Elimination Chamber Predictions

There are approximately 9 hours remaining until the WWE presents in Elimination Chamber PPV. I don't say this often but i need to give the WWE some credit for this PPV. Instead of the normal 2 Chamber matches, we get 1. Instead of the chamber matches being for the title, we get a #1 contenders match for the World Heavyweight Championship. And yet, with this significant differences, i am very interested to see how the match plays out. Well played, WWE. Well played...

Prediction time!

The Miz VS Antonio Cesaro:

Cesero is an absolute beast. I've followed him for years before he even became involved with the WWE (Claudio Castignoli, anyone?). Brute force, great in-ring ability and strong on the mic. I can't see WWE derailing Cesero's role to try and resurrect The Miz's career. By the way, Miz as a face is not as good as i thought it would be.

Winner: Antonio Cesaro

Tamina Snuka VS The Shitty Diva's Champ:

Yep. Don't care, honestly. I used to love the diva's division when it had build, rivalries, and actual wrestlers. Instead we get Tamina, who very few people know, and Kaitlyn, who is greener than baby mucus. It honestly doesn't matter who wins because there is nothing for either of them to go to after this match.

Winner: No one that paid for the PPV. (Kaitlyn will retain, i guess)

Alberto Del Rio (WHC) VS The Big Show:

This is where my predictions get a little crazy. Del Rio is over as a face. I get that. I don't like his in-ring work and i never have. To me, he is sloppy and lame. However, The Big Show will not be in a championship match at Wrestlemania. I do believe they will have Del Rio beat the Big Show after the Big Show tortures Del Rio all match. ADR will find a way to get a quick pin. However, my hope is Dolph Ziggler cashes in to become the World Heavyweight Champion. It sets up nicely for...

Winner: Alberto Del Rio, but Dolph Ziggler cashes in MITB to become new World Heavyweight Champion

Elimination Chamber Match (Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Kane, Daniel Bryan, Chris Jericho):

I am going to attempt to logically break this match down. Please, keep in mind that the WWE rarely does things logically anyways. Also, keep in mind that i have my own agenda based on predictions i have already made. So let's look at each wrestler in the match:

Randy Orton: 

Orton feels like he is just treading water. One week he beats Wade Barrett and loses to him the next. Then he loses to Mark Henry. Then he beats someone else. Then he loses to no-one-in-particular. I can't see the WWE putting their faith in Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestlemania. I do see Orton being on the Wrestlemania card in some form, though.

Mark Henry:

Why not? I've never liked the Mark Henry character but i can appreciate the run he had before his last injury. Here's why i DON'T pick Mark Henry to win. In my eyes, the Big Show doesn't have a chance of regaining the World Title. So, that won't set up a Heel vs. Heel for the title at Wrestlemania. If i am wrong (impossible) and Del Rio retains without Ziggler cashing in, why would they want to put him in another title feud with a super heavyweight? And if Ziggler DOES cash in, there are better matches to be made at Wrestlemania with Ziggler as champion. Sorry, Mark. It just doesn't make sense.

Kane and Daniel Bryan:

I could never see Kane in a championship match again and be happy. Don't get me wrong, he is a good worker and i love what he's been doing. But, his time has passed. I would love to see Daniel Bryan return to the main event. Now just isn't the time. To be honest, i see these two ending their Tag Team and fighting it out on the Wrestlemania card. The seeds for this will be planted tonight in the Chamber Match.

Jack Swagger:

Not many people are sold on Swagger. I am. I think his pairing with Zeb Coulter is a great idea too. Swagger is in line for a strong push. Is it a World Heavyweight title push immediately? I sure hope not. That would be jumping the gun. He won't have enough momentum to be taken as a serious threat to the champion at Wrestlemania. I can see him challenging Cesaro in a REAL AMERICAN vs I HATE AMERICANS match.

Chris Jericho:

Obviously, Jericho is my choice, considering he is the last participant that i didn't talk about. Former, multi-time champion? Check. Threat to any title at any time? Check. Strong, surprising return to the WWE? Check. Awesome performance in the Royal Rumble? Check. Pay-Per-View caliber match on Raw against C.M. Punk a few weeks back? Check. This makes even MORE sense if Ziggler does cash in, given their history and feud. Honestly, Ziggler vs. Jericho is going to be on the Wrestlemania card. It's just unknown if it'll be for the WHC.

