10. KUSHIDA- WWE Cruiserweight Championship

Kushida is a well rounded competitor in New Japan’s JR division that has decided he would like to work stateside. This is good news for WWE, as he could be a great addition to the Cruiserweight division on 205 Live. His contract expires just shortly- the end of January. So, if signed to WWE and placed on 205, I can genuinely see KUSHIDA becoming the WWE Cruiserweight champ by the end of 2019.

9. Apollo Crews- WWE Intercontinental Championship

Apollo Crews is one of WWE’s most undervalued talents since he has not had many opportunities on the main roster to prove himself. Just recently in a match against Dean Ambrose, he was able to showcase his skills. Hopefully the E recognized this, and by the end of the year Crews will be able to hold his first championship in the company.

8. Kazuchika Okada- IWGP Heavyweight Championship

I’m fairly new to New Japan; and I was simply flabbergasted by his prowess in the ring. After Kenny Omega recently lost the IWGP Heavyweight title to Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 13, I can strongly see Okada beating the man he beat to win the IWGP Heavyweight championship a few years ago.

7. Jordynne Grace- IMPACT Knockouts Championship

Jordynne Grace is one of the most talented females in professional wrestling today. She has broken barriers for women in the industry and was even featured in a battle royal at the largest independent pay per view ever, ALL IN, in 2018. Currently signed to IMPACT, I foresee her capturing the Knockouts Championship sometime soon.

6. SAnItY- WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships

Sanity as a tag team was not known to be auspicious on the main roster in 2018. They got lost in the shuffle, and just weren’t being used sometimes for weeks on end. This was a shame since they were one of the more prevalent tag teams in NXT. With their old comrade Nikki Cross soon joining the main roster, hopefully she will join them and kickstart their push to become Smackdown Tag Team Champions in 2019.

5. Adam Cole- NXT Men’s Championship

Adam Cole is no doubt the most acclaimed singles star in NXT and all of WWE right now. In 2019, I lack any incertitude about Adam Cole holding a championship in NXT. He was already an NXT North American Champion, so now I think it is time for Cole to go after the main title, the NXT Championship.

4. Bianca Belair- NXT Women’s Championship

Bianca Belair is the future of the WWE women’s division. She constantly puts in the work and is improving with every match she has. With the confidence she has in her gimmick and the respect from the fans that she has received so far, I will not be surprised if a strap is around her waist in 2019.

3 . Toni Storm- NXT UK Women’s Championship

Toni Storm has been fantastic, dating back to her PROGRESS days. Now signed to WWE’s United Kingdom brand, I feel she will be holding the Women’s Championship sometime in 2019. The NXT UK brand can really be built around Storm, as she has had experience with the business all over the world and is clearly a fan favorite.

2. Jay White- IWGP Heavyweight Championship

Jay White is the future of New Japan. Gedo has showed this by accompanying him to the ring after major victories- just recently over Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 13. The “Switchblade” should have huge plans slated ahead of him for 2019, as Okada is not the only one who he has defeated. White also holds a win over the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi. Maybe he can get another win over Tanahashi, this time securing New Japan’s most prestigious championship.

1. Drew McIntyre- WWE Universal Championship

And now for my most certain prediction, Drew McIntyre winning the WWE Universal Championship. McIntyre was released by the WWE in 2014, and since worked hard to make a new name for himself and has become the next big thing in the WWE. It was teased substantially in 2018, and since, Drew has probably been booked as the most credible stars on the main roster. He is able to back up his promos with his work in the ring because he has beaten nearly ever top superstar on RAW in the past 9 months. I believe McIntyre will be ascend to greatness in 2019, which includes the Universal Championship held high above his head.

This article is purely opinionated and speculation for 2019 based off of my own beliefs. I am eager to know your predictions for new champions in the comment section below!