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What will The WWE landscape look like when 2018 comes to an end?
Will Roman Reigns still be Universal Champion? How long will The Shield last? What else will Ronda Rousey achieve when all is said and done in 2018. Not only are these questions interesting to pose as a fan, it is also very fun to try to follow WWE’s logic and think about what the sports entertainment giant will do next.
While it’s impossible to know exactly what’s next, especially since WWE has changed things on a dime before, it is at least worth following WWE’s booking logic over the last couple months and translating that into predictions for the future. With that being said and half of 2018 now over, here are 20 things that will happen by the end of the year.
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#20 Woken Warriors break up
Rumour has it that The Deleters of Worlds are heading for a split after losing the tag team titles at Extreme Rules and it honestly feels like that move will happen sooner rather than later. In fact, between the poor booking of the woken warriors, after they lost the tag team titles and the plethora of other great tag teams on Raw, it almost seems like a foregone conclusion at this point.
With that being said, it’s disappointing that a team that had so much momentum going for it now finds itself floundering on the red brand, but maybe it will lead to better things for Woken Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt in singles competition. In the end, though, it matters how tastefully WWE manages to script the break up between the two, which could be a huge issue knowing WWE’s tendencies.
#19 Superstar shakeup
It’s time once again to shake things up around here and what better way to do that than yet another edition of WWE’s controversial superstar shakeup. While some might not see the point in doing so, especially since WWE already did one after WrestleMania 34, having another shakeup allows for WWE to refresh multiple title pictures, introduce new matchups and bring new teams together.
If nothing else, Smackdown Live and Monday Night Raw have become kind of bland when it comes to new and interesting storytelling, which means that a shakeup would be a needed change for both rosters. In fact, with underutilized stars on both brands, it makes sense for WWE to switch these stars around and create something new!
#18 Women’s tag team titles introduced
WWE has hinted at having a women’s tag team division multiple times over the past couple of months and it seems like it’s becoming more and more of a possibility by the day. Not only is that evident by the multiple women tag teams on both Raw and Smackdown Live, but also by the frequent influx of rumors that this is the direction that WWE wants to go in
With that being said and The Evolution pay per view taking place in October it absolutely makes sense for WWE to crown the first ever champions there. WWE could even run a tournament to determine the best women tag teams on both rosters and have the winners battle it out for the titles at The Evolution pay per view.
#17 Asuka has a run with The Smackdown Live titles
Believe it or not a run with the title seems imminent for Asuka after how long she has been bogged down on Smackdown Live and with Charlotte Flair becoming Women’s champion at Summerslam, these two are obviously set on a collision course. While the match up probably won’t happen immediately, especially with Becky Lynch in the title picture, expect Asuka to strike when the moment is right.
Of course, that means Becky Lynch will most likely be unsuccessful in trying to win The Women’s title for the first time in two years, but it if it sets up Flair versus Asuka part two at one of the big four pay per views, it will be completely worth it. In fact, having Flair versus Asuka at a pay per view like Survivor Series could be a blockbuster match and serve to set the title picture for The Road to WrestleMania 34.
#16 The New Day Breaks up
While The New Day may have won The tag team titles for the fifth time in their career the night after Summerslam, but that doesn’t mean the power of being positive is meant to last forever. In fact, with all the mileage the company has already gotten out of the new day over the past couple of years and the characters seemingly going as far as they possibly can, one has to wonder how much longer it can last.
With that being said, there are also rumours of a singles push for Big E Langston, which would make a lot more sense if he was alone and not a part of a three-person group. In the end, a singles push for Langston is never going to be taken seriously with The New day around and that will be the chief reason why the group breaks up before the end of the year.
#15 Woken Matt Hardy Leaves WWE
Woken Matt Hardy has been leaving cryptic messages on Twitter regarding his future with WWE and it could mean that a split is on the horizon. With that being said and The Woken Warriors having a lacklustre run with the tag team titles on Raw, expect that Hardy to leave sooner rather than later and maybe even after a brutal beatdown from Bray Wyatt
In the end, this move makes sense, especially if Hardy is actually on his way out the door and at least gives Bray Wyatt something to do moving forward. Of course, that’s probably not the ending the woken warriors wanted for The Deleters of worlds, but it's better than WWE continuously bogging down Hardy with their 50/50 booking and restricting from what made the character originally shine.
#14 Shinsuke Nakamura loses The United States title
As awesome as it is watching Shinsuke Nakamura as a heel, even that can’t compare to this new level of heel that Randy Orton seems to have right now. In fact, from Orton’s vicious attack on Hardy on Smackdown Live in August to his relentless mind games with Nakamura, it should come as no surprise that this is the direction WWE wants to go in.
Unfortunately for Nakamura, he just doesn’t have the momentum going for him that Orton does right now and makes perfect sense for WWE to strike while the irons hot. Now that’s not to say that Nakamura is a undeserving champion or isn’t doing well with the belt himself, it’s just a barrage of near perfect factors that makes it seem like Orton as champion is a good move.