The Shield VS The Superfriends(Cena, Sheamus, Ryback):

I am not going to break this match down too much. The Shield have been nothing but entertaining, ruthless and downright vicious in everything they've done. They have out-performed 90% of the WWE roster already. I'll say this much. If the WWE destroys what The Shield has going to give Cena and his super hero friends a rub, it'll be a sad, sad day. These kids should win, deserve to win, and probably will win. The Superfriends don't lose anything with a loss to The Shield.

Winner: The Shield (THEY BETTER)

C.M. Punk VS The Rock(WWE Champion):

This is going to be a very good match. Wait, let me rephrase that. This SHOULD be a very good match. The stipulation they added pisses me off, but i don't see it being much of a factor. Honestly, i see it solidifying The Rock when he overcomes whatever craziness C.M. Punk and Paul Heymen send his way. Ultimately, i do see The Rock retaining and taking on John Cena in a rematch from last year. This time for the WWE title. C.M. Punk is such an established star at the top of the card that this loss will do little to hurt him. In fact, i see a significant match for him at Wrestlemania.

Winner: The Rock retains the WWE Championship. 

In addition to predicitons for the Elimination Chamber, here is how i see the Wrestlemania card shaping up so far. Obviously, it'll need updated:

The Rock vs. John Cena (WWE Championship)

HHH vs. Brock Lesner (Vince is my daddy match)

Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler (With our without the title involved)

Kane vs. Daniel Bryan

C.M. Punk vs. The Undertaker

Kaitlyn vs. Whatever Diva is left.

MITB

Raw on the Road to Wrestlemania

After an extended time of not blogging, I'm back to waste 15 minutes of your life again. Today's blog will touch on last night's Raw, the build to the Elimination Chamber, and the ultimate build to Wrestlemania. Let's get too it as I've probably already lost half of you with those first 2 sentences.

Raw 2/4/2013:

I have to be honest. The show had some BIG hits last night. The problem is, however, is that it also had some BIG misses too. Let's review:

Hits:

- C.M. Punk's continued rant about losing his title.  This is amazing work. Punk is always money on the mic and he continues to do so in an emotional and enraged/delusional way. Punk makes that title means something without even having it. Many things relating to Punk made the hits list, including:

- C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho. We were treated, for some unknown reason, to a Wrestlemania caliber match on Raw. A lengthy match with near falls, big moves, fan interaction, and a clean win all got the audience at home and in the arena to invest emotionally. It's hard to name a match in the last 8-10 months that was better.

- Brock Lesner's return has been handled properly. It was kept quiet, it was done with shock value, and it was done with a huge impact. Prepare yourself for HHH to come defend his father-in-law and set up Lesnar/HHH 2 at Wrestlemania.

- A close second to Punk's amazing, continued work is the work of Paul Heyman. The video and denial of working with the shield, enhancing an already dominating C.M. Punk, and trying to control Brock Lesner all show his true talent in the business. You love to hate him or, in my case, love to love him and watch as he slithers away from another devious plot unscathed.

- The Shield is still hot and i love the videos and attacks on the major stars of the company. It was announced last night after Raw went off the air that there will be a 3-on-3 elimination tag match at Elimination chamber pitting The Shield against Ryback, Cena, and Sheamus. I like the idea, i just wish they would have taken it a step further and made it an actual chamber match, War Games style. You can wish in one hand and crap in the other, eh?

Misses:

- Where, in the bluest of hells, was Dolph Ziggler? He is your biggest up-and-coming star and you can't spare a 15 minute segment for a promo? Or a quick match? I hope this doesn't deflate his push. It went from "I HATE CENA" to.... well, nothing really? I know he is going to be displayed more on Smackdown now, but damn. Brutal fail on the part of WWE writing.

- I am glad Mark Henry is back. I really am. I like having some super heavyweight matches. I even like him squashing fan-favorite wrestlers to make his return. What i have a problem with is Rey getting destroyed. We're supposed to believe Rey has a chance to win the chamber? Plus, at this point in time, Rey is made of glass. I wouldn't be surprise if he legitimately misses time from the attack last night.

- I know The Rock brings media attention that no normal wrestler could over bring to the WWE. I know he sells PPV's (somehow) and brings in more casual fans, especially to Wrestlemania. However, I need someone to explain to me how i am supposed to give a damn about the WWE title when it's not on the show. If it wasn't for C.M. Punk, i would have forgotten there even was  a WWE title last night. I was happy to see The Rock return. I am not happy to see he is too busy to actually wrestle. I guess milk commercials are more important than "the people."

