Liam Hoofe looks into his crystal ball and predicts what will happen in the WWE in 2018…
December is always a time for reflection, and the WWE will no doubt be doing plenty of it as 2017 draws to a close. It has certainly been a mixed bag of a year for the company. While they have made huge financial gains in 2017, the product has certainly struggled at times, and they have made some very questionable booking decisions.
Trying to predict what Vince McMahon’s next move will be is a fools game, but it’s Christmas time and I’m feeling foolish, so without further ado, here is my prediction for 11 things we will see in the WWE in 2018.
Kane and The Big Show Retire
Big Show and Kane have both had pretty incredible careers in the WWE but a life beyond the locker room has been calling both men for some time now. Kane, especially, appears to be looking at a career in politics once he hangs up his boots, and I can’t help but feel that his feud with Braun Strowman is going to be one last run for The Big Red Machine. If Braun doesn’t retire him, I wouldn’t be against Demon Finn going up against Demon Kane at this year’s WrestleMania to call an end to his iconic career.
As for The Big Show, he is never seen in the WWE these days and if rumours were to be believed, he wanted to retire at last year’s Mania, but his match against Shaq was cancelled not long before the event. If that was the case, then look for him to call it a day before 2018 is out.
The Undertaker Inducted into the Hall Of Fame
This one seems like a no-brainer. Never has any wrestler been more deserving of a place among WWE’s Hall of Fame than The Undertaker. The only real question surrounding this is whether or not he has one last match at this year’s WrestleMania before calling it a day.
In my opinion, he gave us such an excellent moment at the end of WrestleMania 33, that there is really no need for him to don his hat and boots once again. Whatever goes down, this is going to be one emotional moment for both Taker and the fans.
205 Live Ceases to Exist
Despite interesting titles reigns from Neville and Enzo Amore helping to keep the division alive, the Cruiserweight division has constantly felt it is just keeping its head above water, living like a student desperately waiting for his next student loan payment to arrive so he can eat.
While the show is scheduled for two live shows at the start of January, it is beginning to look as though the company is losing faith in 205 Live as a show, with the latest figures suggesting that fans are rewatching old WCW PPVs more than they are the cruiserweights. The company’s mixed-gender talent show could also prove to be a huge success, and if that is the case, expect him to try out similar projects in the place of 205 Live.
Asuka Defeated
Asuka’s unbeaten streak, which has now carried over from NXT to the main roster, is one of the most impressive in WWE history. Her reign as NXT Women’s Champion is one of the greatest title reigns of all time, and I don’t see it being long before she tastes gold on the main roster.
While Asuka’s unbeaten run will likely dominate the women’s division for some time, all good things must come to an end, and the WWE will likely end this in unspectacular fashion. Hopefully, the company use the victory to establish a new star but don’t be surprised if it’s a screwy defeat in a foolish attempt to make her look strong still.
Braun Strowman and Shinsuke Nakamura become first-time Champions
Braun Strowman has been one of the company’s brightest stars over the course of 2016, while Shinsuke Nakamura is one of the most popular, and talented wrestlers on the planet. The WWE may have done their best to make Nakamura look silly but the cream always rises to the top, and I can’t see him finish off next year without having tasted big gold in the WWE.
In the same respect, Braun’s path to the title has been halted by Brock Lesnar’s dominance of the men’s division on Raw. Brock is likely to leave the WWE after WrestleMania this year, and Braun Strowman feels like the perfect candidate to fill those big boots of his.
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