WWE 2016 Preview: B/R Expert Predictions, Outlook for Next Year
The year 2015 was a tumultuous one for World Wrestling Entertainment.
Despite creative inconsistencies, crippling injuries suffered by top stars and hostile crowds that threatened to undo high-profile plans the writing staff concocted, the company closed out 12 months of highs and lows as it had hoped it would all along.
Roman Reigns overcame obstacles of all sorts to emerge with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Add in the fact that John Cena returned from a brief hiatus, The League of Nations began picking up momentum as a main event faction, The New Day continued to entertain and Kevin Owens rediscovered his edge, and you have reason to be excited if you are WWE brass as 2016 approaches.
With a huge pay-per-view event right around the corner in the form of WrestleMania, a revolutionary network that continues to improve with every passing minute and a new home for the much maligned SmackDown show, the coming year looks bright for the No. 1 promotion in professional wrestling.
Determined to prove their skills to the world, the proficient prognosticators at Bleacher Report got together for an in-depth look at a variety of topics that figure to steal headlines over the next year, giving their predictions and input while previewing what could be a pivotal year for the company in its pursuit of continued dominance.
What did our guys have to say about the Hall of Fame, the failed Divas Revolution, a potential match for Ronda Rousey and the 2016 Superstar of the year?
Join us for this look at everything the next 12 months holds for Vince McMahon's sports entertainment empire.
Expert Panel and Guidelines
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The lineup for this very special look at 2016 includes:
- Brad Jones (@beardjones)
- Anthony Mango (@ToeKneeManGo), founder of SmarkOutMoment.com and host of the podcast Smack Talk
- Aaron Bower (@aaronbower)
- James Moffat (@jamesmoffat)
- Ryan Dilbert (@ryandilbert), lead writer for B/R's WWE section
- Chris Mueller (@BR_Doctor)
- And myself, Erik Beaston (@ErikBeaston)
Each of the panelists were asked to adhere to one guideline before making their predictions or supplying their answers:
- Keep predictions within the realm of reason, with the only exception being your bold prediction for 2016.
With all eyes on the future, lace your boots and paint your face, it's time to rumble royally with a look at everything WWE could, and should, have in store for its fans in the next 12 months.
Or something like that.
And the 2016 Superstar of the Year Is...
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Anthony Mango (AM): Heels tend not to be voted on as much as babyfaces for these awards, but there are the rare exceptions. With Seth Rollins receiving such immense support, I can't help but think that he'll be gearing up for a repeat next year once he returns. The time frame of his resurgence plays the biggest factor into whether he'll win, as does the way WWE books Roman Reigns' title run. It's definitely between those two, for sure, unless Dean Ambrose sneaks his way into the title picture this year.
Ryan Dilbert (RD): Chances are, we will be dubbing 2016 the year of Kevin Owens. He has been a top-notch heel from the moment he arrived. He's a captivating presence and a phenomenal all-around performer. Combine that with how much WWE is highlighting him of late, and it's easy to foresee him being the company's top villain and cornerstone of the company in just his second year on the main roster. That's all especially true if he manages to land a collision with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.
Chris Mueller (CM): Kevin Owens. He has exceeded everyone’s expectations and proved himself to be one of the most reliable and talented heels in the company. His mic skills are on par with the best, and he is capable of doing things most guys his size wouldn’t even consider. If he keeps churning out great matches, WWE is going to give him the push he deserves.
James Moffat (JM): There’s a great chance that John Cena ties, if not breaks, Ric Flair’s record of 16 championship reigns in 2016. If he accomplishes that, The Face That Runs the Place will be hoisting the Slammy come December 2016.
Aaron Bower (AB): Seth Rollins once again. Sure, he might not return until a fair way into 2016, but expect Rollins to once again grab all the headlines when he returns from injury. Rollins will be immediately thrust into the WWE World Heavyweight Championship scene when he’s back, and expect that belt to be back around his waist before too long. He’s the WWE’s undisputed star without question, and he has a good chance to win that Slammy yet again.
Brad Jones (BJ): Dean Ambrose seems like a likely candidate. Seth Rollins was prepped in 2014 for a year at the top in 2015; Roman Reigns has just rounded off 12 months of toil with a big world title win and looks set to defend throughout the foreseeable part of 2016. I see the Lunatic Fringe coming into his own over the next year, putting him right at the top of the card when December rolls around again.