Ultimately, the rest of the show was neither hit or miss. It was build to rivalries that could fall into either category. I'll focus more on those as they develop in the coming weeks.

One of my biggest concerns is who will ultimately come out of the Elimination Chamber match the #1 contender for the World Title. We don't know all the participants but I will still give my opinion.

 Either Ziggler, if he is forced to join, or Orton need to win this match. Why? Because I've had enough of the World Title belonging to someone that either panders to a certain ethnic group or a champ the degrades them. Talk about getting some cheap heat or a cheap pop. Ironically enough, it's not getting Del Rio over like they thought it would. The crowd is practically dead when he does anything. I also think his in-ring work as been pretty sloppy. Orton needs something to motivate him. Ziggler can main event any day of the week now. It's time to restore some prestige to the World Title.

All-in-all, the build to Wrestlemania looks good. The return of the Undertaker, Rock/Cena, HHH/Lesner alone is a hell of a show. When you include quality stars such as Ziggler, Punk, Orton, Ryback and the Shield, it can only get better. Let's just hope the WWE plans to avoid crap acts like Kahli, the leprechaun, Santino, Zack Ryder, and 3MB going forward.

Let's Talk Elimination Chamber and Wrestlemania

It's the most exciting time of the year for wrestling fans. The "Road to Wrestlemania" has begun and the WWE should be putting out it's best product for us to watch. Aside from last week on Smackdown, the WWE hasn't disappointed so far. All the stars are aligning (and returning) for this Wrestlemania to be a pretty good card. However, before Wrestlemania arrives, the Elimination Chamber PPV must commence. Let's do a quick rundown of that PPV.

The Elimination Chamber


- Raw's Chamber Match:  The sad reality behind this match is that it really only comes down to Punk or Jericho winning the match. They may not be the last 2 in the match, but it will be 1 of those 2 wrestlers winning the title. honestly, i feel Punk could drop the title at the Elimination Chamber and chase Jericho heading into Wrestlemania. That way fans have a reason to be optimistic and upbeat going into Wrestlemania instead of feeling fearful that Punk may drop the title on the grandest stage. Do i think Punk will ultimately walk out of Wrestlemania with the title? I'll have that prediction in a later blog.

- Smackdown's Chamber Match:  I like this chamber match a lot. I like the combatants in the match... with the exception of The Great Khali. Every ounce of my being wants to say "Who gives a damn." Honestly, everyone should feel that way. I explained why in my last blog and i'm not going to get into it again. I love seeing Cody Rhodes in getting a top spot for the PPV. I don't see him walking out the victor but a good outing is not out of the question. Wade Barrett SHOULD be an exciting entrant. Instead, his character puts me to sleep anymore. His in ring work is getting better but his charisma is going to waste. He may need a change of scenery or a face turn. Keep in mind that the draft is also coming up soon. Ultimately, Daniel Bryan retains the title to face Sheamus at Wrestlemania in a rematch from last year! Wait, what do you mean you don't remember their match from last year's Wrestlemania? Oh, right. It got pulled from the card and was the dark match for the event. It still happened, though. This time we'll get to see it.

- Cena v. Kane (Ambulance Match):  This is quite possibly the worst gimmick match in existence. I would rather see a Viagra on a pole match. Anyway, i expect Cena to finally get over on Kane, rising above the hate, and preparing himself from his match at Wrestlemania against The Rock. Kane will probably continue his feud with Zack Ryder. Hopefully, he also gets that gap in his teeth fixed.

That's the whole PPV card so far. Ironically enough, the IC title, US title, Tag titles, and Women's title are not being defended. I hate harping on this. I really do. However, the WWE has done everything it can to make these titles mean nothing. This just continues to show that they don't care. Yes, i know Cody is in the Elimination Chamber match and i am fine with that. There's no excuse for the other titles meaning so little. I suspect Beth Phoenix may defend her title against Tamina. Exciting.

In other news, it was announced on RAW that HBK will be returning to RAW this coming week. He doesn't really have anything new to promote, so this could set up something interesting for Wrestlemania. I'm hearing rumors that HBK may be the special guest referee for the Undertaker/HHH match. That would be an interesting twist and up the drama of the match from last year. I'll confirm his WM involvement as soon as i can.

