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As the New Year begins, the expectations are at an all time high with Royal Rumble hours away and Wrestlemania around the corner. This is the time when people predict what might happen in the future. Although you cannot predict a CM Punk ‘pipe bomb’ promo, you can at least predict some of the events you’d like to see, or have the highest possible chances to occur. In this article, I look at the 10 things which will happen in the business, or at least I think will, given the repetition and the no-surprise element in the Wrestling world.
10. Dolph Ziggler wins the World title
The one person I’ve been rooting for, for the past 2 years is still stuck at the same place. How many of us remember Ziggler holding the World Heavyweight title for some mere minutes before losing it back to Edge? If you do, I’d be surprised. No, I would be, I even had to cross check it. The fact of the matter is, Dolph Ziggler (Which I thought was a ridiculous name to begin with, but could only be pulled off seriously by Dolph Ziggler. Who remembers Val Venis?) deserves a top spot in the company, and should have been made the champion long ago. At least after losing to Zack Ryder, Ziggler should have competed for the WWE or the World title. Other than that, Ziggler is arguably one of the best workers in the business. But guess where he ends up? Inspite of holding the MITB brief case, no one can take him seriously with the abominable storylines (Although he has AJ. Who wouldn’t want AJ? Okay, never mind).
9. Dwayne Johnson will go back to Hollywood
Bet no one saw this coming. Ha! Although it’s written in stone, I’d like to prove myself right. So I snuck this point in just to turn back to the Dwayne train (That’s what I call the people who jumped on his bandwagon), and say ‘I was right!’ Okay, being serious, Dwayne will leave the WWE post Wrestlemania to start shooting for his next movie, and after that for another movie. The fact of the matter is, Dwayne is a superstar, just not in the wrestling business. And we have to accept it and move on, and make the business revolve around guys who’re going to stay in the business.
8. CM Punk’s momentum will come to a halt
For the past year, the value of the WWE title increased exponentially, all because of one superstar. CM Punk has been in the business for over a decade, and has earned his reputation travelling and wrestling all around the globe. He was dearly loved in all the independent promotions he worked for, and has won accolades from all the wrestling fans. When he signed for the WWE, many things were said about him. Some said it was a mistake, and the WWE would bury him in the mid card and the lower card, before eventually releasing him. Others said he was too good of a talent to settle for second spot, and that he would claw his way to the top. He proved the latter part, and at one point, was the hottest commodity in the wrestling business. If you knew Punk, you wouldn’t be surprised about that. CM Punk brought legitimacy back to the WWE title. But all that might come to a screeching halt come Sunday. Punk might go on to lose the WWE title to Rock, and if we believe the rumours, Cena will be facing Rock for the WWE title at Wrestlemania. Where will that leave Punk? Only time will tell. But there’s a good chance that the year long run of Punk will come to an end, and if we take anything from the past, the creative will find a way to stop his momentum for good.
7. Cody Rhodes will still be a mid carder
There are only a few people that I cheer for in the business, only those who put time and effort, and are worth giving the ball to. Cody Rhodes is one such aspect. Cody has it all; the charisma, the mic skills and the in-ring skills to become a top guy in the company. But the WWE heads always seem to find a way to put his ‘hot run’ on the back burner. Cody was even cheered by the WWE Universe during his run as the bad guy, or his moustache being more over than Sheamus in a match. But the point is, it is high time that a guy like Cody Rhodes gets his due in the spotlight, to become a main eventer. You cannot build the future with guys from the past. And that is what WWE will soon realize. With the emergence of young blood in the business, it’s hard to see Cody going anywhere in the main event scene. WWE has never come up with a good storyline for his individual run, and I suspect it’ll continue even this year.
