully the current WWE Universal Champion.

#1. Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy recently made his return to WWE after close to one year out of the ring with a serious knee injury. Defeating King Corbin during an episode of Friday Night SmackDown from an empty arena inside the WWE Performance Center, Jeff Hardy looked better than ever.

Reports have also suggested that Jeff Hardy was considered by WWE officials to replace Roman Reigns to face Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36. Given that the superstar that was scheduled to face Goldberg at WrestleMania was likely to win the Universal Championship, it shows WWE's views on Jeff Hardy in the current Universal Championship landscape.

Ultimately, WWE higher ups decided to go with Braun Strowman to face Goldberg at WrestleMania, perhaps due to Jeff Hardy's lingering legal issues from 2019 that are still due to be solved.

But, this does not rule out another run at a World Championship for Jeff Hardy in WWE. Jeff Hardy has roughly 12 months left on his WWE contract. This time has been added on to Hardy's WWE contract due to time on the shelf because of injuries sustained whilst under contract with WWE.

With it looking more and more likely that this could be Jeff Hardy's final WWE run, WWE could be looking to get the biggest bang for their buck when it comes to the 'Charismatic Enigma'. Jeff Hardy is a proven draw in WWE and a former multiple time World Champion. Facing off against Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship is not only a financially viable World Championship feud, but also features a first-time-ever match up that WWE is always looking to promote.