What do you expect from the following people this year. (10k!)

[Dave Youell]

I’ve got 10,000 posts yey!

Right then,

Over the course of the next 12 months what do you expect to happen to the following people (i.e position in the card, title’s held, notable feuds, what brand they will be on) I’ll revisit this thread in December for a review, you don’t have to do all of them if you can’t be arsed, I’ve tried to include all the main players currently on each roster:

Raw:
Cena
Lashley
HHH
HBK
Kennedy
Jeff Hardy
Umaga
Y2J
JBL
Orton

Smackdown:
Rey
Edge
Taker
Batista
Matt Hardy
MVP
Kane
Big Daddy V
Mark Henry
Finlay

ECW:
CM Punk
Morrison
Miz
Chavo

TNA:
Booker T
Angle
AJ
Daniels
Joe
Roode
Kaz
Christian Cage

Indy:
Brian Danielson
Low Ki
Nigel McGuiness
Austin Aries

I’ll post mine later

[Theo Dious]

Raw:
Cena - Will return, dominate, and draw very little. Definite title run.
Lashley - Same as above to a slightly lesser degree and no title run unless traded to Smackdown.
HHH/HBK - I expect the same from both of them, they'll be the stand-by guys that lead raw through its bigger slumps
Kennedy - Will have a roller coaster of a year and be exactly where he is by the end
Jeff Hardy - A short WWE title run if he can keep himself together
Umaga - Will peter off and be released mid-year
Y2J - Several WWE title challenges, a possible short title run but probably solid upper-midcard status. Traded to Smackdown by the end of the year
JBL - Will oust Orton as top heel. Summertime title run.
Orton - Will descend into the midcard with Jericho.

Smackdown:
Rey - Will lead a revitalized Cruiser scene that people will continue to not give a rat's testes about
Edge - Will break out this year and truly cement his ME status
Taker - Will continue in his current vein.
Batista - Same as Taker with many many title challenges.
Matt Hardy - Will return and continue Smackdown's greatest feud with MVP.
MVP - See above, may see a main event by the end of the year.
Kane - Will continue to be what he has been.
Big Daddy V - Released by the end of the year.
Mark Henry - Injured by Wrestlemania.
Finlay - Turns back heel. Another US title run.

ECW:
CM Punk - A lot of me continuing to not care.
Morrison - Will hone his skills and become awesome. Another ECW title run.
Miz - Will continue to annoy me.
Chavo - Will be used as a legitimizer for ECW.

TNA:
Booker T - Short TNA title run, inactive by the end of the year
Angle - Major injury, possibly life/career threatening
AJ - Will continue to languish in the shadows of WWE's refuse.
Joe - Will eat lots of junk food and be 30 pounds heavier by the end of the year.
Roode - Will continue to be impressive. Nobody will care.
Christian Cage - Will continue to be presented in an infuriatingly confusing manner.

Indy:
I don't give a rat's ass, nor will I.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Raw:
Cena: Comes back on a rampage, maybe even as a tweener. Finds a way to reinvent himself by the end of the year.

Lashley: Gets better and better in the ring, but never breaks the character gap. Turns heel with a manager near the end of 08, and feuds with CM Punk, or a face John Morrison

HHH: Turns heel, feuds with upcoming faces throughout the year... Possibly the one to end Flair's career.

HBK: Turns heel w/ HHH feuds with younger talent. Gets a farewell title run at somepoint, and retires in 09

Kennedy: Solidifies his in-ring character and style, and becomes a on again off again main eventer, like Umaga.

Jeff Hardy: Sticks around the main event scene for a bit, wins the MITB match at Mania, later moves to ECW and becomes champ.

Umaga: Becomes Smackdown Champion shortly after Mania, and has a lengthy reign, eventually turning face.

Y2J: Moves to Smackdown, feuds with MVP, and Umaga near the end of the year.

JBL: The breakout story of the year. Despite not changing his character, the fans start cheering for him. WWE does something smart, and without changing his character, puts him against Orton. JBL wins the title, dethroning Orton, and becomes the biggest face on Raw, keeping his character the same.
Orton

Smackdown:
Rey: Injured
Edge: Lengthy title reign, ultimately drops the title to Umaga.
Taker: Injured, retired in 09
Batista: Loses more popularity, has no real purpose in 08
Matt Hardy: Despite his potential, he doesn't make the leap in 08, and stays a mid-carder.

MVP: Smackdowns breakout star of 08. He'll be huge
Kane: Retires
Big Daddy V: Drifts into non-existence
Mark Henry: Feuds with Umaga
Finlay: Moves to ECW and eventually wins the title.

ECW:
CM Punk: Eventually reforms the Second City Saints w/ Cabana and Ace Steele
Morrison: Turns face, solidifies himself in the ring, and becomes an internet favorite, who the IWC sees as the new Jericho.

