5 Superstars other than Finn Balor that can challenge for Brock Lesnar's Universal Title

After working probably what was his best match of the year against AJ Styles at Survivor Series, WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar has retired to the woods yet again.

And rumours have it that he is next expected to show up and defend his belt only at Royal Rumble in January 2018.

The name that has been most touted as his opponent for the pay-per-view has been that of Finn Balor's...but even that hasn't been without its share of back and forths.

Led to believe by Dave Meltzer, some feel that there is credence to the theory that Vince McMahon doesn't think Finn Balor is over enough to challenge the Beast.

Others feel that the whole reason why the Demon King character has been protected without ever suffering a loss so far is just so that it can be saved for when he presumably crosses paths with Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.

While we probably won't know which version is true until January swings by, we thought we'll get a head start on the matter and come up with a list of 5 other Superstars that can actually step up to challenge the Beast in his next Title defence.

Naturally, we've omitted Roman Reigns from the list as it's WWE's worst kept secret that the Big Dog will dethrone Lesnar at WrestleMania 34.

And if you feel we've missed out on a name you think should be in the hat, do hit us up in the comments section too!

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#1 Braun Strowman

Please WWE...run this back

Why Braun Strowman again, you ask?

Well, to be honest, I personally hated how his match with Brock Lesnar at No Mercy went down after they built him up so dominantly in the lead up to it.

Plus, there are few other Superstars that you can legitimately plug into that spot as Lesnar's opponent and make it look believable.

Also, it's okay if WWE decides that Brock Lesnar gets to defeat Braun Strowman again. All they need to do is make the match out to be more competitive.

#2 Kurt Angle

A nice throwback

I'll be the first to admit that this scenario is the least likely of the lot...but wouldn't it be grand to see Kurt Angle rekindle his rivalry with Brock Lesnar, even if the outcome is painfully obvious?

For starters, Angle could be relieved of his duties as Raw GM by a returning Triple H and could just be another Superstar on the roster, which would make a program between them more believable.

Also, given that he is on his last legs as a performer, doing the job to Lesnar on his way out wouldn't be too bad a way to go either, would it?

#3 Jason Jordan

Would be the huge break that his career needs

Jason Jordan can't even seem to get a spot on the Raw Survivor Series Team so having him face Brock Lesnar right now would be a stretch...but for a company that considered Jinder Mahal vs Brock Lesnar, anything is possible.

Jordan is clearly on the WWE's push list as he has the 'look' that Vince McMahon likes. And it looks like he's on the verge of a heel turn too.

Who better, then, to viciously sneak attack and establish your notoriety as a heel than Brock Lesnar?

Samoa Joe went about it the same way and that has only served him well so far in the WWE, landing him in another Title feud against Roman Reigns.

If Jason Jordan is to be a major player in the coming years, why not go after the biggest fish in the pond?

#4 Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt needs the shot of relevance up his arm again... and who better than Brock Lesnar to provide it?

The Eater of Worlds may be beating down Matt Hardy right now...but no one can predict who he will target next.

Wyatt has been booked as a whimsical character who pretty much does as he wants and targets whoever he wants.

And with Sister Abigail revealing herself recently, there is an extra oomph factor surrounding him that serves him well should he choose to go after Brock Lesnar.

Wyatt has never really won the big one in his career so there's no reason why that should change against the Beast.

But at least the promos between him and Paul Heyman should make for riveting television if nothing else.

#5 Kane

One final hurrah?

The Big Red Monster has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts ever since returning to Raw and has asserted his dominance on the roster, dispatching Finn Balor and taking out the likes of Daniel Bryan and Braun Strowman.

If this is Kane's final run before he calls it a day, then the WWE has made sure that he looks every bit the monster that he was when he first burst onto the scene.

And having him go after Brock Lesnar could be a solid way for him to bow out after one final hurrah.

Given how strongly Kane is being booked right now, it would make Brock Lesnar come out looking good and would ensure that Kane goes out on top as well, instead of giving the rub to someone lower down on the rung.