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'Tis the season once again. It's that magical time of the year for good tidings and joy. The spirit of giving is in the air, and WWE did a fair share of giving the fans what they wanted in 2019. Kofi Kingston completed his 11-year journey to capture his first WWE Championship. Becky Lynch fulfilled her life long dream of being in the main event of WrestleMania, winning the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships in the process.
The WWE Universe was introduced to one of the most complex characters in company history. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt has captivated audiences since his debut, and recently took the Universal Championship from Seth Rollins, a man who has fallen out of favor with the crowd.
The Women's Tag Team Championship was introduced and by year's end main evented a PPV when it closed out the final show of the year, TLC. Not to mention WWE fans in the Middle East were treated to their first women's match when Natalya squared off against Lacey Evans at Crown Jewel. It truly has been quite a year of monumental moments.
Since it is the Christmas season, I decided to look ahead to 2020. A new year brings new opportunites for WWE. What could be ahead? A shock return? Another first-of-its-kind match? A long overdue push for certain a WWE Superstar? I know I have a few things on my wish list. 12 of them to be exact. Here's what I would like Santa Vince to bring to WWE TV in 2020.
#12 Christian inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
Captain Charisma is one of many in a long line of former WWE Superstars that deserve to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Christian, along side his best friend Edge, helped bring the tag team division to new heights during the Attitude Era. They captured tag team gold 7 times while putting on memorable matches with The Hardy Boyz and the Dudleyz, most notably. Their TLC match at WrestleMania X-Seven is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, TLC match in company history.
One could argue Edge and Christian deserve an induction as a team, but Christian accomplished plenty on his own to merit a solo nod:
- World Heavyweight Champion
- ECW Champion
- Intercontinental Champion
- World Tag Team Champion
- Light Heavyweight Champion
- Hardcore Champion
- European Champion
Christian's career "Totally reeks of awesomeness!" I would very much like for him to be recognized this year alongside Batista and the nWo.
#11 Edge returning to the ring; one night only
I did say this was a wish list. There have been a lot of unsubstantiated rumors surrounding the in-ring future of Edge. The WWE Hall of Famer had to retire in 2011 due to complications from a broken neck. That said, there have been a number of reports this year that indicate the Rated R Superstar is ready to make his return. Not only that, but rumors persist that he's apparently been medically cleared by WWE and will be a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble. Edge himself vehemently denied those most recent "reports":
Sportskeeda journalist Tom Colohue told me that Edge does in fact have a desire to return to the ring, but one is not likely.
"Edge doesn't have a record for lying. If he says he's not coming back, that's evidence enough for me. He's been wanting to come back for a long time - he never wanted to go of course - but the WWE doctors won't let that happen. This isn't about a chance for injury, it's about a chance he might die from an innocuous bump in the middle of the ring. Would you take that risk?"
All that said, it is the time of year for miracles, isn't it? We know one thing for sure; Edge has been cleared for some physical contact. He made a surprise appearance at SummerSlam this year and speared Elias. What's stopping him from doing it a few more times?
I would love to see Edge be the surprise #29 entrant in the Royal Rumble. He could spear 5 or 6 dudes and eliminate them. The crowd in Houston would lose their minds as Edge held the ring to himself. The clock ticks down to zero, and out comes John Cena. The two could have an epic stare down, for old time's sake, before Cena eliminates Edge to win the match and head on to WrestleMania.
There is less than 1% chance that this actually happens, but this is my dream booking if Edge were to return. I don't need to see him come back full time and risk catastrophic injury. The man has accomplished everything there is in to do in WWE. Would one more match be enough for the WWE Universe?
#10 Formation of "Team Aaaawww-Hell No"
Daniel Bryan and The Miz have a long documented history with one another. It dates back all the way back to Season 1 of the original version of NXT when The Miz was Bryan's "mentor". The Leader of the Yes Movement lost a match to Chris Jericho on the inaugural episode and was promptly attacked by The Miz afterward. This would eventually lead to Bryan beating The Miz at Night of Champions 2010 for the United States Championship.
Since then the two have been bitter rivals and it has played out beautifully on TV. Even when Bryan was on his three-year hiatus from wrestling, they continued to showcase their hatred for one another.
What could possibly make these foes see eye to eye? A common enemy, of course. Right now both men are embroiled in a feud with "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt. Both men are also older now and have a bit more in common. Being father's could help unite these two bitter rivals, especially when you have someone like Wyatt who's willing to invade the privacy of someone's home.
The story line with The Fiend is likely coming to an end next month as we start on the road to WrestleMania. Bryan, Miz and King Corbin will be battling it out Friday in a Universal Championship No. 1 Contender's Match. Somehow, I'd like to see both the Bryan and Miz get that shot, setting up a triple threat match at Royal Rumble. Wyatt would likely win, but maybe Bryan and Miz could each earn a friend and partner in the end.
Both men will need something to do leading into WrestleMania. Instead of continuing to fight one another, I hope they team up. These two are some of the best workers in WWE, both in the ring and on the mic. Their chemistry with one another is outstanding, and they could breathe some fresh life into the SmackDown tag team division. Heck, they even have some of the same moves. The double Yes Kicks could be a big fan favorite.