Erik Beaston (EB): It looks like my peers are going to go with other members of The Shield or the determined KO for the most prestigious award possible, though I cannot follow suit. After spending all of 2015 trying desperately to get Roman Reigns over as a babyface accepted by fans, there is no way Vince McMahon and WWE Creative allow him to fall out of the top spot on the roster. Expect a 2016 from the second-generation star that blows away anything he was able to accomplish a year earlier.
Which Star Is Most Vital to NXT's Continued Success in 2016?
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AB: It clearly depends on when each star is called up to the main roster, but I see Sami Zayn playing a continued role in the success of NXT in 2016. Zayn is finally back from injury and will almost certainly be staying in NXT for a while, despite his promotion to the main roster being teased earlier this year before injury. The Canadian has been one of the brand’s standout stars over the last couple of years, and expect that to continue in 2016.
BJ: I’m a big fan of Finn Balor, but to me he’s not the "face" of NXT at the moment as previous champions have been—that’s Bayley. She’s a tremendous ambassador for the brand, and on-screen, she’s a perfect embodiment of what makes NXT compelling: engaging storylines, well-realized characters and great action between the ropes. NXT programming increasingly presents Bayley as its premier champion, and that’s only likely to become more pronounced in 2016.
RD: Seeing that WWE is intent on keeping Samoa Joe at NXT, The Samoan Submission Machine is poised to be the foundation of that brand while guys such as Finn Balor and Sami Zayn leave for the main roster. Since coming to Full Sail, Joe has been rejuvenated, hitting a gear he has hasn't in years. Expect him to be the centerpiece of a changing NXT landscape, helping to elevate guys like Apollo Crews and Hideo Itami.
AM: Apollo Crews will be the primary focal point of NXT in 2016. It goes without being said that he'll win the title at some point, possibly even at NXT TakeOver: Dallas. Once Finn Balor and Sami Zayn get called up to the main roster, Crews will be the standout top babyface who feuds with Samoa Joe, among others. WWE clearly believes in him, and after watching some of his matches, it's hard to argue against that.
CM: Crews. If he can improve his mic skills, he will be the complete package. His athleticism is off the charts, and he has a likable personality. He will likely win the NXT title in the first half of the year and then dominate the second half as champion.
JM: For the men, it’s a tie between Joe and Crews. Sami Zayn, Hideo Itami and Baron Corbin will be on the main roster sooner rather than later. I don’t see Joe as a regular main roster talent; he’s got a great gig in NXT and raises the bar as NXT’s resident badass. Crews needs to find his voice, and 2016 will be his time to shine at Full Sail. For the women, I expect big things from Billy Kay and Liv Morgan and think they’ll made great strides in 2016.
EB: The guys came through with an eclectic mix of talent, but the best choice is Baron Corbin. After TakeOver: London, the Lone Wolf made clear his intentions to challenge Finn Balor for the NXT Championship. While one may assume he is but a placeholder, the fact that he has been as heavily featured on WWE Network's Breaking Ground is likely no coincidence. Corbin has presence, size and carries himself like a star. More importantly, the roster is full of quality babyfaces, and Corbin presents the next best option this side of Joe.
Which 2 Superstars Headline WrestleMania XXXII?
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CM: The problem is that all of these could be main event matches, but if forced to choose just one to close the show, it would be John Cena vs. The Undertaker. That is a feud we have been waiting for, and since the streak is dead, Cena actually has a chance of winning. Cena is good enough to help mask 'Taker’s limitations, so it would be a solid match.
RD: Roman Reigns vs. John Cena. There's too great a passing-of-the-torch moment to seize here not to go in that direction. Nothing will solidify Reigns' status as the next No. 1 guy like hanging with and taking down Cena. And the match promises to be stellar. Going this route frees up Triple H to perhaps take on Batista in his last match and Undertaker to help put over an emerging star.
JM: More likely than not, a WrestleMania main event requires a title to be on the line (only five times has it not), so I think we’re going to see Cena vs. Reigns for the WWE title, with Cena tying Ric Flair for most championships of all time on the company’s biggest stage. I don’t know if fans will revolt or not, but it’s a huge matchup that is fitting of the event.
EB: At this point, the only certainty is that Roman Reigns will headline the show. With that said, Reigns vs. Cena appears most likely, with Reigns finally ascending to the top of the industry with a win over the franchise star of WWE. The contest would be fantastic, the heat off the charts and the finish never really in doubt. A crowning moment for the juggernaut of WWE.
