WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar's opponent at the Royal Rumble in January will be revealed on Raw tonight.

The Beast Incarnate was long rumoured to be clashing with Irish superstar Finn Balor at the company's first pay-per-view of 2018.

However, WWE has announced Braun Strowman will face Kane this evening, with the winner becoming the new number one contender.

Strowman and Lesnar previously locked horns at WWE No Mercy in September, with Brock earning a narrow win over The Monster Among Men.

Braun Strowman and Kane (
Image:
© WWE)

But the former UFC Champion and the veteran Kane have never had a televised one-on-one match, despite all their years working for WWE.

Lesnar last competed at WWE Survivor Series in November, when he defeated AJ Styles in a classic champion versus champion non-title contest.

His last championship title defence was the aforementioned meeting with Strowman in September, when he prevailed with a sudden F-5.

Fans will be intrigued as to whether WWE wants Lesnar to face Strowman again, with the likelihood being that he again defeats the rising star, en route to an expected WrestleMania 34 clash with Roman Reigns.

The alternative is the somewhat underwhelming prospect of a battle with Kane, who at this stage in his career surely has little chance of victory.

WWE said: "After weeks of back-and-forth brutality, Braun Strowman will once again meet Kane in the middle of the ring, which will no doubt buckle under the combined weight of these powerhouse superstars as they battle for the right to challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at the 2018 Royal Rumble event.

Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar clashed at WWE No Mercy 2017 (
Image:
© WWE)

"Claiming he is the red brand’s “only monster,” The Big Red Machine has targeted The Monster Among Men in recent weeks, and their escalating rivalry has caused them to inflict inhumane amounts of damage on each other and their surroundings.

"When they collide on Raw with a Universal Title opportunity on the line, everyone had best stay out of the way."

Tonight's episode of Raw coming from the Quickens Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio will also see Roman Reigns defend his Intercontinental Championship against Cesaro.

WWE Royal Rumble takes place on January 18, 2018 from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania