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Much to the amazement of everyone in Saudi Arabia, packed into the arena and everyone else watching around the world, Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez was the first match at WWE Crown Jewel 2019. The attempt was clearly to replicate an MMA fight, based on the fact that both of the men had an actual past in the UFC.
While it wasn't really a surprise that Brock Lesnar ended up winning the match, the manner in which he did was quite odd. He made Cain Velasquez tap out in the middle of the ring, once again, like a UFC fight.
In any case, this article will look at 5 potential challengers for Brock Lesnar now that Cain Velasquez has been vanquished. Of course, Survivor Series preparations will be underway now and usually 'Champion vs. Champion' matches take place at the said event, so this article focus beyond the event at Brock Lesnar's forthcoming feuds for the title he holds.
I'm going to keep the picks confined to SmackDown (and a part-timer who first appeared on SmackDown) for the time being because that's the brand he's on, at the moment, with the following name being the only exception to the rule.
#5 Rey Mysterio
The feud between Rey Mysterio and Brock Lesnar is far from over, even though the two men are on different brands at the moment. Rey Mysterio pretty much clarified this in a promo after the Crown Jewel match between his friend Cain Velasquez and Brock Lesnar.
Simply put, Mysterio is on the shelf, but he's brimming with rage about what happened to his battered and bruised son. There is already a storyline in place and Mysterio will go up against his toughest opponent yet, the ultimate underdog trying to fell a giant. Expect this match to happen before WrestleMania, if not at WrestleMania 36.
#4 Tyson Fury
Not long ago, Sportskeeda's own Gary Cassidy had a chance to interact with Tyson Fury and ask him about whom he'd like to take on if he were to have yet another WWE match. Fury revealed that Brock Lesnar would be his pick. At the same time, he did say that he would return to boxing ahead of this match.
One of the things that I've learned after interacting with those in the sports entertainment business is to not take anything that people say at face value. If there was enough interest in a big-ticket match between Brock Lesnar and Tyson Fury, then Vince McMahon would make the match happen come hell or high water. There are ways to work a match in such a manner that Fury does not incur any physical damage before a fight, and now that he has learned the ropes, he may actually put on a far better performance against Lesnar.
FOX wanted their programming to have a real-sports feel and it does not get more 'real' than a fight between Brock Lesnar, with his credentials and whatever he has accomplished thus far, and Tyson Fury, arguably the biggest name in boxing in the world at this point in time.
#3 Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns has been away from the title picture for way too long and at the same time, it's impossible to dispute the fact that he's still the top dog in the company (no pun intended at all, dear reader). After all, it wasn't just Becky Lynch who was on the cover of the recent WWE game.
Roman Reigns has had many a battle against Brock Lesnar but enough time has passed for the match to feel fresh and new again. Plus, the very fact that it's happening on the Blue Brand makes the whole program seem different and unique, in a sense.
Whether or not, Roman Reigns is able to become the WWE Champion again is irrelevant and besides the point, in my opinion. Much like AEW is doing with Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho, when your two biggest stars are in the main event of the show, it just adds a lot more attention and interest to the pay-per-view that the match is on.
Do you guys think that it is a good idea to make Roman Reigns the WWE Champion, after defeating Lesnar clean?
#2 Big E
It is a well-known fact by now that Big E was touted to be the face of WWE before the company chose to run with Roman Reigns as the star of the show. He certainly has the look, a connection with fans that few others in the roster do and most importantly, he has the skill and the ability to compete for the WWE Championship at the top of the card.
Now that Kofi Kingston has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the card and Xavier Woods is on the shelf, it may be time for Big E to look past the tag team division and aim for the stars. There were rumors recently about The New Day possibly turning heel, and if this is going to be the case it could make for a very interesting reset when it comes to Big E's character in WWE. No more hips will be swung but instead, Big E will adopt a more menacing personality because heels generally do not sway their hips.
Even if Brock Lesnar were to squash Big E, it would be a step up for the man if he broke out and rose to main event status, I feel. A push few would honestly complain about.
#1 Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar have waged battles in the past but he's always come up short against The Beast Incarnate in all previous encounters. The fact that he's on SmackDown offers him a chance to reboot and reset his momentum to launch straight for Brock Lesnar and the gold that he presently holds.
The fact that Braun Strowman came up short against Tyson Fury may not play against him but may, in fact, benefit the guy. Strowman was asked to do the job and lay down for a man who's very green and he did so, meaning that he's in line for a reward.
We have all noticed in the past that when you roll with the punches and do what Vince McMahon asks of you, he rewards you by making you a prominent player in the roster. I don't really think that fans would be opposed to the idea of another match between Lesnar and Strowman because it's been a while since the last match and it's high time that the big man gets his first taste of the prestigious WWE Championship.
Do you guys think Strowman is ready for the big time?
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