10 things that must happen in WWE in 2019

We're at the end of 2018, and what a year it has been in the WWE! Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles set new records for holding their respective belts for the longest time; we saw the emergence of Ronda Rousey and her rise to win the RAW Women's championship, while Becky Lynch's new gimmick was probably the best gimmick of 2018.

2018 also saw Roman Reigns' rise to the top as we saw him crowned Universal champion, while also seeing the lowest of lows as he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

The year didn't end the way WWE would have wanted it to end as ratings of RAW and SmackDown plummeted to record lows, which prompted the McMahons to take back charge of both brands.

Heading into their new deals with FOX from 2019, WWE will have to do a lot to bring back interest among the WWE Universe. Here are 10 things that must happen in WWE in 2019 to excite WWE's fans:

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#10 Crowd favourites being pushed

Rusev should be afforded more opportunities at the top of the card in 2019

In the McMahons' return to RAW a few weeks ago, they said that, henceforth, they will be listening to the fans and give them what they want. The WWE's bosses said that they would empower the Superstars and deliver what the fans have been asking for, which was music to the ears of most fans.

So, what should the WWE do in terms of delivering what the fans want?

Many things, actually. Finn Balor, on RAW, has been underused and put in meaningless feuds despite being one of the most over Superstars with the WWE Universe. He can deliver in the in-ring, and is no muck with the mic in hand; all he needs is an opponent who can have an engaging storyline.

Over on SmackDown, WWE couldn't capitalise on Rusev's popularity among the WWE Universe with the Rusev Day gimmick. The Bulgarian Brute is hilarious on the mic, but can cut a mean promo too, and his prowess in the ring is good as well.

(Update: Rusev became the United States Champion on the last SmackDown of 2018!)

#9 Better booking of the tag team division

The RAW tag team division has been uninspiring

WWE's tag division, especially on RAW, has been boring and predictable, and hasn't been given the importance it deserves. The Usos and The New Day have held together SmackDown's tag division, putting on great performances at every PPV, but even their feuds have become uninspiring.

Over on RAW, the state of the tag team division is even dire with the team of Chad Gable and Bobby Roode, and AOP, the only two teams that have some credibility. The rest are either not up to the mark (or haven't been afforded the opportunity to show off their talents) or have not been put in any feuds worth remembering.

WWE should probably move either The Usos or The New Day over to RAW during the Superstar Shake-Up but not both, to spice up Monday nights. We could also see the debut of The Undisputed Era on RAW or SmackDown, which could make things very interesting in the tag team division.

#8 A dominant heel faction on RAW

Could we see The Undisputed Era on RAW?

Speaking of The Undisputed ERA, we haven't seen too many heel factions on RAW or SmackDown, which is a pity considering the great heel factions that have existed in the WWE over the years.

The Wyatt Family were probably the last good heel faction on WWE television, as we have seen far too few factions on WWE.

One promising heel faction on WWE and RAW was the stable of Drew McIntyre, Dolph Ziggler, and Braun Strowman, but that was cut short as it probably didn't make sense to have Strowman as a heel considering WWE were no longer going to have a babyface right at the top following Reigns' illness.

The faction of McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, and Baron Corbin also looked quite interesting, but with Corbin now fired as RAW GM, we aren't quite sure where that is heading.

I feel that a strong, dominant heel faction that can rampage through the faces on RAW, could make things interesting. Could we perhaps see a few heels from NXT on RAW, like The Undisputed ERA?

#7 Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley

Bobby Lashley vs Brock Lesnar has to happen in 2019!

Brock Lesnar will return to the WWE in January at the Royal Rumble when he faces off against Braun Strowman for the Universal title. It is quite likely that the Monster Among Men will win the title at the PPV, which will be his first singles title on the main roster.

Lesnar is most likely going to the UFC to face off against Daniel Cormier, and is currently under USADA's testing pool, and it seems like he will be available for fewer days in the WWE.

One match WWE fans have been waiting for years is a battle between two monsters in the WWE and in MMA: Lesnar vs Lashley. This match-up has got to happen soon, and 2019 could be the year that this huge match takes place.

A match between these two behemoths deserves the grandest stage of them all - WrestleMania 35!

#6 Women's tag titles

Sasha Banks and Bayley could be contenders for the RAW Women's tag team titles

(Update: WWE and Vince McMahon listened to the fans and have now announced the women's tag titles)

WWE have been teasing the introduction of the women's tag team titles, and they must introduce them in 2019. WWE is probably the best position in years to introduce a women's tag division as there are plenty of women's Superstars - and tag teams - to compete for the title.

