What’s the story?
On a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that Brock Lesnar is scheduled for Universal Championship defences in July and August. His possible opponents are Braun Strowman and Finn Balor.
In case you didn't know...
Finn Balor was the first ever Universal Champion; he won the title at Summerslam in a match against Seth Rollins. He teased on Miz TV at Payback that he would be going after the Universal title again, despite the fact that Brock Lesnar is the current champion. It should be noted that Balor never lost the Universal Championship but had to vacate it due to injury he obtained at Summerslam.
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Braun Strowman confronted Brock Lesnar on the RAW after WrestleMania, teasing a match against him.
Brock Lesnar’s first defence of the Universal Championship is set to take place at the July PPV, Great Balls Of Fire.
The heart of the matter
According to our report, Braun Strowman will take on Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules in an ambulance match. Braun Strowman is expected to go over Reigns in the ambulance match, and this will presumably set him up as Brock Lesnar’s opponent at Great Balls Of Fire.
Finn Balor seems to have started a feud with Miz. He has had a lacklustre month since his return, and he has not been involved in any storylines. He seemed to have been scheduled for a feud against Bray Wyatt, but that looks to have changed after he went on Miz TV on the Payback pre-show.
Balor does in Kayfabe have every right to a Universal title match since he never lost it. If he is to face Lesnar at Summerslam, expect it to be the marquee match.
Also read: 5 Booking options for Brock Lesnar as WWE Universal Champion
What’s next?
Braun Strowman will be busy feuding with Roman Reigns this month, while Balor will presumably be occupied facing The Miz.
Author’s take
Strowman definitely should be next in line for a Universal title match despite the fact that Balor has kayfabe claim to a rematch. The reason Strowman is best for Great Balls Of Fire is because Brock Lesnar vs Finn Balor can be a great Summerslam main event and a big special attraction match: The Beast Incarnate vs The Demon King.
However, Balor has almost no chance to regain the title. It is well known by now that the main plan for WrestleMania 34 is Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar for the Universal title, and if WWE is hellbent on this program, then Balor will only be a roadblock on the path to New Orleans.
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