Predicting The First 10 WWE Universal Champions
6. Shinsuke Nakamura
Reigns's reign of terror will give him the longest run as Universal Champion thus far - he'll defend the belt against the likes of Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, and a babyface Seth Rollins, all en route to amassing several months on top. He'll finally meet his match at SummerSlam, though, in the form of the new most popular man in WWE - Shinsuke Nakamura.
Nakamura will debut on WWE's main roster with a big win at WrestleMania, and he'll spend the spring and summer racking up victories over heels like Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, and Rusev. He won't capture any titles, but it won't seem to matter when Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley decide that he's earned a shot at Raw's top belt.
That'll make Roman Reigns furious, as will the fact that Nakamura has captured the fans' affection so easily when he was never able to do it. That'll set the men up as natural foes, with the WWE Universe firmly on Nakamura's side.
Their bout, at SummerSlam 2017, will see a rapt Brooklyn crowd firmly behind "The King of Strong Style," and they'll be elated when he defeats Reigns for the title. It may take more than one Kinshasa, but Barclays Center will erupt.