The New Year is right around the corner. Anytime the calendar switches to a new number, there’s typically a lot of excitement within the wrestling community of what is to come. WWE is riding a strong wave of momentum on the business side, even though fans aren’t always pleased with the promotion’s creative. Looking ahead to 2026, here are three things WWE fans should look forward to witnessing.
AJ Styles’s retirement run
AJ Styles is one of the best professional wrestlers to ever step into the ring. That would have been the case if he never stepped foot in WWE, and his time in the company has only further cemented that spot. However, all good things must come to an end. Styles has openly talked about what retirement looks like for him and that fans should enjoy him while he’s around.
Retirement tours have become all the rave in professional wrestling. Top names from generations ago are getting the send off that fans want them to see, even though some are ending in controversial fashion in the eyes of the biggest fans. Styles should get a similar run and there are several different ways it may go down. Either way, enjoy AJ Styles while he’s in the biggest organization in the business because he will not be there forever.
Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins
2026 feels like the year that Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns will finally battle in a one-on-one angle. When 2026 arrives, it will have been four years since they’ve shared the ring against each other in a singles match. However, there’s still so much story to tell between these two men. At some point, this match will come to a head in 2026 and it will be one of the biggest matches of the year. It is so big, Reigns versus Rollins does not need a championship tied to it. This would allow them to stay in a major angle without having to tie down the main event scene once again.
Bianca Belair’s return
Bianca Belair has not been in the ring since April when she, Rhea Ripley, and IYO Sky put on one of the best matches of the year. Belair’s injury has taken longer to heal than expected. But with that comes the anticipation of a huge return. SmackDown needs another big name in the women’s division. Tiffany Stratton held the WWE Women’s Championship for more than 300 days before Jade Cargill took it from her. Belair’s return immediately sets up a big match for Cargill at some point in the year. There’s so much depth in the WWE women’s division and that is going to grow even further when Bianca Belair makes her return.