Brock Lesnar Handpicked Finn Balor For WWE Royal Rumble 2019?

The Universal Champion called his own shot for the 27 January pay-per-view.

by Andy H Murray
Brock Lesnar Finn Balor
WWE

Though switching Royal Rumble 2019's Universal Title match from champion Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman to 'The Beast Incarnate' defending against Finn Balor caught many WWE fans by surprise, the move had reportedly been in the works for at least a month, with Vince McMahon concerned about having Strowman lose another big match to Brock.

But this wasn't the only reason Balor was substituted in. Per Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Lesnar handpicked Finn as his own replacement opponent, having had the opportunity to face him at Royal Rumble 2018 pulled away when Vince decided 'The Demon King' wasn't over enough.

It's expected that Lesnar will carry the Universal Championship into WrestleMania, where he'll likely defend against Rumble favourite Seth Rollins. This means Balor is almost certainly losing on 27 January, but nonetheless, this is his biggest spotlight since winning the Universal strap at SummerSlam 2016, and that Brock actually wants to wrestle him all but guarantees a great match.

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Meltzer also writes that McMahon wants to protect Balor's 'Demon' alter ego, so don't expect to see the Irishman don his trademark bodypaint for the bout. A shame, but logical.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.