In addition to the normal wrestling insight, i am also asking for volunteers. I am looking for readers, wrestling fans, and supporters who would be interested in writing regularly for The Wrestling Genius blog. There are so many options and themes for weekly or bi-weekly columns that you may be interested in. If you are interested and don't have any ideas, just get in touch with me and we can brainstorm. If you have an idea, just pitch it to me and we'll get it posted. Anyone interested can send me a Facebook message, email me at unamiable@gmail.com or tweet me at @unamiable09 on Twitter.

And now...

What to Watch for:


1. HBK on RAW:  I assume he will have some interaction with HHH regarding the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. I also assume this sets him up for being a part of Wrestlemania in some capacity. When HBK is at Wrestlemania, it's electric.

2. Smackdown: I suspect Smackdown will redeem itself a little with this weeks episode. Well, it can't do any worse than last week, right?

3. Kofi Kingston: With Evan Bourne suspended (and maybe more), Kofi is going to be pushed as a single's wrestler again. My gut feeling is that Cody Rhodes drops his IC title to Kofi when Cody gets the call up to the main event roster.

Revamp:

1. Smackdown Status: Seriously, Smackdown has it's own roster of wrestlers. It is it's own brand. Why is it not live? Seriously. People would watch it more if it was Live on a Tuesday night instead of taped on a Friday night. WWE has always said it's because of travel schedules and probably production costs. I get that to a certain extent. However, if they were serious in wanting to increase their ratings and in giving the fans the best product they can, they would find a way to make it live. In addition, it would also take away from Smackdown feeling like the inferior show even when it's not.

2. HoF Match: This isn't exactly a "revamp" as it is an addition. Wrestlemania is epic for many reasons. One of those reasons is it's history with legendary superstars. Instead of having HoF superstars getting into angles with current superstars, the WWE should implement a HoF match every year at Wrestlemania. I wouldn't mind seeing an old school match between Piper and Hart or Flair and Foley. Granted, the legends have to still be able to perform at a decent enough level to throw punches and hit clotheslines and such. Maybe it's just me though. Maybe i just miss the less-spotty-more-technical matches of the past.

3. Announce Team: Michael Cole is less and less entertaining every week. What's worse is that The King is sinking to his level. You can tell that The King just isn't that interested anymore with Cole doing the calling. Booker T's color commentary is acceptable. I just think it's time to take Cole away from announcing for right now. The best time to do that was when he was in his fanboy angle with Miz and, later, Swagger. he could have become an on-air personality/manager and would have made a great character. I don't even know who could replace him at this time. Anyone have Tony Schiavone's number?

Wrestling Quick Hits

Smackdown Review:


- Ugh.. a 4 match show? I thought this was the wrestling show for WWE? Anyways, the Sheamus and Rhodes match was good enough but it was a lose-lose situation. neither wrestler deserved to lose that match because of the progress they both have been making. Sheamus is on his way to main event WM and Cody is well on his way to main event status. Poor booking, in my opinion.

- Henry getting suspended was executed poorly. He broke Big Show's ankle with a chair after a match, but got suspended for flipping Teddy Long's tie in his face. Okay, sure. Teddy Long has worn out his welcome as the Smackdown GM. He screws up more lines than our Executive Vice President of Talent Relations.

- The Barrett v. Orton match was good, but it gave Barrett another loss. If the WWE is hoping to get him into a main event spot, key losses to main WWE superstars aren't going to help. He needs real heat from the fans to become a top heel and he won't get that until he defeats a top face like Orton or Big Show.

- I love Daniel Bryan and I am enjoying his transition into a heel. However, being a vegan doesn't make you a heel. No one is going to hate you because you don't eat meat. Focus on something else. This is basically a carbon copy of C.M. Punk's straight edge lifestyle that he used to either get heat from the fans or win them over. Drugs and alcohol carry more weight than beef and pork.

- Natalya has a farting angle. Yep. Enough said.

RAW Preview (2/6/12):


- I doubt we'll get answers about HHH's decision about Johnny Ace on RAW. HHH said his personal feelings were cleared up and then Undertaker came back. It looks like HHH declined the challenge, but the match will happen at WM. It'll be a cat and mouse situation until then.

- Given where RAW is taking place, it's safe to say we'll see Good Ol' JR (@JRsBBQ) iin some capacity. I would LOVE if he became the new GM of RAW. I have a better chance seeing the Steelers win the Super Bowl tonight.

