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2018 saw many things happening in WWE. The year started with Rey Mysterio’s return to WWE at the Royal Rumble. Cena v/s Undertaker finally happened, even if it was a squash match.
Styles became the one of the longest reigning WWE champions, before losing the title to Daniel Bryan in a shocking way on the go-home show for Survivor Series. Above all, we were all filled with grief when Roman Reigns announced that he was suffering from Leukaemia and had to relinquish the Universal Championship. WWE’s resident hero left the company for some time to conquer a real life villain.
This led to many changes in the storylines and directions the company was planning for WrestleMania 35 and the year 2019 as a whole. But, with a huge roster of talented superstars at its disposal, WWE can still ensure that 2019 becomes the golden year of wrestling for WWE. So, without waiting more, let us have a look at some of the things that WWE can do in 2019 to make it an exceptional year for themselves as well as the fans:
1) Bring Shinsuke Nakamura (and the US Title) back into the mix
While many stars like Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, Becky Lynch, etc. enjoyed an exceptional 2018, some superstars did not. Shinsuke Nakamura was one of them. Having been defeated twice by Jinder Mahal (the then-WWE Champion) confirmed the fact that Nakamura was a victim of the poor booking of NXT call-ups.
However, it seemed that the company would have finally thought of giving Nakamura the push he deserves when the King of Strong Style eliminated Roman Reigns to win the Royal Rumble 2018. He immediately announced that he would face WWE Champion AJ Styles, confirming a dream match for the casual as well as the hardcore fans for WrestleMania 34.
Though the match didn’t live up to expectations, a solid heel turn by Nakamura made the people believe that he may finally win the WWE Championship post-Mania. But, much to the dismay of fans, Nakamura was repeatedly defeated by Styles.
Even though Nakamura won the United States Title from Jeff Hardy at Extreme Rules, both him and the star studded title have been neglected. A title which was once glorified by stars like John Cena, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens and AJ Styles, was now reduced to nothing.
Also read: Predicting the next 5 U.S. Champions
One may understand the reason Nakamura has not been able to have a proper feud on SmackDown Live due to a lack of baby faces. But, with Rusev working well as a face, John Cena set to return, Styles seemingly being removed off the main event picture, Rey Mysterio returning full time and The Miz seemingly moving towards a Face run, there are many options for Nakamura now to return and start a feud with.
Consistent and interesting feuds with various wrestlers will surely elevate the position of both Shinsuke Nakamura as well as the United States Title.
2) Break up Sheamus and Cesaro
I know that they are one of the best teams on the main roster. I know that they are the current SD Live Tag Team Champions. I know that they don’t just set the Bar, they are the Bar. But, to be honest, ‘The Bar’ gimmick is now getting pretty stale for both the wrestlers.
They started off well and have been multi-time tag team champions together, but these two have a lot of potential as singles superstars too. Cesaro is a former Andre’ the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner and a former U.S. Champion. Sheamus too is a former World Champion, Mr. Money in the Bank and King of the Ring.
WWE can break The Bar up quite similar to the way the broke up DIY back in NXT. We all know that Cesaro and Sheamus have enormous potential and with many stars being injured, 2019 may be the right time to break The Bar up. This storyline has a lot of potential and if worked well, will surely turn out to be legendary like the Owens/Zayn and Gargano/Ciampa storyline.
Also read: Predicting the WrestleMania 35 match card
The breakup can occur as soon as at TLC 2018 to kickoff this feud. It will involve The Bar losing their SD Live Tag Team Titles to some other team (probably The Usos). The two men can then go on to create magic and end their feud with a Marquee Match at WrestleMania 35. Breaking the Bar up will have 2 advantages:
1) We will have two greatly talented main event superstars in ‘The Celtic Warrior’ and ‘The Swiss Superman’ and
2) Many under-utilized teams like SAnitY and Good Brothers will get a chance to rule the Tag Team division.
3) Give Elias a run with the Intercontinental Championship
The night we heard about Roman Reigns’ relinquishing the Universal Championship, we were sure that the landscape of RAW is going to change. Braun Strowman transitioning back to being a face and Dean Ambrose finally turning on Seth Rollins were the main changes that occurred due to this.
