WWE Enters 2026 with High Stakes: Forecasting Major Creative Shifts and Star Ascensions

The onset of a new calendar year frequently marks a pivotal juncture for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), with 2026 proving no exception as the organization prepares for its marquee events. The looming Royal Rumble Premium Live Event traditionally ignites the "Road to WrestleMania 42," a period during which fans and industry observers anticipate a series of blockbuster matches, ambitious creative directions, and the strategic elevation of emerging talent. The past year set a high bar for dramatic narrative turns, creating a compelling backdrop for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for WWE’s creative team.

The year 2025 delivered several indelible moments that reshaped the WWE landscape. Jey Uso, a perennial fan favorite, delivered a shocking upset by eliminating John Cena to secure victory in the men’s Royal Rumble match. Cena, in an unprecedented move for his illustrious career, subsequently turned heel against Cody Rhodes, a development that sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe. This controversial shift culminated in Cena capturing a record-setting 17th World Championship at WrestleMania 41, surpassing Ric Flair’s long-held record. The year then concluded with another seismic event: Gunther, "The Ring General," definitively retiring Cena from active competition, an outcome that solidified his status as one of WWE’s most dominant forces.

As WWE navigates 2026, the creative imperative remains to craft narratives that resonate deeply with its global audience. This includes the potential for further farewell tours from venerated legends and the critical task of identifying and elevating the next generation of main event stars from its current roster of up-and-comers. Against this backdrop of heightened expectations and creative demands, leading sports analysts from CBS Sports have offered their expert predictions for the significant developments anticipated in the coming year, focusing on the continued ascent of Gunther and the potential dissolution of a prominent faction.

Gunther Poised to Continue Legend-Killer Reign

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Gunther’s trajectory within WWE has been nothing short of extraordinary, defying initial expectations to establish himself as a dominant and critically acclaimed performer. Known previously as WALTER during his record-setting 870-day reign as NXT UK Champion, Gunther’s physical style, technical precision, and unwavering intensity marked him as a unique talent. Upon his main roster call-up, he swiftly captured the Intercontinental Championship, holding the title for an unprecedented 666 days, surpassing the 600-day record set by Pedro Morales in the early 1980s. This historic reign cemented his reputation as one of WWE’s most formidable champions.

Despite his undeniable in-ring prowess, sentiment surrounding Gunther shifted significantly during John Cena’s "The Last Time is Now" tournament in 2025. Many within the fanbase expressed skepticism about Gunther being the appropriate opponent to retire a figure of Cena’s magnitude, perceiving a potential mismatch in star power or narrative weight. However, the decision ultimately mirrored the controversial yet impactful move made years prior when Brock Lesnar ended The Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak. While divisive among purists, Lesnar’s victory undeniably elevated his aura as an unstoppable, transcendent force within the industry. Gunther’s definitive retirement of Cena served a similar purpose, propelling "The Ring General" into an elite tier of WWE Superstars.

The retirement of John Cena in 2025 was not Gunther’s sole high-profile conquest. Earlier in the same year, he also retired WCW and WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg, further solidifying his burgeoning reputation as a "legend killer." As 2026 commences, Gunther has already initiated a new pursuit, reportedly targeting AJ Styles. During a recent episode of Monday Night Raw, Gunther interrupted "The Phenomenal One," laying the groundwork for a potential high-stakes encounter. Styles, a decorated performer with championships across multiple promotions including TNA, NJPW, and WWE (where he achieved Grand Slam status), had previously announced his intention to retire from full-time competition within the calendar year. A match against Gunther would serve as a fitting, if brutal, final chapter to Styles’ illustrious career, further enhancing Gunther’s legend-slaying credentials.

Beyond Styles, additional high-profile targets are believed to be on Gunther’s radar. Speculation suggests that Chris Jericho, another industry icon with a career spanning decades and multiple world championships, may be contemplating a return to WWE for a farewell tour. Jericho’s vast experience and ability to adapt to different eras make him a compelling potential opponent for Gunther. Furthermore, John Cena recently indicated that Brock Lesnar, a multi-time WWE and UFC Heavyweight Champion known for his dominant "Beast Incarnate" persona, is reportedly slated for retirement at SummerSlam 2026, an event scheduled to take place in his billed hometown of Minneapolis. This presents Gunther with three highly decorated, uniquely talented legends—AJ Styles, Chris Jericho, and Brock Lesnar—to potentially challenge and overcome, cementing his legacy as the ultimate legend killer and a cornerstone of WWE’s future. The strategic positioning of Gunther against these titans of the industry underscores WWE’s commitment to building new, credible stars capable of carrying the company forward.

The Vision’s Uncertain Future: A Faction’s Potential Demise by SummerSlam

The rise of Bron Breakker has been one of the most compelling narratives in recent WWE programming. As the son of WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner, Breakker arrived in NXT with significant expectations, swiftly establishing himself as a dominant force and a multi-time NXT Champion. His athletic prowess, intensity, and natural charisma have led many to label him as the "Next Big Thing" for WWE’s main roster. By all indications, Breakker is on an accelerated path to championship gold, with many industry analysts predicting he will capture the World Heavyweight Championship, potentially as early as WrestleMania 42.

However, the question arises regarding the long-term utility of "The Vision," the faction that Breakker currently fronts alongside Paul Heyman, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory. While Heyman’s involvement has historically provided a crucial strategic advantage and verbal eloquence to his clients, particularly champions, the necessity of a full-fledged stable for a performer of Breakker’s caliber is being critically assessed. The prevailing sentiment is that WWE would be wise to avoid replicating the narrative structure of "The Bloodline," a highly successful but ultimately protracted storyline that saw a dominant champion, Roman Reigns, frequently relying on factional interference and shortcuts to retain his title. A similar trajectory for Breakker could inadvertently diminish his perceived strength and independence as a world champion.

The more strategically sound approach, according to experts, would be to disband The Vision shortly after Breakker achieves his inevitable championship victory. This would allow Breakker to stand as a singular, dominant force, demonstrating his ability to win and defend the title on his own merits. Paul Heyman, whose expertise lies in advising and advocating for top-tier talent, could seamlessly transition into a dedicated managerial role for Breakker, similar to his highly successful partnerships with Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns. This arrangement would leverage Heyman’s considerable talents without the narrative complications of a multi-member stable.

Should The Vision dissolve, the viability of its remaining members as a cohesive, impactful unit becomes questionable. Without Breakker, the faction would consist of Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory. While each possesses individual strengths—Reed’s formidable power, Paul’s undeniable mainstream celebrity appeal, and Theory’s youthful athleticism and past championship success—this configuration lacks the central gravitational pull of a world champion or a clear collective objective that could sustain a dominant presence on Monday nights. Logan Paul’s part-time schedule, while effective for high-profile appearances, further complicates the consistent narrative development of a stable. Austin Theory, despite holding the United States Championship and Money in the Bank briefcase in previous years, has yet to fully solidify his main event status, and Bronson Reed, while a powerful competitor, has not been positioned as a top-tier singles act consistently.

Therefore, the consensus among analysts suggests that WWE should begin strategizing for a near future without The Vision as a unified entity. The "Bloodline 2.0" comparison, while highlighting the potential for dominant storytelling, also carries the risk of narrative fatigue and the unintended consequence of undermining the very star it aims to elevate. Ultimately, Bron Breakker, with his inherent talent and immense potential, stands to benefit most from a clear, unencumbered path as a solo world champion, solidifying his legacy independently rather than as part of a collective. The coming months, particularly leading up to SummerSlam, will be critical in determining the creative direction for Breakker and the future of The Vision.

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