'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The WWE Universal Championship received near universal (no pun intended) hatred when it was unveiled at SummerSlam a couple of years ago. Sadly it's image hasn't improved much since then.
Thanks to Brock Lesnar and his sporadic appearances on WWE television, the supposed main prize of the red brand has taken a back seat to the Intercontinental Title and the feuds that have spawned from it.
But, now that Brock Lesnar is apparently leaving WWE for the UFC, here are 5 potential superstars who could finally legitimise the Universal Championship.
#1 Roman Reigns
Lets get the obvious out of the way first.
Despite his less than stellar reputation with WWE fans, Roman Reigns has been a consistently active performer for years now. Unlike current Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.
While he is undoubtedly expected to win the title at SummerSlam - a fact that could take some sting out of the victory, Reigns' commitment to the WWE and his controversial standing will keep the fans talking and hopefully engaged with the Universal Title again.
#2 Kevin Owens
When Kevin Owens first won the Universal Title, the majority of fans were elated.
Not because it was the conclusion to a well thought out storyline, but because it was nice to see such a hard worker finally lift one of the top belts in WWE. Even if he was a heel.
Owens would go on to have a healthy and popular run with the title which unexpectedly came to an end at the hands of the veteran Goldberg.
If Owens does manage to lift the Money in the Bank contract from Braun Strowman and cash in effectively, we could be in for another lengthy KO reign. If his last reign is anything to go by, it would only help the stature of the Universal Title.
#3 Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman is arguably the most dominant force in modern WWE programming never to have won a world title. This could soon change though, if he chooses to cash in the Money in the Bank contract.
Powerful, likeable and dedicated to his character, Strowman might be the perfect candidate to bring legitimacy back to the Universal Title.
It will inevitably happen at some point. But the real question is, when exactly will the Universal Title 'get these hands?'.
#4 Finn Balor
The inaugural Universal Title holder, Balor never actually lost his championship - having been forced to give it up the night after claiming it due to injury.
A superstar who always turns in a top-notch performance, Balor could be an ideal choice for a run with the currently meandering red strap.
If anything, given the circumstances of his victory and injury, it's what he's owed.
#5 Drew McIntyre
Once upon a time Drew McIntyre was considered to be the next big thing in WWE, and was even proclaimed as such by WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
Since his return to WWE, he has been able to put together an impressive run in NXT before finally moving to the main roster where he is currently aligned with Dolph Ziggler.
His size and talent speaks for itself. If WWE are looking for a more 'out of the box' move, giving McIntyre a Universal Title run might be the way to bring wandering eyes back to the championship.
