This year was my favorite year in professional wrestling because it was the most intentional of my career.
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At the start of 2018, there wasn’t a lot of buzz around me and some people… https://t.co/vICTYIUPT3— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 22, 2018
Implication #1 – Seth Rollins is moving towards the WWE Universal Title picture
Seth Rollins has remained in the Intercontinental Title picture since March and has been the champion for most of 2018. With his impressive showing throughout the year, it’s now time for Seth Rollins to advance towards to the top tier i.e. the WWE Universal Title. Although his rivalry with Dean Ambrose is far from over, putting the title on Ambrose signals that it’s time for Rollins to move ahead and return to the main event scene.
Implication #2 – Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman at Royal Rumble is a placeholder feud for Brock Lesnar
If WWE wanted Braun Strowman to win the Universal Championship, it should have happened at WWE Crown Jewel. A rematch only suggests that Brock Lesnar will retain the title and go to WrestleMania as the champion. We can expect more controversy at the Royal Rumble, which could involve an interference by Drew McIntyre.
The road to @WrestleMania begins at @WWE #RoyalRumble, streaming LIVE Sunday, January 27 at 7e/4p on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/gfBDvzImi0
— WWE (@WWE) December 18, 2018
Implication #3 – The winner of the Royal Rumble depends on the winner of the WWE Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble
The final two superstars remaining in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match will be Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre and the winner is largely dependent on who wins the Universal Title bout.
Brock Lesnar retains his title, Seth wins the Rumble (Probability: 75%):
If Brock Lesnar retains his championship, Seth Rollins shall win the Rumble to go to WrestleMania to face Brock Lesnar and hopefully end his reign to make the title active going forward. Brock Lesnar vs. Drew McIntyre sounds good on paper, but does not make sense from a storyline perspective because both superstars are heels.
Braun Strowman becomes the New WWE Universal Champion, Drew wins the Rumble (Probability: 25%):
The only way I see this happening is if Brock Lesnar refuses to work WrestleMania, which is nearly impossible because of the potential pay-check he’ll receive. Although the odds are very low, if Braun Strowman wins the title, we can expect Drew McIntyre to win the Rumble and face Braun Strowman for the title at WrestleMania as the two still have unfinished business with each other.
Drew McIntyre vs Kurt Angle II at WrestleMania 35:
This is a possibility, in which case either Strowman or Lesnar can win at the Royal Rumble, and Seth Rollins wins the Rumble Match. The way Drew McIntyre humiliated Kurt Angle weeks ago suggests that Kurt Angle would want a rematch against the Scottish Psychopath, which can happen at WrestleMania. However, the possibility of these events look to be very low.
WrestleMania Prediction:
- Braun Strowman vs. Drew McIntyre will take place at WrestleMania 35, with or without the WWE Universal Title.
- Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Title will take place at WrestleMania 35.