WWE: Damian Priest Will LOSE His Championship To CM Punk

Damian Priest won his first WWE World Title from Drew McIntyre via MITB Cash-In at WrestleMania 40 in April, and his title reign is commonly criticized as being merely transitional. This criticism is probably due to the fact that the fans in the WWE Universe have not fully connected with Damian Priest yet. The fact that his promo battle with Jey Uso was lackluster didn't help matters either. However, his title reign has only lasted a month so far, and he did pick things back up in a solid banter with Drew McIntyre on Raw last week. His title reign could at least last until SummerSlam this year.

With that being said, the following will focus on the three top contestants to dethrone Damian Priest on the road to WWE SummerSlam 2024.

Dark Horse: Finn Balor

Finn Balor could eventually betray Damian Priest. On the Raw after Mania, Balor asked Priest if they would ever target the tag titles together again. Priest basically brushed off that idea, as he is more focused on his World Title than the tag titles. WWE continues to plant seeds of dissension in The Judgment Day without fully executing the betrayal. Now that the core of the Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley, is gone due to injury, Balor could very well carve his own path in becoming World Champ, especially on the road to SummerSlam, where he won his first World Title on the main roster.

(3) Braun Strowman

When Braun Strowman returned to the WWE, he targeted the Judgment Day and bulldozed all the members like a choo-choo train from Thomas & Friends. JD McDonagh even confronted Braun backstage to warn him about attacking Judgment Day again. This is a huge sign that Braun may be targeting Priest for the World Title this summer. As a credible former World Champ, Strowman has a solid chance at dethroning Priest. Despite said credibility, he lacks the storyline to be the one to do it. He also needs some matches to rack up his momentum, as he hasn't been in the ring for some time.

(2) Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre is the man Damian Priest cashed in MITB on at WrestleMania 40, where he lost the title in 5 minutes, 14 seconds. McIntyre has not yet attained his revenge, and he already teased with Priest that he will get his World Title Shot in his home country of Scotland at Clash at the Castle in June. When McIntyre was at Clash at the Castle last time, he lost his World Title Match to Roman Reigns due to interference from Solo Sikoa. Either he redeems himself from that loss against Priest or he gets screwed again, but this time, by his current rival, CM Punk. Speaking of CM Punk.....

(1) CM Punk

CM Punk is the reason Damian Priest is the World Champ in the first place. He was the one who distracted Drew McIntyre long enough to lead to that Mania MITB Cash-In. Also, Punk was the original plan to battle Seth Rollins for the World Title at WrestleMania 40 in the first place. Since he never got that title shot, he will definitely make his way back to that championship by defeating Drew McIntyre and earning a title shot against Priest. When Punk and Priest battle for the first time in pro wrestling history, there's only one man who will inevitably come out on top and he is the "best in the world."

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