We are down to just a few days remaining in the year that was 2016. It's certainly been an interesting year, one full of ups, downs, twists and turns. We've witnessed heartbreaking injuries which sidelined some of the top superstars in the WWE, we've also celebrated the signing of huge stars such as Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles.
All in all, 2016 should be considered a year of success, in my humble opinion. It hasn't been perfect, not by a long shot, but it's certainly been a year in which we've been privy to our fair share of pleasant surprises and considering how bad things could have been, I'll take it.
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Now on to the next chapter and all of the exciting possibilities that the New Year can offer. Who will the company sign in 2017? Who will be wished well in their respective future endeavours? Will the brand-split sustain throughout 2017? Who will retire?... The possibilities are endless.
That's why in today's article, I decided to have a little harmless fun and play the role of your Sportskeeda fortune teller. I've come up with the following 10 potential headlines that we, the WWE Universe could be reading as reality in 2017.
#10 Cena ties Flair
This one isn't all that much of a shocker to many. But, it's a pretty significant milestone that once seemed impossible to obtain. However, there's very little doubt in most people's mind that Cena will indeed capture that elusive 16th Championship reign.
Some love him, while others love to hate him, but everyone with a pulse must respect what he's done throughout his career, both in and out of the ring.
Also read: WWE Rumours: Possible feuds for SmackDown Live going into 2017 revealed
Cena is a consummate professional and a tremendous ambassador for the WWE brand. John Cena catches a lot of flak from the fans, but at the end of the day, Cena is a portrait of everything that is right in the world of professional wrestling.
#9 The Shield reunites
They are quite possibly one of the most dominant and successful factions of all-time. They're certainly the best of the past decade or so. Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose made an immediate impact upon their main roster debut in 2012.
Following their split, the trio went their separate ways and each had their own success in one way or another. The most impressive statistic since their split is the fact that all three have won the WWE Championship at least once.
In recent weeks, there have been a few teasers indicating a future return of the stable. Rollins and Reigns appear to be partnering up more often than not these days and Ambrose has found his way into the fold as well, from time to time.
Of course, the only way this works is if the brand-split ends, or they all somehow end up on the same show. Regardless, I do believe 2017 is the year of the return of The Shield.
#8 New Day splits
Just as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. That will be the case with the most successful trio in recent memory. The New Day successfully revived the Freebird Rule and carried the tag titles beyond the record once held by Demolition.
When this team was first formed, I had heavy doubts, but those doubts were soon laid to rest as The New Day would go on to completely dominate the tag team scene.
483... that’s the magic number. For 483 consecutive days, The New Day ruled the tag team world and shattered records. This was the second title reign for the trio and if this headline proves to be factual, it'll be the last.
All three members have plenty of potential moving forward, but Xavier Woods may prove to be the one who struggles on his own. On the other hand, Big E and Kofi Kingston are well prepared and battle tested enough to resume life alone on the singles scene.
#7 The Olympic Hero returns to the WWE!
Life away from the WWE has been very successful for Kurt Angle. He dominated the TNA roster, becoming a 6-time world champion, making him the all-time leader in most reigns, as well as most combined days with the TNA title.
In 2013, TNA inducted Angle into their Hall of Fame, making him the second person to receive the honour, behind Sting.
Angle has always been destined to return to the WWE. It just makes the most sense. Kurt is definitely one of the greatest pure wrestlers of all-time and a trip back to finish his career with the company where he made a name for himself in the industry, it's simply the way things are supposed to happen.
Angle has stated multiple times that he's open to a return, I believe the talks have been in place for some time now. It's just a matter of logistics and in 2017, it all comes to fruition.
#6 Welcome home, Hardy Boyz
Matt and Jeff Hardy have come a mighty long ways since their mid-1990's debut. What started off as humble careers as enhancement talents, would soon turn into one of the most influential tag team duos in the history of professional wrestling.
Since leaving the WWE in 2010, The Hardys have had some great success with TNA, as well as in rebuilding their own promotion, Omega Wrestling. To be honest, The Hardys are actually doing just fine for themselves these days. Matt has pretty much saved TNA with the whole Broken Matt Hardy angle.
But, as it is with Kurt Angle, so should the Hardys return home and give the WWE Universe a proper send-off. Both brothers appear to have plenty of fuel left in their tanks, but at 42 and 39 years old respectively, they are now competing in an industry where the average age decreases by the year it seems.
With that in mind, 2017 is the perfect year to make their big return to the WWE.
#5 The Bálor Club is born!
