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There are so many talking points from the Royal Rumble that I did not know where to start, really. It makes sense to focus on the biggest talking point coming out of the show.
Why did Balor suffer a loss so comprehensively against Brock Lesnar? Why couldn't David topple Goliath at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view?
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I have identified five reasons why. Of course, I would love to hear your thoughts on the show and especially this match.
Why do you think that Balor suffered a loss when he was the clear crowd favourite in the contest?
Do I think that Balor will be a Universal Champion again, someday? The answer is yes.
My objective is just to speak about why he did not win the Championship at the Royal Rumble.
#5 Brock Lesnar had to win his first title defence since the Crown Jewel pay-per-view
Brock Lesnar defeated Braun Strowman through Baron Corbin's interference at Crown Jewel to become the Universal Champion last year. He had one match since then.
He took on Daniel Bryan at Survivor Series in a Champion vs. Champion contest, which was obviously not a title match. It would not have made sense for Lesnar to lose his first title match after winning at Crown Jewel.
In fact, one of the things that I hated about the Royal Rumble is how short Rusev's United States Championship reign was. For him to be taken seriously, he needed to pick up a few decisive wins in title matches.
In a way, I am glad that Brock Lesnar is still the Universal Champion. It indicates that WWE has a long term plan for him.
#4 Balor's story is not over
So, Finn Balor was in the shadows not long ago, participating in mere throwaway feuds. And then one day, out of the blue, Balor gets a title shot. He has a very impressive showing against Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble thereafter.
Some may say that this is 'burial' for Balor. In my opinion, it is just the first step to what could be an even bigger storyline with him. The involvement of Vince McMahon, who's been deriding Balor for his size makes me think that there's a lot more yet to follow.
Maybe Finn Balor has yet another shot at Lesnar down the road, where he proves Vince McMahon wrong. By having him beat Lesnar clean, WWE stood the risk of having him pick up too much momentum, way too fast.
In other words, he could have fallen victim to the Roman Reigns syndrome, where fans turn on a babyface with way too much momentum on his side.
#3 McMahon would never have Balor beat Lesnar clean
Vince McMahon is in his 70s and still looks like a beast. He has traditionally favoured the bigger men to represent his company over the past many years.
The terrifying visage of Brock Lesnar on a poster sells tickets. While his stance on 'bigger men' has grown lax in recent years, a leopard never changes his spots.
I cannot envisage a situation where McMahon would be okay with Balor beating Lesnar. Even AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan fell short against The Beast Incarnate.
Both men achieved what Finn Balor did before they crumbled to the mat in their matches. Both of them had impressive showings.
But it may be quite some time where a smaller WWE Superstar like Styles, Bryan or Balor goes on to defeat Brock Lesnar clean in a singles match.
#2 Balor was not in his Demon avatar
Finn Balor was asked if 'the Demon' would show up to take Brock Lesnar on at the Royal Rumble. He said the following to TV Insider:
I feel like maybe I leaned on 'The Demon' a little much in the past with regards to heavily relying on and hiding behind the paint. This is David vs. Goliath, and David was a man. Finn Bálor is a man. And Finn Bálor is going to walk in to face the Beast.
Balor does not measure up to a freak of a man like Lesnar and to be honest, there are very few superstars that do.
For it to be an even contest, Balor had to tap into a dark part of his persona and unleash the demon within. He did not and the result was what it was!
#1 Rollins vs. Lesnar is a much bigger match
Lesnar and Rollins have faced off in the past, of course. Back then, Rollins was a cowardly heel and Lesnar was very much the same monster he is today.
The match ended on an abrupt note with The Undertaker's interference disrupting the proceedings. And this brings me to WrestleMania 35.
It is clear that Rollins will challenge Lesnar for the title. This time, Rollins is a babyface and has the support of the WWE Universe spurring him on to the gold. I have a feeling that he may get his hands on the gold at WrestleMania this year.
This is a far bigger match that Balor vs. Lesnar is. Rollins has proved time and again that he can be the face of WWE, and this is his opportunity to shine bright.
Maybe Balor will beat Rollins for the Universal Championship someday.
