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Finally, WWE fans can rejoice. Not only are we free from the horrors of the 'part-time' champion Brock Lesnar, but we have a real champion - a genuine workhorse in all respects. Seth Rollins has finally grabbed the big red belt in style as he conquered The Beast Incarnate at the Showcase of the Immortals.
In what can be described as one of the best WrestleManias in recent years, Seth Rollins became only the third person to have won both the WWE and Universal Championships.
And now it's time for the challenge. With a long list of superstars eagerly waiting for a shot at the title, it will be interesting to see which superstars will come forward to challenge Rollins in the time to come.
Also, with the superstar shake-up approaching, there are a lot of possible match combinations. Let's have a look at 5 wrestlers who need to challenge Seth Rollins for RAW's top prize.
#5 Roman Reigns
After an emotional comeback to WWE and a heartfelt match at WrestleMania 35, Roman Reigns should look to move onto higher avenues. His match with Drew McIntyre could have been considered as a number one contender's match for the WWE Universal Championship.
With Roman overcoming the Scottish Psychopath at the grand event, he might set his sights on RAW's top prize once again. Also, considering Roman never lost the Universal Title in the first place, this is one opportunity he deserves.
One of the top babyfaces on the RAW roster, both figuratively and on paper, Roman would be one of the best challengers to Seth Rollins in many ways. Firstly, these two can have a barn burner of a match. Both these Shield members know each other very well and their past encounters have been awesomely entertaining.
Secondly, a babyface-babyface dynamic would be a breath of fresh air for the audiences, who have seen so many matches involving a heel-face dynamic at WrestleMania 35. Whatever the outcome may be, this match could potentially open up a lot more possible storylines for the near future.
#4 Sami Zayn
It would be an amazing tale to tell for WWE if they put Sami Zayn in contention for the Universal Title. The snarky heel Sami, fresh off a return on RAW after Wrestlemania, would be an ideal heel candidate for Seth Rollins. Everyone knows how good a match these two can have.
All that aside, WWE hasn't been able to utilize Sami Zayn properly all these years. With him returning from injury after 9 long months, maybe it's finally time for WWE to make amends. It would be quite fascinating if Zayn is awarded an opportunity against one of his best friends off-screen.
It doesn't matter if he loses the match against Rollins. If backstage officials want the WWE Universe to take him seriously, then giving him a Universal Title opportunity would be a great way to rejuvenate his status.Quite frankly, Sami Zayn's character work has been genuinely good ever since he turned heel.
He may not be as intimidating as Drew McIntyre, but he isn't as cowardly as Baron Corbin either. His heel work is quite similar to 'The New' Daniel Bryan too. While Bryan was all about preserving the environment and calling the audience 'Fickle', Zayn has openly loathed the crowd for being 'a critic' and referring to WWE as a 'toxic environment'.
#3 Finn Balor
It shouldn't come as a surprise. Finn Balor should be a future candidate for Seth's title. With no Brock Lesnar anywhere right now, Balor absolutely has no limits. One of the highlights of Finn's WrestleMania 35 performance was not only his impressive 'Demon' persona but the fact that he defeated Bobby Lashley with a power-bomb and a subsequent Coup De Grace, a sequence that was jaw-dropping, to say the least.
He may be the Intercontinental Champion as of writing, but that shouldn't hinder his prospects for a shot at the Universal Title. Last time Balor and Rollins fought for the Universal Title, it was Finn who overcame the Beast Slayer and became the first WWE Universal champion. Three years later, the tide has turned, and wouldn't it be great to have these two square off again?
Like Roman, Finn actually never lost the Universal title as well. While we have already seen Balor and Rollins fight each other numerous times throughout the past year, both these superstars are now the top babyfaces on RAW and are seemingly the best in-ring talents in the game.
How about a SummerSlam rematch from three years ago? You never know.
#2 Drew McIntyre
Now we're talking business. He's the real deal folks. Say what you will about his loss to Reigns at WrestleMania 35 but WWE and Vince have made it clear time and time again - Drew is one for the future. In a roster, overwhelmingly full of talent, Drew stands apart. That too with such authority.
You can hardly find anyone more intimidating and impressive than The Scottish Psychopath. Yep, Braun Strowman included. Given his size, you can't find a more athletic and gifted wrestler in WWE. So why shouldn't he be next in line to challenge Rollins?
Let me rephrase that. Why shouldn't he be the one to dethrone the Beast Slayer? Surely WWE intends to make him the top heel on RAW, and they have protected him in every way possible. He's also one of the few who has beaten every member of The Shield. Not just beat them, he literally tamed them.
So what are WWE waiting for? 2019 should be beginning of The McIntyre Era.
#1 AJ Styles
The superstar shake-up is around the corner, and there is one transfer that WWE fans may be desperately craving for. THE UNDISPUTED ERA TO RAW!!
Just kidding. AJ Styles has done all he could have for SmackDown. He has spent more time as a champion than any other member of the blue brand, ever since both brands were split. The House that AJ Styles built no longer needs AJ. Raw needs Styles.
There aren't many dream matches for Styles left in WWE. But if he does arrive on the red brand, there is one match that the fans may have been waiting for years to see. AJ Styles vs Seth Rollins.
The bare thought of these two workhorses creating magic in the ring would bring chills down everyone's spine. On any given day, this wouldn't just be the match of the night, it may even be an instant classic.