AM: Right now, I don't think WWE's Creative team even knows what it wants to do, so it's really tough to weigh all the different options the writers might be thinking about. However, if I had to pick which way I would think they're leaning, it would have to be Roman Reigns facing Triple H. It seems like an odd choice for Triple H to win the Royal Rumble, but how else will this make any sense at this point with so many people injured? We could be in for a rough patch on this upcoming Road to WrestleMania for sure.
AB: It will likely be the world title match, so it’s almost certain that Roman Reigns will be in the main event and headline bout of the evening. Whether it’s against Triple H remains to be seen, but those two do look like they’re on an interesting collision course over the next couple of months. There will be bigger bouts like the ones mentioned above, but the actual headline match is going to feature Reigns.
BJ: The Undertaker vs. John Cena seems like the top prospect at this point. It’s a rare, untapped pairing in the modern WWE landscape and the best option if the company is indeed eager to break attendance records. However, it has to be said that WrestleMania is a far more unpredictable prospect this year than it has been on the last few occasions.
How Does WWE Continue the Success of WWE Network in 2016?
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RD: It all boils down to compelling exclusive content. That can come in the form of broadcasting house shows and making them feel like special events, as WWE did with Beast in the East. It can also come by way of producing behind-the-scenes shows such as WWE 24 that help satiate the hungriest of fans.
BJ: Preserve its focus on trying out a varied slate of programming. We see the Network compared to Netflix all too often, but here it’s a valid point of reference: Original content is key to success. 2015 brought content spanning from Swerved to Breaking Ground, with solid interview series from the likes of Chris Jericho, JBL and Stone Cold Steve Austin peppered throughout. Varied ancillary programming fleshes out the Network schedule, and hopefully WWE will explore even more avenues for content in 2016.
AB: More original programming would be a big boost for the Network moving forward. I think it’s safe to say most people snapped up the Network for the live pay-per-view and old broadcasts of shows like Raw and Monday Night Nitro, but shows such as the Stone Cold Podcast, Table for 3 and plenty of others make it a well-rounded network that has exclusivity as well as a nod to the past.
CM: More original programming is the only way to bring in more people. The pay-per-views are the big draw, but WWE wants people to watch other shows to earn advertising revenue. The more original programs it can develop, the more people will tune in. Since the service is 24/7 and on-demand, WWE can produce as much content as it wants without having to worry about normal broadcast seasons.
EB: Unfiltered with Renee Young and Table for 3 are among the best shows on WWE Network so for 2016. This writer would love to see more content that allows Superstars and Divas to be more open and less scripted. Let their personalities shine through on the aforementioned shows as well as new productions. That is the type of content that appeals to older audiences who can appreciate the more relaxed nature of the shows.
AM: The best part of the WWE Network outside of the pay-per-views has been the content that gives people something different. Shows like Breaking Ground, Swerved and Table for 3 are all interesting in different ways that the platform was lacking when it only consisted of old events and recaps of those events. WWE needs to stay away from things like The List and The Monday Night Wars—both of which have no real identity since they're just interviews mixed with old footage—and it needs to create more original programming.
JM: Selfishly, add chapter breaks to its pay-per-view offerings so I can immediately select matches instead of fast-forwarding blindly (EB note: amen). As for success to its bottom line, add more live events. NXT TakeOver events, WWE Live from MSG and Beast in the East show there’s a thirst for this type of raw (no pun intended) programming, so give us more. House shows can easily be streamed with an announce crew in Stamford, Connecticut, calling the action.
Can WWE Fix the Divas Division in 2016?
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JM: The crazy thing is, does anyone know what fans want anymore? Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch put on an incredible match on the final Raw of 2015 and got booed by fans in Brooklyn. Personally, I just wish all these women—Paige, Charlotte, Becky, Sasha, The Bella Twins, everyone—went back to NXT and pleased the crowds there who appreciated their hard work.
EB: Vince McMahon can do anything he wants. The real question is whether he wants to. There is still something about the way the boss oversees the booking of the female talent that suggests he does not really see them as anything but a niche part of the roster. It is a real shame, too, considering everything Triple H has done to raise the profile of women in the sport down in NXT. After years of treating women as a sideshow act of sorts, I do not expect the Divas division to be fixed until McMahon is no longer overseeing WWE Creative.
BJ: Monday Night Raw just carries too much baggage with it at this point—it’s not Vince McMahon or any other one person who's at fault. It’s part of the reason that anything from NXT to Lucha Underground can be so engaging and refreshing; there’s no expectation on what those shows "should" be. On the other hand, there’s a clear sense of which Raw segments are simply routine, and the Divas division has been subject to some very bad habits in that respect.
