Photo Source: WWE.com
Time for another round of outside the box predictions for WWE. I’ve got the crystal ball shined up for the Road to WrestleMania.
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.
We’re finally there, folks. The car is gassed up, the tunes are playing, and it’s nothing but an open Road to WrestleMania. Traditionally, this is the time of year where everything starts to matter again. Sure, the Royal Rumble is fun and all, no matter what happens. But the months of February and March seem to be the most important on those new Rusev Day calendars.
For the first time in a long time, the WWE Universe didn’t turn on the Royal Rumble winner(s). Shinsuke Nakamura overcame John Cena and Roman Reigns to earn his ticket to WrestleMania, and he’s already chosen AJ Styles as his opponent. (Quick, someone change their Rusev Day calendars so they think WrestleMania is on January 4!) And the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble went to Asuka – who was rudely interrupted by Ronda Rousey before choosing her Mania opponent.
So what could be in store this week after an A+ weekend in WWE? Lots of stuff, really, but that ain’t my style. Let’s look at the unlikely things that may happen during the week of Jan. 29, 2018.
WWE Completely Undoes The Historic Women’s Royal Rumble Result
OK, hear me out on this one…
We all know WWE is keen on making “history.” If they have to manufacture that history, fine. But we also know that they control the narrative, and whatever they say is history must be so. Here’s an example: What was the first woman’s match to be the main event? You’d probably say TRISH STRATUS VS. LITA DUH. But what if I told you that on the March 30, 2000, episode of SmackDown – nearly five years before the infamous Trish-Lita match – Stephanie McMahon won the Women’s Championship from Jacqueline in the main event?
And look at that – Stephanie McMahon. My skills at tuning out bad commentary led me to miss her saying, “Congratulations to us all” after Asuka’s Rumble victory. But there’s no surprise seeing her make everything about the Women’s Revolution all about her. And that’s why I think this whole Ronda Rousey appearance is just teasing something even bigger than “smile and point at the Mania sign.”
When Rousey offered a handshake to Asuka and was refused, that was the kickoff of a way to get Asuka out of obviously winning one of the Women’s Championships at WrestleMania. There’s no way The Empress of Tomorrow has the undefeated streak end unless she’s already won and defended a title.
But WWE wants Rousey in the main event, because Network subscriptions. Rousey as a fixture in the division also helps their negotiations for new television rights. So how do you get Rousey in the main event without having Asuka lose? Pull a Money in the Bank and do it again. This week, I predict a “special co-branded” mini Royal Rumble (a Queenly Quarrel?) to determine the “real” winner. And somehow Rousey will win over Asuka, and the history making historic Royal Rumble will have been all for naught.
The Hurricane Returns on 205 Live – But Not as GM
One of the most pleasant surprises of the Men’s Royal Rumble Match was the albeit much too short return of The Hurricane. Everyone’s favorite wrestling superhero entered at #21, and briefly faced off with unofficial superhero John Cena. For those who don’t remember just how good The Hurricane character was during his initial WWE run, watch the following video of his interactions with The Rock.
Think about it – this was the middle of that period in 2003 where The Rock was the most popular superstar on the planet. He was practically untouchable – and yet, here’s this cruiserweight dressed like a Green Lantern ripoff going toe to toe with him – and picking up a win!
So seeing The Hurricane back in action was refreshing, especially because not much has changed. He’s been my pick to become the 205 Live GM, but upon seeing him in the ring I have a much better idea.
The Hurricane is going to compete on 205 Live. And the GM is going to be mild-mannered reporter Gregory Helms.
How terrific would it be for Hurricane to get to do his whole secret identity schtick? And can you picture Drew Gulak creating a PowerPoint proving that Helms and Hurricane are the same person? It would be just the kind of thing to balance with the “real” cruiserweight action from the rest of the roster.
Dolph Ziggler Disappears Again
Given some of the other ways the 30th spot in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match could have gone, Dolph Ziggler was a good choice. He hadn’t been seen since Dec. 19 – two nights after winning the United States Championship at Clash of Champions. But that appearance in December was marked by Ziggler’s apparent “retirement” – he gave up the title and walked out of WWE.
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Since there always seem to be some kind of rumors that Ziggler is on his way out of the wrestling business, it’s tough to figure out what’s going on. So walking out seemed like it could have just been Dolph’s way of saying goodbye, because he’s got a weird sense of humor.
Entering the Rumble, Doplh was actually a favorite to win the whole thing. Lots of fans pictured a scenario where Ziggler was the “surprise” #30 entrant, won the Rumble, and went on to main event WrestleMania as a last hurrah. But now that he didn’t win the Rumble, could this have been his last hurrah?
Ziggler has had an up and down career in WWE. He’s a former world champion, but injuries derailed his big reign – then it seemed like the company lost faith in him when he never returned to the the main event. He basically “saved” WWE at Survivor Series 2014, being the sole survivor and getting an assist from Sting. He had a great Intercontinental Championship feud with The Miz in 2016.
But Ziggler has been permanently on the WWE main roster for ten years, with brief appearances dating back as far as 2005. Maybe he really wants out – he’s 37, and has other career options. I’d venture a guess that we don’t see him anymore, outside of occasional one-off appearances.
Next: 25 Greatest WrestleMania Moments
What do you think is going to happen in WWE this week?