If the WWE Rumor Mill is to be believed, the main event for SummerSlam 2018 is slated to be Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. It has been asserted that WWE is positioning Reigns to be deserving of another shot at the Universal Championship due to the controversial nature of his defeat at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.
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It is likely that this match will take place at Summerslam, with Reigns finally defeats The Beast Incarnate and becoming the Universal Champion at long last, after having failed to do so at WrestleMania 34 and at the Greatest Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Those two matches were not well received by the WWE Universe, so it is really surprising to hear that WWE is having them face-off once more.
Reigns has had multiple chances against Brock Lesnar and there are multiple superstars on the roster who should face Lesnar at 'The Biggest Party of the Summer'. Let's check out 6 superstars who should face Brock Lesnar at Summerslam 2018 instead of Roman Reigns.
#6 Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley made his return to WWE on RAW after WrestleMania by taking out Elias. This wasn't the same Lashley who left WWE in 2008. He's had time to hone his craft on the independent circuit and with his return, it was speculated that it would only be a matter of time before he faced off against Brock Lesnar.
The two have had similar career paths and Lashley's build allowed him to be a credible threat to Lesnar's reign. However, the interest in Lashley has reduced significantly and his first proper feud since his return against Sami Zayn has been disastrous so far due to poorly booked segments with terrible humour.
The two are set to face-off at Money in the Bank and they will hopefully go their separate ways once that match is over. There would still be two months till SummerSlam, which gives WWE enough time to build Lashley back up and position him as a wrestler dominant enough to end Lesnar's reign. A match-up between the two is much fresher than Lesnar vs. Reigns and it would be interesting to see the two powerhouses go at it in the main event.
#5 John Cena
This is admittedly a long-shot, but the story is there. Cena hasn't appeared on WWE programming since he was decimated by The Undertaker at WrestleMania 34. He is still on the hunt for championship #17 that would see him surpass Ric Flair's long-standing record. Furthermore, Cena was absolutely destroyed at the hands of Brock Lesnar in the main event of Summerslam four years ago.
It would be poetic that Cena would want to make history against the same man and at the same event where he suffered one of the most embarrassing defeats of his career. The two Superstars combined have more than enough star-power to main event the show and Cena has been delivering consistently great matches ever since he made the transition from full-time to a part-timer.
#4 Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens never got his rematch after losing the Universal Championship to Goldberg at Fastlane before WrestleMania 33. It is understandable to argue that Owens shouldn't face Lesnar because he's a heel and a heel vs. heel dynamic often doesn't work, but there is plenty of time to transition Owens into a role where he plays a quasi-heel or reluctant anti-hero.
Owens has the in-ring skills to have a great match with Lesnar and the promos he cuts against Paul Heyman would be electric. However, Owens in his current avatar cannot be seen as a threat to Lesnar. Moving him away from the traditional cowardly, dastardly heel character would be a good move.
Owens was fantastic as 'The Prizefighter' when he first debuted on the main roster against John Cena and a return to that character would help build him up to be a credible threat to Lesnar.
#3 Braun Strowman
The fact that Braun Strowman hasn't already won the Universal Championship is a travesty. The Monster Among Men has already faced Lesnar for the Universal Championship but he was unsuccessful on that occasion. If Reigns can be given so many shots against Lesnar despite falling short, Strowman deserves another opportunity as well.
Strowman is insanely powerful and immensely entertaining week-in, week-out and he is arguably the most feared competitor on the WWE roster. However, he hasn't won a single's title yet.
That should all change at SummerSlam with Strowman meeting The Beast in the main event. The lead-up to their previous feud was fantastic and Strowman has already shown that he can absolutely man-handle Lesnar and is his physical superior. A match between the two is a fitting end to one of WWE's biggest shows of the year and if nothing else, Strowman deserves the spot.
#2 Finn Balor
It is often easy to forget that Finn Balor was the first Universal Champion in WWE. His reign was cut short due to injury and just like Kevin Owens, he never got his rematch. It's odd that "The Demon King" never came hunting for the title he never lost, but perhaps that can all change by the time Summerslam rolls around.
As a former Champion, Balor has every right to be given an opportunity to win his title back. Pitting him against Brock Lesnar would lead to a classic David vs. Goliath feud, where Lesnar tries to put Balor down using his raw strength, while Balor outsmarts him using his speed.
Balor has been spinning his wheels for months and it's obvious that the WWE doesn't know what to do with him. Putting him in a high-profile feud against The Beast will give him the spotlight he deserves and they're sure to have a great match, seeing as Lesnar tends to do better against smaller opponents.
Balor should unleash The Demon at Summerslam and reclaim his title in a hellish battle against The Beast. Lesnar vs. Balor is a money match and it deserves to happen on a grand stage.
#1 Seth Rollins
Lately, Seth Rollins is on a red-hot streak and that's no secret to anyone in the WWE Universe. As the Intercontinental Champion, he has increased the importance of the title by defending it regularly in fantastic matches, while elevating his overall mic work as well. Rollins is the complete package and arguably deserves to challenge Lesnar for his Universal Championship at Summerslam.
While he has done great at the IC Champion, Rollins belongs in the main event and the Universal Championship deserves a lot more spotlight than it gets around Lesnar's waist. Winning the title and defending it regularly fits in perfectly with the workhorse nature of Rollins' character and there is no doubt he would make a fine champion.
Rollins does not necessarily need to drop the IC Title to face Lesnar and there is no doubt that the build-up to their match and the match itself will be nothing short of stellar. The two have a significant history as well, which could come into play during the feud. Seth Freakin' Rollins deserves a chance to slay The Beast and he should get that chance at Summerslam.
Are you excited to possibly see Reigns vs. Lesnar at Summerslam? Who do you think is more deserving of that spot? Share your views in the comments below!
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