2015 was a big year for World Wrestling Entertainment. That being said, we look into our crystal ball and predict five of the biggest WWE storylines that you're likely to see in 2016. Don't say we didn't tell you so ...
Triple H Inserts Himself Into The Royal Rumble
Sometimes, if you want the job done, you have to do it yourself. With WWE making an effort to turn WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns vs. Triple H and the McMahons into the modern-day Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon angle, what better way to continue the storyline than by the Game injecting himself into the Royal Rumble?
The Chief Operating Officer of WWE is definitely in good enough shape to step back in the ring, and we wouldn't be surprised to see Triple H make himself the mystery man of January's Royal Rumble as the coveted 30th participant, using his stature to win the bout and set up a Triple H vs. Roman Reigns WrestleMania 32 match.
Hey, why not? WWE is sorely in need of a jolt in the arm, and this could be it.
Kurt Angle Returns To WWE, Has War With Brock Lesnar
Kurt Angle recently relived the glory of getting to grapple with good friend Brock Lesnar in WWE and abroad in Japan. With his current Impact Wrestling contract set to expire in January, would the former Olympic gold medalist consider a return to WWE to ignite yet another feud with the Beast?
Sure, Angle's bid to secure a part-time contract with WWE — like Lesnar has — failed, but that was some time back. Years have passed, and perhaps Lesnar could help Angle lock down what he's looking for. Even if it's for a one-off at WrestleMania 32, that would be incredible. Angle is one of the few wrestlers out there who can physically push Lesnar to the limit. It's true, it's true!
Undertaker Has Final Match at WrestleMania 32 Against John Cena
Long rumored to be the end of the road for the Phenom, if WrestleMania 32 on April 3 turns out to be the final match of the Undertaker's career, who better to face him than John Cena? This makes great sense just for the fact that there hasn't been a more long-term WWE staple than the Undertaker in the past 25 years and Cena has been the face of the company for a better part of the past decade.
For a minute, we thought, what if Taker would have his final match against the Rock, who announced that he'll appear at WrestleMania 32 in some capacity earlier this week? While the two legends never fought at WrestleMania and the match would sell itself, it's not likely to happen, considering Dwayne Johnson's movie career. Plus, if he were to fight, wouldn't it be a continuation of the storyline with him and Ronda Rousey against Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, which was sort of laid out at WrestleMania 31?
While it all remains to be seen, there wouldn't be a more polarizing figure than Cena to take on than the Undertaker ... especially if WWE writers use the opportunity to not only end the Dead Man's career on a solid note, but give Cena a new identity as a full-blown heel.
SummerSlam Main Event Is Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins
When Seth Rollins tore his right ACL, MCL and medial meniscus in early November, WWE announced Rollins would take six to nine months of recovery time before returning to the ring. Taking the long end of that prediction, nine months would spell an August 2016 return ... just in time for SummerSlam, which returns to Brooklyn's Barclays Center.
Given the fact that Rollins was so triumphant in this past year's SummerSlam, wouldn't it be something if the Architect returns to the same pay-per-view event ... but not just against anybody. We're thinking Daniel Bryan.
Still awaiting medical clearance from WWE — months removed from suffering a serious neck injury and concussions — Bryan is training in mixed marial arts (MMA). WWE already lost one Superstar to the UFC in CM Punk, and it definitely can't afford to lose another. Sure, it's asking for a perfect storm and for the stars to align ... but a Bryan vs. Rollins headlining main event before a raucous Brooklyn, New York crowd at SummerSlam would be amazing.
Samoa Joe Gets Huge Push From NXT To Main Roster
WWE has yet to truly unleash Samoa Joe to the masses. Could 2016 be the year he gets his huge push from NXT onto the main roster and beyond? Tech Times thinks so.
After all, you don't just thrill on the pro-wrestling circuit with Japan's Ring of Honor (ROH) and TNA, having memorable feuds with Daniel Bryan and CM Punk along the way, and being nicknamed the Samoan Submission Machine without getting the chance to shine under the brightest lights around.
WWE has seen early payoffs with Kevin Owens making the jump from NXT. Samoa Joe is next — pun intended.
