Hello all! Although we are two weeks into 2010, I wanted to look back on the year that was 2009. We had a very large amount of wrestling thrown at us, some good and some bad. Most of it was vaguely entertaining even! Now, onto my own personal best of 2009!
Show of the year: WWE Friday Night Smackdown
Was there a better pure wrestling show on TV this year? Sure the year did not start out in the best of shape on the blue brand, as it saw itself playing second fiddle to Raw in the Wrestlemania buildup, but it cam roaring back in the summer. I honestly believe that this may have been Smackdown’s best year since the brand extension. The rivalry between Chris Jericho and Rey Mysterio started things out, with Jeff Hardy and CM Punk also bringing the awesome. In-between there was Edge showing that he is a true brand-carrying star, the constant tease of a Money in the Bank cash in and the emergence of John Morrison. This brand was going at a pace that was too good to last. That would probably explain why the quality has fallen off quite a bit lately. However summer 2009 will always be the summer of Smackdown.
Breakout Performer of the Year: John Morrison
I know that most people are picking either Sheamus, Kofi or CM Punk as their breakout stars, but I believe that JoMo made a huge impact this year. He had always been solid in the ring and came into the year a a part of a legendary heel tandem with The Miz. As they broke up with the draft, Morrison seemed to be on the losing end stuck on Smackdown. This proved to not be true at all as Smackdown became the true A show shortly after Morrison moved there. After stumbling a little bit while finding his face-footing, he rose to become one of the most over stars on the brand. He put on two near perfect matches with Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio and has contributed to the re-elevation of the Intercontinental Championship. He is my pick for future World Champion this year.
Favorite Moment of the Year: CM Punk Cashing In
At some point you all knew that I would find the time to praise Punk a little more. Here it is. Before he even started the amazing series of promos that he cut on Hardy in this feud, he was such a subtle heel. Punk’s turn was one of the best in the last decade because it wasn’t done all at once to be shocking. It was done to make the fans actually dislike him. Compare this turn with Batista’s and you’ll see why this one worked. Batista’s heel turn did not have the time to develop, it was just thrown out there and months later he is still getting cheered. With Punk they took the time to develop something special and that is exactly what they got. This was just the beginning of it, but this moment was a foreshadow of all that was to come.
Heel of the Year: Randy Orton
Many people have derided Orton and HHH’s original run up to Wrestlemania, but beyond the fact that it was too intense too soon, it was great TV. I was one of the many shocked viewers when Vince McMahon was punted in the head before the Rumble. I was even more shocked to see Orton go on to win the Royal Rumble. He has been a pitch perfect foil to John Cena for years, and was fantastic in their never ending feud this year. Orton then worked to elevate Kofi Kingston just by being in a feud with him. Orton was the WWE’s most valuable heel (and believe me, I love Chris Jericho as much as the next guy).
Face of the Year: Shawn Michaels
First of all, I am an HBK mark. I am fully aware of this. That being said, who could have imagined the great work he would put forth at the beginning of the year with JBL and The Undertaker. When Michaels gets into that serious show-stopping mood, he is without peer. This year Michaels inched closed towards the title of best of all time, which I believe he already owns.
Match of the Year: Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker
What can I say about this match that has not already been said? It was simply the best Wrestlemania match of all time. Everything from the video package to the entrances to the match were perfect on that night. I honestly believed that HBK was going to take the streak down. I am anxiously awaiting the Wrestlemania 26 rematch between the two of them. If they can top this classic, I will be shocked. If they can even get close, it will be magic again.
Match of the Year (if the monumental dream match at WM25 had never happened): Chris Jericho vs Rey Mysterio at The Bash
This match was as close to perfect as any match not on this list was this year. In this feud Jericho had the opportunity to be a dominant heel due to his size advantage over Mysterio. Mysterio was also made relevant to fans again as he faced off against a cutting edge heel. Both of these things needed to happen. Rey was stale. He needed this time to reinvigorate his career. The Intercontinental Championship was also elevated to its former glory by having two former World Champions go after it. Their match at The Bash was the best in their series of amazing matches. The end spot with Jericho snatching Rey’s mask was perfectly executed and pushed this match over the edge and into greatness.
2009 was a very eventful year in wrestling. It was truly the beginning of the great choice that is PG programming for the WWE. I mean that. I am tired of seeing wrestler’s die young and this is the beginning of a change in the thought process that led to that. I was sickened on TNA’s January 4th special when a fan was interviewed and said that they wanted more “blood and chairshots in wrestling.â€Â That era is over and I love that WWE is beginning to evolve past that. As always, comments are welcome, but if you’re going to tell me that I am wrong for supporting the “no chairshot, no blood†rule, please save your breath. I don’t care what you have to say. The rest of you are awesome. Thanks for reading!
