The "RAW" brand needs a new leader now that Finn Balor is out of action for 4-6 months.
The "Demon King" sustained a shoulder injury during his match with Seth Rollins at SummerSlam on Sunday, which saw him win the Universal Championship at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Balor had to relinquish the belt on "Monday Night RAW" this week and four qualifying matches were set-up to help establish a new champion.
Rollins defeated Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens overcame Neville, Big Cass survived Rusev and Roman Reigns surpassed Chris Jericho to advance to a Fatal 4 Way match on next week's "RAW" to crown a new Universal Champion.
Here are our rankings (from worst to first) of who should escape next week's edition of "Monday Night RAW" as the new Universal Champion.
4) Big Cass
Everyone loves the big guy and this isn't a popularity contest (if it was a certain overbooked performer would be ranked last), but given his little experience in the WWE so far, there's no reason why Big Cass should be given the title this quickly. Hopefully for him a run with a major title is in his future, but next Monday isn't the time or place.
Big Cass is absolutely magic alongside Enzo Amore, so they should remain a force in the tag division on the flagship show. Enzo and Cass are the perfect team to have a long-term run as Tag Team Champions once the run of The New Day ends.
3) Roman Reigns
The leader of the Roman Empire is already a three-time WWE World Champion despite never truly getting over with the WWE Universe. He's made slight improvements in the ring and appears more comfortable on the microphone these days, but the WWE needs to learn from its past mistakes. He also inexcusably failed a wellness violation, so how would it look if he were to be given the Universal Championship mere weeks later?
The WWE finally showed some smarts by doing what it should have done in the first place, putting Reigns in the midcard where he is currently feuding with Rusev over the United States Championship. Since that rivalry is far from over, much like Reigns is far from over with the WWE Universe, there's no reason to put the title back on him.
2) Kevin Owens
The former NXT Champion remains one of the most underrated stars on the roster. Despite Owens not exactly having the Vince McMahon-preferred body type, he has meshed in greatly in the WWE. Owens is also a two-time Intercontinental Champion, so winning the next-biggest title would be a natural progression for his career rather than winning the big prize first and then toiling back in the midcard like the likes of Dolph Ziggler, The Miz etc.
Though his Canadian connection with Chris Jericho known as Team JeriKO has been a lot of fun, they can still be allies if Owens were to capture the Universal Championship on "RAW" this Monday night. KO has put on some amazing matches with the likes of John Cena, so the WWE should have no qualms about him representing "RAW."
1) Seth Rollins
If there's one thing that could hurt "The Architect's" chances it's the fact that he is the one who injured Balor in the first place. It was Rollins' running power bomb into the barricade that hurt the "Demon King's" shoulder. It isn't the first time he injured someone as Sting's career ended due to complications from the same move and the WWE banned the Curb Stomp because of the dangers it presents.
Still, all negativity aside, Rollins has carried "RAW" in the past and seemed to be the logical choice to win the SummerSlam match, yet the WWE went in a different direction, which was also fine. Rollins may have to retire the Buckle Bomb, but other than that he's one of the best big-time performers the company has. He's also great on the microphone and judging by his tweets lambasting the Brooklyn crowd, his passion never wavers:
More important than a title's appearance is what it represents for the men fighting over it. You really let me down tonight, Brooklyn.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) August 22, 2016
Simply put, out of anyone on the "RAW" brand, Rollins is the one who most deserves to carry the show.
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