- Punk/Jericho will build even further tonight. This is going to be the best angle leading up to Wrestlemania story wise. I suspect the "Best in the World" tag line will be the reason for the feud. Jericho (@IAmJericho) always said "I am the best in the world at what I do" and, well, now he's wrestling. C.M. Punk (@CMPunk) claims to be the best wrestler in the world. I can't wait to sit back and watch this one.

- They will further build the Kharma/Phoenix angle. I don't have much to say on this one. Beth should run.

What to Watch for:

1. Punk/Jericho Angle: This match is going to steal the show at Wrestlemania, in my opinion. I know the hyped match is Cena and Rock and that will have it's entertainment value. However, Punk and Angle have a chance to show awesome wrestling skills in an exciting match with 2 of the very best in the business. Pay attention.

2. Cody Rhodes: This superstar has grown in EVERY aspect of the business. He has the charisma, the wrestling ability, the look, and the confidence to be the future of this company. I believe that if Cody stays on track, he'll be holding a WWE or World Title within a year.

3. WWFX: This federation held a show in Manila this past weekend. The show included stars such as Carlito, Billy Gunn, Shelton Benjamin, Snitsky, MVP, Chris Masters, The Hurricane, Melina, and John Morrison. Colt Cabana was also there as a host of sorts. Overall, the show got pretty good marks and John Morrison became the first WWFX champion. Good to see he didn't give up on wrestling all together. I'll be keeping an eye on this federation.

Revamp


1. Natalya's Angle: Are we 5 years old again. Granted, i'm a guy and farts will always be funny to me. But... come on. Really? Embarrassing a professional wrestler and Diva with this type of angle is ridiculous. I'm embarrassed to even watch or comment on it further.

2. Smackdown GM Position: Teddy has held this position forever and it has become pretty stale with him as the character in charge. Time for a shake up! It's easy to say that, though, and not come up with a suggestion for a replacement. There really isn't anyone that immediately comes to mind to run Smackdown after Teddy Long. The grass is always greener, i suppose. I'll give this some more thought.

2. The Great Khali: There really is no fixing this character, to be honest. A revamp wouldn't work. It's time to cut your losses with the big guy and let someone more capable and deserving have his spot. He has no mic capabilities, limited ring ability, and no fan following or heat at all. When people boo him, it's because they actually dislike seeing him wrestle, not because they dislike his character.

Royal Rumble Predictions. New Genius Segment as Well!

The Royal Rumble is upon us. Since the Survivor Series has gone away from the traditional elimination matches, the Royal Rumble has become my favorite PPV of the year. Yes, i like it better than Wrestlemania simply because of how unique and surprising it can be. This year will be no different. The WWE has announced that all WWE superstars are allowed to participate in the Rumble match itself. No one really knows what that means, for sure. I expect it to mean some surprises. Mrs. Foley's baby boy will now be an entrant in the match. I expect someone like Hacksaw Jim Duggan to make an appearance and maybe 1 or 2 other Superstars from the past. I also think they could play an important role.

Beyond the Rumble match are 2 title matches and 1 story-lined match. I will give you my predictions for all three matches, an explanation as to why, and also predict the outcome of the Royal Rumble itself. If you don't want me to spoil the PPV for you, you should stop reading the blog now.  Consider that warning an act of kindness.

John Cena vs. Kane


Well, at least the WWE figured out a way to work Cena's new slogan into a story line. "Rise Above Hate" vs "Embrace the Hate" should actually be fairly interesting to watch. I expect Cena to be violent as he has been, maybe even ultimately costing him the match via disqualification. No, Zack Ryder will not interfere. Not even in WWE stories can a superstar return from a broken back in a week... Well, let's hope not. Anyways, i am going with Kane to win this one in more ways than one via disqualification.

Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry


This one is contested in a steel cage which, I feel, benefits Daniel Bryan the most. Yeah, he gives away size, strength, wing span, shoe size, and everything else you can think of... except mobility. This has been an angle that has interested me a lot more than i expected it to. I think the match will be very physical with 1 or 2 memorable spots. I see Daniel Bryan continuing his character transition into heel, escaping the cage, and retaining his World Heavyweight Championship.

