5 Superstars who could defeat Rey Mysterio for the United States Championship

Following his riveting WWE Championship program with Brock Lesnar, Rey Mysterio took the next step and defeated AJ Styles for the United States Championship on the RAW after Survivor Series. This is his second reign with the star-spangled belt, after being forced to relinquish the title days after winning it from Samoa Joe at Money in the Bank.

With Lesnar predictably absent from WWE TV, Mysterio is the top full-time male champion on Monday Night RAW. We should expect him to lead by example and consistently prove his timeless excellence in the ring as United States Champion. Thanks to his tremendous skill set and ability to fight from beneath, Rey Mysterio can realistically have a great match with most of the current roster.

Hopefully, 'The Master of the 619' has a fulfilling reign before dropping the championship to one of the hungry competitors on the Red brand. Here are five Superstars who could defeat Rey Mysterio to become the next United States Champion.

#5 Humberto Carrillo

Despite seemingly having his push taken away from him, Humberto Carrillo has been doing some impressive things weekly. He was attacked by The OC ahead of his scheduled United States Title match against AJ Styles before Rey Mysterio swooped in and won the prize. So perhaps, WWE could be building toward a dynamic program between the two Mexican babyfaces. Carrillo could really do with a solid program fueled by great storytelling.

The former 205 Live Superstar did pick up a victory over Andrade on this week's RAW, quieting claims that Vince McMahon wanted to bury him. Humberto Carrillo certainly has the potential to be a success on the WWE main roster and at only 24 years of age, the world is his for the taking. That could begin with a monumental victory over Rey Mysterio and a possible torch-passing moment from the current Latino face of the company to the next.

#4 Randy Orton

One of the only reasons why Rey Mysterio became United States Champion was because of Randy Orton's interference. Orton has a bone to pick with AJ Styles and The OC and he assisted Mysterio in gaining two key victories over 'The Phenomenal One' to win and hold on to the title. After 'The Viper' is done with Styles, he could turn back to Mysterio and demand a title shot in exchange for his 'generosity.'

Randy Orton is at that stage in his career where he is beyond babyface and heel, playing whatever character he feels like. This is a realistic enough storyline which could work, as we head into the most important few months on the WWE calendar. Both, Mysterio and Orton are legendary names who could lend a lot of prestige to the United States Championship.

The two faced off a number of times around a year ago on SmackDown Live, including in an entertaining Chairs Match at the TLC event. Mysterio picked up the upset victory that time, so Orton could possibly strike back and take the United States Title for himself. It has been a while since the former Evolution member has had a proper championship reign that lasted longer than a couple of months.

#3 Aleister Black

For months on end now, Aleister Black has been sitting in a dark room backstage and waiting for someone to pick a fight with him. It's about time that he finally flaps his wings and swings for the fences. The former NXT Champion will take on Buddy Murphy this Sunday at TLC, in a match that is extremely likely to steal the show.

Following that, WWE must really give Black a storyline for him to sink his teeth into - any storyline, really. While it isn't a huge possibility at the moment due to the current alignments, a match between Aleister Black and Rey Mysterio would be off the charts.

A heel run might not be out of the realm of possibility for 'The Dutch Destroyer' and if he does go evil, there is no good guy who would get the best out of him like Mysterio. Even if he doesn't turn, the two can honestly have a stunning series of matches with Mysterio likely to go above and beyond to really help showcase Black as an absolute killer in the ring. Black winning the United States Championship also makes a lot of sense, as a US Title Open Challenge would fit perfectly with his current character. The door is wide open.

#2 Drew McIntyre

It is a crime that Drew McIntyre is yet to register a singles championship victory since his return to RAW in 2018. He has been a constant menace in the upper echelons of the card, but has never been granted a legitimate chance at any gold. With the ultimate good guy currently enthroned as United States Champion, 'The Scottish Psychopath' has the opportunity to carve out a championship run for himself.

His massive presence would create a very fascinating visual, one that we have seen time and time again in Mysterio's matches against significantly larger opponents over the years. McIntyre and Mysterio could honestly get the best out of each other in the ring and story-wise, it could be a belter. A possible feud between the two could follow a similar layout to the recently concluded feud between Mysterio and Brock Lesnar.

McIntyre has the ability to get a lot of heat on himself and could deliver an equally savage beating on Dominick, similar to the one that Lesnar gave him. With 'The Beast' holding the WWE Championship, it is unlikely that McIntyre will get a sniff of the top prize at the moment. He could instead settle with making the US Championship one of the most important pieces of gold in the entire company.

#1 Andrade

While the other names on this list would be interesting candidates to defeat Rey Mysterio for the United States Championship, only one man is the perfect choice to do it. Several times over 2019, Andrade has had some excellent matches against Mysterio. He even picked up some massive victories over the Lucha legend, ripping off his mask on one occasion as well. However, Andrade has not been able to gather much momentum away from his classics against Mysterio.

The former NXT Champion has all the tools in the world to succeed as a top star in WWE, with a great manager doing his speaking for him. Hopefully, the budding tension between he and Zelina Vega does not end their successful partnership and the two quickly settle their differences to step up to the next level. Andrade beating his arch-rival for the United States Championship to solidify himself and Vega as a collective force on RAW is the best direction the two can go.

It makes all the sense in the world, especially since Mysterio and Andrade's in-ring chemistry is tried, tested, and unmatched when they are at their best. 'El Idolo' is set to become the next big Latino star in WWE and defeating Rey Mysterio to win his first main roster championship is the right way to go for a variety of reasons. Go on WWE, build a star.

Edited by Michael McClead