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After a wild 2017, the paradigm has shifted and wrestling fans don't know what they can expect from sports entertainment. We look at ten bold predictions for the coming year.
With another year on the way out, it's time to anticipate the events of 2018 in professional wrestling.
2017 saw wild returns, like the Hardys and their pleasantly surprising Wrestlemania appearance. It also saw some new stars rising in unexpected places, like Killian Dane on NXT. We also were witness to Cody Rhodes throwing away conventional wisdom and proving that a wrestler CAN be a success without the WWE.
From Kenny Omega's much rumoured but unlikely Royal Rumble appearance to John Cena moving down to the mid-card, 2017 gave us a lot of ups and downs. But what does the coming year hold in store for wrestling fans? Here are ten predictions for sports entertainment in 2018.
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#10. Dalton Castle will carry ROH on his capable shoulders.
Ring of Honor often gets criticized for their wrestlers being 'generic' or boring.
There's no way you can make that claim about Dalton Castle. The instant sensation has been stunning fans all over the world. Veteran performers like Jushin Thunder Liger think he's a legend in the making, and who is going to argue with Liger?
Dalton has an exciting, power and aerial-based ring style and an over the top persona that resonates with the audience. He is also the first openly gay wrestling world champion--and he IS a babyface. Fans cheering for wrestlers with a homosexual gimmick is a great sign of the progress made in 2017 in all aspects of culture, including pro wrestling.
We see him possibly trading the ROH title back and forth with Cody, or other members of Bullet Club. An exciting prospect is Matt Taven vs. Dalton Castle, as the two have put on barnburners at house shows for the ROH brand. Look for Dalton Castle to be the face that runs the place in ROH next year.
#9. Brock Lesnar will still be part-time--and Dominant.
The Mayor of suplex city had a PERFECT RECORD in 2017, and held onto the WWE Universal championship for most of that time.
Brock has raised the ire of some fans and pundits, who dislike his strong booking and part-time schedule. But they can't deny the aura of charisma and legitimacy that Brock Lesnar brings to the ring every time he steps into it.
Paul Heyman said it best: Brock Lesnar doesn't wrestle every night, because Brock Lesnar is special.
Expect to see the Beast sparingly in 2018, but also expect to see him dominate the Raw brand.
#8. Kenny Omega will Stay with New Japan
This is a prediction you can take to the bank.
Kenny Omega signed a two-year contract with New Japan in early 2017, so the soonest he is likely to change promotions will be 2019. Omega is treated well by New Japan, and their strong ring style gives him a chance to truly strut his stuff between the ropes.
However, he will be doing that strutting in a New Japan--and possibly ROH, due to the talent exchange of the two promotions--in 2018.
#7. Ronda Rousey will go on a path of destruction.
It seems like a match made in heaven; Ronda Rousey and the WWE.
After finally signing a contract with Triple H, Ronda began her training recently at the performance center. Given her stunning good looks, Olympian status, and outstanding MMA record--recent losses aside--you can expect the rowdy one to tear through the women's division. The current rumour is she'll bypass NXT and debut directly on Raw, possibly building to a feud with the undefeated Asuka.
#6. Ryback will still be bitter.
The Big Guy with an even bigger mouth has been all over social media in 2017, directing most of his tirades at the WWE and Triple H.
While Ryback is making a decent living on the indie scene, he's a hard sell to the other major North American promotions like Ring of Honor because he simply isn't that skilled in the ring. While his jacked to the max look may give him instant credibility, his clumsiness in the ring results in bad performances and injuries to other wrestlers.
One thing is for sure; No matter where Ryback wrestles in 2018, he's sure to post bitter, antagonistic things on social media. Maybe he should pursue a journalism career?
#5. "Woken" Matt Hardy will be the most entertaining act in WWE.
Matt Hardy had a DE-LIGHTFUL 2017. No longer thought of as the 'other' Hardy boy, Matt now commands the attention of the wrestling world with his revolutionary 'woken/broken' gimmick.
Now that he is legally cleared to use his character, we expect that Matt Hardy will be delighting us in new, creative ways. Matt Hardy's biggest fan at the moment is Vince McMahon, who has given Matt full creative control of his character--a rare honour, indeed.
Expect to see Matt Hardy on WWE television, and also expect to watch with rapt attention as he will revolutionize the industry. Again.
#4. Naito will rise to the top of New Japan.
The hard-working and even harder hitting Naito has become the unsung hero of New Japan, racking up more wins than IWGP champ Okada or IWGP US champ Omega.
Naito was New Japan's breakout star of 2017, overcoming injuries to be considered one of the best, if not the best, in the company.
2018 will be the year that Naito will rise, possibly taking the IWGP heavyweight title off of the Rainmaker, who held it for the entirety of 2017.
#3. Chris Jericho is not done yet.
In an industry where John Cena has said 'Huslte, Loyalty, and Respect" and worn baggy jean shorts for ten years, Chris Jericho is constantly re-inventing himself.
Most recently, he devised 'the list of Jericho,' which he uses to keep track of those who have wronged him. After his contract expired with the WWE, Jericho began a feud with the red-hot Kenny Omega, and they will face off in early 2018 at Wrestle Kingdom 12, New Japan's biggest show of the year.
Wherever Jericho ends up, he's proven that he is still a hot commodity in the wrestling industry. No matter what color the ring ropes are, Chris Jericho has unfinished business between them and will prove that in 2018.
#2. Batista will have one more run.
There's just something special about being in a wrestling ring. The Rock keeps coming back for more, and it looks like Batista wants to do the same.
Recently, the Guardian of the Galaxy stated that he would rather return to the WWE for one last run that star in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. Will Batista return at the Rumble and repeat history? It seems a near certainty that Batista will be in a WWE ring at some point in 2018.
#1.Wrestling will continue to grow and evolve.
No matter what happens with individual wrestlers, the sport is undergoing a Renaissance.
Pro Wrestling got faster, harder, meaner, and more technical in 2017. Even long-term veterans like John Cena and Bobby Roode picked up new moves, and a new emphasis on sleeker, smaller athletes like AJ Styles means that fans can expect the action to scale up in quality and intensity.
No matter what promotion is your favourite, 2018 will be an exciting year to be a wrestling fan!
Ten bold predictions for wrestling in 2018; We'll see you next year!
