10 Early Wrestling Predictions For 2019

6. But WWE WILL Do Right By...

Kenny Omega WWE 3
Oli Sander / The Ringside Perspective

...Matt Riddle.

If they don't, pack it in now. Cancel your WWE Network subscription. If you aren't a fan of the Roman Reigns-dominated direction, and Vince McMahon doesn't see the star potential in Matt Riddle, we're in for years and years more of it. Roman is 33 years old. The 2020's will follow the same, deadening pattern of the 2020s. Riddle, however, is the last chance representing any interface between the office and the public.

Riddle is a shredded physical specimen. He comes to WWE equipped with notorious ass-kicking credentials. His unique matches are as believable as they are entertaining. He followed Vince McMahon's own notorious "big smile out there" directive well before WWE signed him on the dotted line, and they signed him in spite of sponsor-triggering concerns over his recreational marijuana habit. This won't hamper his chances; the so-called "pot tax" is, literally, a small price to pay.

With an Apollo Crews-esque insta-promotion, Matt Riddle will enjoy massive but fleeting success in NXT before Vince sees his megastar potential and positions him as Roman's equal on the SmackDown brand. Vince famously danced to the New Day's entrance theme; you can readily imagine him shouting "Bro! Bro! Bro!" alongside everybody else magnetised by Riddle's easygoing but potent blend of charisma.

Cruel optimism drives this prediction. With star power that bright, it won't, or shouldn't, matter how dark things are.

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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!