2015 is almost over, which means "The Beast" will be back in no time.
WWE Trying To Make Roman Reigns The New 'Stone Cold'
With Brock Lesnar signed to a long-term contract, the WWE has plenty of options for how to move forward with Paul Heyman's client when he returns, presumably in January. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding who Lesnar will face at WrestleMania 32 now that his feud with The Undertaker has come to an end.
There have been a lot of rumors circulating over who Lesnar will battle and here is a ranking of the seven names that have been speculated upon so far. To view this article in slideshow form, CLICK START at the top right of this page.
Potential Opponents For New Champ Roman Reigns At Royal Rumble
7) Batista
A match between "The Animal" and Lesnar would be an epic encounter, but the reason it's placed last is because it's unlikely Batista will return anytime soon. Jim Ross lobbied for this match and it makes sense because Batista has the size and strength to be a formidable foe for Lesnar. With his movie career taking off and his recent critical comments about the WWE, it's unlikely this match will happen.
6) Daniel Bryan
Bryan has openly stated he wants to face Lesnar, but this is another unlikely scenario. "The Beard" is still being held out by the WWE due to a serious head injury, and if he does return in time for WrestleMania, the WWE will likely steer clear of putting him in the ring against a foe as physical as Lesnar. Still, it's a perfect David vs. Goliath story and would be great to see at AT&T Stadium.
5) Roman Reigns
Now that he's the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Lesnar may set his sights on the Leader of the Roman Empire. Reigns and Lesnar had their main event at WrestleMania last year interrupted by Seth Rollins, so the WWE could book a rematch, this time with Reigns as the defending champion, to get a payoff to the feud. Their bout at WrestleMania 31 was great, so there is some potential in a rematch, though Lesnar is a big enough draw that he doesn't need the title.
4) Sheamus
"The Celtic Warrior" is the latest person to throw his name in the ring for a potential clash with Lesnar. Sheamus has the look, build and move set to believably be a challenge for Lesnar in the squared circle come April 3, so it could be a great marquee matchup.
"I'd love to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship," Sheamus said to Rock 98 in Baltimore (via WrestlingInc) prior to dropping the belt Monday. "I would love nothing more. I would love nothing more than to scrap like that with Brock. I think it would be amazing. It's what I've always talked about and wanted to do for years."
3) The Rock
This could be another long-shot scenario, but it would be nice to see the Lesnar and Rock rivalry come full circle. When "The Beast" was a rookie, "The People's Champion" did the job to give Lesnar his first WWE Championship at SummerSlam in 2002. Now that Lesnar is the top draw in the company, a rematch between these two would be epic. It all hinges on The Rock's movie career as there are rumors a contract for his next film prohibits him from mixing it up in the squared circle.
2) Kevin Owens
Perhaps the most compelling rumor is the one regarding the former Intercontinental Champion. Rumor has it Owens is potentially being groomed for a clash with Lesnar at the "Show of Shows." Owens may not have the athletic build of most professional wrestlers, but his brash attitude and in-ring style would mix nicely with Lesnar and the program would catapult him into becoming a major star.
1) "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
This bout was first teased on Austin's podcast earlier this year, and it would be awesome to see the "Texas Rattlesnake" lace up his boots one final time in his home state of Texas. Austin hasn't wrestled since WrestleMania XIX in 2003, so don't hold your breath, but he has teased a comeback before despite denying it ever since. The WWE wants a big drawing bout to sell out AT&T Stadium, and Austin vs. Lesnar is exactly that.
