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The WWE Universe has been through a roller-coaster year thus far--right from the Royal Rumble PPV in January to SummerSlam which transpired on August 19th.
While we've been fortunate enough to watch various heated feuds, such as AJ Styles-Samoa Joe, and Tommaso Ciampa-Johnny Gargano, come to fruition--the fact remains that several other dream rivalries are yet to be touched upon by the WWE in the 2018 calendar year.
Please bear in mind that we've taken into account a considerable amount of decisions made by the WWE over the course of this year, in order to map out a few preeminent feuds which could take place over the next few months. Today, we take a look at a few important WWE rivalries that are destined to happen before 2018 ends...
#20 Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
"The Destroyer" Samoa Joe is currently involved in a feud with AJ Styles over the latter's WWE Championship. On the other hand, Shinsuke Nakamura is the reigning United States Champion who is yet to be booked in a notable feud.
Joe is within sniffing distance of WWE Championship gold, and could very well go on to defeat Styles in what has thus far been a highly-personal rivalry between the two former TNA World Heavyweight Champions. As opposed to the preoccupied status of Joe, Nakamura is yet to be booked in a new rivalry--considering that both top contenders for his US title--Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton--are presently feuding with each other.
The story here, writes itself. Joe is one of the most intimidating wrestlers in the history of this business, whereas Nakamura made a name for himself as "The King of Strong Style". Now, granted that The Artist has toned down his Strong Style methods after moving to the West, regardless, someone as notoriously lethal as Joe could bring out the proverbial dog in Nakamura.
With the patterns of WWE's bookings this year, all signs point towards two of SmackDown Live's biggest stars--Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura--feuding sooner rather than later. Moreover, while the US title is an attraction in its own right, it'd be a huge mistake if the WWE doesn't book Joe and Naka to feud over the WWE Championship...
#19 The Revival vs. The Authors of Pain
The Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson) found themselves in tag team purgatory last year, after arriving on RAW as one of the hottest tag teams in the world, only to lose all their momentum a few days into their main roster run. Meanwhile, The Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) have fortunately been booked better on RAW than The Revival were last year.
The B-Team (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel) presently hold the RAW Tag Team Championships, however, the belief is that they're likely to drop the titles to The Revival sooner rather than later. In fact, the WWE has been alluding towards the same on Monday Night RAW--with Wilder & Dawson potentially receiving a significant push over the next few weeks.
In addition to which, the company's booking of The Authors of Pain (AOP) has also been strong thus far--with both fans and experts insinuating that Akam & Rezar capturing tag team gold on the red brand is inevitable. The Revival and AOP are red hot right now, and have been receiving the best reactions they've ever gotten over the course of their run in WWE (both NXT and main roster)--considering that, as well as the lack of notable tag teams on RAW, a rivalry between these two titanic teams is a no-brainer...
#18 The New Day vs. SAnitY
Yes. The biggest reason behind WWE putting the SmackDown Live Tag Team Championships back on The New Day, is because one-half of The Bludgeon Brothers, Erick Rowan, sustained a biceps injury at SummerSlam. Nevertheless, it's undeniable that the team of Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are sports-entertainment personified.
The WWE has promotional gold on its hands right now, as they possess a universally-beloved babyface team in The New Day, against what may arguably be one of the most demented factions in professional wrestling history--SAnitY. Led by Eric Young, SAnitY's main roster stable comprises the likes of Alexander Wolfe & Killian Dain.
Here's the thing, the WWE may very well resort to one of the most tried and tested booking methods in pro-wrestling history, by putting on a classic babyface-heel feud. Or, should they truly get the creative juices flowing, they'll book SAnitY to dominate The New Day with a plethora of mind-games and supernatural angles. It's not a question of if, but rather when SAnitY ascend to the blue brand's tag team throne...
#17 Rusev vs. Aiden English
Rusev and Aiden English have been performing as a team since mid-2017, and gradually evolved from just another generic tag team to one of the most beloved groups which now also includes Rusev's wife Lana.
