The 2019 WWE Royal Rumble event is just days away, and the card is absolutely stacked. One of the most anticipated matches on the card is the Universal Championship match between the champion Brock Lesnar and challenger Finn Balor.
There are many differences between these two men. The hulking Brock Lesnar is a true heavyweight. Finn Balor would not look out of place on 205 Live. Their professional records are vastly different as well.
Balor is the first ever Universal Champion and he defeated the likes of Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins en-route to winning it in his main roster pay-per-view debut. However, he was forced to relinquish it the very next day and has struggled to regain that momentum since.
He was unable to capture the Intercontinental Championship in his WrestleMania debut last year. He received his rematch for the Universal Championship more than two years after he had to relinquish it, and lost that too. However, this Sunday offers the former NXT Champion a chance at redemption. If he defeats Brock Lesnar, all of the frustration of the past two years will be forgotten.
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However, defeating The Beast is easier said than done. He has won 6 World Championships in the WWE and is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. He has main evented three WrestleManias and has never been pinned or submitted in the main event of the Show of Shows. He is also a former Royal Rumble winner.
He ended The Undertaker's undefeated WrestleMania streak. He has not been defeated since SummerSlam 2018 and has only lost to five men since he returned to the WWE in 2012.
This match is very interesting, to say the least. The underdog, Finn Balor, is fighting for redemption. In order to achieve this, he must defeat the nigh-unbeatable champion. How will this match end? Let's find out.
Brock Lesnar Wins Clean
The most obvious explanation is often the most likely. A 190-pound underdog who has spent the past two years in the mid-card is challenging the 280-pound champion who rarely loses. What is the most obvious explanation as to how this will end?
The eye test tells us that Finn Balor is too small to defeat Brock Lesnar. And their main roster records tell us that Balor is not accomplished enough to defeat Lesnar. Therefore, the most likely explanation is that The Beast Incarnate will defeat Finn fair and square.
However, there is a silver lining for Balor's fans; Brock Lesnar's last two matches against smaller wrestlers were competitive. The most likely explanation is that Brock wins clean. If that is the case, the best Finn Balor fans can hope for is that that victory is earned after a valiant effort by Balor.
Finn Balor Wins Clean
This is the ideal scenario for Finn Balor fans. A clean victory over Brock Lesnar would make Balor's entire career. Consider this; only Roman Reigns, John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker, and Goldberg have defeated Brock Lesnar since he returned to the WWE in 2012.
Finn Balor winning clean would mean that he has achieved what the likes of Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, and Samoa Joe have failed to do. The most likely path to him winning clean would be the appearance of 'The Demon'. 'The Demon' is Finn Balor's body paint covered alter ego that taps into the darkest parts of his personality.
'The Demon' is also undefeated on the WWE main roster and holds victories over AJ Styles, Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins, and Baron Corbin. Indeed, Finn won the Universal Championship as 'The Demon'. Balor will need a secret weapon to defeat Lesnar clean. 'The Demon' is that secret weapon.
Finn Balor Wins Due To Outside Interference
This is the most believable path to a Finn Balor victory. Brock Lesnar does not lose clean. Even Roman Reigns defeated him after Braun Strowman inadvertently distracted Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2018. Reigns had main evented four straight WrestleManias, won a Royal Rumble, won three world championships and defeated The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 at that point.
There are two ways by which Balor can win due to outside interference. The first involves interference by Lesnar's WrestleMania opponent. One must assume that he will only lose the Universal Championship before WrestleMania 35 if he is in an even bigger match. That opponent costing him the Universal Championship is an excellent way to set up that match.
Indeed, there is a past precedent; Goldberg cost Lesnar the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble in 2004 in order to set up their first WrestleMania match. The second way involves interference by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The history and friendship that these men share is well known. Finn Balor could win if they help him.
Brock Lesnar Goes Too Far
This is perhaps the worst scenario for Finn Balor fans. The match could end because Brock Lesnar is beating up Balor too much, and Finn is unable to defend himself.
It is certainly a believable outcome. There is a huge size discrepancy between these two men. Moreover, Brock Lesnar is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
Moreover, three of Brock Lesnar's opponents; Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 34, Triple H at SummerSlam 2012, and John Cena at SummerSlam 2014, have suffered such bad beatings, that they were almost unable to defend themselves. Reigns was left bleeding in the ring.
Triple H had his arm broken. Cena mounted almost no offence while he was suplexed for more than 10 minutes.
At SummerSlam, 2016, Brock Lesnar elbowed Randy Orton in the head multiple times, leaving Orton bloody, and unable to compete. The match was stopped after it was ruled that Orton was unable to defend himself.
Double Count Out
This is the worst case scenario for wrestling fans. A double count out means that there is no clear winner, and no clear loser. Unless this feud will continue, it needs a proper ending
The match could end like this if Finn Balor and Brock Lesnar are brawling outside, and cannot beat the 10 count. It could also end like this if Finn puts Lesnar through a table after leaping off something high, leaving both men incapacitated.
The match could conceivably end like this if the WWE does not want Brock Lesnar to lose the Universal Championship, but also wants to protect Balor from a high profile loss.
A double count out is the worst way to end any match, let alone a world championship match at the Royal Rumble.
How do you think Finn Balor versus Brock Lesnar will end? Let us know in the comments...