Roundtable: 35 Predictions For 2019

David Gibb

1. We will all remain powerless to stop the collapse of the world that’s going on around us.

2. New Japan will promote a women’s match headed into WK14, perhaps for a new Women’s Championship.

3. EVOLVE will officially change its name to “Vince & Hunter Present the NXT Stars You Liked Before Other People Because You’re All So Smart.”

4. AEW devours ROH’s market share and leaves them on the brink of closing up shop by the end of the year.

5. Big Brakkus comeback a la PCO.

Sam Gladen

1. AEW will sign an exclusive TV deal with YouTube Red airing live on their YouTube TV service with VOD on a YouTube channel.

2. Pentagon and Feníx will sign exclusive contracts with AEW.

3. MLW will continue to grow and run a major PPV in New York City.

4. NJPW’s U.S. shows will draw the largest modern arena crowd of any wrestling promotion.

5. The Revival will be the inaugural Tag Team Champions for AEW.

Steven Jackson

1. Living in the U.K., the shadow looming over everyone’s heads and TV sets has been Brexit. For those who have been following Brexit, I don’t think even Vince Russo could have written a more confusing and convoluted storyline if he tried! My prediction is that Brexit will still not be sorted by the end of the year, and we will all still be scratching our heads in disillusionment.

2. I predict that Twitter will finally have an edit button, helping people to type a lot more effectively than they do now!

3. I predict that 2019 will be the year I pass my driving test. Whether I am able to get my car after passing my driving test is another matter, but I predict I will be able to drive at least!

4. I predict that 2019 will definitely be a year of radical change in the pro wrestling industry. With the announcement of AEW launching, ROH/NJPW taking over MSG, as well as WWE looking at creating more international partners, 2019 will be a fascinating year to be a pro wrestling fan.

5. I predict that 2019 will be a huge year for growth at The Wrestling Estate with us gaining more corporate partners, more innovative content and more readership.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZh8yGNUd_4&t=1214s

Chad Gelfand

1. AEW will debut on a major network.

2. Velveteen Dream will debut on the main roster and within a year of his debut will be either WWE or Universal Champion.

3. Becky Lynch will get so big and popular that a small, but vocal portion of the audience will start to turn on her.

4. A member of the New Day will hold a single’s title this year.

5. Drew McIntyre wins the Money in the Bank ladder match.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE35FlzfEV0

Juan Bautista

1. Impact Wrestling will have its biggest Bound for Glory. After the past year and a half of building momentum and putting on excellent shows, Bound for Glory 2019 will be the company’s biggest ever, whether in attendance, buy rate or overall feedback.

2. All Elite Wrestling will be far more ahead than anyone expected. With an already stacked roster, AEW will be making a bigger splash than expected.

3. WWE will be forced to hit the real reset button in 2019. Instead of these McMahon family promos that promise change and never deliver, WWE will have to actually make changes this year. Between FOX wanting 3 million viewers for SmackDown, several superstars requesting their release and an independent scene burning like never before, WWE will have no choice but to shake itself up.

4. NJPW will have a massive independent show in the U.S. by the end of 2019. New Japan has already announced shows in the U.S. during 2019, but they’re going to be like the Long Beach shows. I expect an even bigger show to be held at some point during the year excluding the Madison Square Garden show which is being ran with ROH.

5. 2019 will be an interesting year for NASCAR. With a new aero package for various tracks to improve competition and new faces in new places, this will be probably be the most interesting year in NSACAR’s 70-year history.

John Corrigan

1. Charlotte will hand Ronda Rousey her first loss in WWE.

2. “Retrosexual” Anthony Greene will be signed by MLW.

3. Calvin will finally submit his 20 Greatest Hardcore Champions list.

4. Alicia Atout will win the Knockouts Championship.

5. Sadly, Vince McMahon will finally meet his maker this year. WWE will air a week’s worth of tribute shows with celebrities, legends, creative team writers and even production staff sharing their memories of Vinnie Mac. Stephanie and Triple H will take over the reins of the company, but at the funeral, they’ll reveal that they’ve sold to Shahid and Tony Khan.

Neal Wagner

1. AEW will land a weekly timeslot to produce a show that will be broadcast on Turner Broadcasting, either TNT or TBS.

2. Marty Scurll will join AEW and immediately lay out The Elite for leaving him behind in ROH.

3. Nakamura, Gallows and Anderson will leave WWE and return home to New Japan, creating their own faction of guys against NJPW for letting them leave to go to WWE and letting their names be tarnished.

4. The Undisputed Era will debut on the main roster and within six months will win all championships on one brand during one pay per view. Much like Evolution winning all the titles in one night at Armageddon 2003.

5. Bully Ray will be the one to end Jay Lethal’s World Title reign, immediately spit on the title and walk out of the company as World Champion of ROH.