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The WWE Championship is the most prestigious prize in the wrestling industry, with a rich history dating back up to half a century. It is currently in good hands, as Drew McIntyre reigns supreme atop the WWE mountain. He has been great as the WWE Champion since winning it at WrestleMania 36.
The WWE Championship feels extremely important, with McIntyre partaking in some big matches as the champion. The Scotsman has defended the title in matches against the likes of Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley, among others.
He is marching into his Ambulance Match against Randy Orton at Clash of Champions, looking to extend his reign beyond the six-month mark. But what will happen to the WWE Championship once McIntyre loses it?
Let's look a year into the future, and predict the next five WWE Champions after Drew McIntyre's current reign ends.
#5 Randy Orton defeats Drew McIntyre (WWE Clash Of Champions 2020)
The stage is set for the Ambulance Match at Clash of Champions, between Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton. The Viper has gone on one of the best runs of his career, following his victory over Edge at Backlash. And after coming up short against McIntyre at SummerSlam, and against Keith Lee one week later, expect the WWE veteran to take the Scotsman's precious WWE Championship.
McIntyre doesn't even need to be pinned to lose the title, so he can still be somewhat protected in defeat. Meanwhile, Orton would win his 14th WWE World Title, inching him ever closer to Ric Flair and John Cena's record of 16 titles. If WWE is serious about getting him closer to the record, they will give Orton the WWE title while he is on one of the best runs of his career.
The Viper's subsequent title reign doesn't need to last very long. Even if he loses it the next night on RAW, Randy Orton will be listed as a 14-time World Champion as long as he can close Drew McIntyre in the back of the ambulance on Sunday.
It would be a shame if WWE didn't book him to win the title, after his excellent performances in the past few months. This would put a major target on Orton's back, with McIntyre and Keith Lee both gunning after his WWE Title.
#4 Drew McIntyre defeats Randy Orton (WWE Hell in a Cell 2020)
At the end of this storyline, it should be Drew McIntyre who stands tall. Randy Orton would win the WWE Championship at Clash of Champions, only for him to lose it at the next pay-per-view, which is Hell in a Cell. A title defense against McIntyre and Keith Lee, inside Hell in a Cell, would be a tasty headliner for the October pay-per-view.
The three Superstars have been going at it in different ways since Lee's debut on Monday Night RAW, so containing their combustible issue would warrant the Cell stipulation. It also ensures that Orton cannot escape McIntyre and Lee.
McIntyre could pick up the victory, with a crushing Claymore Kick to The Viper. Seeing the Scottish Terminator chase the title after losing it seems like a fresh idea for the Red brand, and he should come out on top, and become a two-time WWE Champion.
Whether or not Randy Orton wins the belt at Clash of Champions, McIntyre must end 2020 with the WWE title around his waist. He will also likely have a job to do as the leader of Team RAW in their fight against RETRIBUTION, which may culminate at Survivor Series.
#3 Keith Lee defeats Drew McIntyre (WWE WrestleMania 37)
Both Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre would have tasted gold during their three-way rivalry, also involving Keith Lee. He may not win the WWE Championship in the next couple of months, but his future is truly limitless. Lee's run on RAW, so far, has been promising, albeit a bit frustrating too.
The former NXT Double Champion has not been pinned since making the move, even picking up a dominant victory over Randy Orton at Payback. Lee will likely continue to be pushed and could find himself opposite Drew McIntyre again, come WrestleMania season.
The Scottish Terminator could be on a roll, enjoying his second WWE Championship reign. But other stars will need to be elevated to his level. Keith Lee is just about there. Putting the title on him during the fall of 2020 might be premature, but WWE should build him further and give him the ball to run with next year.
Lee defeating McIntyre to win the WWE title would be a great moment, one that could happen at WrestleMania 37. Who knows, the 'Limitless One' may have even turned heel by that point.
Either way, Vince McMahon seems very high on Keith Lee and should be the next WWE Superstar to win his first WWE Championship.
#2 Drew McIntyre defeats Keith Lee (WWE SummerSlam 2021)
WWE should continue to build Drew McIntyre's resume as a main-event Superstar, keeping him in and around the top of the card at all times for the coming few years. After putting Keith Lee over at, say, WrestleMania 37, McIntyre could take a break from the WWE Championship picture.
However, as any top face usually does, the Scotsman could return to the title scene sooner or later. After Lee will have enjoyed a dominant run as WWE Champion, one better than his NXT Championship reign, he could face Drew McIntyre in a big-money rematch at SummerSlam.
The two big men could have a series of great matches against each other, with no distractions or shenanigans at all. Their program would further raise the stock of the WWE Championship, after the stellar few months the belt has had recently.
As long as the matches are good, neither McIntyre nor Lee would look bad in defeat. It would serve to benefit both men. Keith Lee has a solid reign as the top Champion in WWE, while Drew McIntyre wins his third WWE Title. However, not all of his reigns have to last long.
#1 Bobby Lashley defeats Drew McIntyre (WWE Clash Of Champions 2021)
Over the course of this timeline, Drew McIntyre would become a bonafide main eventer in WWE. Winning three world titles is usually enough to solidify one as a permanent megastar in the company. McIntyre would be fine if he loses the title a few weeks after regaining it, with a certain 'Dominator' waiting in the wings.
Bobby Lashley had a great showing against Drew McIntyre at Backlash but was unable to win the WWE Championship. He is now the United States Champion and the muscle of the Hurt Business, MVP's faction of tough dudes who will fight anybody who crosses them. The group has been booked pretty well in WWE so far.
Hopefully, WWE will keep up the good work with MVP, Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander. They could realistically dominate RAW for years to come. And with Drew McIntyre having his dominant run with the belt, it would make all the sense in the world for Bobby Lashley to win the WWE Championship at some point in mid-to-late 2021.
It would be a natural upgrade for the Hurt Business, once Lashley loses the United States Championship. MVP has worked wonders for everybody involved and WWE should have a long-term plan for the group. Lashley is also long overdue a world title victory in the company.
Along with the Hurt Business reaching the top of RAW, Bobby Lashley winning the WWE Championship would also move us one step closer to that dream match between him and Brock Lesnar. That can main event WrestleMania 38.
