WWE 2018: Top things to look out for including the possible returns of The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Daniel Bryan, while Ronda Rousey set for Royal Rumble
Elsewhere, there could be more WWE shown in the UK, Dean Ambrose to turn on The Shield and get ready for the biggest SummerSlam in history
IT’S been an incredible 2017 for WWE. But the machine never stops in WWE – the company and fans are already looking towards more action and drama in 2018.
With the new year just days away, Sun Sport looks at 10 things you could happen in WWE in 2018.
Ronda Rousey in WWE
There’s been long running speculation that the former UFC champ and longtime wrestling fan (her “Rowdy” nickname was borrowed from Roddy Piper) will join WWE.
Rousey appeared at WrestleMania 31 and was involved in a MMA Four Horsewomen v WWE Four Horsewomen altercation at the Mae Young Classic.
While the rumoured Four Horsewomen v Four Horsewomen match at WrestleMania has apparently been nixed – Rousey is almost certainly on her way to WWE.
Earlier this month she posted a video on Twitter which showed her training with Natalya and working out at the WWE Performance Center.
Now she’s the bookies’ favourite to win the women’s Royal Rumble match next month.
The most believable matchup for her at WrestleMania would be against the undefeated Asuka – but the money match is more likely Rousey v Charlotte Flair.
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The Undertaker returns
The Deadman has been confirmed to appear at the 25th anniversary Raw show on January 22 – his first appearance since being “retired” by Roman Reigns.
But has Taker really hung up the hat and boots for good?
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Speculation is that WWE has a major match lined up for John Cena at WrestleMania.
Is it possible Undertaker will return to the ring for the long-mooted showdown against Cena – the greatest WrestleMania match to never happen (so far)?
Taker’s post-match ceremony at WrestleMania seemed final, but fans have been sure he was retired before.
And the match against Roman was nothing short of bowling shoe-ugly. Is that really the way the Deadman wants his career to end?
Brock Lesnar v Roman Reigns at WrestleMania
Despite constant rumours and news reports that say WWE keeps changing its mind, this match is a lock for the main event of WrestleMania.
WWE has kept Brock strong since winning the Universal Championship at last year’s Mania. And for good reason – it wants Roman to be the man who finally topples the Beast.
This will be the fourth straight WrestleMania that Roman has headlined the big show and he’s sure to get his customary drubbing from the crowd.
But the match makes sense. The pair have unfinished business from their match at WrestleMania 31, which was hijacked by Seth Rollins.
That match was a belter too, so there’s no reason to think another match between the two superstars will be anything less that a classic.
A UK pay-per-view
The success of both NXT TakeOver: London in December 2015 and the UK Championship Tournament last January indicates that WWE could run more big shows in the UK.
While WWE’s pay-per-view schedule for 2018 is currently booked for US arenas, there’s nothing stopping WWE from announcing an impromptu UK event.
WWE still wants a piece of the booming UK market and the WWE Network makes anything possible.
Don’t expect WrestleMania in the UK (that’s never going to happen) but a Money In The Bank-level “b show” pay-per-view is entirely possible in the UK.
More firsts for the women of WWE
The women’s evolution continues to be a major focus for WWE – including the the first ever women’s Royal Rumble match next month.
And while WWE is running out of “firsts” for its female superstars (we’ve had Hell in a Cell, Money in the Bank, and others) there are still major things for them to achieve.
The most obvious is women finally headlining WrestleMania – though that’s going to happen in 2018.
Could we finally see the return of the King of the Ring tournament instead, rebranded as Queen of the Ring?
Even more likely is that WWE will introduce women’s tag team titles to open up the ever-growing division.
Dean Ambrose turns on The Shield
The Shield reunion has been a bit of a disaster so far.
First Roman Reigns went down the mumps – spoiling their much-anticipated first match back together at TLC – and now Dean Ambrose is out for nine months with a triceps injury.
But when Ambrose returns in September, expect him to turn on his Shield brothers and become a vicious heel.
Ambrose has been begging for a major change for months – and a heel turn on The Shield was rumoured from the very start of their recent reunion.
It could put Ambrose back into the main event picture as soon as he returns.
Daniel Bryan returns to the ring
It’s no secret that Daniel Bryan wants to wrestle again – and has even teased in the past that he would go elsewhere if WWE won’t clear him to compete.
Bryan, who was forced to retire due to concussion-related injuries in February 2016, has also been vocal about being cleared to perform by other, non-WWE doctors.
Some have written it off as pie-in-the-sky thinking. With a spotlight on concussions in US sports, the official WWE docs are unlikely to clear him.
But this week footage emerged of Bryan running the ropes in a SmackDown dark match. Does this mean he’s been cleared, or that he soon will be?
And his beef with Shane McMahon does suggest there will be some kind of physical confrontation between the pair at some point.
If Bryan doesn’t end up returning to the ring in WWE – he could make his return for another promotion when his contract expires in September.
Stone Cold back in WWE
Here’s a fact that will make you feel old – 2018 marks 20 years since Stone Cold Steve Austin first won the WWE Championship and officially kicked off the Attitude Era.
WWE – which never misses a chance to bring back an old school legend – is bound to go big on celebrations.
Our guess is that Stone Cold will play a role at WrestleMania 34 – to mark two decades since defeating Shawn Michaels at Mania 14 – perhaps as a guest referee in a marque match.
And Stone Cold as referee can mean only on thing: beer and Stunners all round.
The biggest SummerSlam in history
Stone Cold’s title win isn’t the only anniversary WWE will be celebrating in 2018. It’s also 30 years since the first ever SummerSlam.
To mark the occasion, WWE will have something big lined up for this year’s event – which WWE sees as second only to WrestleMania.
Could this be the event where John Cena finally captures his 17th world championship and beats Ric Flair’s longstanding record?
Another possibility is that SummerSlam will finally see the WWE return of Hulk Hogan, who headlined the very first event in a tag match alongside Macho Man back in 1988.
Kenny Omega in WWE
Kenny Omega’s contract with NJPW expires next month – and while reports say he will resign with NJPW, you never say never in the wrestling business.
Omega’s upcoming match with Chris Jericho at Wrestle Kingdom 12 on January 4 means there’s more mainstream attention on Omega than ever before.
And the match – which given Omega’s track record and Jericho’s shrewd career reinvention – is sure to be a classic.
The timing for Omega to join WWE has never been more perfect…
