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The WWE Universal Championship is the biggest accomplishment a male WWE Superstar can win on SmackDown. Since its inception in 2016, the Universal Championship has quickly been established as a prestigious world title.
Former WWE Universal Champions include iconic superstars such as Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt.
Roman Reigns is the current WWE Universal Champion, as he captured the championship at SummerSlam last August. Since then, The Big Dog has ruled SmackDown with an iron fist.
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Still, many fans always wonder which WWE Superstar will be the next champion. Can someone step up to the main event level and win the Universal Championship for the first time? Or could a former Universal Champion once again reach the summit of SmackDown?
Here's a closer look at five wrestlers who could win the WWE Universal Championship in 2021.
#5 Former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan has never held the WWE Universal Championship during his impressive career. The leader of the YES! Movement is a former 5-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, but SmackDown's world title has escaped him.
But based on the landscape of SmackDown, Bryan is a leading contender on this list. He's currently scheduled to challenge Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WWE Fastlane. Many fans expect the Tribal Chiefs to retain the gold and face Edge at WrestleMania 37, but plans can always change in WWE.
Daniel Bryan has hinted that time is running out on his in-ring career, and the former WWE Champion even stated that this year's WrestleMania could be his last. Bryan could finally win the Universal Championship in 2021 before he retires from in-ring competition on his own terms.
#4 Former WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins certainly has plenty of history with the WWE Universal Championship. The Savior of SmackDown is a former 2-time WWE Universal Champion, but he hasn't held the title since 2019.
In fact, Rollins' Universal Championship loss to "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt at Crown Jewel in 2019 began his transformation into the Messiah.
Since he returned to WWE television in 2021, Rollins has been engaged in a feud with Cesaro. As he continues to preach about his "vision" for Friday Night SmackDown, Rollins appears to be relentless in changing the WWE Universe "for the greater good."
Perhaps "the greater good" that he speaks of includes a lengthy WWE Universal Championship reign. Rollins certainly has every reason to target current champion Roman Reigns. The duo teamed together as two-thirds of The Shield, one of the most dominant factions in WWE history.
Fans would certainly be fascinated to see the two former Shield teammates face off once again. Their distinct personas would make this conflict even more engaging.
The last time Rollins and Reigns faced off in singles action for a world championship was at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view in 2016. That night, Rollins defeated The Big Dog to claim the WWE Championship for the second time in his career.
If the two stars clash for the WWE Universal Championship in 2021, history could repeat itself. The SmackDown Savior could take his place atop the blue brand as the WWE Universal Champion.
#3 Former WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens holds the distinct honor of being the second WWE Superstar to ever hold the WWE Universal Championship. He famously won the title on Monday Night RAW in 2016. But this Universal Championship reign was the last time Owens held a world championship in WWE.
Therefore, one could claim that Kevin Owens is certainly overdue a Universal Championship reign in WWE. KO came incredibly close to capturing his second Universal Championship during his feud against Roman Reigns.
Owens came within touching distance of the gold during his Tables, Ladders and Chairs match against The Big Dog in December. But Reigns' cousin Jey Uso prevented Owens from capturing the title.
KO's run of bad luck continued when Paul Heyman assisted Roman Reigns in defeating Owens in a Last Man Standing match at WWE Royal Rumble.
Now that Reigns has entered a feud Daniel Bryan and Edge heading into WrestleMania, many fans think Owens' chances at the Universal Championship are behind him. But if 2021 has taught the WWE Universe anything, it's that anything can and will happen.
Perhaps Owens could capture his second Universal Championship in the same vein that he won his first, with plans changing in his favor. Subsequently, he could receive a golden opportunity to once again reach the pinnacle of WWE stardom.
#2 Former WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar has dominated the WWE Universal Championship picture in recent years.
The Beast has the most Universal Championship reigns in WWE history, and he's also the longest-reigning Universal Champion in WWE history. Lesnar held the Universal Championship for a record 503 consecutive days, from April 2, 2017 to August 19, 2018.
This run is recognized as the sixth-longest world championship reign in WWE history.
But Lesnar is not currently signed to a WWE contract. After he dropped the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 36, it was subsequently reported that Lesnar's WWE contract had expired.
Nevertheless, the WWE Universe widely expects The Beast to eventually re-sign with WWE. Lesnar and Vince McMahon have a complex relationship when it comes to contract negotiations, but the former champion usually finds his way back.
It is highly likely that 2021 will be any different. With live fans returning to WrestleMania 37, Lesnar's starpower is greatly needed. Plus, the company could justify his expensive contract with the regained revenue it'll gain from the return of large crowds.
Lesnar and current Universal Champion Roman Reigns have a plethora of history together, as they main-evented WrestleMania against each other twice. In 2021, The Beast and The Tribal Chief could face off once again for the Universal Championship. With a win, Lesnar would become the Universal Champion for the fourth time in his career.
#1 WWE Hall of Famer Edge
WWE Hall of Famer Edge hasn't held a world championship in WWE for 10 years. But that could easily change in 2021, as the Rated R Superstar is set to face Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 37.
Night 2 of WrestleMania 37 would mark 10 years to the day that Edge announced his in-ring retirement due to a serious neck injury in 2011.
His potential victory would be a fairytale ending of epic proportions, as it would be a fitting triumph a decade after his premature retirement.
But Edge's opponent at WrestleMania 37 is up in the air. Roman Reigns is scheduled to defend his WWE Universal Championship against Daniel Bryan in the main event of the Fastlane pay-per-view event later this month. The winner of that match will square off against The Ultimate Opportunist at the Showcase of the Immortals.
Will WrestleMania 37 prove to be the event where Edge finally completes his miraculous return by winning the Universal Championship? Will Edge become a 12-time WWE World Champion in 2021? This outcome certainly seems like a strong possibility.