CM: It can be fixed if the right people put in the effort. Vince has surrounded himself with people who still think women’s wrestling is a sideshow. What he needs is some fresh blood in his inner circle to convince him that there is profit to be had from using the Divas division to its fullest potential. Triple H and Stephanie can only do so much. They need more people who share their viewpoints to back them up.
AB: WWE could try pushing Bayley up to give it another shot in the arm, but in all fairness, she’s far more suited to carrying the torch for the women’s division in NXT. It’s tough to see how the Divas division picks up again over the next few months, but Sasha Banks has to be injected into the title scene at some point. That could give it the spark it needs.
RD: As painful as some of the revolution's moments were, there were signs that WWE is headed in the right direction. Women had more ring time than in the past. Women's feuds garnered more spotlight than normal. McMahon will surely resist, but even he has to see how much the fans are into Sasha Banks and company, and how much money there is to be made by tapping into the portion of the audience enamored with women's wrestling.
AM: Clearly, there's a distinct difference of opinion when it comes to the people in charge of the main roster and the NXT crew. Whether it's Vince McMahon, Kevin Dunn or anybody else who might not have their hands in NXT as much, those are the people who will need to change their mindset if this is to succeed. The main roster has women who are talented enough to pull this off, but they need to be given the tools to succeed before it's up to them to make good on that promise. Vince is probably too set in his ways to change, so I wouldn't hold my breath that it will get any better.
True or False: SmackDown Moving to USA Will Increase Ratings Dramatically?
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EB: SmackDown will see a dramatic shift in ratings if for no other reason than the fact that the USA Network will insist the company not only makes the show a priority but holds it accountable if it does not succeed. Easily the best-paced show, SmackDown has the potential to be the alternative show for fans who do not want to slog through the muddied waters of a three-hour Monday night broadcast. With a little more emphasis on star power and storyline continuity, SmackDown should see a rise in viewership, even if it is ever so briefly.
RD: SmackDown will be better with the addition of Mauro Ranallo, and if WWE is serious about revamping and fully investing into the show, the ratings will reflect that. As of now, SmackDown feels like bonus material that's not essential viewing. I'm optimistic about that changing to some degree, but we're not anywhere close to having the show being as electric as it was in the early 2000s.
CM: True, but it depends on what you consider a significant increase in ratings. Being on the USA Network will definitely give the show more exposure, but it also needs to be treated as if it’s just as important as Raw. If it continues to be used as a show to recap Raw and make minor storyline advancements, it will drop back down to its current numbers quickly. Also, making the show live will get rid of the spoiler problem and entice people to tune in.
AM: False. SmackDown should be seeing at least a slight increase for its initial move, but the show is not going to change enough to retain those viewers. WWE clearly doesn't prioritize it, and the other three shows suffer. Not only are the writers likely burned out after working on Monday Night Raw, but the fans are as well. Until WWE puts in the time and effort for Main Event, Superstars and SmackDown that they do with Raw (and even then, it still can be terrible), SmackDown and the other two will continue to fail to deliver.
BJ: True. The hiring of Mauro Ranallo and an engaging live preview episode last week certainly suggest that necessary improvements are being made. It seems like there’s an effort being made to distinguish SmackDown from Raw, and that’s a crucial factor in convincing audiences that it’s worth tuning in, even if fans saw the Monday night show.
JM: False. There might be spikes from time to time, but nothing substantial. I contend WWE should have made SmackDown a WWE Network program in the same vein as the NFL’s Red Zone Channel, with one commentator giving viewers live look-ins at multiple house shows. WWE traditionally splits the roster on weekends, so such a program would’ve been relatively easy to pull off. Production quality would’ve been different, but it would give more fans the chance to see live wrestling. Always a plus in my book.
What Is the Biggest Challenge Facing WWE in 2016?
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JM: It’s the same challenge any multibillion-dollar organization faces: complacency. Whether it’s in WWE Creative’s storytelling, WWE Network technology improvements or talent relations, WWE must always keep its foot on the pedal and push forward. Don’t be satisfied with where you’re at; always look ahead to the next big thing.
AM: The next few months leading up to WrestleMania are going to test WWE's ability to think outside the box. With so many injuries preventing many important people from being the foundation of the most important time of the year, there will be extra added stress to work harder to make up for it. If the company succeeds, awesome. If it fails, it will put a damper on the morale for the rest of the year. Sadly, even if it does succeed, Superstars will probably all be so worn out that when these injured people return, nobody will have the energy to do anything decent with them. The toughest challenges are going to be keeping up quality and motivation with so many stars out of the ring.
