10 Early Wrestling Predictions For 2018

5. Shane McMahon Will Face...

Braun Strowman Wwe
WWE.com

...a heel Randy Orton at WrestleMania 34.

Shane is certain to appear on the grandest stage; he was credited for (nearly) packing the AT&T Stadium in 2016, and is tied to a two-match-per-year performer's contract. He also feeds on the sustenance of glory, so there's also that.

Less certain is his potential opponent. WWE tends not to carry autumn feuds into the spring, an historical tactic that rules out Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Shane relies on the über-talented to make him look good, ruling out Jinder Mahal. This also rules out Baron Corbin - which undermines WWE's pushing policy, but that's another gripe for another day. Dolph Ziggler won't be deemed worthy of a feature singles match on the grandest stage. Ditto Rusev, sadly. A RAW guy might yet take umbrage at the whole #UnderSiege business, but it's far more likely WWE will forget this inter-brand warfare the second Survivor Series fades to black.

Randy Orton has entered witness protection in the face role. A heel turn surely beckons - and so too does the reckoning of Shane's sh*tty worked punches of 2009.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!