Mission in Waiting – How will January 2026 End?
I am not going to recap everything that Anthony…covered, but I am going to offer some thoughts here as to what I can see coming next.
For starters, let’s look at WWE, since the company is fresh in our minds in the aftermath of a blockbuster installment of the Royal Rumble.
Before that, though, let’s just consider that this is the third consecutive WWE Royal Rumble, and I am comfortable in saying it was the best edition thereof, with ripple effects larger than any single WWE event in history.
To piggyback off of something that Anthony pointed out, The Rock’s victory alone at the show has fully changed the conversation in the industry. A reign that will be near impossible to duplicate is STILL GOING, and may not end until Wrestlemania Legacy in the Spring. Hell, it may march forward until the start of WWE’s next season.
Rock will surpass Duxen’s historic reign, and it will not bear the same asterisk, as Rock was a fighting champion in a company with incredible longevity. Honestly, the WWE is the second longest-standing active wrestling promotion since USWA closed in 2002.
The company will reach the three year mark this April 10th, and only AEW stands in their way for the longest active streak, with an anniversary which will mark their fourth year on November 28th.
No company will likely exceed the original WWF under Murrey, which stood tall at least as far back as 1991 until they closed shop in mid-1998, but then again time will tell. Hell, AEW will only be 18 months shy of toppling USWA’s 5 ½ year active streak once they reach the four year mark. So, it isn’t entirely impossible that BWM Inc. could break that record which has survived nearly 30 years.
Anyways, I can see WWE capitalizing on some vital storyline points in the aftermath of the Rumble. IF WWE doesn’t take the week off, Rock will be off until Smackdown, and we will see Seth come out and possibly confronted by Randy Orton. I am still predicting that Orton challenges Rock at WML (shorthand that you should be able to interpret based on the context), but that doesn’t mean we don’t get a fake-out teaser here.
The ONLY way that Orton doesn’t serve as the man to depose Rock is if Chad Gable somehow earns a shot at gold at WML, but we are a long ways away from seeing that pivot.
Natalya dethroning Rhea legit gave me chills, as she has long been deserving of a chance to shine in a STABLE company. Apologies to ECW of the Fourth Era, but Nattie is absolutely going to kill it in this run, and I am here for it.
Joe Gacy returned at the Rumble, and I feel that this still-unexplained split between him and the Hollow will get more TV time in the weeks to come. Gacy may even capture the US strap along the way.
The Van Dams are 100% going to capture the NXT tag gold. That is, unless some other celebrity surprise gets in the way. Never count any eventuality out in this company.
As for the Murrey saga, I will happily stay tuned. I’m just ready to die from laughter here, and I have a good feeling about what this means for the path to Starrcade going forward. I have a lot more thoughts about the developments in WWE as of late, but I will save those thoughts for when we have more happen in the weeks to come!
ON TO AEW, as you know, I was a big fan of Elite Warfare, and now we get the follow-up for that spectacular show. AEW has announced their card for Dynamite tomorrow, and here are my predictions:
In a what is likely the Main Event bout, the Tag Titles will be on the line, and I see no reason to worry for the Briscoes. The battle defending against the Acclaimed will not be easy, but the end result is far from in doubt. Briscoes will win, and then we will probably get a cowardly attack by the Bucks afterwards.
Ken Shamrock will challenge Brodie Lee for the TV Title. The preview offered by AEW seems to want us to think that Brodie may be distracted by Executioner’s betrayal. However, I feel confident that Shamrock will lose. Then again, this match should come with a big disclaimer saying “UPSET ALERT”, because I wouldn’t completely count out the bigger story costing Lee the win and handing Shamrock his biggest victory in nearly 30 years!
Charlotte Flair is set to defend her Knockout’s Hardcore Title against the talented Ruby Riott. Ruby is NOT going to win here, but it will be a fun little excursion. Charlotte will be Knockouts or Women’s Champion somewhere soon, and this reign will continue to she is either up for the draft, a trade, or a major title win!