Finn Bálor took a huge blow when he sustained a horrible shoulder injury on his way to winning the WWE Universal title against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam. The injury caused Finn to vacate the title and put him on the shelf for at least six months.
However, many are speculating that Bálor could return as early as the Royal Rumble. If so, he's coming back with a chip on his shoulder and vengeance on his mind. This could result in a quick heel turn, which could be bankrolled into the formation of The Bálor Club.
We all know that AJ Styles is currently on the Smackdown roster and the others, including Bálor are all on Raw. But, if things go as I expect, we could see the end of the brand split in 2017 and have things go back to normal.
Regardless, there are others options, one being that Styles remains on Smackdown and makes the babyface turn that so many want. But, no matter what happens to AJ, Bálor needs to make a statement upon his return and there are not many ways better than introducing the Bálor Club to the WWE Universe.
#4 The Undertaker retires
He's considered by most as the greatest wrestler alive today. He's iconic in every sense of the term and will forever be regarded as one of the absolute best to ever step between the ropes. The Undertaker has accomplished any and everything that any wrestler could ever dream of.
His career has spanned the course of 3 decades, beginning with his Texas Red persona in WCCW. Since breaking into the business, Taker has evolved into the most intriguing performer of all-time.
At the end of the day, Taker has nothing left to prove, he's accomplished more in his career than most could in a dozen lifetimes.
He is the standard which today's superstars strive to duplicate. He's the voice of reason in a confused and chaotic locker room and he has been a consistent source of knowledge for the younger generation, trying to make names for themselves.
At this point, The Undertaker can walk away knowing he's done his part in making wrestling better and the sport as a whole a much better industry, thanks to the efforts put forth by the Deadman.
#3 Healing begins: Hogan returns at Wrestlemania
Let's make one thing blatantly clear, Hulk Hogan's remarks on that recording are offensive, deplorable and simply unacceptable. However, it was just a snippet of a private conversation between Hogan and his former best friend, Tampa Bay shock-jock, Bubba The Lovesponge.
I do not in any way condone what was said, but since that incident, Hogan has taken ownership for his remarks and has apologised profusely.
Those remarks are ultimately what got Hogan fired. But, rather than dwelling on all of the negatives, which we can't do a thing about, I'd rather ask you to think about what wrestling would look like today, had there been no Hulk Hogan.
The era of Hulkamania was the most pivotal time in all of professional wrestling's storied history. Hulk Hogan is the most recognisable figure in wrestling. Even those who don't follow the sport, they still know who Hulk Hogan is.
Hulk Hogan made a terrible mistake over a decade ago. It's time to let the healing begin and the only way that can ever happen, is if we can first allow him the opportunity to come back and make his apology to the WWE Universe and then we must be willing to forgive and move on as well.
#2 Hell freezes over, Cena turns heel!
John Cena is on the heels of tying Ric Flair's record of 16 world title reigns. There's very little doubt that Cena will make that a reality in 2017, but there's something else that could very well be brewing as well. Fans have really wanted a heel turn from Cena for a long time.
John Cena is the perfect example of what a pure babyface is. He not only plays the role on TV, but he lives the lifestyle of a well-respected babyface. For that very reason, fans want to see his dark side, if he indeed has one.
Cena has done a lot in the world of charity work and things of that nature. A heel turn to some would almost feel like blasphemy.
If in fact, Cena does make the elusive heel turn in 2017, it will be the biggest turn since the heel turn heard 'round the world in 1996 when Hulk Hogan formed the nWo. It would certainly be a game changer and a ratings dream.
But, will there be a backlash from disgruntled parents? It's a chance worth taking for history's sake.
#1 Goodbye PG, Hello TV-14!
First of all, there will never be another Attitude Era and there should never be an attempt to duplicate it in any way. But we have seen what the era of PG TV has done to ratings. Sure, the company has gained a plethora of younger viewers and made a load of cash off of merchandise sales from parents buying kids John Cena apparel.
But, the fact remains that ratings have suffered as a result of kid-friendly programming. Granted, there are periods of time in which things look rather promising, but history proves that PG programming does not sustain long-term ratings increases.
Reverting back to a TV-14 format does not mean every storyline will be sexually fuelled. It simply gives the company more creative freedom to loosen the belt, so to speak and not be too concerned with being politically correct at every corner. It's a touchy subject, sure enough and it may be something that Vince is not even willing to touch.
However, the immediate impact would be huge and would undoubtedly give fans something that most of us would surely welcome.
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