#13 Shinsuke Nakamura leaves WWE
Speaking of Shinsuke Nakamura, there has been a lot of rumours going around about him leaving WWE and with how poorly The Artist is being booked right now, it seems like they might be true. Think about it! Nakamura came to WWE In hopes of finally joining the big leagues and competition for The WWE title, not to be a mid-card heel champion that is about to be outdone by a better heel in Randy Orton.
Between that and how much better Nakamura would do back in New Japan, it seems pretty obvious that he will leave when his contract is up. Unfortunately for The WWE Universe, this means that Nakamura will likely leave without realizing his true potential in The WWE, but it feels like that would have never happened anyway due to how they booked him.
#12 Bobby Rhoode finally turns heel
It’s a move that The WWE Universe has been waiting for ever since Bobby Rhoode came to the main roster and its one that will definitely turn him into the champion he was meant to be. Of course, he might lose some fans in the process, but those familiar with his original NXT run with rejoicing in The Glorious one going back to what made him popular in the first place
With that being said and Rhoode continuing to flounder on the mid-card, this move seems like an easy decision and would help create another valuable heel for Monday Night Raw. It also might be the one thing that finally catapults Rhoode into The Universal Title picture, which would be great to see for the former NXT champion.
In the end, Rhoode has a very punchable face and has been known for heel tactics that rival that of Elias. It’s all a matter of pulling the trigger on the move though and with the year heading into the fall months, it seems like there is no better time to pull off a move like this than right now. In fact, it Rhoode could probably serve as a good stop gap opponent for The Universal title, which would be cool to see storyline wise.
#11 The B Team lose the tag team titles
If The B Team’s match with The Revival was any indication of what is to come for the underdog tag team, it seems pretty obvious that a title change is in the plans for the very near future. In fact, with the absolutely dumb luck win that The B Team managed to pull out at the end of their match against The Revival, it looks like the b team will become a forgotten gimmick soon as well.
While that’s just the do or die nature of WWE, especially with how poorly WWE views the tag team division, it will be nice to see the company hopefully move on to a more deserving champion. In the end, The B Team are nothing more than a joke with the most uninteresting momentum working in their favor, which is not something that is going to work long-term in a crowded division.
#10 Jeff Hardy leaves WWE
Going back to superstars that will most likely be leaving WWE before the end of the year, Jeff Hardy is another great pick for that category. Of course, some are hoping that he would stick around and maybe even be brought back to Raw to team up with Woken Matt Hardy, his string of injuries and age seems to point to The Enigma hanging up his boots for good.
It was already rumoured that Hardy would be taking time off after Summerslam and with The Hardy’s twitter repeatedly posting cryptic messages about retirement from WWE, this might ultimately be what Jeff decides to do. In the end, the two brothers had a great run in WWE that featured multiple title runs, a few dream matches and some of the best performances the brothers have ever had.
There’s just nothing left for Hardy to prove and that’s why this move seems so obvious when you look at all the factors.
#9 Daniel Bryan defeats The Miz in a rubber match
Daniel Bryan already announced on The August 21 edition of Smackdown Live that he and his wife Brie would be taking on The Miz and Maryse at Hell in a cell, but it doesn’t feel like that is going to be the last time the two lock up. In fact, while the mixed tag team match will serve as an interesting stop gap for the feud, the priority for WWE needs to eventually be to declare a winner between the two.
With that being said and The Miz winning thanks to a foreign object at Summerslam, these two need a rubber match to settle things for good. Not only so Daniel Bryan or The Miz can then move on to face whoever has The WWE Title at the time, it also gives WWE time a chance to give The WWE Universe a satisfying conclusion for the feud.
#8 Stephanie McMahon versus Ronda Rousey for The Raw Women’s title
Maybe it doesn’t happen right away but it seems very likely that Stephanie McMahon and Ronda Rousey will be locking up one more time before the end of the year. Furthermore, it seems like the overlying theme of the feud is going to be who is a better representative for WWE, which is a great way to keep Rousey working against an authority presence as the months wear on.
In the end, it was not an instant classic when it comes to in-ring work, but the story that these two women can still tell in the ring would be enough to base a feud on. In fact, it creates a Stone Cold Steve Austin Versus Vince McMahon scenario that The Women’s division hasn’t seen for a long time and could be very lucrative for WWE moving forward storyline wise.
#7 Drew McIntyre defeats Seth Rollins For The IC title
While The Shield will most likely be an unstoppable force on Monday Night Raw throughout the rest of the year, eventually WWE will have to make the super group look vulnerable again. Fortunately for many of the younger stars on The WWE roster, one or many of them will get a chance finally take THE Shield down and go down in history in the process.
