The Universal Championship is a World Heavyweight Championship in the WWE. It is currently hosted and defended in the RAW brand of the WWE. The title was inaugurated in 2016. Finn Balor became the first ever Universal Champion after defeating Seth Rollins in the finals of a tournament.
Despite being less than two years of age, the Universal title has surrounded itself with loads of controversy. The title has changed hands four times in this short span of time. While Goldberg is the oldest Champion (in terms of age), Brock Lesnar is the longest 'reigning, defending, Universal, Heavyweight Champion' of the WWE.
Let us look at five possible noteworthy contenders for this title:
5. Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins is a highly talented superstar in the WWE. He is a former Tag Team Champion, United States Champion, WWE Champion and the current Intercontinental Champion. He is also the winner of the 2014 Money in the Bank Ladder Match winner and the 29th Triple Crown Champion and the 11th Grand Slam Champion in the WWE.
The only accomplishment still pending in his career is winning the Universal Championship. Rollins is one of the best performers in the PG Era of the WWE. Hence, it is only a matter of time before he wears the Universal Championship around his waist. A match between him and the current Champion Brock Lesnar would be awesome to witness.
4. John Cena
John Cena is a sixteen times World Champion. There is no doubt that he is the greatest in-ring performer to have ever stepped foot inside the wrestling arena. The way Cena delivers promos inside the ring simply sets him out of the league for any other wrestler. John Cena has delivered some of the greatest matches ever in the history of professional pro-wrestling. His wrestling skills, his ability to connect with the fans is unbelievable.
However, the only blot which persists in his career is to have never won the Universal title. If he wins the Championship, he will become the first-ever wrestler to have held the WWE, World Heavyweight, United States and the Tag Team title in WWE. We hope this dream turns into a reality soon.
3. Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley is the most dominant superstar in the world of wrestling. Lashley has fought and won Championships all across the globe. He is also a former member of the US military services and a professional MMA fighter. Lashley won the ECW Championship in WWE and was the first ever African-American to hold the title.
Lashley recently returned to RAW and seems to be in the best shape of his life ever. Being a world-class athlete, Lashley should be booked for a one-on-one title match for the Universal Championship against Brock Lesnar. He deserves to become the next Universal Champion in WWE.
2. Roman Reigns
The 'big dog' in the WWE is certainly climbing new heights every day. He is the second ever wrestler to have defeated the Undertaker at WrestleMania. Reigns have won all the Championships in the WWE, barring the Universal Championship. However, a wrestler of his stature has all the ingredients in him to become a future Universal Champion.
Reigns is currently feuding with Brock Lesnar over the Universal Championship. He won the steel cage match at the GRR PPV, but owing to the referee's incorrect decision the title didn't change hands. However, it is just a matter of time before we get to see him as the new Universal Champion in WWE.
5. Braun Strowman
If anyone deserves the most to win the Universal title, it is none other than Braun Strowman. He has destroyed the likes of Big Show, Elias, Sheamus and many other top-notch players in WWE. Strowman has recently won the RAW tag team golds and thereafter the Greatest Royal Rumble match. His wrestling skills, combined with his monstrous body give him the edge over other players.
Strowman if given a proper chance will crush anyone and would not settle until he lay his hands on the Universal Championship. If he wins the title, he will become the most dominant champion ever in WWE. At MITB, if he wins the contract and cashes it upon any vulnerable Champion, he will surely become the future Universal Champion in WWE.
