8 things we want to see in WWE in 2018

8 things we want to see in WWE in 2018

2017 was a crazy year for WWE. From Goldberg capturing his first championship in 13 years to The Undertaker’s mysterious WrestleMania exit, there were plenty of moments that left the WWE Universe buzzing.

However, 2017 is in the past, which has WWE fans wondering what this year has in store for the Superstars of Raw, SmackDown LIVE and NXT. There are plenty of things we here at WWE.com want to see, so let’s put them out in the open and see if 2018 decides to surprise us.

8

Finn Bálor challenges for the Universal Championship

Finn Bálor

If the arc of the universe truly bends toward justice, Finn Bálor will go after the Universal Championship in 2018.

Nothing less than karma demands it. We’ve been through this dance a couple of times before, and it has stung every time: Resilient Superstar claws past the field for a massive title victory, loses said title due to unforeseen circumstances and never gets a chance to win it back.

It cannot – must not – happen with Finn Bálor. The table is too set, the timing is too right, the backup is too strong (hello, Gallows & Anderson) and the opportunity is too precious to be squandered. If Bálor is half the Superstar the WWE Universe believes him to be, he’ll be the one to shake the curse of the injured champion, battle his way back to the mountaintop and declare that the most unfortunate trend in sports-entertainment history is over. —ANTHONY BENIGNO

7

The Women of WWE main-event a “Big Four” show

Charlotte Flair

At some point, the female Superstars of Raw and SmackDown LIVE will look around the battlefield of their evolution and realize that they have no wars left to win. However, that moment is not quite here. Not yet.

With so many mountains having already been conquered by the women of WWE over the past several years, there is only one major trek left: main-eventing one of the “Big Four.” Despite all the glass ceilings that have been shattered, the Women’s division has never been in the prime position on one of WWE’s preeminent shows of the year: Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam or Survivor Series.

However, with the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match rapidly approaching, perhaps WrestleMania 34 could be the destination for this final monumental moment. — RYAN PAPPOLLA

6

Curt Hawkins snaps his losing streak

Curt Hawkins

All good things must come to an end. As for the bad things … well, those have to end sometime, too.

Curt Hawkins has lost more than 150 consecutive matches, and although that impressive “feat” has earned him a new T-shirt, it’s not exactly something worth bragging about. But what if instead of making new stars in his “Star FACTory,” The Prince of Queens actually picked up a win for once? Given the sheer number of Raws and WWE Live Events left in 2018, the odds are in Hawkins’ favor to bring one of the most bewildering streaks in WWE history to a close. Fact. — JAMES WORTMAN

5

John Cena goes after No. 17

8 things we want to see in WWE in 2018

John Cena made history last January when he captured his 16th World Championship, defeating AJ Styles at Royal Rumble to become WWE Champion. Since then, Cena’s escapades have mostly been non-title affairs. We want to see that change in 2018.

Cena has already declared for the 2018 Royal Rumble Match. Should he win, the road to No. 17 – eclipsing Ric Flair’s titanic record – would be set in stone for WrestleMania. Whether he emerges from the 30-Superstar fray victorious, Cena’s chase of sports-entertainment immortality has the potential to be one of the biggest stories of 2018. —BOBBY MELOK

4

Free agency opens up to more Superstars

Braun Strowman

When John Cena returned to WWE over the summer, he did so as a free agent, meaning he could move back and forth between Raw and SmackDown LIVE. And he did precisely that on several occasions, joining the red brand to wage war with Roman Reigns before moving back to Team Blue in the competition for brand supremacy at Survivor Series.

In 2018, we’d like to see free agency offered to a few more elite Superstars. Imagine if Braun Strowman or Brock Lesnar showed up out of nowhere on SmackDown LIVE to wreak their brand of havoc, or if AJ Styles arrived one Monday night to become the face that runs the place on Raw? Sounds like the perfect idea to shake up the brands in the new year. —BOBBY MELOK

3

Batista returns for one more match

Batista

Batista’s most recent tenure in WWE was nothing if not eventful. From winning the 2014 Royal Rumble Match to quitting in the most GIF-worthy way possible, The Animal left his mark on the WWE Universe.

There isn’t much left for the surefire future WWE Hall of Famer to prove, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t salivating at the idea of The Animal returning for one more match.

There are a host of intriguing potential first-time foes for the “Guardians of the Galaxy” star to step in the ring with, including Braun Strowman and Shinsuke Nakamura. Yet, let’s not overlook potential dream showdowns with the likes of Triple H, Brock Lesnar or even fellow WWE Superstar-turned-Hollywood heavyweight, The Rock.

We know Batista is busy making hit movies, but one last WWE blockbuster starring The Animal makes too much sense not to happen. – SCOTT TAYLOR

2

Women’s Tag Team Titles come to WWE

8 things we want to see in WWE in 2018

The Women’s Evolution in WWE has led to plenty of firsts, including the first Women’s Hell in a Cell, Money in the Bank and Royal Rumble Matches, along with the first-ever Women’s Match in the UAE and events like the Mae Young Classic. However, the women of WWE still only have singles titles to compete for on Raw, SmackDown LIVE and NXT.

With the rosters of all three brands growing and new talent from around the world making their way to the WWE Performance Center, there’s no time like the present to swing open the doors of competition and introduce Women’s Tag Team Titles. Best friends like Sasha Banks & Bayley could join forces for championship battles against tandems like Absolution and The Riott Squad. We could see new teams emerge. There’s even a certain Iconic Duo in NXT for which Women’s Tag Team Titles seem tailor-made. The time for a new championship is now! —BOBBY MELOK

1

John Cena vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania

John Cena vs. The Undertaker

Following his defeat at the hands of Roman Reigns, The Undertaker’s shocking exit from WrestleMania 33 left many thanking The Deadman for nearly three decades of thrilling in-ring performances. However, it left just as many wondering if that moment was truly meant to be The Phenom’s final time in a WWE ring.

Though The Undertaker certainly has a Hall of Fame-worthy resume to hang his hat on, there’s still one dream match the WWE Universe has clamored for but never gotten to see: The Deadman vs. John Cena on The Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania. There’s no match we’d rather see at this year’s Show of Shows than The Undertaker returning to the site of his greatest defeat, New Orleans, to take on one of the most decorated World Champions in history. —BOBBY MELOK

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