Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor: Full Predictions, Best-Case Scenarios for WWE Feud

Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor has all the raw materials to build one of WWE's best feuds in 2016: athleticism in surplus, novelty and a compelling contrast.

After the company's surprise, surreal decision to catapult Balor to the top tier immediately upon his arrival, the former NXT champion is set to face Rollins for the brand-new WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam. The road to that collision and the clash itself both have the potential to leave Balor looking like a headliner, win or lose.

On Monday, Balor's first night on Raw after being drafted from the NXT brand, WWE announced the creation of a new world title. The Demon earned the right to wrestle for the vacant WWE Universal Championship by winning a Fatal 4-Way match at the beginning of the show and later outlasting Roman Reigns.

Balor now finds himself at odds with Rollins, arguably WWE's best overall performer in 2015. WWE is guaranteed at least one stunner of a match with this rivalry.

Beyond that, though, this feud needs to make Balor one of Raw's biggest stars. The keys to this transformation will be providing theater between the ropes, having The Architect lead the way on the microphone and maintaining Balor's position as a predator.

Dynamic, Build

During his time as NXT's leading man, Balor grew as a talker, but promos are still not his strength. He's an understated, sometimes average presence in that department in a world that requires a larger-than-life aura.

Expect WWE to lean on Rollins when these two trade barbs. 

Rollins excels at being a brash, cackling braggart. He can lead the verbal dance between him and Balor to help ease the NXT alum into the spotlight. There's no need to ask Balor to be verbose right away.

It's smart, too, to create a mystique around Balor. WWE needs to present him much the way it did with Sting last year, as a brooding figure who slips out of the shadows.

That plays perfectly as a setup for him to unveil his demonic alter ego.

Rollins should anger and pester him. He should look to injure Balor before the bout, as if the former champ is fearful of this new challenger. Then The Demon can emerge at SummerSlam, elaborate entrance and all, creating a memorable moment early in Balor's main-roster run.

WWE's goal should be to quickly introduce Balor to the portion of the audience unfamiliar with him and to generate buzz around him that lasts well past SummerSlam.

Those who know his pre-WWE work need no added incentive to see Balor do battle. Those who followed his NXT run are already psyched to see him compete for the universal title. It's the rest of the fanbase that WWE must focus on.

Seth Mates, a former WWE Creative member, tweeted that he hasn't yet seen any of Balor's performances: 

"

I'm as casual a fan as it gets. I have NEVER seen a Finn Balor match. I'm sure he's great. I'll prob watch SummerSLam. But no interest ...

— Seth Mates (@SethMates) July 27, 2016"

He's surely not the only one. Thinking of viewers like Mates, WWE has to create reasons to invest in Balor's story. A part of that is letting him shine on Raw each week, but it also means telling who he is and why we should care.

Ideally, the feud with Rollins answers those questions ahead of SummerSlam, providing a foundation for Balor to build on moving forward.

Winner

It is too soon to crown Balor. Should WWE give Balor the Universal Championship right off the bat, it will give him nowhere to go but down.

The better bet is let him get his fingers on the brass ring, just enough to tease the audience, before falling. Balor's narrative can then be about his climb back up to that spot. Fans quickly get tired of instant champions, as we have seen with Sheamus and Paige in recent years.

And Rollins' spoiling Balor's Cinderella story will gift him with ample heat. 

The goal should be for Balor to have a great showing and look like he belongs on the top tier. WWE must make this a long, competitive match. Balor's and Rollins' talent will do the rest. 

Indy wrestler Gran Akuma is among those with high hopes for the bout:

Rollins vs. Balor will be an instant contender for Match of the Year. It will be high-octane and a showcase of creative, breathtaking offense. Everyone else on the card will struggle to match what they produce.

And when it reaches its climax, WWE can't muddle all that with overbooking. Bill Neville of the New Age Insiders podcast pleaded with the company to make the outcome decisive:

"

All I ask, is PLEASE don't have a dusty finish between Balor/Rollins at #SummerSlam. PLEASE let these two have a gem with a true winner.

— NAI's Bill Neville (@BillNevilleNAI) July 26, 2016"

That is exactly what needs to happen. Trying to get cute with outside interference or authority figures getting involved will move the focus away from the wrestlers and put it on unnecessary dramatic elements. WWE will be better off just getting out of the way.

Post-SummerSlam Projections 

When Rollins and Balor craft their SummerSlam masterpiece, WWE is going to want a sequel. At least one rematch is on the way. Count on Balor getting a second crack at The Architect at September's Night of Champions pay-per-view.

The Demon won't win that showdown, either.

Rollins will be Raw's top dog thanks to a stellar 2015. He made it easy for WWE to be confident in him as a centerpiece. Balor will still be in the process of proving himself.

Credit: WWE.com

But Balor fans need not fret. The Irishman will hover around the title picture for the foreseeable future. It will be hard to move him to the bottom of the food chain after he revs up the crowd as a main eventer.

Expect Balor to mix it up with Chris Jericho, Cesaro and Reigns as he fights to redeem his losses against Rollins. And those matches will be among the best WWE TV has to offer all year.

Rollins, meanwhile, is due for a long reign. The WWE Universal Championship is a new title that the company will want to sell as prestigious. Turning the belt over quickly will have the opposite effect.

Get used to seeing The Architect gloat with gold in his hand and the spotlight aiming at Balor every Monday night.