Opinion: Ranking the effectiveness of all of the Universal Champions

#5: Brock Lesnar, first reign

Brock Lesnar has held the belt the longest amount of time since its inception.

As mentioned on the previous slide, Lesnar took the belt off Goldberg at Wrestlemania 33.

It would be the start of Lesnar's first run with the belt but it was ultimately marred by his part-time status.

He would hold the belt for over a year but only defend it sporadically against the likes of Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman, Kane and Roman Reigns.

His part-time status really polarized both the belt and Lesnar himself, attaching somewhat of a negative connotation to the belt.

This ranking if more reflective of the fact that he was a ghost of a champion for most of the reign, showing up to only hype or defend the belt.

Paul Heyman actually showed up more during Lesnar during the title reign.

WWE knew what they were doing when they put the belt on Lesnar, but that doesn't mean it was fair to the fans.

People can hate on Ronda Rousey as much as they want, but she's exactly right in that a champion defends their title anywhere and any time and sometimes right after a PPV.

Roman was also saying that, but he probably isn't getting any hate these days from fans.

EFFECTIVENESS METER: 4 - HIS REIGN HELD WWE BACK AND ONLY HELPED LESNAR