Pro wrestling predictions for 2019
Can you believe that 2018 is almost over?
Seems like yesterday that we were saying the same thing about 2017!
Without giving away too much, let鈥檚 take a look at some predictions for 2019:
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Look for WWE鈥檚 stock to drop a little bit.
Ratings have been terrible and if things don鈥檛 improve, the new TV deals are going to become a much bigger deal.
Nick, a longtime reader from Monessen, reached out last week asking if FOX can back out of its deal with WWE because of how low the ratings have been dropping.
FOX can鈥檛 just pull out right now, but I am sure there is a clause in the contract for Smackdown about how the ratings have to hit a certain number each week.
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Although already predicted in this column, look for Becky Lynch to face Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania.
While it may not close the show, the build for the match will be off the charts.
Why am I predicting Charlotte will be in the match now? It ties into my next prediction that Bayley and Sasha Banks will be the first women鈥檚 tag team champions.
Well, first, that is, the first since the titles are being reintroduced after 30 years.
Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki, known as The Jumping Bomb Angels, feuded with Judy Martin and LeLani Kai, known as The Glamour Girls, over the titles in 1987 and 1988.
The prediction here is that the new champions will be crowned at WrestleMania or at the next all-women PPV.
If the show has a Queen of the Ring theme, it would be perfect to crown the champions there as it would put four women into a match without having to put them in the tournament.
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Look for The Rock to appear in WWE in 2019, and it may be sooner rather than later.
There had been talk a while ago about him winning the Royal Rumble, and we will find that out in a few short weeks.
Regardless, Vince McMahon is all about throwing money at The Rock whenever possible to have him involved.
The Rock has not wrestled since WrestleMania 32 in Dallas when he defeated Luke Rowan in six seconds.
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Look for Cody (Rhodes), Adam Page and The Young Bucks to play hard ball with WWE about negotiating deals, with the rumored deals already being in the low seven-figure range.
Could all four show up in WWE?
It is possible but they are all making a solid living now on their own terms, so are they willing to give up the freedom by working for WWE?
All four are rumored to be involved with the All Elite Wrestling promotion that is said to be opening in 2019.
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Is it possible that there will be more public scrutiny the next time WWE returns to Saudi Arabia?
The prediction here is yes.
Look for WWE to return there in May and November.
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Who can be predicted as the breakout performer for 2019?
It appears McMahon is ready to strap a jetpack onto Mustafa Ali, so he is an easy pick as is Lars Sullivan, who will be debuting on the main roster shortly.
That is the best thing about pro wrestling, you just never know.
A year ago, who would have predicted that Becky Lynch would be the talk of the pro wrestling world?
2018 awards next week
Next week, we will take a look at several awards for the pro wrestling world in 2018.
Email in your picks for male wrestler of the year, female wrestler of the year, tag team of the year, newcomer of the year, manager of the year, match of the year, show of the year, surprise of the year, comeback of the year, disappointment of the year, feud of the year and if there is an award topic you want to make, add it as well!
On This Day鈥�
In 1992, Big Van Vader defeated Ron Simmons to begin his second WCW championship reign.
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