Five Predictions for WWE in 2015: Daniel Bryan, Undertaker, Sting, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, John Cena, and More
The year 2015 has arrived, which means a host of different things for different people. For some, it means new beginning and the chance to create new resolutions. For others, it's business as usual. But for wrestling fans and fans of the WWE, it's the countdown to the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and time for new predictions for the year.
Since we like to have some fun around here, we thought we'd offer up our own predictions for WWE in 2015. One year from now, we can look back at this list and see just how far off we were on most of these. Bear in mind these are just our own predictions and, while we may use some rumors or official news from WWE, they are largely our own creations.
1) Daniel Bryan will win the Royal Rumble and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31 from Brock Lesnar.
Daniel Bryan enters the Royal Rumble as one of the hottest babyfaces in the company. By all accounts, he should win the 30-man match and go on to face the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania. And yet, there is another man waiting in the wings whom the fans in-the-know realize is practically destined to win this match and main event the Showcase of the Immortals.
Wait a second, is this 2014 or 2015?
Yes, this year bears an eerie similarity to 2014, when Daniel Bryan was the guy, and the fans all adored him. Yet the company was completely tone deaf and insisted Batista would win the Rumble and face Randy Orton in the main event of WrestleMania 30.
This year, Daniel Bryan is still the guy even though he has been out with a crippling injury for six months, and the fans all adore him. Yet the company is completely tone deaf and insists Roman Reigns will win the Rumble and face the champion (presumably Brock Lesnar) at WrestleMania 31.
There's no way history can repeat itself. WWE can't possibly be that clueless. Batista was booed mercilessly in Pittsburgh last year to the point that he actually turned heel because of it. Philadelphia makes Pittsburgh look like a preschool. The crowd there will eat Reigns alive if he wins this match. Bryan has to win. There are no two ways about it. Reigns isn't ready yet. His time will come, but it's not this year.
I've also heard the theory floated that Lesnar might drop the title to Cena at Royal Rumble, but I don't buy it. Yes, Lesnar is probably out the door after Mania, but so what? We have no illusions he's going to win at Mania anyway. The logical conclusion of his yearlong story arc is for him to lose after the historic year he has had.
2) John Cena will win his 16th championship.
I truly don't know when or where, but Cena will get that 16th title this year. There's no way WWE doesn't let its golden boy at least tie Flair's record. As much as people will complain about Cena as champon, he's still the undisputed top draw in the company. Eventually we'll get to a point where his sole function is to put over other talent, but we're not there yet.
3) Undertaker and Sting will have their double retirement match at WrestleMania.
I have no logical explanation for this one other than "we all want to see it" and "it should happen." I don't care that both men are old and creaky and this match would probably be terrible. It needs to happen just to satisfy the rest of us. Do it.
4) Seth Rollins will become WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
If Rollins were to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Bryan at Mania, he'd be the most hated man in WWE by miles. The other option, which I've touted for months, is Dean Ambrose constantly foils his cash-in attempts, thus making Rollins the first man to lose his Money in the Bank briefcase by expiration.
5) Sami Zayn will debut on the main roster.
Because we'd all be happy then.
What do you think of our predictions? What are yours for WWE in 2015? Let us know in the comments section.