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WWE is just a few days away from kicking off the Road to WrestleMania at the Royal Rumble. The premium live event will bring new challengers into the mix for two of the six world titleholders in the company.
The rest of the champions will not go unchallenged into WrestleMania season. We can only speculate who they will face, and what outcomes will emerge. This gives fans an opportunity to fantasy-book scenarios in which the titles will change hands.
Here are some predictions about who will be next to hold each world title in WWE (and when)
#5: Cora Jade and Carmelo Hayes will be your next WWE NXT Champions on WrestleMania weekend
Cora Jade is the youngest superstar in not only NXT but all of WWE. At just 21 years of age, the former Elayna Black is already an ace in the ring and considerably more charismatic than most of her contemporaries on the developmental brand.
Current NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose is currently feuding with former NXT UK Champion Kay Lee Ray, who is an indie veteran. Because of NXT 2.0's favoured strategy to put their titles on younger superstars, it is hard not to feel like the fresh-faced skating sensation will be the one to take the title off the Toxic Attraction leader.
Carmelo Hayes' case is a little different. Though he is an indy veteran who is older than current NXT Champion Bron Breakker, the latter will not be on the third brand for long. It is clear that the company has big plans for him, and that his main roster call-up will come sooner rather than later.
Who of all the top "NXT 2.0 class" is closest to Breakker in star power, potential and charisma? The current North American Champion himself.
What better stage for both these changes than WrestleMania weekend? The new champions begin their reign after the biggest weekend on the calendar, while the former champions begin new journeys on the main roster.
#4: Naomi will become a 3-time WWE Smackdown Women's champion at WrestleMania 38
Two-time WWE SmackDown Women's Champion Naomi has been blowing hot and cold over the past few months. After returning from a long layoff, fans were clamoring for her to become champion as soon as possible. However, the company saw this as an opportunity to build an underdog story akin to the Yes Movement or Kofimania by placing her in a feud against Sonya Deville.
The slow-moving feud has seen current champion Charlotte Flair added to the mix. The Queen has declared for the Rumble and it is likely that there will be some sort of interaction between the three superstars. This will kick the feud into high gear and set up a WrestleMania encounter in which Naomi will prevail.
#3: Seth Rollins will become the new Universal Champion at the Royal Rumble
Roman Reigns is the longest reigning WWE Universal Champion of all time. In fact, he is the longest-reigning World Champion in 37 years. His rule over the blue brand has been captivating, entertaining and era-defining. However, all good things must end, and for Roman's latest reign, now is the time.
If anyone could beat The Tribal Chief, it'd be former SHIELD brother Seth Rollins. He has never lost a one-on-one match against The Head Of The Table and is set to take on Reigns at the Royal Rumble. He will be victorious at the premium live event and his former stablemate will move in a different direction.
#2: Liv Morgan will win her first RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 38
The night after WWE Money In The Bank 2020, Becky Lynch relinquished the RAW Women's Championship to Asuka in a heartwarming on-screen moment. Backstage, Rebecca Quinn had another such moment as she told a young superstar that she would sooner or later be champion. That superstar was Liv Morgan.
"The Man" returned from maternal leave at SummerSlam 2021, beating Bianca Belair to become SmackDown Women's Champion. She later exchanged titles with Charlotte Flair in a highly controversial segment after being drafted to RAW. She has since been feuding with the former member of The Riott Squad and Bianca Belair, both of whom have declared for the Rumble.
It would be foolish to bet against Morgan winning the 30-woman battle royal and capturing the title at The Show of Shows. Should that route not materialize, the Elimination Chamber would provide another route. Who better to fulfill the prophecy against her than the prophet herself? It is the best story to tell.
#1: Roman Reigns will become the next WWE Champion at WrestleMania 38
There is no hotter storyline in WWE than the saga between Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman.
The wrestling community is divided regarding the question of where Heyman's true allegiances lie. One half argues that the bond he shares with The Beast Incarnate is too strong. The other half believes his return to Lesnar's camp is too sudden to be real. It could even be argued that Heyman is only loyal to championships.
If the Head Of The Table loses the Universal Title per prediction #3 (and there is good reason for him to), you best believe he will confront the former UFC Heavyweight Champion. This will lead to a WrestleMania match for the WWE Championship should Lesnar overcome Bobby Lashley.