Cody Rhodes is set to appear after his controversial Warfare win. The boos and charisma will take over the arena, and I am here for it. This heel turn is exactly what we need to see Cody FINALLY get the strap. It’s been fun, Ospreay, but Cody’s era has arrived!
Adam Page is slated to appear, and this appearance will likely be entirely set with a heated encounter with Omega. Their swan song battle is on the horizon. I don’t know who comes out on top with this one, but we will soon see!
Toni Storm is going to be in attendance as well. I am fully expecting this to be a prime moment for Storm to provide a rub for her new understudy: Blake Monroe. Blake is on the radar of EVERY company, alongside Toni. I am beyond excited for this!
Finally, the World Champion, Will Ospreay will be there, and I am ready to see how he reacts to being the LEAST talked about participant of Elite Warfare. This isn’t because of anything he did wrong. Rather, it is a testament to the incredible show the Elite Warfare was as a whole! Who steps to the plate? Do we immediately get an interaction between him and Cody? This will be very interesting.
Now, we pivot to ULW, with a preview for what is on tap this week!
ULW Aggression – 1.26.26
The opening bout will see the 1st Round of the ULW Championship tournament continue as the Extreme Bracket’s 18th Seed Penta takes on the 17th Seed Aiden English! There is a big question as to whether English even shows up for this encounter, as he is presently being hunted by both the Bro Commission and Azazel’s Ultimate Warrior! Penta, for his part, has had an extended rest since he qualified for the tournament. Overall, this will be one to watch closely, as the winner goes on to face the 2nd Seed Sammy Guevara next round!
After that match, the Tag Titles are on the line as Bron Breakker has decided to award his father – Rick Steiner – the other ULW Tag Strap en route to defending the gold against Jurassic Express this Monday. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus are ready for action, as Luchasaurus successfully pressured his partner to challenge Bron directly. There’s a lot of back story here for the most prestigious tag titles in industry history!
In Monday’s main event, we see Sasha Banks defending the Premier Women’s Championship against her former bodyguard, the Ninth Wonder of the World, Chyna! Chyna has been Sasha’s muscle for years going back to 2022 in AEW as Sasha rose to prominence and the AEW Knockout’s Title. Is this the day that Chyna has been waiting for, or will the Boss manage to prevail once again?
ULW Liberation – 1.30.26
This coming Friday sees Liberation – possibly in competition with WWE’s Smackdown – wrapping up the ULW Undisputed Championship tournament’s first round!
The opening tournament bout of the night will see Premier Bracket’s 20th Seed Earthquake taking on Straight Edge Society and 19th Seed Jake Hagar keeping hope alive for CM Punk. Whoever wins here has the nightmarish task of battling Brock Lesnar in the second round!
Then, the night and week close with the Extreme Bracket’s 20th Mojo Rawley taking on the 19th Seed and YET ANOTHER Straight Edge Society member, Magog for the right to battle Jacob Fatu in the second round!
All in all, a fun week planned ahead for ULW with consequences galore, and then next week sees the kick off of the high-stakes second round of this title tournament!
Before I close for the weekend, here’s a preview of what the Second Round has in store for us so far:
In the Premier Bracket –
Lesnar v. Earthquake/Jake Hagar
Ghost Rider v. Shawn Spears
Tyler Bate v. Kevin Owens
Owen Hart v. Bray Wyatt
Brock Anderson v. Roderick Strong
Krusader v. Jungle Boy
AJ Styles v. Ted Dibiase Jr.
And, Dragonfly v. Ron Killings!
In the Extreme Bracket –
Jacob Fatu v. Mojo Rawley/Magog
Umaga v. Jerry Lawler
Edge v. Frank Shamrock
Sammy Guevara v. Penta/Aiden English
Darby Allin v. Yokozuna
Leonardo v. Granddaddy Duxen
Drew McIntyre v. Lexis King
And, Slammu v. Lance Archer!
This is STILL anyone’s tournament to win!
Until our next Quest, this has been Johnny with yet another mission!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 