5 Great Rivalries That Will Define WWE In 2018

The WWE is looking good heading into 2018, and although the weekly booking still has quite a few problems, there are some great dream matches they can book. If they pull the trigger on some of these, it could be one of the best years in recent company history. As we mentioned, they’ve got a few problems to fix before WWE can restore the prestige it once held, but the wrestling quality is at an all time high, and these rivalries could exemplify that.

5. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns

This is a match that’s been a long time coming. But unlike most things related to Roman Reigns, fans are actually excited about this WrestleMania 31 rematch, as the first encounter was absolutely fantastic. It may be turned on by the fans because it features Reigns in his 4^th straight WrestleMania main event, but the match itself and the rivalry will no doubt feature some big moments and will get most people fired up. It’s likely to be the only match in the rivalry, but if it lives up to their first encounter, it’s going to be great. It may also be Lesnar’s last match in the WWE which adds even more intrigue and excitement to it.

4. The Great War

‘Woken’ Matt Hardy is finally upon us, and there are many people we can’t wait to see him feud with. If the company gets behind this act the way Impact Wrestling did, his ‘Great War’ will be one of the most exciting things to ever happen in the WWE. Bray Wyatt, Finn Balor and others all seem to be on the Woken One’s list after social media activity, and the list will likely only grow longer. We don’t know the end game for Hardy’s great war, but one thing is for certain, it’s going to set Raw on fire, and there will finally be something worth watching each and every week.

3. Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Ever since NXT Takeover: Chicago, following their heart breaking split, fans have been clamoring to see Johnny Wrestling get his revenge on the Psycho Killer and it will happen soon. Johnny has an NXT Championship match in Philadelphia, and as we know Ciampa will be back for Takeover: New Orleans, so expect a set up to that bout over the Royal Rumble weekend. After their incredible run as NXT Tag Team Champions, and a great bout in the Cruiserweight Classic, this should feature everything a rivalry in wrestling needs; emotion, great wrestling and great storytelling. It will likely go down as the best rivalry in NXT’s young history.

2. Paige vs. Asuka

Asuka has recently arrived on Raw after an incredibly long undefeated streak in NXT. Although some of her aura has dissipated (because that’s always what happens on the main roster), she looks like a star, and we are still trying to figure out who can defeat her. Then we saw the return of Paige, and alongside former NXT talents Mandy Rose and Sonya DeVille, they’ve created The Absolution. It may be a long story, but it seems that Paige could be that woman to take down Asuka. It’s going to be a long build, but WWE should do it right. It could go down as the best rivalry of the year, and one of the best women’s rivalries in history.

1. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles

This is the one that wrestling fans have been waiting for ever since these two came to the WWE. After a tease at Money in the Bank, it seems WWE is aware just how fantastic this rivalry would be. AJ should be the champion heading into WrestleMania, and a Royal Rumble win for Nak could set up the biggest match possible in New Orleans. While that would be great, it could be just the beginning. The two have amazing ability in the ring, and can adapt to most styles, so their matches would always offer something different. It’s safe to say that this is one of the biggest dream matches and rivalries the WWE have left.