C.M. Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler


This has been the most interesting angle leading up to the Royal Rumble. Johnny Ace, while as boring as the State of the Union Address, has done an excellent job in being "The Man" that C.M. Punk is attempting to destroy. Punk wants change and on RAW i think he gets it when HHH shows up to give Johnny Ace his job review. That being said, i also think there is a chance that Johnny tries to save his job tonight by calling it as fair as "The Man" can. Dolph Ziggler has been nothing but impressive over the last few months and i think this will be an excellent WRESTLING match that could end with a few shenanigans. I expect Vicki to get involved but i also expect to see Foley get involved. Ultimately, "The Best in the World" retains his title and starts building a feud with the winner of the Royal Rumble match.

30 Man Royal Rumble


The most entertaining an unpredictable match of the year is here. There are quite a few favorites going into the Rumble match. However, you always have to watch out for the few Dark Horses who, while maybe not winning the whole thing, will have a huge impact on the match. I am talking about a wrestler like Sheamus. I expect him to eliminate quite a few competitors and maybe even be in the final four. Brodus Clay should have a tremendous impact. While his angle is a little...different, i am a fan of this talent and expect to see more of him (figuratively speaking, please add more tights). I expect Foley to eliminate Dolph Ziggler or vice-versa based on the last couple weeks of Raw. But who do I see as the favorite to win? I can give you three names. Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, and Randy Orton. Ultimately, i think it's Jericho's night and he will headline Wresltemania with C.M. Punk. And yes, i do look forward to that match more than i do The Rock and Cena.

So, those are my "predictions" (truths) about the PPV. I expect a lot of "OMG you were right!" texts and messages. in all honesty though, i shouldn't. After being correct so often, i figured you guys would come to expect it by now.

I am going to start ending the blog with three things or wrestlers to watch out for and three that could use a revamp. I wouldn't mind hearing yours as well.

Watch Out:


1. Chris Jericho: He just came back and is set to main even Wrestlemania in my opinion. If any 2 current superstars can put on a wrestling match and an entertaining match at the same time, it's Punk and Jericho.

2. Brodus Clay: The WWE is big on this big superstar and he is starting to grow on me. I like how he is adding some gimmick comedy to the match while still showing off his agility and power. I look for him to contend for the U.S. Title after squashing (lol?) the entire mid-card.

3. R-Truth: Yeah... he's one of my least favorite superstars over the past year. However, I do like his transition back to a face while still keeping the crazy angle. His in-ring work has improved slightly, but he really needs to work on finding his technical identity. High flyer? Chain wrestling? Submission? Pick something and emphasize it. It will help take you to the next level.

Revamp:


1. Drew McIntyre: This wrestler has the look, the strength, and the "potential" to really make it in the business. The problem is, most wrestlers with "potential" run into road blocks that they just can't seem to overcome. Drew's issue is personality and charisma. Unlike R-Truth, Drew needs an entire identity, not just an technical one. His wrestling skills and power are impressive. His ability to bring his character to life is what is holding him back the most.

2. The Miz: I have a lot of respect for The Miz, his in-ring work, and his tremendous mic skills. The problem is that he has gone stale. Instead of coming out and getting "heel heat,"  I think his heat is coming from the WWE Universe seeing him as a whiner now. His confidence seems to have turned into excuses anymore and i think the fans have lost interest. Allowing The Miz to re-kindle his ego and confidence is all he really needs. His other work is still stellar.

3. Evan Bourne: Well, i know this is where the revamp suggestions go. However, i had to list Evan Bourne here. Evan recently failed his second drug test and has been suspended for 60 days. 2 strikes against you for the SAME thing in the WWE is like signing a death sentence. It shows immaturity and a lack of self-control and responsibility to management. The WWE even tried to work with Evan by NOT having him and Kofi lose the tag titles during the first suspension. Evan is a tremendous talent, but he let management, the fans, and to a much larger extent, Kofi Kingston down. I don't expect to see Evan in a WWE ring again after his suspension.

Take a Moment to Reflect... and Look Forward.

2012 has arrived. At this point, it's time to take a look forward to see where the WWE may (should) be headed. Before i do that, I want take a quick look back at some of the moments that the WWE has provided to us. This will include the "AWESOOOOME" and the "Ugh... really?" moments from last year. In fact, we'll do it by giving away some Genius Awards. Yes, i know. Giving away awards for the year is so original. The difference between a Genius Award and any other award is simple: I'm not biased. Well, at least not completely. We'll start with the typical categories:

Superstar of the Year:     C.M. Punk


- The WWE needed a fresh take on the main event scene. The WWE needed "change." The re-emergence of C.M. Punk to full blown superstar infused the WWE with the change it so desperately needed. He virtually gives "shoot" in-ring promos. He has the confidence in himself and his ability to help carry the company. He knows what the fans want. They don't want PG programming. That's what the Disney Channel was created for. No, the fans want a performer. An entertainer. Above all, the fans wanted a wrestler. The WWE had no choice but to give the WWE Universe what and who they already decided would be the next big name in wrestling. C.M. Punk.

