2017 started off as a year of high hopes for WWE fans all around the world following a pretty damn good end to 2016 – especially following the Brand Split. Unfortunately, the start to 2017 hasn't been all that great.
The inevitable Roman Reigns push drained a lot of enthusiasm and optimism from the WWE Universe and that coupled with some more then questionable booking decisions has left the WWE in a state of mediocrity.
But, there is more than half the year remaining and professional wrestling fans are hoping for some marked improvement in the product the WWE puts out week after week on Monday nights on Raw, Tuesday nights on Smackdown and twice a month on pay-per-views.
There are plenty of demands from different sections of the WWE fanbase on what they want to see and today we look at ten such things which are hotly anticipated. So, without any further ado, here is a list of 10 things WWE fans are desperately waiting for in 2017:
#10 Adam Cole Baybay
Adam Cole is one of the finest professional wrestlers on the independent scene today and just a few weeks ago after Ring of Honor's War of the Worlds pay-per-view, his contract with the company expired, leaving him as a free agent. Naturally, this began to fuel rumours of Cole coming to WWE.
It seems to be a case of when rather than if he returns, and WWE fans all around the world can't wait to hear the words "Adam Cole Baybay!" on NXT.
#9 Women's Money in the Bank
Money in the Bank is the next Smackdown Live pay-per-view on the WWE calendar and the male version of the eponymous match has already been set up featuring AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and Dolph Ziggler.
I say male version because this could be the year we see a female version of the match.
As women's wrestling has taken giant leaps over the past year, this is the perfect time to introduce a women's variant of the Money in the Bank match at the upcoming pay per view.
#8 Asuka's main roster debut
Playing off the last point, another important moment in the women's division will be the promotion of Asuka from NXT to the main roster. It should be happening sooner rather than later, and the place for her to be is definitely Smackdown Live.
With that in mind, is a possible debut on for The Empress of Tomorrow at Money in the Bank? We'll know soon enough but the WWE Universe can't wait to see the Japanese star on the main roster.
#7 Kurt Angle's in-ring return
Ever since Kurt Angle returned to the WWE – first as a member of the 2017 Hall of Fame and then as the General Manager of Monday Night Raw, there has been speculation that Angle will wrestle one final match with the company before hanging up his wrestling boots for good.
Considering he's in as good shape as he was in his prime, his return to the ring is hotly anticipated.
#6 Broken Matt Hardy
Ever since The Hardy Boyz made their WWE returns at Wrestlemania 33, they have been perched atop the Raw tag team division. But, one noticeable difference between Matt and Jeff in WWE and Matt and Jeff on the indy scene is that they aren't Broken in WWE.
With all the legal hassles involved with the Broken gimmick, it might take some time to sort out, but WWE fans really want to see Broken Matt Hardy and Brother Nero sooner rather than later.
#5 Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn – yet again
Sure, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have been feuding with each other constantly over the years – from their time on the indy circuit to NXT to the main roster – but that's because their feuds are really really good.
It would be an absolute treat to see the pair go at it again and hopefully this time with the WWE Championship on the line.
#4 John Cena's return
Whatever your opinion may be of John Cena, there is no denying that he is a damn fine wrestler as well as one of the most popular figures in the WWE today. The man is a 16-time World Champion, 5-time US Champion and a 4-time Tag Team Champion apart from winning the Rumble and the MITB. Now that he has taken some time off after Wrestlemania 33, there have been murmurs of a potential return in July.
Casual fans especially will be looking forward to the return of The Leader of the Cenation. You know what will be awesome? Cena returning and destroying Jinder Mahal to become the new WWE Champion. Vince McMahon would love it we assure.
#3 AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Despite his less than stellar WWE main roster debut against Dolph Ziggler, Shinsuke Nakamura remains one of the hottest properties in wrestling right now. AJ Styles has been one of the hottest properties in wrestling for a long time now. And, they're both on Smackdown Live.
Having seen their epic matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling, the WWE Universe can't wait to see these two lock horns yet again.
#2 Finn Balor regaining the WWE Universal Championship
Fate dealt Finn Balor a cruel hand when he was forced to vacate the WWE Universal Championship the day after Summerslam 2016 due to injury. Now that he's back in the main event picture everyone wants to see Finn back on top of the mountain.
One of the most popular superstars in the world today, Finn deserves to reclaim the title he never lost.
#1 The Roman Reigns heel turn
Oh come on, what else was it going to be? Just turn him heel already, Vince. Please.