For those doubters out there, remember how weird it was putting Daniel Bryan and Kane together? That worked out pretty well.
#9 A Bray Wyatt victory at WrestleMania
Bray Wyatt is the hottest act going in professional wrestling right now and I don't see his reign of terror coming to an end any time soon. Hopefully, it will run all the way through WrestleMania season. The Universal Champion has had a number of high profile match ups in the past. He's taken on The Undertaker, John Cena, and Randy Orton on the biggest stage of them all, but he lost every time.
In fact, Bray Wyatt does not have a single victory at WrestleMania. That's an absolute shame for a performer of this magnitude and ability. The trend needs to end his year. If this isn't the right time for a WrestleMania moment -- while he's at the top of his game -- when is? I don't care if his opponent is Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, Brock Lesnar, Kane, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan or The Boogeyman, as long as Bray is still holding the Universal Championship at the end of the night.
#8 Kofi Kingston gets his rematch
As I previously mentioned, Kofi Kingston had one of the best moments of the year when he defeated Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35. His 6 month run on top came to an unceremonious end when he was defeated by Brock Lesnar in under 10 seconds. Since then, there has been little mention of Kofi as WWE Champion as he has returned to the tag division with fellow New Day member Big E.
Kofi Kingston is a main event player and deserved better than to be fed to Brock Lesnar. Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue recently reported that a future story line for Kofi as a singles competitor was dropped, so it appears that he's staying in the tag division for the foreseeable future. We as a fan base though deserve to see Kofi get a legitimate match with Lesnar. My wish is for that to happen sometime down the road in 2020. I'd also like to see Kofi win that match and become a 2-time WWE Champion.
#7 - Two more dream matches for Brock Lesnar
Both men want these matches, the WWE Universe wants these matches, and I can't see why Brock would say no. So what's the hold up? How many times are we going to see Brock Lesnar take on Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns? The Rey Mysterio fight was a breath of fresh air for The Beast, but let's take it step further.
Both Matt Riddle and Bobby Lashley have been very vocal in their wish to battle The Beast. Lashley said so as recently as last month in a conversation with TV Insider:
“It would be the biggest thing on TV. Probably second to me and Lana making out on TV,” he said. “The fight will be there. I’m in great shape. Brock is in great shape. As the weeks go by, the hardest thing is everybody hates me. But they hate him too, so who’re you going to cheer for? I’m stealing people’s wives, and he is being an a**hole. Let’s just see. I think when the fight comes, they are going to want to see it.”
Riddle, on the other hand, is another WWE Superstar with an MMA background, who says his dream is to retire Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Maybe it's a bit too early for that match. They could, however, meet this year with Lesnar going over. That could set up the retirement match a couple of years down the line. Regardless, there is plenty of time for Lesnar and Riddle to square off. At the very least I hope WWE gives Lashley what he wants this year. A match between those two behemoths would be a spectacle, that's for sure.
#6 Three first-time World Champions
Both Brock Lesnar and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt seem poised for lengthy runs with their respective championships, so it might be a tall task to ask for three first time winners next year. That's not going to stop me from asking for it, because all three are ready. Two of them are long overdue.
Drew McIntyre says 2020 is going to be his year and he seems the most likely of the three to taste gold for the first time. The company is firmly behind the Scottish Psychopath and Vince McMahon himself reportedly wants to see him win his first World Championship soon. This is great news, because McIntyre is the total package. He would make a dominant WWE Champion and a great foe for the likes of Kevin Owens, Bray Wyatt, or my next choice, Samoa Joe.
Samoa Joe is one of the most talented performers in the entire company. His ability to talk on the mic backs up his savage bruiser style in the ring. Much like McIntyre, you look at Joe and just see legitimacy. The only thing holding him back has been his booking and untimely injuries. Until his injury, Joe was losing his big matches more often than not. Despite that, the WWE Universe has yet to give up on him. A World Title run would be the perfect cap to a Hall of Fame wrestling career.
Finally, King Corbin. Okay, hear me out. The dude is insanely talented and has a reputation of being one of the smartest and safest workers in the company. The guy just delivers. He knows how to generate heat, he puts on good matches, and has the most unstoppable finisher in the company. I think all he needs is a legitimate shot at the top to solidify himself as the top heel in WWE. I would love to see what he could do as WWE or Universal Champion.
#5 Make the 24/7 Championship more... hardcore
Let me start out by saying that R-Truth is a worldwide treasure and needs to be protected at all costs. The man can get literally anything over. He deserves all the credit in the world for turning the 48/7 7/11 European TV Championship into what it is today. That said, the title has lost steam recently. We've seen less and less of it on social media and its TV time is significantly dwindling as well.
It's time to breathe some new life into the title, and I think taking it into a more hardcore realm would be a great way to accomplish that. Since its inception the 24/7 Championship has been mainly a comedy act. Scores of Superstars have been chasing the champion around for months now, just hoping to get a sneak roll up victory. Never in the history of the company has the roll up been so deadly, even when the Hardcore Championship itself was contested under 24/7 rules years ago.