Rusev Day is one of the most 'over' acts in the WWE today, and the promotion has capitalized on it perfectly thus far. They've smartly refrained from breaking up Rusev Day by having either man turn against the other.
Nevertheless, one of the most proven storylines in professional wrestling history is that of two wrestlers feuding for the hand of a pretty girl. This one has all the elements of a classic storyline--a beautiful woman, a 'Brute' and a charming singer. The WWE could go all the way with this rivalry by having Rusev turn heel on English, with a reluctant Lana supporting the former only to eventually let logic dictate that she sides with English.
The WWE has pulled off this angle before with Rusev, Lana and Dolph Ziggler before. However, this time around the stakes are higher, considering how over Rusev Day is as well as the history he has with Aiden English. Rusev and English could very well continue their rivalry all the way to the 2019 Royal Rumble...
#16 Constable Corbin vs. Kurt Angle
Of course most of us saw this one coming! In fact, rumor has it that RAW General Manager Kurt Angle--who has been sent on 'vacation' by the red brand's Commissioner Stephanie McMahon--is in fact training for an in-ring return.
Now, while at this point in his career, feuding with the biggest names on the roster makes sense for Angle--it'd be folly to refrain from booking the Olympic gold medalist in a short program against "Constable" Corbin. Ever since being appointed as the 'Constable' of Monday Night RAW, Baron Corbin has been a thorn in Angle's side.
In fact, Corbin is now the 'Acting GM' of RAW, while Angle was forced to take a vacation from his managerial duties. Although Angle has been rumored to be feuding with Triple H for WrestleMania 35 next year, the former could be inserted in a rivalry with Corbin upon his on-screen comeback to RAW over the next few weeks...After all, battle for dominance at the office is something which most of us experience all the time (sic)...
#15 The Bella Twins vs. The IIconics
The Bella Twins are set to make their in-ring comebacks on next week's episode of Monday Night RAW against The Riott Squad. Although the forenamed comeback of Nikki & Brie Bella will take place on RAW, the WWE has confirmed that The Bella Twins are currently free agents--meaning that they're allowed to perform on both the RAW and SmackDown brands.
Moreover, The Bella Twins and The IIconics have sparred on Twitter in the past--with the latter team insinuating that they have now replaced Nikki & Brie as the new top women's tag team in WWE. Again, this rivalry writes itself!
Brie Bella is set to team up with husband Daniel Bryan against The Miz and his wife Maryse for a Mixed Tag Team match at the September 16th Hell In A Cell PPV. However, The Bella Twins have next to nothing on the horizon, in terms of WWE rivalries, after the aforementioned match. Enter, The IIconics--who shall give the twins a run for their money, and could even out-wrestle them in a one-sided shut-out...
#14 Becky Lynch vs. Asuka
Becky Lynch is currently in hot pursuit of the SmackDown Women's Championship which is held by none other than her former friend, Charlotte Flair. The Irish Lass Kicker shocked the world by turning heel on her best friend Charlotte, after the latter managed to defeat Lynch and Carmella for the aforesaid title at SummerSlam.
By all accounts, it'd take a truly naive individual to not see that WWE plans on according women's title gold to Lynch very soon. The Irishwoman seems to have always been receiving raucous reactions wherever she goes, and since turning heel, the fan-reaction and cheers have in fact increased ten-fold.
Lynch will likely be the SmackDown Women's Champion in the weeks to come, and a fresh face in the title picture could be none other than "The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka. This duo of fine female performers is perhaps one of the most aggressive and efficient in-ring wrestlers today--and a rivalry between them seems to be the most sensible thing to book before Lynch's current buzz fades...
#13 Jeff Hardy vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas
Jeff Hardy is presently involved in a feud with Randy Orton--one which has been praised by many for the immense in-ring psychology as well as subtle attacks by both Superstars. Orton, after having turned heel and commenced his feud with Hardy, seems to be bringing out the dark side of the man formerly known as "Brother Nero".