CM: The biggest challenge facing the company is innovation. We have reached a point where we have seen just about anything that can be done in a wrestling ring. Storylines have been exhausted, and the same pool of talent has occupied the main event scene for a few years. WWE needs to take more chances with deserving talent and find a way to update the product without losing its core audience.
AB: Its hugely depleted roster. WrestleMania season is just around the corner, and the company is devoid of some of its biggest names, meaning lesser-known talents are having to step up in a big way. This could be a good thing for the company in the long run as it will mean more big talents are established, but right now, WWE has a real challenge on its hands to craft a WrestleMania card that is appealing at all levels.
BJ: Determining whether NXT is a developmental arm of WWE or a separate brand. Both are worthy directions to steer the ship in, but there’s a distinct difference between the way both of those strategies are carried out.
RD: The difficulty of fully moving into a new era is what lies in front of WWE right now. With John Cena seemingly prepping for his post-wrestling career, Undertaker poised to retire and Brock Lesnar not around nearly enough, the company's focus has to be on setting itself up for the future. Establishing Roman Reigns as a true marquee star is No. 1 on WWE's list. Elevating wrestlers such as Bray Wyatt, Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose and making them believable top-tier guys are huge keys to success for this year and beyond.
EB: Everyone brought a very strong answer to the table here. For WWE, its biggest challenge in 2016 will be the fight to remain relevant. With so many different entertainment platforms, including streaming services that make the idea of cable obsolete, and the emphasis put on sports in today's culture, Vince McMahon and company will have to find a way to convince the audience to remain loyal and to keep coming back. Whether the company does that by creating new stars, crafting compelling stories, staying on the cutting edge with the revolutionary WWE Network or recruiting celebrities in order to keep its name in the media bears watching.
True or False: Ronda Rousey Will Compete in a WWE Ring in 2016?
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BJ: False. This could certainly happen down the line, but Rousey will be focusing on her rematch with Holly Holm, which seems likely to take place at UFC 200 in July 2016. Win or lose, it’s doubtful that Rousey would head straight for WWE in the fight’s aftermath.
AB: False. Even though she’s said in the past she wants to win the Divas Championship, per Damon Martin of Fox Sports, she might just have too much on her plate with UFC to be bothering with WWE at the moment. You can foresee her wrestling in a WWE ring competitively at some point, but 2016 might just be a shade too soon for Rousey.
AM: False. Ronda Rousey's primary focus will be undoing her defeat at the hands of Holly Holm, and UFC won't let her risk the comeback fight for anything. That fight might not even happen in 2016 itself, mind you. Ronda's also lost a lot of her mystique, so WWE won't be clamoring as much to get her in the ring. She may make an appearance, but she won't be wrestling. There's almost more of a chance we'll see Stone Cold Steve Austin wrestle in 2016 than Ronda Rousey.
CM: False. She will continue to film movies and then go after the UFC title again. She might show up in 2017, but 2016 will not be the year she enters the squared circle. Plus, the fact that she is no longer undefeated has taken away from her mystique, and WWE may not see her as the draw she would have been last year.
RD: Not this year. She has a huge rematch against Holly Holm to focus on. She's likely to have a host of other engagements, from movies to photo shoots, on her plate, as well. Plus, even as great of a fighter as she is, she's going to need to be trained how to wrestle for shows rather than simply win. So even if she leaves MMA in 2015, she's bound to be toiling at the WWE Performance Center for a few months.
JM: False. There are too many commitments between matches for UFC, movie deals, endorsements and training in general. She may make appearances, since it’s good cross promotion for both brands. But Ronda Rousey should stick to the Octagon until she decides to officially hang up the gloves. WWE will always be there for her.
EB: It looks like this one will be a clean sweep. Rousey will not compete in WWE in 2016 because she will have tunnel vision, concerned only with demolishing Holly Holm in what is sure to be one of the most anticipated rematches in recent UFC memory. She will step into the ring at some point, but this year just will not be it.
Which Superstar or Diva Will Headline the 2016 Hall of Fame Class?
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CM: Owen Hart. The fact that WWE is releasing a DVD shows that it’s possible for him to be honored in other ways. The HOF won’t be complete until Owen Hart is inducted.
