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The year 2018 had its highs and lows, however, it was a year WWE would like to forget quickly.
From sublime and outstanding pay-per-views in the likes of Evolution and WrestleMania, to some underwhelming events like Crown Jewel. From WWE messing up with Nakamura and Finn Balor, to the epic heel turn of Becky Lynch - this year had a fair share of everything.
However, the biggest blow came in form of Roman Reigns' departure. I mean Vince McMahon had invested in him for over two years. He was the new poster boy of WWE. However, things turned sour just when The Big Dog started getting hold of things.
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On another note, we are currently in the last week of 2018, and WWE fans all over the globe are looking forward to the new year. With WWE showing a lot of promise in the last couple of weeks, fans would be hoping for a positive change in the upcoming year.
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With the new year just around the corner, there is always room for some early predictions. So without further ado, I present to you 6 huge predictions for WWE in 2019.
#6 Triple H takes over the company from Vince McMahon
Well, The Game, Triple H is currently the COO of WWE. However, with Vince McMahon getting old and his leaning towards XFL which is scheduled for 2020, it might not take long before Triple H takes over the company.
Though it might look a bit early and distant, 365 days is a long long time, and we might witness Triple H getting hold of the company as early as the fall of 2019.
On another note, a lot of credit goes to HHH for the outstanding state of NXT, given he calls the shots on the yellow brand. Thus, him taking over the company would not only be a welcome change, but would be 'best for business'.
#5 Big retirements
The upcoming year may feature some big names retiring.
Well, the first to feature on the list could be The Deadman. Let us get this straight, The Deadman is turning 54 next year and is not in the best of shape. In fact, his recent match at Crown Jewel was underwhelming, to say the least. Thus, WWE could have him feature in his last match at WrestleMania 35 to give an epic sendoff.
Well, apart from The Undertaker, two other names who might feature on the retirement list are Ronda Rousey and Jason Jordan.
With Ronda's contract coming to an end next year, and given she has achieved nearly everything in WWE, she might say goodbye to the company.
While Ronda may call it quits to start a family, the case with Jason Jordan is totally different. Jason is currently nursing an Edge-esque neck injury which might force him to retire next year.
#4 John Cena becomes a 17 time WWE Champion
Well, John Cena has won the WWE Championship for a record 16 times in his career, and is currently at a tie with the Hall of Famer, Ric Flair. However, expect Mr Hustle Loyalty and Respect to win that elusive 17th title in 2019.
Given Royal Rumble is just around the corner, John Cena is scheduled to return for the upcoming episode of Monday Night Raw. Though he has transitioned himself into a part-timer now, 2019 might feature WWE crowning him for the 17th time in his career.
Well, the 17th title has been long overdue for the Leader of Cenation, however, WWE might crown him in the fall of 2019 for a short period of time, and then he could go on to put over an NXT talent like he always does.
#3 Becky Lynch becomes the face of the women's division
Well, the career graph of Becky Lynch took a major leap ever since she turned heel a few months back. Though she lost her SmackDown title at the hands of Asuka at TLC, she might go on to win the Women's Royal Rumble as per the rumours.
She is rumoured to win the second-ever Women's Royal Rumble match to face Ronda Rousey for the Raw women's championship. Expect Becky's WWE era to begin after WrestleMania 35.
With Ronda's contract coming to an end, she might say goodbye to WWE forever, and so Becky Lynch could emerge as the new face of the women's division as early as WrestleMania 35.
Given her recent work, Becky truly deserves to be the face of the women's division. Her transition into a heel could very well be a landmark event in the history of WWE.
#2 WWE ends the brand split
Arguably, the brand split has not only deprived the WWE Universe of some classic and mouthwatering feuds, but has also become monotonous for the last couple of months.
Though WWE has brought some major changes to both rosters quite recently, it would be interesting to see how WWE would go on doing their work, given the Raw roster is depleted of high profile superstars. The injury of Braun Strowman plus Roman's departure has worsened the case for them, and has left WWE with limited resources.
Given it is Royal Rumble season, and the road to WrestleMania will begin very shortly, plus a lot of NXT Superstars and part-timers are scheduled to return, WWE might just be able to pull things through till WrestleMania.
However, once this WrestleMania period ends, leaving WWE with very limited star power and options, we might witness Vince merging both rosters.
#1 CM Punk's first step towards a potential return to WWE
A CM Punk return to WWE in 2019 would not only be far fetched, but would also be a foolish insinuation. But could CM Punk return to WWE in 2 or 3 years of time? Sure yes. Who knows, I mean there are numerous superstars who have mended fences with WWE in the past.
Well, Punk's UFC career is done and dusted, and he has been busy filming movies lately. However, the year 2019 might feature the straight edge superstar returning to pro wrestling, the thing he knows best.
Punk could join hands with Cody Rhodes, and could go on to feature at All In 2. In fact, he was even rumoured to feature at All In earlier this year.
Given the megastar that he is, his union with Cody and Young Bucks would certainly make heads turn. Fans all over the globe would tune in to witness Punk back in action. Given the lack of a few high profile names and a megastar who can sell pay-per-views, WWE might end up mending fences with Punk in two or three years time.
