Have mercy, give Braun the belt

Braun as champ???
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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WWE has done an amazing job building Braun Strowman into a viable contender for the Universal Championship. The big man went from the muscle of the Wyatt Family (a role I didn't give a rat's ass about him in) to now one of the most over Superstars on the current roster. It's been an amazing transition and one that was organic.

When Braun showed up on Raw after the brand split in 2016, WWE really pushed him hard. He killed countless enhancement talent, but somewhere along the way, it felt like he was getting lost in the shuffle. I'm not sure of the exact moment, but it feels like around the time he and Roman Reigns started going at it, Braun started getting more over.

Boot to the face
Courtesy: WWE

I would have never thought I'd say it, but I hope Braun beats Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at the No Mercy event Sunday. It's the first time in a long time WWE has cast enough doubt on a match to make me believe the contender can walk out as champion. However, my gut tells me (I don't read the news sites) that Brock will retain the gold and Reigns will eventually be "the guy" again.

It's time for Brock to drop the championship. However, I can still see WWE waiting for that to happen at WrestleMania. Who do you think should be the man to take the title? 

  

There's a new beast in town

Braun slams Brock
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I know Brock Lesnar defied the odds and retained his WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam 2017. But the post-show buzz is all about Braun Strowman, which really doesn't surprise me. He is one character I didn't give two sh!ts about in his Wyatt Family days, and even when he made the move to Raw I was still less than impressed. But then something clicked and I've become a fan.

Destroyed
Courtesy: WWE

Once again he has proven he's earned a spot in the main event. From his destroying of Roman Reigns repeatedly on Raw to the destruction of Lesnar at SummerSlam, Braun is the real deal. I'd love to see WWE hold off on a battle of the beasts one on one for WrestleMania, but the rumor is churning that Strowman will be the next contender to Lesnar. 

Because Reigns took the fall at SummerSlam, I'd assume he's the heir apparent to the Universal Championship. Again, this is an assumption and plans can change and I really hope they do. Going with that line of thinking, perhaps the feud between Strowman and Reigns resumes after WrestleMania. Again this is assuming they're holding off until April for the next title switch. In my 1-2-3 cents that transaction could have happened last night. But I knew with the stipulation of quitting WWE if that happened, Brock would retain. 

Beast mode
Courtesy: WWE

I will say whoever the chosen one eventually becomes, they'll get one hell of a rub when they win the championship. Unlike Seth Rollins in 2015 though the new champion needs to pin or force Lesnar to tap out. Not only does the belt need to be passed, but also the torch. Right now I'd rather that be Samoa Joe, with Braun Strowman a close second. That's something I never thought I'd say.

I'm over Brock Lesnar being champ

Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I try to keep my blog posts positive and this one will be for the most part as I explain in my 1-2-3 cents why it's time for Brock Lesnar to no longer be the WWE Universal Champion. He, of course, is defending the Championship against Samoa Joe Sunday night at the Great Balls of Fire event.

Not only has Brock not defended the title since winning it at WrestleMania 33 on April 2, but the champ hasn't even wrestled in that time. I understand Brock is an attraction and a part-time performer. So that is reason number one why I'm over Brock being champ. 

Courtesy: WWE

Up next, since learning Lesnar was suspended from UFC for what are essentially Wellness Policy violations, but WWE doesn't or won't test part-time performers is strike two for me. I've written about this before. It sets a horrible example to make exceptions for anyone who is under a talent contract for the company. I know it's a business. WWE is cashing in on Lesnar's fame. That doesn't mean I have to agree with or like that decision.

Samoa Joe & Lesnar toe to toe
Courtesy: WWE

And strike three, it's time for something fresh and new at the top. It doesn't have to be Samoa Joe, but of everyone on the current roster, Joe poses the biggest threat to beat a monster like Brock. Lesnar can still be a part of WWE and do attraction matches on the big four shows. Bring him in for a star-studded Raw event a few times a year. But there's no reason in 2017 for Brock Lesnar to be the program's top champion. Perhaps a screw over by Paul Heyman and the creation of a new Heyman Guy to keep Paul on TV regularly would be good.

Here are my quick picks for the rest of Great Balls of Fire (remember these are who I think will win and not who I want to win):

Despite the above blog, Brock will likely still retain the title.

