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The year 2021 turned out to be a very mixed one for WWE. After having their shows without fans for more than a year, the company finally returned to live touring in the second half of 2021.
However, everything was not sunshine as WWE faced massive criticism for releasing a huge chunk of its roster, including several top names like Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, and others.
With 2022 just a few days away, the global juggernaut would want to correct their mistakes and improve on a lot of things. The competition from AEW is getting tougher, and WWE would want to make sure they don't take this lightly before it's too late. We could see several major things in the company by this time next year.
Let's take a look at five bold predictions for WWE in 2022. Be sure to comment down and let us know your thoughts and the same, as well as your own predictions.
#5 Roman Reigns remains the WWE Universal Champion throughout 2022
The only champion in WWE who has held onto their title from this time last year is none other than the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. Having won the title at Payback 2020, The Tribal Chief has held it for over 450 days now.
It's not common to see such a long reign in Vince McMahon's promotion these days, but Reigns has been on another level. His character work, promos, as well as matches, have been exceptional, and the biggest question has been - who will finally defeat him?
Having held the title for so long, many believe that he will finally drop it at WrestleMania 38 next year, possibly to Brock Lesnar. Especially with Paul Heyman seemingly no longer by his side, Roman Reigns' title reign looks to be in danger.
However, a perfect twist in the tale could be for Heyman to pull off a double-cross on Lesnar, helping Reigns remain the Universal Champion.
Our first bold prediction for WWE in 2022 is that Roman Reigns will remain the Universal Champion throughout the next year as well. If that happens, he would have held the title for over 800 days, creating a massive record.
Of course, this would require some amazing booking from the company so that the character doesn't get stale.
#4 Bayley returns and wins the 2022 Women's WWE Royal Rumble
Arguably the most anticipated match on WWE's calendar every year is the annual Royal Rumble. The concept is a perfect mixture of excitement, nostalgia, entertainment, as well as a platform for some major returns. And one such major return could happen in the 2022 Women's Royal Rumble match as well.
Our next bold prediction for WWE in 2022 is that Bayley will make her long-awaited return and win the multi-woman bout. She has been away from the company for several months now after suffering a torn ACL.
While there is no confirmation on her return status, the superstar herself has teased coming back soon. Bayley could set up a great feud with Becky Lynch, possibly leading to a WrestleMania 38 showdown.
#3 AJ Styles wins the WWE Championship once again
Speaking of Royal Rumble, it was in 2016 when fans witnessed one of the biggest debuts at the very same pay-per-view as AJ Styles entered the Rumble as a surprise entrant. It's been nearly six years since then, and The Phenomenal One has had a decent outing so far.
A grand-slam champion in WWE, Styles has had several high-profile feuds, including one against The Undertaker last year. However, he hasn't been in the WWE Championship picture for a long time now. He last won the title in 2018 and held it for over a year before dropping it to Daniel Bryan.
Our next bold prediction for Vince McMahon's promotion in 2022 is that AJ Styles will win the WWE Championship once again this year. He has been in the tag team picture with Omos for a long time, and he should return to the main event scene, where he belongs.
#2 The Undertaker gets inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame 2022
The 2022 WWE Hall of Fame could see a huge induction in the form of The Undertaker. The Phenom is one of the greatest superstars in the history of the company and deserves more than anyone to get inducted into the Hall of Fame.
He last wrestled at WrestleMania 36, where he defeated AJ Styles in a cinematic-styled Boneyard match. At Survivor Series 2020, The Undertaker had his final farewell after completing three decades with WWE.
While fans continue to speculate about a return from their beloved "Deadman" one more time, it looks highly unlikely now. Fans would love to see him get inducted into the Hall of Fame and hear some more interesting stories from one of the greatest locker room leaders in the business.
#1 Vince McMahon steps down from his position
Vince McMahon has faced a lot of criticism this year from fans and critics. Several release sprees, cutting multiple top stars in the name of "budget cuts," didn't go well with fans. More and more questions are being raised over whether it's time for him to finally step down after serving the company for all these years?
Our last bold prediction for WWE in 2022 is that Vince McMahon would step down from his position in some capacity. The rumors of the promotion being up for sale have been running wild the entire year.
The latest one even suggests that The Rock could also buy the company with some partners. Could we see new leadership in WWE by this time next year?