While that's a fantastic ongoing rivalry, one of SmackDown Live's other top performers--Andrade "Cien" Almas--seems to be bereft of a proper feud. Almas and his manager Zelina Vega recently emerged victorious over Rusev Day (Rusev & Lana) at SummerSlam, however, the Mexican Superstar is yet to be booked in a new feud.
Hardy and Orton will, in all likelihood, conclude their rivalry in the following weeks--which in turn would open to doors for WWE to book Hardy against Almas. A 2-3 month program with a beloved veteran such as Hardy, with Almas going over at the end, would truly put the Mexican wrestling savant over as a legit top-tier star...
#12 Ricochet vs. Lars Sullivan, and Sullivan vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Ricochet bested The Undisputed Era's Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV, thereby capturing the NXT North American Championship.
While the high-flying fan-favorite may be basking in the glory of his amazing victory, there's a monster lurking in the shadows--salivating at the prospect of preying on Ricochet for championship gold. Said monster, Lars Sullivan, came up short in the 6-man ladder match for the title at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans in April of this year.
It was the aforesaid Cole who won the title, and then dropped it to Ricochet a few days ago. With The Velveteen Dream teasing a potential move to the main roster, Sullivan is perhaps the biggest threat to Ricochet's reign as the NXT North American Champion...As for the storyline dynamics, this "David vs. Goliath" rivalry will surely be one for the ages!
In fact, what would make this rivalry all the more complex--raising the stakes--is if Sullivan were to beat Ricochet for the NXT North American title and then go on to challenge Tommaso Ciampa for the latter's NXT Championship. Chaos reigns supreme...
#11 Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate
Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate were memorably involved in what was hailed by many as one of the best rivalries of 2017. These young guns seemed to be firing on all cylinders at the NXT UK Championship tournament last year--with Bate eventually defeating Dunne in the tournament finals and thereby winning the NXT United Kingdom title.
Fast-forward to 2018, and Pete Dunne is now the NXT UK Champion, with Tyler Bate longing to get his hands back on the gold. Considering the fact that NXT is arguably the best-booked brand in the business today, all signs point towards the WWE continuing to build upon the long-term rivalry between these two young Superstars.
Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate could be a marquee rivalry--with several chapters being added to it--akin to legendary feuds such as John Cena vs. Batista, The Rock vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, et cetera...
#10 Kairi Sane vs. Nikki Cross
Kairi Sane is the new NXT Women's Champion! As awesome as that seemed to the WWE Universe at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV, she has sharks circling her with gold on their mind.
Perhaps the biggest threats to Sane, as of this time, are the woman she took the title from and a certain demented powerhouse whose skills shined like a diamond with SAnitY. The forenamed women are Shayna Bazler and Nikki Cross respectively.
While Baszler has already reigned as the NXT Women's Champion, Cross is yet to taste WWE gold. The culmination of all factors at play makes Cross the perfect foe for Sane in the weeks leading up to NXT TakeOver: WarGames which takes place this November.
It would beyond the shadow of a doubt be fitting for the master of war and chaos, Nikki Cross, to win her first NXT Women's title at WarGames...
#9 Sasha Banks vs. Ruby Riott
"The Legit Boss" seems to have hit a plateau on the RAW brand as of late, however, her skills are unquestionable and talent undeniable. All Sasha Banks needs is a fresh feud that shall help her shine inside the ring.
In other words, Banks needs someone other than Bayley, whom she can trash-talk and go to war with without the feud seeming stale, so to speak. Bear in mind, that although Bayley is an excellent worker, her on-again-off-again feud with Banks seems to have left the WWE Universe with a bad taste in their mouths.
Both Superstars need a change of storylines, and pitting Banks against the leader of The Riott Squad, Ruby Riott, seems to be the best option moving forward. Riott is an excellent wrestler who, strangely enough, has never been booked to perform in a prominent match since debuting on the main roster last year...The WWE could very well book Banks to feud with Riott, and watch the chaos ensue as these two tear the house down with their insane pace of wrestling...