6. Rise of Dean Ambrose
This is one potential truth that has me excited. I’m a huge fan of Dean Ambrose. I’ve followed his career in CZW as well, and I always thought this was THE guy for the future. When people say, ‘Oh there can’t be Roddy Pipers in this business anymore’, I like taking this guy’s example. He’s one guy who legitimately looks like a maniac, and has all the tools to get to the top and become one of the top names in the company very soon. It’s not often that you get a combination of Foley-Piper-Flair. Dean Ambrose has proved how crazy he can be in CZW, and I’m looking forward to him breaking out of The Shield this year and start his individual career. It’s not a secret that the WWE creative breaks up stables and make them seem pointless, but this time, they actually will have a good point when they do that.
5. John Cena will be back in the main event picture
It’s a rare occurrence that Cena wasn’t the WWE Champion at least at one point last year. This can be made into a storyline, about how Cena needs to win over the Rock at Wrestlemania, and after he does, he will get back into the title picture. If the rumours are true, Rock will be beating Punk at the Rumble and will drop the title to Cena at Wrestlemania, and I’m against both the scenarios, but it does look like that is where the WWE Creative are heading at. Either way, look out for Cena adding more runs under his belt, literally.
4. Randy Orton getting back into the title picture
Here’s one other guy who had a very subtle year in 2012. Randy has always been seen as the future of the business, and even though he has acted irresponsibly, or has been downright boring before his Viper gimmick, he has always been given an easy life. Even after having multiple strikes against his name, and being well known for his tantrums, the WWE has always shown faith in Orton. But 2012 was filled with injuries and time offs for Randy. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get back into the title picture by Wrestlemania time. I’d say he’ll get back into the title scene, and will win the WHC back this year by Summerslam.
3. TNA will receive the same numbers in viewership
Let me admit, I was a huge fan of TNA back in its heyday. From ‘04 to good part of ’09, TNA gradually built its viewership and fan base, and was flourishing with young stars and good storylines. And then came the Hulkster with his stooges, and like most ardent fans, I lost interest in the product. I remember Hulk Hogan’s claims during his addressing speech. He said he’d bring the ratings to 3.0, and would quit if he couldn’t do that till his first term. Well, not only did he fail in both of those, but he also has taken the spotlight off the main stays and brought in ex-WWE guys, and halted pushes of guys who were flourishing. It’s not surprising then that TNA has been stuck between the viewership of 1.1-1.4 for the past 3-4 years. And since it doesn’t look like the new year will make any difference, I’ll throw a dice and say it’s going to be the same until Hulk eventually takes his ball home. It’s a sad state of affairs, and Dixie should hand over the company to someone who can actually run it (Jim Cornette, get yourself back in TNA!)
2. Hulk Hogan will turn heel
I’m almost laughing as I write this. Hogan, who was relevant in the business about 2 decades ago, recently voiced his interest in becoming the TNA World champion soon. And you ask me why this company is going down the toilet?! Anyway, living in the world of Hogan, he will think for the business to shake up, he should turn heel, and possibly reveal himself to be the head of Aces and 8s. Now, either I’ve gone insane to even think of this, or I’ve seen too much of Hogan. I guess the answer is the latter. So my prediction for TNA this year? Better keep that show off the air till Hogan leaves. Or not, doesn’t make a difference either way till Hogan is in the company.
1. Styles and Joe will be stuck in the mid card
And coming down to the number 1 prediction, which wouldn’t surprise anyone, and which is why it is my most favoured, is the fact that AJ Styles and Samoa Joe will be stuck in the mid card, still, this year. Styles and Joe are two of the most respected, talented and under rated superstars in the world right now. Even though Styles will stick to TNA, I seriously wish and hope Joe signs with WWE after his current contract expires. Styles isn’t a guy WWE is interested in, but they are interested in signing up Joe, and they were in talks when his last contract expired with TNA, but he resigned with them. I also hope I’m wrong with this prediction, but we all know it’s going to happen this way.
Those are my 10 predictions for this year. Some of those were honest wishes, some of them were a jab at the superstars. All in all, those are the best 10 possible outcomes this year, and I’d honestly be surprised if anyone of them turns wrong.