With that being said and Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose currently feuding with Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre, it makes sense for McIntyre to eventually best The Shield and take The Intercontinental title in the process. Not only will it allow him to establish himself by finally beating one of the most dominant factions in WWE history, it also elevates The IC championship to an ungodly degree.
#6 Becky Lynch will win The Smackdown Live Women’s title.
Becky Lynch seems to be on fire after attacking Charlotte at Summerslam and while WWE could always change their mind, it feels like they are going towards another title match between the two. Interestingly enough, it also seems like WWE is going towards giving the title back to Becky Lynch, which would be huge for The Women’s division.
Not only would the move be a huge surprise for fans late in the year, it also could completely change the women’s division heading into The Royal Rumble. In the end, it would be a controversial move to make and could have some backlash, but there just seems to be too many people behind Lynch right now for WWE not to go through with it.
#5 Brock Lesnar takes on Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle has already made it abundantly clear that Brock Lesnar would have to wait awhile before he gets his contractually obligated rematch, which could set the two on a collision course in the near future. In fact, between the Lesnar’s surprise attack on Angle a few weeks ago on Raw and rumors of a in ring return for Angle making the rounds, it looks like this may be WWE’s plan.
With that being said, they could always save a match like this for The Royal Rumble and the Road to WrestleMania, it would really be a blockbuster match to have on one of the B pay views later this year. WWE could even put the match on their final big four pay per view of the year, which is Survivor Series and it would probably be a must see event for The WWE Universe.
In the end, the setup is definitely there and Brock Lesnar versus Kurt Angle would be a great way to keep Lesnar out of the title picture for a while, which gives Reigns a chance to shine in the role.
#4 AJ Lee returns for one more match
While seeing AJ Lee back in the squared circle might seem like a pipe dream, especially with the rocky relationship her husband, CM Punk, has had with The WWE, enough time has passed where maybe WWE can convince the black widow to come back in the ring. In fact, if WWE were to put enough money and opportunity behind the deal, it might be too much to pass up.
Of course, all of this depends on whether Lee actually wants to return to The WWE for one more match, but it’s interesting to note that Vince McMahon has reached out to her himself and even claimed that she was welcome back anytime. If nothing else this means McMahon really wants Lee back in the ring, which means he will do anything to achieve that result.
In the end, it’s up to Lee what she wants to do here, but she would have a lot of negotiating power if she decided to go into talks with WWE. Not only that, the potential dream matches the return could result in would give WWE a huge storyline heading into the winter months of the year, which would really help fill out The Evolution pay per view or another one of the company’s choosing.
#3 AJ Styles loses The WWE Title
Believe t or not, this is more of a spoiler than anything else. Not only is that evident by the astronomical amount of time that AJ Styles has spent with The WWE title, but also by just how many opponents he has taken down in that time as well. If nothing else, WWE showing the same underdog story with Styles is getting incredibly boring, which is why a new champion and a new storyline is needed.
Another thing that makes the title change seemingly imminent is the fact of how intense Style’s feud with Samoa Joe is getting on Smackdown Live and how much of a joke Joe will look like if he takes a clean loss to the phenomenal one. In the end, Joe’s future on Smackdwon Live hinges on him winning the title at Hell in a Cell or down the line and that’s why WWE will no doubt do it!
#2 Finn Balor turns heel
Face it! After bringing back The Demon king character at Summerslam and losing to Roman Reigns in a one on one match up against Roman Reigns the very next night, there is absolutely nothing left for Balor to do as a face in WWE right now. With that being said and The Shield reunion shocking the WWE landscape in August, it seems Balor’s best move is turn heel.
Not only does that protect him from The Shield storyline that is sure to ruin several superstar’s careers, it also allows him to take try to develop more as a character and show Vince McMahon that he belongs at the top of the card as a heel. In the end, it might be a long shot, but Balor has a lot better chance at reaching the top as a heel then he ever did as a face, which is why it’s a brilliant idea.
#1 Dean Ambrose turns on The Shield
As Paul Heyman would say, this isn’t a prediction, but a spoiler. With that being said, it’s pretty obvious that with Rollins breaking up The Shield the first time and Reigns needing to come across as the good guy that Dean Ambrose will be the one to turn on his Shield brethren. Furthermore, it’s pretty obvious that the move will happy sooner rather than later.
Not only is that evident from WWE needs to strike while the iron is hot and finally have Reigns come away as the good guy he was supposed to the first time the group split, but also by what could happen if they drag this out too long. In the end, maybe The Shield staying together would be good for business, but it’s going to go downhill if WWE starts obviously milking it to make Reigns look good.
With that in mind, WWE needs to get this done as quickly as possible or risk turning Reigns into more of a joke than ever before. They also risk sacrificing every popular superstar on Raw in the name of getting the fans behind Roman Reigns, which is only going to get worse and worse as time goes on and look even more blatant than ever before.
