WWE Overview Royal Rumble: Finn Balor vs. Brock Lesnar

Universal Championship Match

Brock Lesnar (c) against Finn Balor

A series of extraordinary events have brought us to this moment – but can Finn finish the Beast?

The road to Royal Rumble

What month for Finn Balor.

For much of December, Balor was involved in a three-way quarrel with Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler. Balor angered McIntyre when the Irishman distracted the Scotsman, which caused McIntyre's first loss since returning to the main draw.

McIntyre had the chance to charge Balor TLCbut with the help of a Ziggler distraction, Balor manages to escape with the victory.

The end of December delivered much of the same Balor had a Triple Threat match at the Christmas Eve Raw edition and ran away with another win. He was gaining ground, but where could he go with the Intercontinental Championship tied up and Braun Strowman locked for a World Championship match? Balor seemed set for the Royal Rumble match … until Strowman crossed the Boss.

Furious at the imprudent destruction of his personal property by Strowman, Vince McMahon deprived the Monster of his shot at the World Championship. Instead, he booked a fatal four-man match between four men to determine a new universal challenger to the Royal Rumble: Balor, McIntyre, John Cena and Baron Corbin. Balor also had to go through Jinder Mahal for his title shot, but Balor prevailed.

… And yet, no one really gives the extraordinary man a chance to kill the Beast. Paul Heyman complained about the change of opponent in such a short time, explaining how he had interfered with Lesnar's training program – but even that did not provide any support for Balor. An unhappy Strowman voiced doubts last week, as did Vince McMahon. That did not stop Balor from getting in front of people and showing them why they should believe.

What is at stake?

Beyond the universal championship? A lot.

Finn Balor has lost all the title shots he has obtained in human form since his days in NXT. A report earlier this week baderted that Balor was not going to summon the demon for this meeting. And although that may change, this match is huge for Balor's reputation without his painting. You want us to believe, Balor? Make us believe.

For Brock Lesnar, it's a disgruntled general nuance when people talk about the World Championship. What was supposed to be the most prestigious title of the WWE three years ago is now something that we rarely see on TV. Lesnar must provide a monumental effort to Royal Rumble remind people Why the title exists in the first place as the first title of Raw.

This "new era" is also at stake. Brock Lesnar has been at the top of Raw for over two years now. At the time of winning the title, the fans were moved enough that the McMahons feel compelled to shake up the marks in December and try something new. Can they claim a new era if we get the usual Brock Lesnar match?