#8 Drew Gulak vs. Buddy Murphy
Drew Gulak may very well be one of the most underrated talents in the business today. The connoisseur of the 'No-Fly Zone' has some of the best character work and cuts excellent promos on the WWE's purple brand.
While Cedric Alexander is the current WWE Cruiserweight Champion, the 205 Live roster is filled with several hungry contenders looking to dethrone the king. The WWE has previously hinted that Gulak could be booked as champion on 205 Live--if not for his wrestling skills, then for his extraordinary personality alone.
Well, in this case irrespective of whether or not they decide to put the Cruiserweight title on Gulak, him feuding with 205 Live's most dangerous man--Buddy Murphy--is a no-brainer. The promo battles would surely be gold, as Gulak would likely destroy Murphy on the mic, only to eventually get battered in the ring...
#7 Alexa Bliss vs. Ember Moon
"The Goddess of WWE" may be having a hard time doing battle with former UFC Champion Ronda Rousey, however, after the conclusion of her ongoing feud with the Rowdy RAW Women's Champion, Alexa Bliss may need to regain her rhythm by engaging in a program with a top women's Superstar who's not named Ronda Rousey.
The solution? Ember Moon. Let's face it, Bliss isn't going to be taking the title off Rousey anytime soon, and should things keep going the way they are, Little Miss Bliss would surely need to make up for lost momentum by feuding with and defeating a top female talent.
While the WWE could book Bliss to beat Moon--that is, after the former faces and loses to Rousey at the Hell In A Cell PPV--the WWE may utilize the post-HIAC Bliss-Moon rivalry as a launching pad to propel Ember Moon as a top star. The possibilities in this rivalry are endless and Bliss taking on Moon is the feud to make after Hell In A Cell...
#6 Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler
Remember how the WWE put forth an amazing team in the form of Shawn Michaels and Diesel (Kevin Nash) back in the 1990s? Well, The Heart Break Kid and Diesel eventually broke up and feuded in the WWE, however, the WWE was unable to help the rivalry reach its full potential owing to Nash jumping ship to WCW in 1996.
Although Nash returned to the WWE after its buyout of WCW in the early-2000s, the allure of a potential HBK-Diesel feud ceased to exist. Well, the WWE has a golden opportunity to right the ship here--It's no secret that the current pairing of Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre is being likened by many to that of the iconic team of Shawn Michaels and Diesel.
Ziggler and McIntyre have been utterly dominating and incredibly over with the WWE Universe thus far, and much like almost every team in professional wrestling history, the company has to at some point have one of them turn against the other. Both "The Showoff" as well as "The Scottish Terminator" are excellent wrestlers who are great on the mic as well--speaking of which, this rivalry shall definitely prove to be a major draw for the WWE...
#5 Seth Rollins vs. Elias
If anyone on the current WWE roster knows how to draw heat akin to what The Velveteen Dream does, it's Elias. These two young men are incredibly talented performers, who seem to have a way with words.
Now, Seth Rollins presently holds the Intercontinental Championship, that he won by defeating Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam. With Ziggler and McIntyre seemingly moving to other storylines on RAW, Rollins is in need of a worthy foe to defend his IC title against.
Well, perhaps one of WWE's most notorious heels today could serve as a legitimate threat to Rollins' IC title reign. Elias is a great mat worker whose style matches up well with The Architect...The WWE could very well book Rollins and Elias in a long-running rivalry with the prestigious Intercontinental title at stake...
#4 Bray Wyatt vs. "The Demon" Finn Balor
Bray Wyatt headed into WrestleMania 33 the WWE Champion, lost the title to Randy Orton, and has since descended to the lower-end of the pecking order in WWE. Truth be told, Wyatt is not a bad performer by any means--in fact, the manner in which he reinvented his character and went from Husky Harris to "The Eater of Worlds" Bray Wyatt is truly applause-worthy.
