Daily DDT
Fansided

WWE SummerSlam 2017: Analyzing Contenders to Dethrone Brock Lesnar

By Saurabh Gandle

facebooktwitterreddit

Brock Lesnar will face Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and Samoa Joe at SummerSlam for the WWE Universal Championship in a fatal four-way match.

While storyline made it seemed like Brock Lesnar could face Braun Strowmann in a one-on-one match at SummerSlam and eventually dropping the title to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 34. But, with speculation about Lesnar going to MMA and Vince McMahon wanting a champion to be a regular fixture on television. WWE could pull off a surprise by having Lesnar drop the Universal Championship to either of the three men at the biggest party of the summer, SummerSlam.

Now let’s analyze chances of each contender winning  Universal Title at SummerSlam.

Samoa Joe

The Samoan Submission Machine is red hot after his match against Brock Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire.

Though he came up short in the end, Lesnar barely managed to escape him. He was able to match the Beast Incarnate, punch for punch, at the July pay-per-view. Lesnar and Paul Heymann did a great job of putting him over throughout their program.

Even the loss has helped Joe get over WWE Universe if his earlier works in indy circuits and NXT were not enough to garner attention. He does look now like a bonafide superstar ready to go place.

The championship win at SummerSlam for Joe sets up quite a few intriguing program. It can be against Bray Wyatt, Strowman, a rematch with Lesnar and even rekindle the old rivalry with Seth Rollins.

Finally, there could be one against Reigns, where he can put him over in a physical match of power on display.

Braun Strowman

The Monster Among Men was the breakout star of the Raw roster after brand split. His single run has seen him a brute force which out takes anyone in his path. Strowman’s dominance over Reigns and Joe single-handedly is how the former Wyatt Family member has been booked so far. He has come back from an injury sustained by Reigns at Raw and the ambulance was nothing short of miraculous recovery.

More from Summerslam

While McMahon’s obsession with big men is well known, Strowman was repaid the faith imposed on him by WWE. While he is still green in terms on in ring work, promos but the crowd loves him, and seeing the reaction he generates putting the title on him won’t be surprising at all.

A one-on-one match with Lesnar will help Strowman elevate him to the status of main event star. While WWE could play David vs Goliath with Strowman vs Finn Balor, going against his former master, Wyatt is even another possibility.

Roman Reigns

Reigns is a strong contender to dethrone Lesnar at SummerSlam. McMahon no doubt wants Reigns to be next big thing in WWE. He has the looks and physique, along with the improved ring work and promos since leaving The Shield, but crowd reaction has been mostly negative.

There is still some work to be done if McMahon really wants to him to go over as babyface, instead of organically turning him heel. A program with The Miz can do wonders for him, with the A-lister costing him a chance of winning Intercontinental Championship a few times, and with an entourage on the current champion’s side, that opens up the possibility of a Shield reunion as well.

A brief run with the Intercontinental title will give Reigns some time to heat up before leading Raw for Survivor Series. In the meantime, he can elevate belt by having the open challenge like John Cena did with US Title. This can help if Lesnar stays the Universal Champion.

Next: Every SD Live PPV Since Brand Split, Ranked

Finally, WWE could play the storyline of Reigns wanting to win the championship he has never won before and, at WrestleMania 34, he conquers his demons and wins the belt.

Home/Summerslam