Now Santa hitting Tozawa with a bag of toys on RAW Monday is what I'm talking about. That's closer to the content I'm looking for with this championship. I'm not asking for a full flip to the old Hardcore Championship style, but it just seems like wrestlers could be doing so much more to win a title where the rules don't apply. Give me more chair shots, fire extinguishers, and table spots. When Jinder Mahal won the belt on a golf course earlier this year, there's no reason he shouldn't have hit R-Truth with a 9 iron or even run him down with a golf cart, WrestleMania x-Seven style.
I think a guy like Rowan could bring the 24/7 Championship up a notch. Have him win the belt, and then just decimate all the stars that come calling backstage. Rowan's brutality could pull the 24/7 Title up from the ranks of comedy act to a more legitimate title.
#4 One last ride for Broken Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy appears to be close to the best shape of his life and is still way over with the crowd. Inexplicably, he is not being utilized right now. He recently made his long-awaited return to the ring a few weeks ago in a loss to Buddy Murphy. He's lost a few more matches since then, but the crowd still cheers. They cheer because they want this legend to get the proper push he deserves.
Matt was a Tag Team Champion when his brother Jeff Hardy got injured. They had to relinquish the SmackDown Tag Titles and Matt soon disappeared along with his brother. It seems that the company has no interest in Matt as a singles competitor, which is an absolute shame. Fear not wrestling fans, Hardy himself is promising big things in 2020.
Unfortunately for WWE fans, this is quite possibly going to happen with Matt in another company. Hardy's contract runs out early on in 2020 and he seems set to move on elsewhere. My wish is for WWE to realize what that have in Matt Hardy before it's too late.
Give this man a year extension and let him run wild with his Broken Brilliance. I promise it will become one of the most over acts in the company. The success of the Firefly Fun House shows that an off the wall persona can be highly profitable in today's WWE. Matt Hardy is bona fide Hall of Famer and my hope is that he'll get to finish out his career at home in WWE. Hopefully he even wins a World Championship one day, even if the reign is very brief. He truly deserves it.
#3 A Secondary Women's Championship
I understand that WWE has a ton of championships already, but I've been wanting this for a long time. The WWE's Women's Division is absolutely stacked with talent, but for much of 2019, the RAW and SmackDown Women's Titles have been focused around the 4 Horsewomen. Deservedly so, mind you, as they are 4 of the best the company has to offer.
Meanwhile, the likes of Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Natalya, Naomi, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, and Carmella have shifted to the tag division or have been off TV altogether. It's very difficult for the women lower down on the card to get consistent time on RAW and SmackDown unless they are challenging for a title.
For decades, the men have had the Intercontinental and United States Championships, as well as several retired titles, to help build up the younger stars and climb the ladder of success. The women don't have that opportunity.
Sportskeeda's Gary Cassidy recently had the chance to ask WWE's Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon about the possibility of another Women's Title.
In my opinion, there's a pretty big need right now. One big problem is time. Despite 7 hours of live programming every week, there is still too much talent and not enough time for everyone, male or female, to be featured week-in and week-out.
Another problem is the current number of active championships. If you count NXT and NXT UK, there are already 18 active titles. That's a lot for one company. My suggestion: unify the RAW and SmackDown Men's Tag Team Titles and make them floating championships like the Women's Tag Team Belts. That would lighten the load a little, and even strengthen the tag division in the process. It's a win-win scenario.
#2 Four Horsewomen versus Four Horsewomen
I don't know how, but I do know when this match needs to happen. The main event of Survivor Series 2020 should be an elimination tag team match: Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, and Bayley vs. Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir.
I say Survivor Series because that should be enough time to get the 4 Horsewomen of WWE on the same page from a story line perspective. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair have somewhat reconciled their differences, but remain rivals. Bayley and Sasha, meanwhile, have both turned heel and are doing their own thing on SmackDown.
The wheels are in motion for this match to happen, however. The history is there with Ronda Rousey for Becky, Charlotte, Sasha, and Bayley. In the meantime, the smart money is on Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler continuing their rivalry into the new year. The creative avenues exist to get there, especially now that Baszler is no longer NXT Women's Champion. It's all going to come down to if/when Rousey decides to return to the company.
#1 WWE signs Tessa Blanchard
Tessa Blanchard is the best female wrestler on the planet and one of the best wrestlers, period, on television. The daughter of Tully Blanchard has set the wrestling industry on fire this year for Impact Wrestling. Between her excellent work against the other Knockouts and her ongoing feud with Sami Callihan and oVe, Tessa has been incredible.
Her contract with Impact runs through next summer, and whichever promotion she winds up with next is getting a home run hire. Maybe she'll go to AEW like her father, but my hope is that she winds up in WWE.
The match-ups that await Tessa on RAW, SmackDown, or NXT are enough to make you salivate. Tessa Blanchard challenging Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women's Championship? Sign me up! It's far from a done deal though. I fully expect a bidding war for her services and she could ultimately decide to stay in Impact, especially if she ends up defeating Sami Callihan for the Impact World Championship in January at Hard to Kill.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