Nevertheless, one's career is generally characterized by ups and downs, in light of which the fans mustn't lose hope on Wyatt yet. His supernatural gimmick still has an undisputed connection with the fans, and should he be paired with a fellow mythical creature such as The Demon, Wyatt's star will most definitely shine again...And bear in mind, this time around the WWE would likely book them in a long-running feud rather than the rushed one which resulted in their SummerSlam match last year.
Finn Balor, on his part, is in need of a decent feud as well. While his Demon persona made a surprise appearance at WWE SummerSlam 2018--helping him absolutely annihilate Constable Corbin--Balor once again needs to summon his dark persona and feud with the unhinged cult leader that is Bray Wyatt...In fact, a possible Demon vs Wyatt rivalry for Survivor Series 2018 has success written all over it...
#3 Ronda Rousey vs. Mickie James
It wouldn't be hyperbole to suggest that Ronda Rousey has thoroughly exceeded expectations with her amazing performances in the WWE thus far. In fact, a considerable amount of fans attested to the belief that Rousey's Mixed Tag Team match at WrestleMaia 34 earlier this year stole the show.
Regardless, the WWE still needs to ensure that they refrain from rushing Rousey from one situation to another, without first having her work with a veteran Superstar whose name is not Natalya. In other words, although Rousey has put in a ton of work with "Nattie" in the training room, it certainly wouldn't hurt the Rowdy One to gain a different perspective from another veteran female talent on the roster.
That's where Mickie James fits in perfectly. She's a 6-time Women's Champion in the WWE which includes her reign with the Divas title; and the WWE could most definitely utilize her in a feud with Ronda Rousey over the latter's RAW Women's Championship. Rousey would surely benefit by working a rivalry with James, as opposed to the newer lot such as Alexa Bliss, Ember Moon, etc...
#2 Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose
Well, irrespective of whether or not the WWE Universe agrees with this feud, a Dean Ambrose heel turn seems imminent at this point. Honestly speaking, the company is highly unlikely to turn Reigns heel, hence a possible rivalry between these two Shield brothers would require The Lunatic Fringe to turn against The Big Dog.
Do note that Reigns, Ambrose and Seth Rollins are presently working together as The Shield--however, the WWE would be remiss to let go off the big-money matchups that'd arise upon pitting Reigns and Ambrose against each other. Moreover, this time around it mustn't be a friendly-rivalry like the battles Reigns & Ambrose had after Rollins turned heel on them.
No! No! No! The rivalry between Reigns and Ambrose would be better off being portrayed as more serious and personal this time around. Reigns being betrayed by another one of his Shield brothers would truly faze his usual ice-cold mind, which in turn would give Ambrose the mental edge in the rivalry and make for extremely interesting TV...
#1 Braun Strowman vs. John Cena
Braun Strowman recently handed over his Money In The Bank contract to 'Acting RAW GM' Constable Corbin--noting that he'll be cashing in his MITB contract on September 16th at the Hell In A Cell PPV against WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. In fact, on this week's episode of Monday Night RAW, Strowman and Reigns made a deal, whereby the latter agreed to put his title on the line against The Monster Among Men at the HIAC event.
Later the same night, Strowman seemingly turned heel on Reigns--bailing on him during their tag team match against Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler, and later joining forces with the latter duo so as to beat up Reigns, Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins. Now, Strowman isn't expected to take the title off Reigns at Hell In A Cell, however, that may very well be a blessing in disguise for the big man.
John Cena, who has been busy with his Hollywood duties since beating Triple H at the Greatest Royal Rumble PPV in April, is the perfect opponent to ensure that Strowman's popularity doesn't dip in case the latter loses to Reigns at Hell In A Cell. Moreover, Cena vs. Strowman is beyond the shadow of a doubt one of the most awaited fantasy matchups which could come to fruition before 2018 runs out.
Which rivalries are you looking forward to? Do provide us your feedback in the comments section below...
