In his latest, PWP Nation’s Caden Moran gives his ten bold predictions for WWE in 2018
One year ago, I presented my ten bold predictions on what I thought would happen in the WWE for 2017. To my surprise, I didn’t do as bad as I thought I would. If you would like to see what I predicted and how well I did, you can check that out here.
As 2017 is over, it is time to look at what could potentially happen in 2018 and these are my bold WWE predictions for 2018.
10. Drew Gulak Becomes 205 Live’s Top Babyface
We can say what we want about 205 Live and how dismal the show is, but, Drew Gulak has made the struggling brand very entertaining. Ever since adopting the anti-high flyer gimmick and introducing his power point presentations to further his campaign for a better 205 Live, Drew Gulak has become, in my opinion, the most entertaining character not just on 205 Live, but in WWE as a whole.
As Gulak becomes more popular among the WWE Universe, it is only a matter of time before we see Gulak on top of the division as the top babyface. Drew Gulak has done such an incredible job making his character work that his odd relationship with Enzo Amore has become very intriguing. I do see Gulak rising to the top of the cruiserweight division and I see him knocking off Enzo Amore to claim the gold sometime in 2018.
9. Seth Rollins Becomes a Grand Slam Champion
To me, this seems more than guaranteed to happen. Seth Rollins has had an extraordinary career thus far in the WWE and he has achieved a lot – except for one thing.
The prestigious WWE Intercontinental Championship has long avoided Seth Rollins’ grasp but I think 2018 will be the year that “The Kingslayer” claims the belt. The Intercontinental title is the only piece of WWE hardware that Seth has not had wrapped around his waist unlike his Shield brothers Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns.
With Dean Ambrose reportedly out of action with injry, the direction for Seth Rollins is in question. But, with WrestleMania right around the corner, I believe a match for the Intercontinental Championship is the best option for Seth. Might I suggest against Samoa Joe?
8. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa Will Have the Best Feud of the Year
With Johnny Gargano set to challenge Andrade “Cien” Almas at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia for the NXT Championship, I can’t think of a better time to officially kick start the can’t miss feud of 2018.
After Tommaso Ciampa delivered the best heel turn of the year by betraying Gargano at the end of NXT Takeover: Chicago, it was announced that Ciampa would not be back until early 2018 after suffering an injury that required surgery. Now, with Gargano set to have his biggest match of his WWE career, it is the perfect time to have Ciampa return to screw over Gargano. Even if Ciampa is still not fully cleared, why make us wait any longer?
Just ignite the damn feud!
7. Ricochet Debuts in NXT
If there is going to be any big debut within the WWE next year, it will be Ricochet.
Ricochet has always been a man on WWE’s radar and it has always been guaranteed that he would take his talents to the WWE. Being one of the best and most talented high flyers in the entire world, Ricochet’s talent and popularity among fans has made him one of the most high profile talents in the world. Ricochet recently finished his tenure in Lucha Underground and is free to sign anywhere he wants.
Expect Ricochet to be in the WWE in 2018, and before he hits the main roster and quite specifically, before he hits the 205 Live roster, expect the two time Battle of Los Angeles winner to start his run in NXT.
6. SAnitY Takes Over WWE
Once Eric Young unleashed SAnitY to the NXT Universe in 2016, I knew right off the bat that this group was going to be huge. Consisting of Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain, and Nikki Cross, SAnitY has all the players and the tools to take over the WWE.
We have seen groups such as Evolution and The Shield take over WWE and make it their yard (Roman Reigns, what up?) and I firmly believe that once SAnitY gets the call up to the main roster in 2018, each member will mark their territory and make SAnitY a force to be reckoned with for a very long time.
5. Braun Strowman Wins Universal Championship
Braun Strowman has had an extraordinary 2017. Strowman has lit up the WWE with strong matches against guys like Roman Reigns, Big Show, and Brock Lesnar and in 2018, all of Braun’s hard work will inevitably pay off.
Braun Strowman is set to face Lesnar and Kane for the WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble and if Strowman fails to dethrone the “Beast Incarnate” for the belt, I expect the “Monster Among Men” to eventually claim the Universal title in 2018.
However, I do not expect Braun Strowman to win the title at the Royal Rumble. The sole reason for that is all thanks to this next prediction.
4. Roman Reigns Main Events WrestleMania
You had to see it coming.
Since WrestleMania 33, the biggest story has been the eventual match between the “2 in 23-2”. Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns will happen for the Universal Championship and it will happen in the main event of WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans, Louisiana. And, for the fourth straight year, Roman Reigns will headline the biggest event in sports entertainment.
Whether you like the sound of that or not, it will happen. This isn’t me just making a prediction, this is what the WWE has been building up to all year.
3. AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura Face Off
One of the most highly anticipated match ups that will happen in 2018 is AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura. The history between Styles and Nakamura speaks for itself. When Styles and Nakamura were rumored to be debuting in WWE at the start of 2016, many fans began to drool at the thought of “The Phenomenal” vs “The King of Strong Style” inside a WWE ring and after their instant classic at New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom 10, it isn’t hard to understand why.
Whether it be for the WWE Championship (which it should be) or not, AJ and Shinsuke are destined to put on one of the best matches in WWE history and if the WWE wants to do it perfectly, then Styles and Nakamura will face off on the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania.
2. Dean Ambrose Turns Heel
Out of every star in the WWE that could use a change in attitude and direction, it is Dean Ambrose and once Ambrose returns from his injury, whenever that may be, it is time to finally pull the trigger on a much needed heel turn.
I believe the story writes itself. Once Ambrose returns from his injury in 2018, “The Lunatic Fringe” must turn his back on his tag team partner, and former rival, Seth Rollins to reignite one of the hottest feuds in recent memory, but this time, the roles are reversed. With Ambrose as the heel and Rollins as the babyface, it is cause for a hell of a rivalry. Not only will it help push Dean in a new direction, but it will also help Seth Rollins to get over stronger as a babyface.
1. John Cena Breaks Ric Flair’s Record
For my 2017 predictions, my number one was John Cena tying Ric Flair’s record for the most world championship reigns at 16 which came true at the Royal Rumble. So, it only makes sense that my number one also involves Cena, but this time, I’m taking it to another level.
I don’t know when. I don’t know how. I don’t know against who. But, John Cena will make history in 2018 when he finally breaks Ric Flair’s record for the most world championship reigns with number 17. It is an achievement that will be more than deserved and if it is to happen, 2018 is the perfect time. With Cena distancing himself from the WWE, it is becoming more clear that he won’t be around forever. If John is to break Flair’s record, now is the time.
2018 is sure to be a great year for the WWE and if these predictions come true, then it can be one of the best years in recent memory.
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