WWE 2017: 17 things that need to happen next year as we count down to the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania with the New Era
SunSport looks at what should be in store for the New Era as anticipation heats up
THE start of the year is always an exciting time for WWE fans.
The Royal Rumble is just weeks away, kicking off the road to WrestleMania.
And this WrestleMania season WWE is in unchartered territory - with a new brand split, all-new championships, and its roster of 'New Era' superstars – the potential leading into ‘Mania and the rest of 2017 is huge.
But to give them a nudge in the right direction, we’ve put together this list of 17 things that need to happen to make this one the greatest years in WWE history.
Samoa Joe debuts at the Royal Rumble
The rumour mill’s already rife for this one, and it has to happen. The timing’s perfect – Joe’s cage match loss to Shinsuke Nakamura put a firm end to his NXT run, while WWE will be looking for crowd pleasing surprises for the Rumble match.
It would make a huge statement to fans if Joe was given his moment and enough time to deliver a star-making performance.
The UK champ defends his title on the indies
We already know that WWE will crown its first UK Champion in January and eventually launch a UK-based Network show. But WWE should have the champ defend the title on the British independent scene.
Having an active WWE title in promotions such as PROGRESS and Revolution Pro really would build working relationships and boost British wrestling, as WWE claims it wants to do.
John Cena wins his 16th championship
Say what you want about Cena, but he’s better than he’s ever been in the ring. He’s also been working a part-time schedule and started lingering around the fringes of mainstream entertainment, like a cut-price Rock.
Let’s give Cena one last WrestleMania moment with his 16th championship to equal Ric Flair’s record – before Cena strolls off into the sunset for a new career of mainstream mediocrity.
Then The Miz defeats him for the title
Yes, there’s only one man to defeat John Cena – The Miz.
Not just redemption for the trouncing Cena gave Miz’s career in 2011, but Miz fully deserves it after doing his best ever work this year.
If the booking team can resist the temptation of more worthless Intercontinental title changes before WrestleMania, The Miz will be well placed as SmackDown’s top heel and the man to end Cena’s title reign.
Roman Reigns takes some time off
Vince McMahon clearly isn’t going to pull the trigger on a Reigns heel turn, so we might as well stop talking about it.
Instead, his character needs a reboot – some time away to help the fans mellow and anticipate a reworked version of 'The Big Dog' when he returns.
And if he comes back heel, all the better.
No ladder match at WrestleMania
Multi-man matches have become the bane of WWE programming – and the worst offender is the the multi-man, stunt show ladder match that WWE feels compelled to book every year.
We’ve seen everything this match has to offer already – and it spoils opportunities for meaningful, one-on-one matches (how much better would Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn for the IC strap have been at this year’s ‘Mania?).
If WWE needs an excuse to get superstars on the show, it has another multi-man match that’s screaming out for added prestige…
The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner gets a title shot on Raw
In just two years this match has already lost its shine.
The answer’s simple – give the winner a title shot on Raw the next night. It could become a new crowd-popping tradition in the vein of the Royal Rumble or Money in the Bank.
If WWE had the guts to give it to an up-and-coming talent, it would also be a great opportunity to create a star and an easy way to fire up the already-rabid post-WrestleMania fans.
Sasha Banks turns heel
Sasha’s best work was her heel run in NXT, where she mastered the simple art of old school wrestling villainy.
If Bayley is set to face Charlotte at WrestleMania, the story writes itself – Sasha comes out to congratulate best friend Bayley after winning the Women’s Championship at ‘Mania, then turns on her with a vicious attack.
A heel version of the Boss would be a dynamite addition to the main roster.
Fewer pay-per-views
The new brand split meant a grand total of 15 PPV events in 2016, with WWE banging them out at a rate of every two weeks towards the end of the year.
On top of Raw, SmackDown, NXT, 205 Live, the UK Championship tournament and whatever else WWE surprises us with, even the most hardcore fans can’t keep up.
There are six currently planned for 2017 – if WWE resists adding many more (12 would be more reasonable), it would help storylines build too, rather than always rushing to the next event.
NXT stays exactly as it is
NXT is perfect as it is – one hour a week, four specials a year. It’s not unlike the model that WWE used in the early ‘90s, before monthly PPVs saturated the product.
WWE might be tempted to add an hour to NXT, but we say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
You could argue that the end of NXT’s “hot period” proves that it is indeed broke, but the promotion is simply rebuilding with a fresh roster. If it’s left alone, NXT could be red hot again by the end of 2017.
The US Championship is scrapped
WWE had too many titles before the brand split. Now, it’s bordering on ridiculous with 12 champions overall.
The US title hasn’t meant anything since John Cena’s US open challenge in 2014 – and before that it hadn’t meant anything for years.
Take the opportunity to get rid of it completely and concentrate on Raw’s Universal, Tag Team, Women’s and Cruiserweight championships – all have much a clearer place and purpose in the current WWE landscape.
Along with Hell in a Cell and TLC
With three HIAC matches on one night, the match has lost its meaning (aside from Sasha vs Charlotte, but only because it was the first women’s HIAC).
Also, with Extreme Rules and Money in the Bank, TLC seems pointless – an overhang from the Attitude Era, which the PG product just can’t do justice.
Bring back HIAC and TLC somewhere down the line, once the mystery and appeal has been restored. But for now, the “New Era” needs some new gimmicks of its own.
Jack Gallagher gets a superstar push
Jack Gallagher has been the surprise hit of the cruiserweight division – and his gentlemanly announcement stating his intention to interfere is inspired.
He’s unlike anyone WWE has ever had in its rings before – he’s also a hugely talented, nails-hard wrestler. If handled correctly, he could be the breakout star of 2017.
Brock Lensar battles Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE almost destroyed Lesnar’s monster aura with his pointless loss to Goldberg at Survivor Series.
The situation’s salvageable if Lesnar gets his win back at ‘Mania, which would ready him for a programme with Nakamura.
The two have history from IWGP over ten years ago, and would make for a dream match.
If “The King of Strong Style” conquered “The Beast” it would establish Nakamura as a force to be reckoned with in WWE.
An end to non-title matches
Has anything done more to damage the credibility of WWE’s champions than non-title matches?
Being a champion should mean you’re the absolute best at what you do, and titles should always be on the line.
That doesn’t mean weekly title changes – it means champions who actually win matches or find ingenious, heelish ways to avoid defeat.
If a champion has to show vulnerability against a challenger – such as Kevin Owens has against Roman Reigns in recent weeks – then the creative team needs to work harder than book another lazy pinfall loss in a non-title match.
An influx of women for NXT
The rumoured women’s tournament could see a whole range of talent arrive from the indy circuit, Britain and Japan – the perfect opportunity for WWE to sign up some fresh blood for the NXT women’s division, which has been flagging since Bayley left.
NXT needs to build foundations before champ Asuka follows Bayley to the main roster.
CM Punk returns
Wishful thinking perhaps? Anything can – and does – happen in pro wrestling.
If the Ultimate Warrior could build bridges and return to WWE after 18 years, then CM Punk can too.
And let’s face it – his MMA career is going nowhere, except maybe to the hospital.
Imagine the pop when Punk’s music eventually hits for a surprise WWE return.
