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The prestigious Universal Championship is one of the top titles in the WWE alongside the WWE Championship. The Raw brand exclusive Championship is currently held by 'the Beast Incarnate' and is rumoured to be defended at WrestleMania 34 this year against 'the Big Dog'.
Let's see who could be the 5 next Universal Champions
#1 Roman Reigns
'The Big Dog' is one of the most polarizing superstars in the WWE today. He is part of one of the most dominant factions in WWE today--The Shield. Roman Reigns has been 'chosen' to be the leader of the locker room and replace John as the face of WWE.
He is currently scheduled to face 'The Beast Incarnate' at WrestleMania 34 for the Universal Championship. Currently holding the Intercontinental Championship, Roman is set to defend his title at the 25th Anniversary of Monday Night Raw against the Miz. It is highly possible that the Miz will defeat him to win the title back.
The next major step in his direction would be to do everything in his power to win the Royal Rumble and, since he believes it is his 'yard', he is most likely to come out on top. His match against Brock Lesnar had been in the works for a long time and, is a sure possibility for this year at the Show of Shows. Expect Roman Reigns to tame down 'the Beast Incarnate' and emerge victorious by burning Suplex city to the ground.
#2 Braun Strowman
How do you stop Braun Strowman? Well, you don't. 'The Monster Among Men' has been on a roll destroying everyone that comes in his way. The man had a fantastic 2017 with a path-breaking feud with Roman Reigns which really elevated him as the top star in the company.
It has been heavily rumoured that Strowman is likely to face 'the Cerebral Assassin' this year at the Super Dome. WWE teased us all with a confrontation between the two which saw the Monster getting the advantage over Triple H. It is highly possible that this year at the Grandest stage of them all, 'the Monster Among Men' will annihilate 'the King of Kings'.
The next step for him could be to take the Universal Championship held by Roman Reigns. Both of them share an amazing chemistry and, with the Universal Championship involved in the mix, expect this feud to bring the house down again with Strowman winning the Universal Championship. Well, Roman needs to be careful wherever he goes after WrestleMania because Braun is not yet finished with him.
#3 Samoa Joe
If you have a Monster like Braun Strowman as your champion running your show, the only legitimate option you have to eliminate him is to call the 'Samoan' they call Joe. Samoa Joe has had a phenomenal main roster run and has continuously emerged as a dominant threat on Monday Night Raw.
His feud with Brock Lesnar was epic in all proportions and, did elevate him at the top of the food chain. His confrontation with 'the Beast Incarnate' at the Great Balls of Fire saw him lose to an F-5 but, the 'Samoan' won the war. With Samoa Joe likely to be involved in a marquee match at the Super Dome, expect him to dethrone 'the Monster Among Men' somewhere down the line, and, take away the Universal Championship.
#4 Seth Rollins
'The Kingslayer' is one hell of a performer. The man can do absolutely anything and, always delivers good performances in the ring. His match at WrestleMania 33 saw him beat 'the Game' which cemented his position as a top-tier guy. But, he has still not been able to get his hands back on the Universal Championship.
'The Architect' joined hands with his Shield brothers in a monumental yet, disappointing reunion and, won the Tag Team Championship with 'the Lunatic Fringe'. Since Dean Ambrose is sidelined with a bicep injury ruling out a potential money match at the Super Dome, the man's future direction still remains in the dark. But, it seems that 2018 could finally be Seth's year for reclaiming his position as 'the Man' on Monday Night Raw.
A potential feud with Samoa Joe seems possible and, now with the Universal Championship on the line, it could revive Seth to the main event scene which he desperately needs. He has not clicked as a babyface but, if booked right, he could redesign 'the Architect' within him and, beat Samoa Joe to get his main event status back.
#5 Dean Ambrose
Dean is a very talented performer, but, the man has always been portrayed as a weakling in the Shield. 'The Lunatic Fringe' was scheduled to lock horns with 'the Kingslayer' this year at Wrestle Mania but, got injured, which eventually led to the match being shelved for now. The man is expected to be out for 9 months.
With Seth Rollins getting back his momentum and, running the show with the Universal Championship around his waist, it makes all the sense in the world to have the former Raw Tag Team Champion to return and, steal the spotlight from his shield counterpart.
There's no denying that the fans do want to see a reinvention in Dean's career and, a possible 'heel' turn could freshen things up for him. The Lunatic's heel turn could be the best thing that happens to him and, would help his character to get him towards the top of the mountain.
It is possible that Dean could walk in at WrestleMania 35 as the champion against his shield brothers. All the three members of the Shield fighting for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 35 could not only elevate Dean as a marquee guy but, would also be a great chapter in the story of the most dominant factions of all time.
