Tossing Salt Presents:
WWE Day One PPV
Thoughts & Predictions
December 31, 2021
DougMaynard.com

Coming up tomorrow night on Pay-Per-View, The WWE Network, and Peacock is the WWE’s first big show of the year 2022. Live from Atlanta, GA, it’s WWE Day One. Are you ready for some predictions? I fully expect that some matches may change due to COVID and the alleged recent outbreaks among WWE talents and management, but this is the official card as of now. So without further delay, there ain’t nothing to it, but to do it. Let’s go.

Raw Tag Team Championship — RK-Bro (c) vs. The Street Profits

I would love to see Randy and Riddle hold the belts for a while longer if possible. They’re a great team and I love the way they play off each other. Great chemistry. But that being said, I think we’ll be seeing the inevitable break-up of the terrific twosome soon, leading to a match at Wrestlemania. So look for a title switch here and at the end of the night, an RKO for Riddle by a pissed off Viper.

Winners and NEW WWE RAW Tag Team Champions: The Street Profits

Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss

Do I even have to do a prediction here? Moss may have Happy Corbin on his side, but Drew has that big-ass sword and the Claymore. Drew wins.

Winner: Drew McIntyre

Raw Women’s Championship — Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan

Is it Liv’s time to shine? Will Becky even be there since her hubby, Seth, is one of the WWE talents said to be down with COVID at the moment? It’s all up in the air right now, but I don’t really see the title changing hands here unless there is no other option.

Winner and STILL WWE RAW Women’s Champion: Becky Lynch

Edge vs. The Miz

This one would normally go to Edge, but I sense a little foreshadowing and a swerve of sorts. Edge will dominate and have Miz ready to be pinned, but some interference by Maryse will cause a distraction which will allow Miz to capitalize and steal the win. This will lead to an eventual match between Edge and wife Beth Phoenix against Miz and Maryse at Wrestlemania. So I have said and so it shall be.

Winner: The Miz

SmackDown Tag Team Championship — The Usos (c) vs. The New Day

The Usos are the champs, but they lose more than they win and I have a strong feeling that this match will go exactly the same way. I think it’s time to see the New Day start a new year with some new gold belts around their waists.

Winners and NEW WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions: Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, aka The New Day

WWE Championship — Big E (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens vs. Bobby Lashley

This match is another that I’m not sure about as both WWE Champion Big E and Seth Rollins have missed house shows, including the big Madison Square Garden event due to COVID and if they’ll be available at this show is anyone’s guess. I don’t think that we’re seeing a title change here. Big E has done well as the champ and I think that he should hold on to that belt at least until Wrestlemania, but my gut is still saying watch Kevin Owens. I don’t think he’ll win the belt here, but I think he will do something to set himself up as the top contender for the next few shows. Hell, he may even win the belt, but for the sake of a better story, I’ll say not yet. Look for Big E to retain.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Big E

Universal Championship — Roman Reigns (c) vs. Brock Lesnar

Now, this is the big money match that has everyone guessing for this event. Roman also missed some shows over the past week so his status is unknown, but I suspect he’ll be there if at all possible. And maybe we’ll find out for sure where Paul Heyman stands. Is he the Special Council or is he an Advocate? Will he be there for the Head of The Table, his Tribal Chief, or will he be aligned with the Beast as Brock gives Roman a special tour or Suplex City? Brock has already lost once to Roman so I don’t think he’ll take another clean loss here. Roman won the first battle and Brock will win here, setting up a rematch for all the gold, plus maybe another stipulation or two, at Mania. I’m saying Paul Heyman sides with The Beast and we end up with a new Universal Champion.

Winner and NEW WWE Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar

Kick-Off Match — Cesaro & Ricochet vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland

Talk about two unlikely and mismatched teams? When did Cesaro become a good guy and start hanging out with Ricochet? Who the hell is Ridge Holland? What I’d like to see is Cesaro and Sheamus put aside their differences, beat the hell out of both Ricochet and Holland, and reform The Bar, arguably one of the best tag teams in recent history. That would be cool. But what will happen is that this match will be totally forgettable and Cesaro & Sheamus will pound the hell out of each other while Ricochet takes care of Holland in the ring and gives him the pin. And again, absolutely no one cares or gives a damn.

Winners: Cesaro & Ricochet

And there you go. So am I right or wrong? Who do you think will come out on top in each of the matches? Let me know in the comments. And if you have any kind of questions, thoughts, or comments, I want to know those as well so give me a shout. And with that, it’s time to move on. Stay good, safe, and away from the COVID. Happy New Year, my friends. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!