WWE Bold Predictions: Ringing in the New Year with a Bang

Bryan Heaton

Photo Source: WWE.com

Will it be a Happy New Year for Roman Reigns and the rest of the WWE? It’s time for our weekly bold predictions.

One of my favorite pastimes as a WWE fan is to try and guess what’s going to happen in the future. I don’t go out of my way to spoil myself. But trying to get into the heads of the creative department is a good way to kill some time.

By now, corks have been popped on the champagne bottles, the ball has dropped, and the confetti has been cleaned up (maybe). We’ve closed the book on 2017, and 2018 is upon us. As the calendar sits on January, we’re inching ever closer to the Royal Rumble pay per view. And that means we’re about to get on the Road to WrestleMania.

Surprisingly, there’s already been a ton announced for the first week of WWE television in 2018. There’s going to be a pair of title matches on Raw, another championship clash on SmackDown Live, plus a non-title grudge match. Considering Raw closed out 2017 by crowning new tag team champions, there’s no telling what’s on tap for this week.

But anyone can give you logical, well-reasoned predictions for what’s about to happen. My goal? Well, I aim to think outside the box, and come up with something no one in their right mind would expect. Sometimes I’m way off. But hey, last week I predicted a title change on Raw. So apparently, sometimes thinking like a madman pays off.

With that, let’s check out our bold predictions for the week of January 1 in WWE.

Roman Reigns Retains

One of the matches scheduled for Raw this week is an Intercontinental Championship match. Roman Reigns is set to defend the title against Samoa Joe, in a rematch from Christmas Day. But there’s a twist this time around. Since Reigns lost his head last week, shoved an official, and beat the tar out of Joe with a chair, Kurt Angle has decided if Reigns gets disqualified he’ll lose the title.

Most people would look at this and say, “Well, this is how WWE gets the Intercontinental Championship off of Roman without him being pinned, so he’ll still look strong for Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.” And normally, I’d say you’re absolutely right. This is exactly that kind of situation. However, I don’t think that would make Roman look strong enough.

So here’s what I’m picturing: Reigns wins on Raw, despite Joe’s best efforts at getting Reigns to lose it again. Maybe even a certain former Intercontinental Champion from the A-List will involve himself, who knows? But either way, Roman leaves as champ. A final grudge match is scheduled for Royal Rumble, with some kind of stipulation attached. Maybe it’s a triple threat with said A-Lister also involved.

Then at the Rumble, that’s where Reigns loses the title. It’ll be some kind of wonky finish, making everyone tear out their hair that “oh jeez, Reigns won again” and threaten to boycott the WWE Network. But wait, there’s more! Reigns is going to be a “surprise” entrant in the Royal Rumble match itself, probably winning to set himself up with a Universal Title match.

Daniel Bryan Throws a Punch

Everyone is looking for the moment Daniel Bryan gets back in the ring. He can’t stop giving shoot interviews about it. Brie Bella, his wife, is talking about it. Heck, Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks might be planning their self-promoted show around Bryan’s first match.

But all indications so far have said that WWE will not let him compete, no sir, not gonna happen. In the run-up to Survivor Series, Bryan was attacked by his former friend and tag partner, Kane – off screen. Even the illusion of taking a fake beating from one of the safest workers in WWE history had to be done via imagination.

Brock Lesnar: Mere Mortal

Okay, so we’re all in agreement that the WrestleMania main event is going to be Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar, right? WWE has been building to this for years, and now it seems we’re finally at the point where it’s going to happen. If you ask me, we don’t really need this match to elevate Reigns to be “the guy,” but if it’s gotta happen, let’s just do it and get it over with.

Prevailing wisdom would dictate Lesnar needs to be seen as unbeatable heading into Mania, because that will make Roman seem even stronger. But this weekly feature doesn’t believe in your prevailing wisdom! We make our own wisdom!

With a triple threat match at Royal Rumble on his plate, Lesnar is returning to Raw this week. Last time he showed up, he hit Kane with an F5 to “win” the first physical confrontation between champion and his challengers. But with Kane and Braun Strowman looking to make their mark in the new year, there’s a distinct possibility that Lesnar takes a hit this week.

Brock barely survived the first three way encounter, mainly because Strowman ended up outside the ring. This time, I would figure Braun – one of the top superstars in all of WWE – would get a leg up on his competition. A pair of running powerslams – one to each opponent – could be a great tone setter for 2018.

Next: 25 Greatest Pay Per Views in WWE History

What do you think this week has in store for the WWE Universe?

Bryan Heaton

Bryan lives on Long Island with his wife and a pug, and more often than not there's some form of wrestling or another playing on the TV or computer. Follow him on Twitter @BigHeat34 to talk about WWE, NXT, or Chikara (seriously, wrestling ice creams and wrestling ants are AMAZING), or introduce him to your favorite promotions or matches!