Roman Reigns will beat Braun Strauman.

The Miz will retain the IC title against Dean Ambrose.

Alexa Bliss will retain the Raw Women's title against Sasha Banks (PLEASE)

Sheamus & Cesaro will keep the tag team titles against the Hardys.

Bray Wyatt will beat Seth Rollins

Big Cass will destroy Enzo.

Neville will leave with the Cruiserweight Championship against Akira Tozawa.

My predictions have no title changes happening, unless what I want to happen in the main event. None the less, this card is pretty impressive. The name though, well we'll save that discussion for another time.

Roman Reigns may be right

Roman Reigns makes his case
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've had to catch Raw highlights online due to a pet rabbit gnawing away at the cord to the DirecTV adapter. Watching the segment with the five Superstars laying claim to who should be the number one contender got me to thinking. Roman Reigns was first to state his case to General Manager Kurt Angle and may have the best argument for being the number one contender (More on that in a moment).

Finn Balor flies
Courtesy: WWE

WWE has spent the last few years turning Brock Lesnar into a monster. There was that little hiccup against Goldberg, but that notwithstanding, it's hard to find someone able to unseat the Universal Champion. I like Finn Balor a lot and think he will get a run once again with the gold, but I just don't see him being able to conquer someone the size of Lesnar. Lesnar had trashed the Big Show, Undertaker and John Cena in the same calendar year. I know I've said before size shouldn't (and doesn't) matter, but I just can't see Balor-Lesnar being anything short of a one-sided massacre at this point.

Samoa Joe
Courtesy: WWE

I like all five contenders booked for the match at Extreme Rules. If I had to pick the one I want to see win the challenge the most, it would be Samoa Joe. He's got a decent chance against Lesnar, but I'd rather them give him a little more time finding his place on the main roster and save Joe-Lesnar for WrestleMania 34. 

Bray Wyatt, although a recent WWE Champion, doesn't seem viable in ending Lesnar's reign of terror, especially considering Orton beat Bray and Lesnar destroyed Orton a few months ago at SummerSlam. Seth Rollins is great, but I just don't see him getting another run with the belt just yet either. While Reigns has had more than enough time with the main event picture and championship runs, he appears to be the most groomed and prepared for an encounter with Lesnar.

Reigns at WrestleMania
Courtesy: WWE

Reigns made several valid points during his pitch to Angle. He did (seemingly) retire the Undertaker at WrestleMania. And right now I believe him when he says he's the only guy who can beat Brock Lesnar. However, as mentioned, I'd rather see Reigns-Lesnar at SummerSlam and Lesnar-Joe at Mania. But I can also see Braun Strowman getting involved somewhere down the line when he's back from his surgery. No matter what though championship win by Reigns should include a full fledge turn and that could be the set up for him and Balor down the road. They're 50/50 against each other now...

No matter what you think of the current product, it's hard to deny things are very, very interesting in the championship picture right now. I'm excited to see what happens at Extreme Rules.

I'm more than OK with KO

KO is the champ
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Kevin Owens is the new WWE Universal Champion. With some help from Triple H, KO pinned Seth Rollins to win the red and gold belt. The victory is exactly what I've been hoping for since Owens was called up to the main roster last year. His series of matches with John Cena proved he was ready for the big time, although I've been a fan for years.

Pedigree
Courtesy: WWE

The interesting tie-in is Triple H. Were his actions to support Owens or more to get at Rollins? I'm curious to see what's next and don't want to speculate too much. I don't think Triple H and KO are going to be allies, at least I don't think there's going to be a rebirth of the Authority. I hope not anyway. Although I did entertain the idea of Triple H serving as a manager, but from a storyline standpoint it doesn't really make sense at this time. Plus Triple H has at least a few more WrestleMania matches in him.

Courtesy: WWE

What I do hope is that Owens holds on to the belt and takes it into WrestleMania while the company grooms the next big contender. Depending on the healing process, Finn Balor could very well be ready by Mania in Orlando. Imagine two former NXT champions battling it out for the Universal Championship on the grandest stage of all. The story writes itself. 

But I said I wouldn't speculate. I'm going to enjoy the ride. I want to hear from you. We'll discuss the matter in greater detail during 3-Count on Facebook Live Thursday at noon CST.