Lack of Challengers for WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar a Major Problem

At WWE “SummerSlam” on Aug. 17, Brock Lesnar became WWE World Heavyweight Champion after dismantling John Cena in the main event.

All the hustle, loyalty and respect in the world couldn’t save Cena as Lesnar threw him around the ring like rag doll. Michael Cole made note after the bout that Lesnar delivered 16 German suplexes to his opponent, breaking Cena down with powerful overhead heaves and vicious strikes to the body.

It was less of a match and more of a live execution than anything else. Never before had Cena been so thoroughly dissected in the middle of the squared circle. He was never able to establish much offense as he resorted to a surprise Attitude Adjustment and STF as his only means of momentum.

It didn’t work.

It was such a convincing victory for Lesnar that it almost makes you wonder if a rematch at WWE “Night of Champions” is even necessary.

Cena is obviously entitled to a future title shot as the former champion, but even so, you can’t help but question why a second effort would go any smoother than the first.

The problem here is that, outside of Cena, there’s no one else on the WWE roster who can be presented as a credible challenger for Lesnar at this point in time.

Dean Ambrose came up short in his Lumberjack match against Seth Rollins (who still has the Money in the Bank briefcase) at “SummerSlam.” All signs are pointing towards this feud continuing for the next several months. As over as Ambrose is with the WWE Universe, his focus needs to be on his former Shield ally and not on the title.

Roman Reigns, someone Lesnar may find himself facing at WrestleMania 31 next year, is still a work in progress. He had a solid outing against Randy Orton at “SummerSlam,” but there’s still some kinks in his arsenal that need to be addressed. Reigns was booked to go over but it was Orton who looked like the bigger star. Reigns will get to the promised land soon enough, though. It just won’t be next month against the champion.

You can take Daniel Bryan out of the equation as he remains on the sidelines recovering from neck and shoulder surgery. We may not see him again until 2015.

Batista is set to return in the fall, although no specific date has been given.

No time like the present, Drax.

Chris Jericho? Bray Wyatt disposed of him at the Staples Center.

How about The Undertaker? Lesnar was the one who ended his historic WrestleMania streak back in April, so if anyone has a reason to exact revenge on “The Beast Incarnate,” it’s Undertaker. I’d bet the house that the 49-year-old veteran is nowhere near ready to compete, though. It took him almost a year to get back in ring shape for his WrestleMania 30 match in New Orleans. The chances of him rehabbing in time from the injuries he sustained at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome are slim to none. Don’t push your luck.

There’s a slew of heels you can add to the mix (Wyatt, Triple H, Randy Orton, Kane etc.), but against a character as polarizing as Lesnar, you need a face who can be the ying to Brock’s yang.

That’s easier said than done.

Good luck, WWE. You’ve put yourselves in a position where you’ve created one of the most imposing champions in company history, yet your talent pool consists of very few options to throw in his path.

CM Punk is no longer with the company, Cena just got the snot kicked out of him and Bryan is far from 100 percent. They were your three biggest “good guys” in 2013.

Now look what’s happened.

I wonder if Cain Velasquez or Alistair Overeem can perform a body slam.

The locker room, after @TripleH went looking for the next #1 contender to the title. @WWE #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/gtsbtFf5pA

— Mike Killam (@MikeKillam) August 18, 2014

Question: Who do you believe should be the next challenger for Brock Lesnar and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship? Are you interested in seeing Lesnar vs. Cena one more time?

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