To wrap up this frankly exhausting week of content from yours truly, it’s time to look ahead.
Predicting the future in this industry has always been a fool’s errand. The wind changes direction without warning, pushing sure-thing superstars straight into the wall while dragging the supposedly finished back into relevance. Still, I said I’d do it, so here we are: predictions for the next 365 days, made with full awareness that at least half of this will age terribly.
WOW Week Expands
I’m already hearing rumblings about proposed locations for Starrcade, as AEW Director of Operations Shocker has begun sending feelers to the largest arenas in North America about hosting the show. While nothing will ever touch the crowd USWA pulled in India, I’m told the goal is to get as close as reality will allow. The two-million benchmark will never be broken—physics alone sees to that—but apparently that hasn’t stopped Shocker from trying. (Truth be told, there’s a lot of skepticism surrounding the “historic” USWA crowd; many people within the industry feel the number was artificially inflated by Mickey Mouse — something we all know him to be capable of — I’ve even seen some suggest that the show was held in the midst of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which sees millions pack the streets; some have accused Mickey of using the total attendance of the festival to pad the stats, though obviously not everyone was there for the show…)
One location that keeps coming up is Ann Arbor, Michigan, with Michigan Stadium as the venue. The football capacity sits around 108,000, and once you factor in floor seating, a crowd north of 150,000 suddenly becomes plausible. That’s not record-breaking, but it’s still obscene in the best possible way.
There’s also chatter about expanding WOW Week itself, potentially adding a second major show to the calendar. A revival of Epicenter of Mayhem has been floated more than once. Will it happen in 2026? I wouldn’t bet the house on it, but the industry would benefit from coming together more than once a year instead of pretending cooperation is seasonal.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Draft in June — which is somehow only six months away — this could be the most consequential draft yet. Shocker has reportedly reached out to BWM Inc. talent with a warning: exemptions may be reduced. That means stars who’ve spent years assuming they’re untouchable are suddenly being reminded that nothing is permanent. Heads may not roll, but they’re at least being measured for the block.
There have also been quiet conversations between Shocker and Jeff Murrey about reducing the size of the legends exemption category. Nothing is finalized, but the intent is clear. Add in the fact that every year brings more talent into the ecosystem, and each draft naturally becomes bigger, messier, and more dangerous than the last.
I know some of you are thinking it’s too early to be talking about June. I’m just relaying what I know: the decision-makers in AEW and WWE are already looking there, and I’d be stunned if ULW and CME weren’t doing the same.
Another data point supporting this? Starrcade 2026 is shaping up to be loaded.
We already have The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar III locked in as the main event, but I’ve heard that BWM Inc. is planning far more than just “don’t get outshined.” Historically, Starrcade has been treated less like a finale and more like a launchpad. That mindset appears to be shifting.
From what I’m hearing, the goal now is to actually finish stories at the biggest show of the year. If that holds, BWM Inc. may accidentally set a new precedent for how Starrcade is booked going forward.
The ULW Tournament
Trying to predict this tournament this early is another exercise in futility, especially since the entire structure exists to enable chaos. That said, I’m going to do it anyway, because cowardice has never been part of my brand.
The Premier League bracket is absurdly stacked: Brock Lesnar, Bray Wyatt, Kevin Owens, AJ Styles, Dragonfly, with dangerous wildcards like Ted DiBiase Jr. and Brock Anderson lurking nearby.
If I had to guess, the Premier semifinals could look like Brock Lesnar vs. Bray Wyatt and Krusader vs. Dragonfly. Along the way, we may finally get AJ Styles vs. Dragonfly, though my money says CM Punk keeps Styles from going the distance.
The Extreme Bracket is harder to read. It lacks the star density of the Premier side, but that also makes it ripe for chaos. My final four prediction there: Jacob Fatu, Sammy Guevara, Grand Daddy Duxen, and Slammu.
As for the tournament final, my gut says Dragonfly vs. Slammu — a collision course built on two men vowing to reclaim the World Championship. That said, Jacob Fatu vs. Brock Lesnar is absolutely on the table. It could also serve as a full-circle moment for Dragonfly, who built his claim to fame on winning the UWA tournament in what remains the biggest tournament upset of all time.
I still believe the Providence Champion is cashing in on the winner. ULW seems eager to recreate Dragonfly’s UWA tournament success — give him the belt without subjecting the division to yet another extended G.O.A.T. reign. Bookmark this and check back when the bracket inevitably explodes.
The End of the Rock’s Legendary Reign
This one barely qualifies as a prediction: The Rock is losing the WWE Championship in 2026. The real question is when.
Does it happen immediately after he breaks the record, or does he carry it through the season finale? That’s less clear. Everyone seems convinced the reign ends early, but Rock has made a habit of exceeding expectations throughout this run.
Ending it too early could kneecap WWE. Once the belt is gone, Rock likely disappears for a while — possibly longer than anyone wants to admit. For now, he’s still too valuable to let go.
I feel unwell typing this, but part of me wants to scream, “FOUR MORE YEARS.”
The Providence Championship Calms Down
At some point, the Providence Championship needs to settle. In its infancy, the 24/7 rule has been fun — ambushes, interruptions, chaos — but that novelty has a short shelf life.
If every feud devolves into 30 people sprinting to the ring, the belt stops meaning anything. Mid-card championships are supposed to create stability and momentum, not simulate a fire drill.
Used correctly, the Providence Championship could be a cornerstone for the next generation. Used recklessly, it becomes noise. 2026 is when ULW has to decide which one it wants.
Conclusion
If there’s one theme that defines my outlook for 2026, it’s this: the industry doesn’t need more chaos — it needs better follow-through. The shock moments are doing their job. The crowds react. The headlines write themselves. What’s missing, too often, is the connective tissue that turns those moments into something that actually lasts.
WWE has momentum but risks leaning too hard on spectacle. ULW has ambition but continues to mistake unpredictability for cohesion. AEW, even in the absence from this column, looms over everything simply by existing as the standard others react to. The pieces are all on the board. The question is whether anyone is willing to slow down long enough to move them with intent.
2026 has the potential to be a defining year — not because of who jumps where or which record finally falls, but because it could be the year the industry remembers that long-term storytelling only works when you actually commit to it.
If that balance can be found, we won’t be talking about “what could’ve been” this time next year. We’ll be talking about a season that actually knew where it was going.
And if not?
Well… I’ll be here to mop it up.
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 