5 feuds WWE has been forced to delay due to COVID-19

Brock Lesnar could've been included in a blockbuster feud by WWE management
Brock Lesnar could've been included in a blockbuster feud by WWE management

Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, a number of WWE feuds have been postponed or canceled altogether. While notable Superstars from across WWE's three brands continue to perform every week, a host of noteworthy names have opted to keep themselves off WWE TV and stay home, during the global crisis caused by the coronavirus.

Marquee names such as Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns haven't appeared on WWE TV for a while now. And while it was expected that the two men would be involved in their respective blockbuster feuds this summer, it now looks like fans would have to wait a while before we get to see either 'The Beast Incarnate' or 'The Big Dog' compete in the squared circle.

As things stand though, Reigns and Lesnar aren't the only WWE Superstars who were set to be involved in top-notch feuds. The company has been forced to delay a host of notable rivalries due to the on-going pandemic caused by COVID-19.

In this list, we'll take a look at all the marquee feuds WWE has been forced to delay.


#5 Sami Zayn vs Daniel Bryan

Bryan vs Zayn from WrestleMania 36
Bryan vs Zayn from WrestleMania 36

Like I previously mentioned, Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar aren't the only WWE Superstars who haven't appeared on TV for a while now, as Sami Zayn is also a part of that list.

Amid the massive COVID-19 outbreak, Zayn opted to go off television, which eventually led to WWE forcing him to vacate the Intercontinental Championship. The title was won by Zayn at this year's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view after he pinned Braun Strowman in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match.

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The win was historic for Zayn in his rights, as this was the first time in 5 years he won a title in WWE since capturing the NXT Championship.

Zayn even went on to successfully defend the Intercontinental Title against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 36, but things eventually came to a distraught end for the former whose title reign was cut short to 65 days after he was stripped off it.

Prior to Zayn refraining himself from competing, it was expected of him to once again defend the title against Bryan and get in a long-term feud with the former WWE Champion and maybe compete against his training partner Drew Gulak.

But, those plans were never to be, as AJ Styles capitalized on the situation and won the vacant IC Title by defeating Bryan in an instant classic on SmackDown.

#4 WALTER vs Finn Balor

Finn Balor being ambushed by WALTER"s Imperium
Finn Balor being ambushed by WALTER"s Imperium

Finn Balor made his triumphant return to WWE NXT last year and has been on a roll since then. The former NXT Champion has beaten some prominent names in the form of Matt Riddle, Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Damian Priest on the black-and-yellow brand.

In his second tenure under NXT, Balor has challenged for the NXT Championship. Despite being unsuccessful in his attempt of winning the title, Balor hasn't lost a step inside the squared circle.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Balor was expected to face WALTER for the WWE NXT United Kingdom Championship, but reports suggested that the match was eventually called off due to the pandemic.

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However, in April, WWE did tease the continuation of the Balor vs WALTER feud, but with the latter being off TV for a while now, the feud has definitely been delayed.

Over the past few weeks or so, Balor has been involved in feuds on NXT, against the likes of Damian Priest and Keith Lee. And, it looks like the WWE Universe will have to wait a while before witnessing Balor vs WALTER for the NXT UK Championship.

#3 Bayley vs Sasha Banks

Banks and Bayley have some amazing in-ring chemistry
Banks and Bayley have some amazing in-ring chemistry

Bayley and Sasha Banks have amazing chemistry together on TV and they're the current WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. Enjoying their second reign as the Women's Tag Champs, Bayley & Banks were initially set for a thrilling feud, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WWE has delayed their ultimate showdown.

It has been reported that WWE was conducting talks of a potential match between Bayley and Banks at this year's SummerSlam pay-per-view. But, things could eventually take place after the biggest event of the Summer, as the company is now saving a match between the reigning WWE Women's Tag Team Champions after SummerSlam.

Apparently, the primary reason for the delay is due to the uncertainty of the location of SummerSlam this year, as the event was originally set to take place at Sasha Banks' hometown Boston.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the location of SummerSlam is still not decided, simultaneously forcing WWE to delay the Banks vs Bayley feud that they've been building for so long, as well.

Bayley and Banks have previously faced each other in classic matches on NXT and in all honesty, the eventual match between them would definitely need a crowd.

#2 Roman Reigns vs Goldberg

Will WWE re-book Reigns vs Goldberg in the future?
Will WWE re-book Reigns vs Goldberg in the future?

At WrestleMania 36, Roman Reigns was set to challenge for the WWE Universal Championship and face Goldberg in a highly-anticipated showdown at 'The Grandest Stage of Them All'.

However, days prior to the event, Reigns pulled himself from the WrestleMania 36 card and since then, 'The Big Dog' has been off WWE TV, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initially, it did seem like Reigns was finally about to regain the title that he never lost in the first place, as he aimed to become the WWE Universal Champion for the second time in his career. And this time, 'The Big Dog' was set for a massive collision against Goldberg.

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But, that wasn't the case to be. Reigns, who vacated the Universal Championship in October of 2018, missed his first WrestleMania event in almost 7 years, the same event that he has headlined four times in a row, starting from WrestleMania 31 to 34.

Reigns' decision to stay home during the ongoing pandemic forced WWE to call-off his feud against Goldberg. Instead, it was Reigns' former arch-rival Braun Strowman who capitalized on the opportunity and defeated Goldberg to win the Universal Championship.

#1 Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley

Could Lashley vs Lesnar take place in 2020?
Could Lashley vs Lesnar take place in 2020?

Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley has been a dream feud for many, ever since the latter made his return to WWE. The pair could've had a face-off at the 2018 SummerSlam pay-per-view. But, in a #1 Contender's Match for the WWE Universal Championship, it was Roman Reigns who prevailed victorious and ended Lashley's chances of challenging for the Universal Title.

However, in a recent report from Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue, it was reported that Lashley was on the verge of finally getting his dream match against Brock Lesnar and a showdown against 'The Beast Incarnate' was very much in the making.

But, as things stand, those plans might've been called-off or delayed and Lesnar could instead end up facing reigning WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre at this year's SummerSlam pay-per-view.

A WrestleMania 36 rematch between Lesnar and McIntyre could possibly feature as the main event of the Biggest Event of the Summer and according to the latest report from Tom Colohue, the two arch-rivals could cross paths once again in a WWE ring.

It has been a while since we've seen Brock Lesnar compete in a WWE ring but if things go according to plan, 'The Beast Incarnate' could be back for SummerSlam 2020.

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