With WrestleMania 36 recently concluded, WWE is now focused on Money in the Bank. And of course, much like every other WWE pay-per-view, there will be some titles defended on the show. One of them will be the Universal Championship as Braun Strowman will face his former partner The Fiend Bray Wyatt for SmackDown's biggest prize.
With Strowman being the current holder of the Universal Title, a lot of Superstars will be eyeing it, for sure. So, without further ado, here's a look at the five superstars from SmackDown who are ready to become the Universal Champion and five who aren't.
10 READY: Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy recently returned to WWE programming after a long injury lay off and, as always, he hit the ground running. But, it seems, right now, WWE doesn't have anything concrete for him in terms of storylines.
Still, Jeff will be an important part of the SmackDown roster in the coming weeks and months. He is a very popular figure and can hold any WWE title gracefully. 'The Charismatic Enigma' would be aiming for the very top as a singles competitor and he might be given an opportunity by Vince McMahon very soon.
9 NOT YET READY: Otis
Otis has recently started ascending the pecking order, thanks to his brilliant feud with Dolph Ziggler. His romance with Mandy Rose has become one of the best things about the blue brand but despite his popularity, Otis is not yet ready to be the face of SmackDown.
Before he gets a shot at the Universal Championship, he needs to have a decent mid-card run as a singles Superstar and possibly, have a run with the Intercontinental Championship first. With the right amount of build up, Otis may soon be on the Universal Champ's path in no time.
8 READY: Shinsuke Nakamura
A part of Sami Zayn's artistic stable, Shinsuke Nakamura, recently, had a brilliant run with the Intercontinental Championship before he was dethroned by the current Universal Champion Braun Strowman. Nakamura still has the same charisma about him and he can put on incredible matches, with just about anyone.
It's quite surprising that the Japanese Superstar hasn't yet won the WWE Championship or the Universal Championship but it has to be said that his time will come, sooner rather than later. If Vince McMahon can find the right time to make Nakamura the face of the company, he has the power to sell out stadiums.
7 NOT YET READY: Kofi Kingston
After having a dream run with the WWE Championship, Kofi Kingston was beaten by Brock Lesnar last year and since then, the New Day member has been involved in the SmackDown Tag Team Titles picture. Right now, one has to say, Kingston needs a little detour before gaining momentum and trying to get back to the top of the tree again.
Frankly speaking, Kofi isn't the top attraction in WWE and if he wants to become one, he has to be immensely popular with the WWE Universe. For that to happen, he certainly needs a change in the gimmick or maybe, a heel turn on the New Day. A character change might do wonders for him.
6 READY: Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan is one of the top names in SmackDown, whose records speak for themselves. The former WWE Champion knows how to be relevant without any drastic changes to his gimmick. Right now, he is paired up with Drew Gulak and has formed what they call the Gulak Bryan Connection.
As of now, it seems Bryan will be in the mid-card for some time before getting his inevitable shot at the Universal Championship. He is more than capable of holding any gold in WWE and it's only a matter of time before he reaches the top of the mountain again.
5 NOT YET READY: Sheamus
Sheamus' return after a long hiatus hasn't been the most successful one. He hasn't had a good feud yet and that has derailed his momentum quite a bit. 'The Celtic Warrior' is a veteran Superstar, who can become the WWE Universal Champion in the near future but as of now, all he needs is a good run in the mid-card.
He should be in line for an Intercontinental Championship shot but, it seems, WWE isn't quite giving him a push. Hence, a good feud with someone like Bryan or even Kofi Kingston can elevate him.
4 READY: Roman Reigns (Whenever He Returns)
Roman Reigns was all set to face Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36 but the former pulled out due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. And, as of now, no return date has been established for 'The Big Dog.' But when he eventually returns, it's pretty obvious that he might go after the Universal Championship.
Reigns is all but ready to be the face of the company. He hasn't held WWE's top prize for quite some time now and it's only a matter of time before the WWE Universe gives him a Universal Championship to solidify his being the flagship star.
3 NOT YET READY: King Corbin
King Corbin is one of WWE's premier heels. The one thing he does best is putting over the faces in the SmackDown roster, just like he did with Roman Reigns in their feud which lasted for a very long time. Right now, it seems, Vince McMahon trusts Corbin to do the heel work and he is nowhere near any WWE gold.
He hasn't held many championships in his career, so it wouldn't be wrong to think that Corbin might not be ready for the Universal Championship yet.
2 READY: The Fiend/Bray Wyatt
Who else but Bray Wyatt, the hottest thing in WWE right now, is deserving of holding the Universal Championship? Wyatt is going to face Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship at Money in the Bank next month and there's no way one can see Strowman overcoming The Fiend. Wyatt is already on his way to becoming a two-time Universal Champion - unless WWE pulls off an absolute shocker at the very last minute.
The Fiend's Firefly Fun House Match against John Cena garnered a lot of positive responses from the WWE Universe and Vince McMahon would be thinking to strike the iron when it's hot.
1 NOT YET READY: Elias
Elias cannot seem to find a break in his WWE career. He has tried almost everything - look cool with a guitar, be a face, be a heel, and yet, he always seems to come short. It's just that the WWE Universe doesn't really care what he is up to, which is something Elias will be looking to change.
As of now, he seems to a Superstar who just isn't ready for the top. But that can change with a couple of good feuds.