WWE's women Superstars have their own PPV, have headlined other PPVs, as well as put on great matches throughout the year, and it is probably the best time to add the women's tag team titles as well.

Stephanie McMahon spoke about the introduction of the women's tag team titles earlier this year: "Not quite yet, but that's absolutely something we've heard loud and clear from our fan base and it's something we're keen on implementing as soon as we are able to."

We could perhaps have a tournament for the tag team titles, for each of SmackDown and RAW, with the finals taking place at WrestleMania.

#5 More NXT stars on the main roster

Velveteen Dream deserves a call-up to the main roster

WWE recently announced that 6 NXT Superstars will be making the switch to the main roster as WWE are set to ring in the changes on the main roster to bring fan interest back. Lars Sullivan, Lacey Evans, EC3, Nikki Cross and Heavy Machinery are set to feature on the main roster soon, but the WWE Universe will want to see more talented Superstars from NXT on RAW and SmackDown.

NXT has several Superstars who deserve a call-up to the main roster, and 2019 is the year that should happen.

One faction that has been previously mentioned here, The Undisputed ERA - the team of Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O'Reilly, and Bobby Fish, have dominated NXT the last year or so, and deserve a call-up to the main roster.

Apart from them, three other Superstars have taken NXT programming to the next level over the last year or so - Velveteen Dream, Johnny Gargano, and current NXT Champion Tomasso Ciampa, all three of whom need to be called up to the main roster.

#4 The New Day splits up

Is it time for The New Day to finally go their separate ways?

This is a controversial one for many fans to understand and buy into, but The New Day, the team of Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods, need to split up in 2019 to reinvent themselves.

The trio probably has the funniest gimmicks on the roster and have won over many fans in the last few years, while also putting on incredible matches in the ring.

All three are great wrestlers in the ring and it is time for them to have a run in the WWE as singles Superstars. The New Day possibly bring in a lot of money through merchandise sales, which could make the decision of splitting them up a tough call from the WWE's viewpoint.

Having achieved everything there is to achieve in the tag division with 5 tag team titles (3 SmackDown tag team titles and 2 RAW tag team titles), WWE may have run out of ideas for the trio as a tag team.

#3 Finn Balor heel turn

Could a Balor heel turn be in the offing?

Like The New Day, Finn Balor is incredibly popular with the fans, and the idea of him turning heel and WWE losing all that merchandise money doesn't make financial sense.

Balor is probably one of the most talented wrestlers on the RAW roster currently, but has been underused and undervalued by the WWE and its writers. He needs a radical change in his gimmick as being a white meat babyface hasn't quite worked for him on RAW.

Like Becky Lynch has shown over these past few months, a change in character can do wonders for a WWE Superstar's career, and bring them back in the reckoning.

Balor could maybe move to SmackDown after turning heel on RAW, dominating on the blue brand, and maybe perhaps reform the Balor Club alongside Gallows and Anderson. He was a terrific heel in NJPW, so there is evidence that Balor can do it.

#2 Ronda Rousey vs Charlotte Flair vs Becky Lynch at WM35

Rousey and Charlotte at Survivor Series

Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch have history between each other, and it only makes sense for all three to battle it out at WrestleMania 35 in a triple threat match.

Rousey is currently on RAW, while Charlotte and Becky are on SmackDown, so it doesn't make sense for the three to face each other with a title at stake, but the sheer anger, hatred, and bad blood could make this a spectacular match.

Ronda Rousey, much to the surprise of many, has had a good start in the WWE, and has adapted well to the rigours of professional wrestling. Charlotte and Becky, meanwhile, have had a great feud over on SmackDown, while each of their mini-feuds with Rousey has made for some compelling television too.

If WWE wants to have a women's match at the main event of WrestleMania 35, these three could give any of the male Superstars on the roster a run for their money.

#1 Braun Strowman becomes Universal champion

Universal champion Braun Strowman has a nice ring to it!

It's simple - Braun Strowman HAS to be WWE Universal champion in 2019. The Monster Among Men had a great 2018 but fell in the final hurdle on more than one occasion while facing Brock Lesnar for the Universal title.

Unlike Lesnar, Strowman has shown great work ethic, developed a gimmick that's loved by fans world over, and has dedicated his time and put in a lot of effort to put smiles on the faces of the WWE Universe.

With Strowman as champion - just like we expected from Roman Reigns as the Universal Champion - we are quite certain that the title will be defended at every PPV. Lesnar no longer needs to be the Universal Champion to sell tickets as Strowman is now, possibly, equally popular as Lesnar.

We could maybe see Strowman become the champ as early as Royal Rumble when he faces off against Lesnar for the Universal title. Make it happen, WWE!