JM: There’s going to be a huge call for The Undertaker to headline this class should WrestleMania 32 be his last time inside a WWE ring. If it’s not, and The Deadman insists on wrestling, then The Fabulous Freebirds need to be the headliners in Texas.
AB: I’d like to see Owen Hart in there. It’s pretty incredible Owen hasn’t been inducted before, and although there’s plenty of former stars who deserve an induction, Hart would be the standout and smart pick. The other choice would be The British Bulldog, who is another wrestler who seems overdue of an induction into the Hall of Fame.
RD: If WWE is ever going to induct a wrestler before he is officially done, it would be The Undertaker. Having him go into the Hall just before his final match would be a smart way to celebrate him. Add the fact that it's in his home state, and there's a bigger chance the ceremony becomes centered on The Deadman.
AM: The only guarantee in my mind is The Fabulous Freebirds, but they won't be the headliners. Many people such as Sable, Christian, Owen Hart and others could be involved, but I think this year it comes down to either The Undertaker or Sting. While The Phenom makes more sense given the location, that hasn't stopped people from being inducted with no real connection to the city, and WWE might not want to put him in the Hall of Fame while he's still competing. Sting, on the other hand, is either done or essentially retired, so he's my top choice right now.
EB: In any other city, The Fabulous Freebirds would be an extremely solid pick but not necessarily headliners. In Dallas, though, Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts are icons. Their wars with the Von Erich family immortalized them in wrestling history. With "Badstreet U.S.A" playing Hayes to the stage to accept the honor on behalf of his fallen friends, the goosebumps the moment would induce alone would make for one of the most memorable moments in HOF history, let alone a quality way to cap off the night's proceedings.
BJ: Undertaker. It still seems likely that The Undertaker is preparing to bring his legendary career to a close, and doing so while WrestleMania is being held in Texas would seem appropriate. The Phenom doesn’t seem like he’ll be one to drag things out when he does hang up his boots, so an immediate Hall of Fame induction looks probable.
Bold Prediction for 2016
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RD: The women's division will headline a pay-per-view. As hot as Sasha Banks has the potential to get and as invested as fans were in her title feud with Bayley, major momentum is headed for her and her peers. Look for WWE to try to capitalize on that, giving Banks and her opponent (Charlotte?) a spot on the marquee for a lower-ranking PPV such as Payback or Battleground.
AM: There are plenty of things that could happen this year, such as John Cena's 16th world title reign, Dean Ambrose turning heel and Seth Rollins turning face, Daniel Bryan retiring from the ring and more, but I'm going to lean toward one thing in particular: AJ Styles will join the NXT roster. WWE has been expanding its flexibility with other companies as of late, and with Samoa Joe and James Storm joining NXT, with the possibility of Austin Aries and more along the way, AJ Styles is the top target. Since those shows are taped in spurts, this will give him the ability to work limited dates like, and he'll be a major player toward the latter half of 2016.
JM: WWE gets wrapped into litigation over concussions, a la the National Football League, and the lead plaintiff is a former big-time Superstar. WWE has, for the most part, been immune to this problem, but with the Will Smith-led movie Concussion now in theaters and the portrayal of WWE Medical Director Joseph Maroon a lightning rod for criticism, something’s going to give. I think this is the year.
BJ: I think we’ll see a meaningful attempt for WWE to work closely with one of the independent promotions in the United Kingdom, likely either Insane Championship Wrestling or Progress. This would likely resemble the sort of relationship that’s emerging between the company and Evolve, but I could even see it stretching to some kind of NXT cross-promotion or similar endeavour. The glut of talent and responsive audiences spreading across the UK will not go untapped.
AB: WWE will finally trust Cesaro enough to give him a run with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Fans have been wanting it for a couple of years now, but his return to action will likely be so explosive that he’s trusted to have a push sufficient enough to get him into the world title scene.
CM:
I think WWE will take a chance with this year’s Royal Rumble winner and elevate someone the fans wouldn’t expect to main event WrestleMania. Someone such as Neville, Sami Zayn or Kevin Owens would shock everyone and get people talking. Putting someone unexpected in such an important spot would shake things up a little.
EB: WWE will do everything in its power to throw fans off, to keep them guessing as part of a new movement to freshen up the product. Things will not always make sense, fans will not always appreciate the outcome and chaos will reign supreme. But at the end of the day, the intended outcome will always present itself. Even if it took longer to get to than one would have hoped. Oh, and CM Punk earns John Cena money to come back on a limited schedule after getting bowled over in his UFC debut, because you did not think you would make it through this article without someone throwing that one out there, did you?
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