Dear WWE Creative, Can Finn Balor Win The Universal Title?

Dear WWE Creative,

What a difference a year can make. Last year around this time, rumors had been running rapid that Finn Balor was thought to be number one contender to Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship at the 2018; however, the plug was pulled because Vince McMahon didn’t believe the superstar was over. One year later we hit Royal Rumble season once again, and this time, Balor is not only crowned number one contender for the Universal title against Brock Lesnar, but he wins this opportunity for this by pinning John Cena.

In the process, he also gets a nod from the Cenation leader, which let’s face it, is not too shabby when it comes to a rub. Still, in this season, the most exciting of WWE seasons within the year – Road to Wrestlemania – the idea of Finn Balor in the title picture scene is exciting, yet anticlimactic.

Exciting, because Brock Lesnar matches against the likes of small and athletic main eventers equals out to a pretty good bout, so 2019 Royal Rumble fans will be treated to some solid sports entertainment and good storytelling. Lesnar’s past matches against AJ Styles, and more recently, Daniel Bryan, have gone over well, so his bout with Balor should be a nice one, with some good David versus Goliath undertones.

Having said that, at this point in the game, Balor has little chance of defeating Lesnar, as we head towards the Grandest Stage of Them All. Internet spoilers aside, with the company’s flagship event mere months away, it seems only typical-WWE-style, that Balor may not offer any true competition or threat to Brock’s Universal Championship at the Rumble.

Alternatively, we do live in the dawn of a new WWE era; a promised “fresh start” with new opportunities; new challenges; a guarantee that WWE officials would start listening more to fans and less to their inner gut.

It’s no secret that most viewers don’t like the idea of a part-time champion, especially one in Brock Lesnar. If it’s best for business and storylines, a part-time champion reign can serve its purpose; however, here we are, one year later, and The Beast Incarnate continues to dominate over the Monday Night RAW roster. During his championship run (the first time around), fans saw storylines stagnate, main event talent held back, and no true “holy grail” to anchor the Red brand roster with a title that wasn’t on television for half the year. One year later, and the championship was handed back to Brock once again at Crown Jewel, only for Lesnar to take it on vacation with him.

Does Finn Balor truly have a shot at winning the Universal Championship at the 2019 Royal Rumble? Maybe on paper no; maybe in reality no; maybe all the fans will get from the title match at WWE’s January pay-per-view is an incredible performance from a Brock Lesnar bout for once. However, if we truly are living in a new WWE era, one with surprises, shockers, and outcomes fans truly want to see, then I say: yes, Finn Balor does have a chance at becoming Universal Champion, and the entire concept of him winning, a storyline that launches around proving Vince McMahon wrong, and leading the RAW roster into Wrestlemania season just may be exactly what should be booked come Royal Rumble.

Signed,

Me.