Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.
This week, Dallas Allsopp, Callum Wiggins and Bodeen Green make some bold predictions for wrestling in 2022.
As we say goodbye to 2021, what do we think will happen in the world of wrestling in 2022?
Question 1: Who will win a World Championship for the first time in 2022?
ALLSOPP: I hope that this is the year of Xavier Woods. He enjoyed a strong 2021, securing the King of the Ring crown, whilst also being one of the more prominent stars on SmackDown in the crusade against Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. He would complete the World Championship trio for The New Day, which could lead to some solid storylines. There is every chance he can win the big one, but it needs a lot of stars to align.
WIGGINS: Depending on your interpretation of a World Championship, my safest picks would be Bron Breakker and Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship, and Cora Jade and Tiffany Stratton for the NXT Women's Championship. Although, it is always hard to predict with WWE's liberal attitude to budget cuts.
On the main roster, I honestly don't see who will beat Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship in 2022. Riddle, I believe, could win his first WWE Championship. Liv Morgan and Toni Storm may receive runs as one of the Women's Champions on the main roster.
GREEN: Nowadays, this question is impossible to tell as future stars and champions either get relegated to mid card status, or are released or never shown on television. But for me, I am going with the majority and saying Bron Breakker has a 133 and two thirds chance of winning a WWE World Championship. Breakker has been built like a machine, and whilst old school big man machines have failed in the past, Breakker has the spark and microphone skills to back him up. I can also see Cora Jade getting a small reign with the Woman's Championship as well.
Question 2: Who will be the breakout star of 2022?
WIGGINS: Breakout star of 2022 is difficult to predict because, as noted in my previous answer, WWE reserves the right to release anyone at anytime for any reason. But, I believe the person most clearly destined for success is Bron Breakker.
I can foresee Breakker having a multi-month reign as NXT Champion, before being elevated to the main roster and winning the 2023 Royal Rumble. Both due to his look and talent, and also to demonstrate to people that NXT 2.0 is now geared to molding main roster superstars.
GREEN: The only star I see rising up the ranks is big Bron Breakker. Like I said, the stability of WWE is low, but Breakker is the only person on the roster who looks set to rise through the ranks for the reasons mentioned above.
ALLSOPP: Hook. And I say that purely due to his lineage, and the interest his debut on AEW Rampage had. He could easily become a threat on AEW programming, especially if he is booked as strongly as his father was in the early days of ECW. As Callum alludes to, WWE are not the best at wrestler sustainability at the moment, so I reserve the right to choose a WWE star.
Question 3: Will WWE end 2022 still in the ownership of Vince McMahon?
GREEN: Despite consistent releases and rumours, I still see Vince McMahon running the show in 2022 and beyond. McMahon seems relatively healthy for his age, so unless a unforeseen health scare or problem occurs, I can see him still being in power for a longer time.
ALLSOPP: I’m leaning more towards WWE being sold in 2022. They are releasing wrestlers (and back room staff) at an alarming rate, which points to a sale in my eyes. Depending on the buyer, I am eagerly awaiting what a refreshed direction could do for WWE.
WIGGINS: My stance on this question is a lot shakier than it was this time last year, as many of WWE's behaviors suggest a sale is on the cards for the future.
But, I still believe that, barring any unfortunate health issue, Vince McMahon will still be at the helm of WWE by the close of next year, because I cannot imagine him relinquishing control while he is still 'capable' of running the show.
Those are our thoughts on the issue, but where do you stand?
Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!
Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
0 comments: