![Brock Lesnar has faced several opponents this past year as champion, but two were originally planned for sooner this year. [Image by WWE/YouTube]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/9/29/660x290/b_502x220x82/brock-lesnar-has-faced-several-opponents-this-past-year-as-champion-but-two-were-originally-planned-for-sooner-this-year-image-by-wweyoutube_1601015.jpg "Brock Lesnar has faced several opponents this past year as champion, but two were originally planned for sooner this year. [Image by WWE/YouTube]")
The Wwe Universal Champion Brock Lesnar has been on a relatively dominant reign ever since capturing the championship at "WrestleMania 33." At that huge pay-per-view this past year, Lesnar defeated long-time rival Goldberg for the belt. Goldberg left the scene with no rematch, while "The Beast" got a few other opponents after "Mania" who challenged him for the title. There was also a Fatal 4-Way match at "SummerSlam." However, WWE was said to have planned for Lesnar to face two other superstars over the past few months, but it's rumored plans changed.
Original plans changed
As fans saw, once Brock Lesnar became the new WWE Universal Champion, superstars took notice and wanted a shot at him. The first to get a title shot was Samoa Joe at "Great Balls of Fire." Joe had won a big Fatal 5-Way match by putting the Coquina Clutch on Finn Balor for the win. That led to a huge buildup for Joe vs. Brock and ultimately a match in which Lesnar put Joe down via the F5.
Sportskeeda's Simon Cotton recently indicated in an article on WWE rumors that the company had originally planned for Brock to take on Seth Rollins and Finn Balor after "WrestleMania 34." However, Braun Strowman's elbow procedure and time out of the ring changed the plans. Eventually, Braun became the next guy to face Brock after "SummerSlam" with "The Beast" capturing a big win at "No Mercy 2017" last Sunday.
Based on the fact that Brock Lesnar isn't on "Raw" all that often and isn't necessarily scheduled for every pay-per-view makes things tricky with the title defense. This has led to fans becoming upset that someone who is full-time doesn't have the title. They may get that wish but possibly next year.
What's next for Brock Lesnar?
It appears based on the latest WWE storylines that "The Demon" Finn Balor is going to be the next guy facing "The Beast" for the WWE Universal Championship. Balor made his intentions clear on a recent episode of "Raw" during a backstage interview. However, he has yet to be simply handed that opportunity and will possibly need to earn it ahead of the WWE's next pay-per-view.
Based on his ongoing rivalry with Bray Wyatt, one has to wonder if WWE might put an end to that feud on "Raw" or if they will have Balor and Bray compete at the next pay-per-view. It's possible Finn Balor could take on Lesnar at "Survivor Series" before the year closes out.
After that, it's unknown who might get a shot at "Royal Rumble," but do not be surprised if "The Big Dog" Roman Reigns wins the "Rumble" match to earn that title shot at "WrestleMania 34."