One less noticed change was Elias’ move to the good side. It started with Corbin not allowing Elias to perform. This caused to the latter to smash a guitar on The Lone Wolf’s back. Since then, Elias has been on fire as a baby face. Currently, he is involved in a feud with the trio of Bobby Lashley, Baron Corbin and Drew McIntyre.
It was a surprise how Elias, who didn’t garner much success in NXT, has been a consistent part of the Red brand. Elias has the crowd behind him and he is a merchandise mover. What better way to capitalize on his growing popularity by making him the Intercontinental Champion? Elias is improving in the ring too and certainly will bring amazing and interesting feuds to the table.
His match with Seth Rollins for the Intercontinental Title against Seth Rollins at the Money in the Bank 2018 PPV was absolutely gold. If the rumors about having Lesnar v/s McIntyre v/s Rollins v/s Ambrose for the Universal Title are true, then having Elias win the IC Title would be a great direction for both the title and the drifter.
This will allow both Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose (who are set to face each other for the IC Title at TLC) to move to the main event picture. The IC Title has been ignored a lot due to The Shield reunion and deserves a reboot. Elias winning it will surely be something that the fans will be delighted with.
4) Send Finn Balor to SmackDown
Yeah, I know this isn’t a 2019 Superstar Shake-Up prediction article, but this had to be in this list. A man who once debuted on the Yellow Brand as a dominant force and was the longest reigning NXT Champion, is now a complete joke on the Red Brand.
Upon his move to the main roster, Balor was actually given the push he had deserved and was made the 1st ever Universal Champion. This could have seen Balor ruling the Red Brand for some time, but an unfortunate injury caused him to relinquish his title the very next day after winning it.
Since his return post-WrestleMania 33, Balor has been just wandering around the mid-card picture. A failed feud with Bray Wyatt, followed by repetitive losses post 'Mania 34 have truly degraded his worth.
Also read: Who can be the new face of WWE?
But, what is noteworthy is the fact that Finn's Demon King persona is still undefeated on the main roster. This certainly proves that the company is still willing to invest on Balor, but is just waiting for the right time. While being involved in a feud with the trio of Corbin, Lashley and McIntyre may bring him some credibility, moving the leader of Balor Club to the blue brand will help the company fully rebuild Finn Balor.
He has a lot of amazing feuds waiting for him on the Blue Brand. Ruling the brand with AJ Styles and Good Brothers as The Club, or solidifying himself by feuding with Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura will truly re-establish Balor as a main event wrestler. Also,with Roman Reigns' temporary departure from the company, Balor could step up to be the face of the company till 'The Guy' makes his return to the company.
5) Not have the Undisputed Era move over to the Main Roster
Now, most of the readers reading this would have already thought of me being mad, but please listen to me first. Many wrestlers who were rocking it on NXT have been completely wasted on the Main Roster. Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe, AOP, Sanity, Ascension and Neville are some examples of how exceptionally talented wrestlers have been wasted on the main roster.
Many may say that SHIELD was a faction of NXT superstars who took over the company by storm, but there was a reason behind it. The reason was to give Roman Reigns, the next face of the company, a major way to kick-off his main roster career. I do not think that anyone of the Undisputed Era stars have a reputation like Reigns had with Vince McMahon. Even if Adam Cole is booked well as a singles superstar, I do not see the group being used properly.
Also, there are many directions that The Undisputed Era can explore instead of going to the main roster. We can have Roderick Strong joining 205 Live and winning the Cruiserweight Title there as a part of Undisputed Era. Also, giving Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reily a push as singles superstar on the Yellow brand will keep the group fresh.
Not to mention at all, their leader, Adam Cole, has not won the NXT Title yet. We can have Cole stalking the champion in order to become the first ever NXT Champion who has been the North American Champion. All or some of these storylines will definitely keep the faction busy for 2019. With rumors coming up about The Undertaker, Big Show and Kurt Angle retiring and Brock Lesnar possible leaving, we could have the faction debut on the Main Roster in 2020 and truly leave their mark with proper pre-planned booking.
What other things would you like to take place in WWE in 2019? Do drop your valuable opinion in the comments box :).