Match of the Year:     Randy Orton VS. Christian


- Any fan that actually enjoys exciting wrestling had to love this feud on Smackdown. It had energy, passion, and memorable moments in almost every match. So, which match is actually "Match of the Year?" All of them. This feud was beneficial to both superstars. It helped elevate Christian to a main-event superstar. It also helped reinforce how far Randy Orton has come as a wrestler and entertainer. It was a feud that lasted months and spanned multiple PPVs. It didn't last weeks. It wasn't filler content. It was a legit feud that was built the right way. A rarity in this wrestling world.

Moment of the Year:     HHH Firing Vince McMahon

-I need to be honest. I didn't see this one coming. And i definitely didn't see HHH taking over for Vince McMahon either. Unfortunately, the HHH era didn't really play out so well. It was hit and miss... with a good bit of miss. However, the moment that Vince was fired was definitely a moment of shock for the WWE Universe. It was a good way to transition Vince off of television and to energize RAW. While the intentions were good, the execution that followed Vince's firing was lacking, in my opinion.

Now it's time for some original Genius Award categories. I know you're excited. Who wouldn't be?

About Damn Time Award:     Zack Ryder wins the U.S. Championship


- The fans were only chanting his name for months. Hell, even superstars like John Cena and C.M. Punk were putting Zack Ryder over on television and on Twitter. So, the WWE listened and gave Zack Ryder a shot. He comes out to one of the biggest pops every night. He has been in multiple main event matches on RAW since winning the title. He hasn't disappointed... yet. Here's hoping he doesn't.

2012 Will be My Year Award:     Cody Rhodes


- I am more and more impressed with Cody Rhodes every time i see him wrestle and every time he picks up a microphone. He has put in the time and effort to make himself better and it shows week in and week out. I see him becoming a World Heavyweight Champion this year if he keeps up his work ethic. I can't wait to see where he goes from here.

Who Gives a Crap Award:     The Diva's Division


- Remember the days of Trish Stratus, Beth Phoenix, Lita, Melina, and Molly Holly? Remember when Diva matches seemed relevant? I do. I remember when the matches were actually entertaining. The problem is, it seems like so long ago. Well, that's mainly because it WAS so long ago. Now the Diva matches are 3 or 4 minutes long. I'm not saying that the matches should be longer now. Given the current talent pool and angles in the Diva's division, I'm worried 3 to 4 minutes is too long.

Thank You, Now Please Take a Break Award:     Randy Orton


- There is no denying that Randy Orton has become one of the biggest superstars in the WWE. He has improved so much from his early days in Evolution. The truth is, Randy Orton and John Cena have carried the WWE on their backs for the last few years with very little help. Orton, specifically, has gone back and forth from RAW and Smackdown when it was needed and elevated that show by being there. He has been an excellent superstar and champion and deserves some time off. Even his current angle with Wade Barrett has been entertaining. He has to be nursing injuries and he has to be exhausted. I'm glad Wade threw him down the steps. Now, maybe he'll get a few weeks or months off and recharge.

Tag Team of the Year Award:  Uhhh...


- There are tag teams?

So, now that we've looked back on 2011, it's time for the Genius to make some bold 2012 predictions. Write these down. They are golden.You may even want to pass them off as your own predictions.

Royal Rumble Winner: Dolph Ziggler


Money In the Bank Winner: Cody Rhodes


Undertaker's WM Opponent: HHH


Match of the Year: C.M. Punk VS. Chris Jericho


Future Endeavored:  Sin Cara


New  Impact Superstar: Antonio Cesaro


Do you have an award that you want to give? Do you have a prediction that you would like to share? Feel free to post them in the comment here or on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/groups/142956149101477/). I have no doubt that your predictions will be total failures, but we all can't be a Genius like me.

Do you use Twitter? Be sure to follow people like @JRsBBQ and @CMPunk. Pure entertainment.

The Long Awaited Return of the Genius.

After a short (long) hiatus, I'm back to discuss the wrestling scene. A lot has happened and a lot has changed since my last entry. Some for the better and some for the ever-loving worse. After the TLC PPV on Sunday, let's take a look around the WWE to see what they've done well and how they have failed. I will also take a lot at some things that i would like to see return or take place.