Miz: Fades away.
Chavo: Fades away after his one main event push

TNA:
Booker T: Retires after a short title reign.
Angle: Career ending injury
AJ: Fades into the midcard, never really gets back to being a main eventer.
Daniels: Leaves TNA, returns to ROH as a huge heel.
Joe: Leaves TNA, returns to ROH as a huge face. Boosts ROH's popularity slightly.
Roode: Meh
Kaz: Meh
Christian Cage: Floats around the main event, eventually winning the title.

Indy:
Brian Danielson: Match quality wise, has the best year of any wrestler, and has a huge dream match near the end of the year... Also announces that in 2009 he will retire from wrestling. Heavy rumors of a Bryan Danielson Vs Shawn Michaels match in 2009 begin to circulate.

Low Ki: Fades away.
Nigel McGuiness: Takes some time off, and once healing, has an injury free year... Goes back to his pure wrestling style, and once his ROH contract expires, he signs with WWE.

Austin Aries: Becomes the first 2 time ROH world champion.

Jimmy Jacobs: In the ROH shocker of the year, defeats Austin Aries in Aries first title defense. Holds the title the rest of the year, and a decent amount of 2098, having the longest ROH title reign.

The Briscoes: Having done everything they can in the tag title scene, they become singles wrestlers. Eventually, they feud with each other.

Claudio and Chris Hero: Near the end of 08, they sign with the WWE, and the contracts actually go through.

Yeah, I added a few of my own, sue me.

[Stickman]

Not much will change.

[jcmoorehead]

Raw:
Cena - Will return as a face, won't regain title straight away but by the end of the year will be champion again. Possible heel turn but I don't see it happening.
Lashley - Return, get a push and hang around the top for a while. Can't really see him having a title run.
HHH - As someone said one of the stand by guys, probably be given a short title run only to lose it to Cena.
HBK - Same place he is now, can't see him gaining the title would be nice though. Probably have a few high profile feuds through the year and will help get Kennedy over more.
Kennedy - Not a huge fan of the guy but I can see him feuding with Cena by the end of the year.
Jeff Hardy - Given a short title run earlier in the year then going back to Intercontinental level.
Umaga - Will still be around, just.. well being around.
Y2J - Traded to Smackdown, holding their title.
JBL - Feuding with Jericho then possibly retiring again by the end of the year. I can't see him sticking around too long.
Orton - Top heel along with Kennedy.

I can't really say much for the Smackdown guys because I don't watch it along with ECW. However I can see Rey still being a major player over there along with Batista, Edge and Undertaker. To be honest I can't really see much chnaging in terms of Smackdown aside from maybe Y2J being sent over there. MVP and Matt Hardy I can also see being in that upper section but I still think it'll mostly be dominated by Batista and co.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This is what I think will happen, dipped in what I want to happen. Of course, the realistic outcome will be shit, but I don't want to depress myself with my predictions.

RAW

John Cena: Returns after WrestleMania as a guy who is a lot angrier than he used to be. The WWE realises he is not the next Rock, but rather the first Cena, and they have him develop his own personality to connect with the crowds. He wins the WWE Championship as a heel, but the smarks will love his new attitude, and the women and children who love Cena will be surprisingly loyal, and stick with him through it, or at least jump back on at the end.

Bobby Lashley: He does not create too much stir as a face, and he is another guy the WWE turns heel, and realises he is much better at. He comes Vince McMahon's lackey in place of Umaga, and he feuds with Finlay for most of the year. Believe it or not, even though he is statistically above the Intercontinental Title, I see Lashley winning it at some point this year.

Triple H: He is the one to end Flair's career (or he's at least involved in the match), and he gets a little team going with Batista when The Animal is drafted over to RAW. Triple H and Batista have a run with the World Tag Team Championship, but then they lose the belts and Triple H decides he wants to feud with Batista again. This time Triple H gets some wins back.

Shawn Michaels: Believe it or not, I see the DX political stranglehold over RAW ending this year, as HBK actually gets drafted over to SmackDown!. He provides The Undertaker with his first real challenger to the belt, while Edge remains in the scene, and HBK might actually get a second run with the World Heavyweight Championship. He also gets to take some time off, and become SmackDown!'s second "part-time" main eventer, like The Undertaker.

Mr. Kennedy: I honestly don't know with this guy. If he sticks on RAW, it's because the WWE really wants him to main event for them. I think a move back to SmackDown! to join HBK in the main event, and continue their rivalry is as solid as anything else they have planned for him. I think Kennedy has the best shot at ending HBK's title reign.

Jeff Hardy: I really don't know at this stage whether or not Jeff will win the WWE Championship. I'm hoping he does, but my head says to bet on no, even though the WWE might do it just to prove that they can. I see him sticking around on RAW, being joined by his brother, and a World Tag Team Title reign to promote their DVD. