Our New Year wishlist for WWE in 2017

Barnaby Read 15:38 01/01/2017
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  • We are nearing the end of a madcap year for the WWE, 2016 bidding farewell as we approach WrestleMania season and all the glitz and glamour that it brings with it.

    What it guarantees is four months of furious storytelling as we enter the Road to WrestleMania, with the majority of storylines yet to come to fruition.

    As ever, the Royal Rumble will change all of that.

    Titles will change hands, Superstars will screw each other over and seemingly dead men will rise from the ashes.

    All of which, is tantalising stuff – especially with a locker room so well endowed with talent.

    Speculation will be rife in the coming month and it has given us time to take stock and look at those matches we’d most like to see take place at the start of 2017.

    So, without further adieu, we share five of our biggest wishes for the New Year.

    What do you make of our picks and what matches would you like to see headline ‘Mania?

    We want to hear from you so have your say by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

    GIVE US ROLLINS-TRIPLE H

    It feels like an eternity since Triple H turned his back on his former protege and handed Kevin Owens the Universal title.

    It also feels like it has taken all the momentum out of Seth Rollins’ babyface turn, which was one of 2016’s biggest turning points.

    Rollins has since been biding his time until facing off with Triple H and, while Creative can’t be blamed for waiting until ‘Mania season, it has been too long a wait now and something needs to give.

    MAKE THE MOST OF CENA & UNDERTAKER

    All signs point to John Cena vs The Undertaker at WrestleMania, which has all the makings of an absolute classic should it come to fruition.

    What the WWE must make clear, is the two legendary figures’ roles on SmackDown Live moving forward.

    Both must come out of the dark and a rivalry between the two – with AJ Styles a more permanent middle man – could be just the tonic to sustain the pair’s part-time existences.

    GIVE KO MORE TIME

    It is looking increasingly likely that Owens’ Universal title reign will come to an end at the Royal rumble or shortly afterward, but the WWE must delay the dethroning.

    Owens had so much heat when he took the title but cold water has been poured on his inaugural world championship run, such has the impact of dirty wins and Chris Jericho been.

    The Owens-Jericho feud will be magnificent when it kicks off but, before then, Owens needs a couple of significant wins to put him back on par with the best in the business, or at least look like he is.

    Kevin Owens.

    Kevin Owens.

    GET MORE DEPTH ON SMACKDOWN

    It must be said that the final SmackDown of the year threw up two brilliant stories that does mask this issue somewhat; Baron Corbin looking the part in the Main Event picture and Dean Ambrose-The Miz feuding.

    Both are great for the brand but all this shows is a shuffle in the pack.

    Look at each of the Championships on the show and you will see – bar the tag team division – only two [maximum three] viable candidates for the gold.

    The likes of Samoa Joe, a returning Kurt Angle and Mickey James and some promotions from the 205, NXT and indy ranks could change all of this.

    KEEP ON KEEPING ON

    Most observers will agree that 2016 was a landmark year for the WWE as one of the brightest rosters in wrestling’s history stepped up to the plate, driven by new leadership under new brands.

    The historic efforts of the women must be applauded and none of that momentum should be lost over the course of the next 12 months and the years to follow.

    Likewise, the increased commentary teams, new camera cutaways during TV shows, original WWE Network content and a desire to top every moment of brilliance with the next without patronising your audience and applauding its awareness with added realism should continue to be piled on.

    If the company continues to innovate in and out of the ring like it has in 2016, then we’re all in for a treat.

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