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We are days away from the start of 2022, which promises to be an exciting year for WWE. Both RAW and SmackDown have improved lately, with several big moments being made possible in the coming twelve months.
WrestleMania 38 is one of the most important parts of the promotion's year, with a couple of matches and moments that need to happen at the event. However, WWE will also need to steer away from some booking mistakes which may have negative effects on the product.
Here are three things that shouldn't happen in WWE in 2022, along with three that should. Let us know in the comments if you disagree with any of these picks.
#6 Shouldn't happen: Brock Lesnar defeats Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship
Roman Reigns will defend the Universal Championship against Brock Lesnar at WWE Day 1, with a rematch at WrestleMania seeming pretty likely. The two could end their rivalry by headlining The Show of Shows. But this should not signal the end of Reigns' time with the title.
The Tribal Chief has become such a massive figure over the past year, that anybody who defeats him is an instant megastar. A full-time superstar should get that rub instead of Lesnar, with options ranging from Drew McIntyre all the way to Bron Breakker in NXT 2.0.
WWE cannot allow Brock Lesnar to defeat Roman Reigns at Day 1 or WrestleMania, just to protect The Head of the Table and his star-making ability. The Universal Title can still change hands in 2022, as long as a younger star defeats Reigns for it.
#5 Should happen: Edge faces AJ Styles at WrestleMania 38
With the potential main event being a rematch, WrestleMania 38 should feature some first-time-ever dream matches. None of them is bigger than Edge vs. AJ Styles, with fans clamoring for the two to face off in the ring.
The Rated-R Superstar is now on RAW and with his rivalry with The Miz set to conclude in January, the company has to put him opposite Styles. The Phenomenal One has broken up with Omos and is set to embark on a singles run once again.
The two can create magic together, especially as Edge has been performing on another level in the past year. His creative expertise and AJ Styles' technical brilliance create the perfect storm for WWE.
#4 Shouldn't happen: Omos wins the WWE Championship
Omos is now a singles competitor in WWE, following his break-up with AJ Styles. He will certainly get a push on RAW, but the promotion needs to be wary of giving the 7-foot giant a lot too soon. Omos should not win the WWE Championship in 2022.
The world title scene on the red brand is stacked, with Big E proudly standing as champion. He is scheduled to defend the title against Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and Bobby Lashley at Day 1. The three of them would be great options to win the WWE Title at any point in the coming year.
Omos is 27-years-old and constantly improving. But he is not at the top level yet, which is where Rollins, Owens, and Lashley are. They should get some time on top before the former RAW Tag Team Champion reigns supreme.
#3 Should happen: Sasha Banks leaves WrestleMania as SmackDown Women's Champion
The fact that Sasha Banks is winless at WrestleMania is baffling. A star of her level should have had at least one victory at The Grandest Stage of Them All. The Boss needs to win her next 'Mania match, which will likely be for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
A feud between Banks and Charlotte Flair sounds exciting, with a good match pretty much guaranteed. This also gives The Blueprint a big challenge to overcome en route to her first WrestleMania win, becoming SmackDown Women's Champion in the process.
Alternatively, Sasha Banks can win the title before April and defend it against somebody else. Either way, she needs to win and leave WrestleMania with the SmackDown Women's Title.
#2 Shouldn't happen: Bayley returns to WWE as a heel
One of the most exciting WWE moments in 2022 is Bayley's return from injury. Despite being a heel at the time of her ACL injury, she remains popular among fans. The Role Model's comeback is likely to garner an enormous reaction.
As a result, Bayley should not return to the company as a villain. She would be great as a tweener, which enables her not to turn fully babyface. Vince McMahon should learn from the past and embrace her popularity.
Seth Rollins received a hero's welcome upon his return from injury in 2016, despite being a sneaky heel when he blew out his knee. He had tremendous potential as a babyface, but WWE kept him a bad guy. This damaged Rollins at the time and could do the same to Bayley if she remains a heel following her return.
#1 Should happen: Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley
We started this list with Brock Lesnar and why he should not be the one to dethrone Roman Reigns. The Beast Incarnate will still have a successful 2022, as long as he keeps his current character. He has never been so charismatic on WWE television.
Lesnar still has a host of dream matches against WWE Superstars, but the biggest one might be against Bobby Lashley. This would be a complete war, with both men tearing into each other with glorious violence.
The All Mighty has actively pursued a match against the eight-time world champion, with the two having ventured into MMA as well. There is no better time for Lesnar to face Lashley than the summer of 2022.
WWE must not waste this opportunity!