Done Well:

- John Cena is not the only "face of the WWE." C.M. Punk has established himself over the last few months as a tremendous wrestler, entertainer, and communicator. They gave him another chance with the belt and he has run with it. Thankfully, he has saved us all from the boring, horrendous promos that Alberto Del Rio made us listen to. I guess they don't teach Charisma in FCW anymore.

- Your new U.S. Champion - Zack Ryder. WWWYKI. Finally. Enough said.

- Speaking of younger talent, Ziggler, Bryan, Ryder, and Cody Rhodes have all been impressive. They have shown great desire to main event and have come a long, long way in the last few months. I am especially impressed with Bryan's intensity and Rhodes' overall improvement in every aspect of his character. Plus, Claudio Castignolli is in FCW and will hopefully appear on the main roster soon.

- John Cena. Taking him out of the main event for a while is going to help the WWE in the long run. He doesn't need the title to be loved or hated and he certainly doesn't need the title going into Wrestlemania against The Rock. He can help carry a show and put on good matches without being the center piece.

- The comeback video for January 4th. I like when they build suspense with mystery videos (unlike Kane's return video). Who is it? Undertaker? Jericho? Chris is known for his video comebacks. Undertaker normally shows up around The Royal Rumble to build up a feud to defend his Wrestlemania streak. I can tell you it's NOT Brock Lesner and NOT Dave Batista, contrary to internet rumors. And no, for the love of god, it's not Sting.

Epic Fail:

- I've got a great idea. Let's invest time in Wade Barrett again. What we'll do is have him destroy a ton of opponents, including D-Bry, only to get to Randy Orton and...lose. Orton didn't need the win there. He will be a main-eventer until he retires now. Barrett could have re-established himself with a victory over Orton at TLC. A wasted opportunity to do something good for the business and Smackdown.

- Daniel Bryan cashed in his MitB briefcase and won the title. Don't get me wrong, I love Bryan and think he deserves the belt. My fear is that WWE management didn't have enough faith in Bryan to main event a Wrestlemania match. As excited as i was for Bryan when he won, I just have a feeling it's going to be a use-it-and-lose-it scenario for him. I could be wrong, but when does that ever happen?

- The Diva division. 90% of the WWE Divas cannot wrestle. Some are making improvements like Kelly Kelly and Alicia Fox. However, the 10% that actually CAN wrestle make Chyna look like a Disney princess.

- The Tag Team Division. Well.. what division? Let's just put together multiple single's wrestlers and let them win and hold the tag titles. The hell with actual tag teams like the Uso's and... well, the Uso's. I guess they're the only real tag team. Anyone else miss the days of The Rockers, Hart Foundation, Demolition, Legion of Doom, Natural Disasters, Strike Force and the British Bulldogs? Tag team wrestling is a lost art and it doesn't look like the WWE is in any hurry to find it.

- Kevin Nash. Yep.

Make These Things Happen:

- Bring back the Hardcore Title. The title may not have been the most prestigious belt to win, but hardcore wrestling is not dead. Remember when the 24/7 rule was in effect? Hardcore matches are different, entertaining, and unpredictable. It would add another element to the WWE programming. Although, they may have to go from PG to PG-13, so it probably will never happen. Gosh darn-it to heck.

- Have matches on RAW that last longer than 15 minutes. Punk gets matches that last this long from time to time. However, most of the roster gets 5-7 minutes for a match. I know, I know. The average wrestling fan today has the attention span of 3 year old and pretty much hates technical or chain wrestling. But seriously, 5 minute matches? What about a best 2-out-of-3 falls match between Ziggler and Ryder? How about an Ironman match on RAW? GOOD stipulations will make matches longer AND more entertaining. No one wants to see a Vicki-on-a-pole-match. NO ONE.

- Factions. Not 1 faction, like Nexus. How about feuding factions? How about a FACE faction. When's the last time we saw a successful "good guy" faction? DX? Factions can make for very entertaining television when done properly. If done incorrectly, you get the Spirit Squad...

So, there's my opinion (facts) on a few things happening in the WWE Universe. Gah, i hate that term. I know, you guys are excited to be fed my wrestling knowledge again. It's like Christmas came early. Or whatever holiday you might celebrate. I'll return in a few days to bestow more of my amazing insights into the wrestling world. Until then, be jealous.