The Faction Speculation for WrestleMania 43
The road to the WrestleMania 43 weekend in 2027 is already taking shape. The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is at the center of early discussions. According to a list of potential inductees published by WrestleTalk, several legendary groups are being discussed.
Factions have always defined eras in professional wrestling. The next class could feature some of the most politically complicated reunions in history.
- The Shield (Reigns, Rollins, Moxley)
- The Bloodline (Reigns, Sikoa, Fatu, Zayn, Usos, Heyman)
- The New Day (Kingston, Big E, Woods)
- Evolution (Triple H, Flair, Orton, Batista)
- Nation of Domination (Faarooq, Rock, D-Lo, Godfather, Owen, Henry)
- The Wyatt Family (Wyatt, Harper, Rowan)
Leading the speculation is The Shield. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose changed the trajectory of the industry in 2012. While Reigns and Rollins remain WWE headliners, Ambrose has transitioned to AEW as Jon Moxley.
Moxley stands as a four-time AEW World Champion. His status makes a WWE Hall of Fame induction a major political nightmare.
The Bloodline is another obvious candidate. Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Sami Zayn, The Usos, and Paul Heyman have driven WWE to a massive financial boom. Reigns is a lock as a solo star.
However, inducting the entire faction would recognize the most dominant storyline of the modern era.
The Broken Day and Evolution
A shocking development earlier this year has forced a rewrite of WWE's plans. On May 2, it was revealed that The New Day had agreed to depart WWE after refusing to accept pay cuts. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are set to become free agents, while Big E remains sidelined.
Their departure represents a massive failure in talent relations. WWE is letting a team with 13 reigns as tag team champions walk over budget disputes. The tag division is already struggling, and losing its anchor makes no booking sense.
Despite the split, their legacy remains unquestionable. They are first-ballot inductees.
Evolution is another glaring omission from the Hall of Fame. Triple H, Ric Flair, Randy Orton, and Batista dominated the Ruthless Aggression era. All four members are former world champions who headlined major events.
Inducting them as a unit would celebrate their collective dominance. However, internal politics have kept them waiting.
Attitude and Tragic Legacy
The Nation of Domination is also being discussed. Faarooq, The Rock, D-Lo Brown, The Godfather, Owen Hart, and Mark Henry were pivotal to the early success of the Attitude Era, launching The Rock's rise.
Their work remains a high point of the nineties. They set a template for faction war.
The Wyatt Family rounds out the list. Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan created a unique, dark atmosphere in WWE, standing out in an era of generic babyfaces.
The passings of Wyatt and Harper make this a highly emotional subject. Rowan remains, but the trio's legacy is etched in history.
JBL's Endorsement of Omega vs. Ospreay
WWE Hall of Famer JBL is crossing promotional lines to hype the upcoming AEW World Championship match at All In. Kenny Omega is scheduled to defend the title against Will Ospreay. As Wrestling Inc reported, the former WWE champion gave a major endorsement to AEW's marquee matchup.
The match was set after Omega defeated MJF to capture the gold. Ospreay won the Owen Hart Cup to secure his shot. The announcement has generated massive buzz.
JBL is adding fuel to the fire. Speaking on the Something to Wrestle podcast, the veteran star admitted he does not watch much non-WWE wrestling due to AAA commentary duties, relying on social media clips to track external talent.
Despite his limited viewing, he has seen enough to know they are elite. He praised their work in public statements, calling them world-class talents and noting that this matchup is exactly what the audience wants.
JBL is confident that both are built for this pressure. He knows the feeling of carrying a major show.
"I think these two guys are what people want, and I think they're used to having to deliver. It's a real thing to say, 'I want to be in that spot.' But all of a sudden, you're in that spot, and you've got to deliver. Some guys do, and some guys don't. These guys have their entire career. I think the match is going to be fantastic,"
Omega and Ospreay have a storied history. They faced each other twice in 2023, splitting the victories. The physical toll of those matches was immense, featuring high-risk maneuvers and stiff striking.
This endorsement highlights the quality of the matchup, bypassing corporate tribalism. The expectations are now sky-high.
The Campaign for Tony Khan's Hall of Fame Spot
AEW backstage interviewer Alex Marvez is starting a debate over the legacy of his boss, Tony Khan. Appearing on Tony Schiavone's podcast, as F4WOnline detailed, Marvez argued that the AEW founder should be on the WON ballot. He pointed to Khan's work over the last seven years as a major achievement.
Marvez believes the establishment of AEW is historically unique. The company has survived and grown in a market that was dominated by a single promotion for decades. He believes Khan has earned voter recognition.
"When does Tony Khan start getting consideration for the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame? How much more does he need to do before we start talking about putting him on the ballot? What he's been able to accomplish in the 7 years or so of AEW being around? [It's] Unprecedented for a startup company. And, it doesn't show any signs of slowing down either."
While AEW's initial success was historic, Marvez's push ignores current realities. AEW is struggling with declining live attendance and inconsistent television ratings. The creative output has faced heavy criticism, with storylines often feeling disorganized.
Promoting Khan now feels premature. A promoter must sustain success over decades. Khan's booking has alienated fans.
Marvez also revealed his own voting habits. He admitted he submits a non-WWE ballot because he does not watch WWE. This is a questionable admission for a professional journalist.
Ignoring WWE limits his credibility as an objective voter. Selective viewing creates a massive blind spot.
Jon Moxley's Backstage Reality
Despite his selective viewing, Marvez named Jon Moxley as the most valuable wrestler in the world. He praised Moxley's work ethic and physical toughness backstage. According to Marvez, Moxley's leadership has been essential to keeping AEW afloat during turbulent times.
Marvez noted that Moxley routinely headlines, draws money, and puts on incredible matches. He also described the physical toll Moxley endures. Marvez stated that Moxley can barely walk backstage, limping constantly without ever complaining.
Moxley's physical condition is a problem. His visible limping raises concerns about longevity. His style has taken a massive toll.
Relying on an injured star to carry the company is risky. If Moxley breaks down, Khan has no backup plan. This highlights AEW's roster issues.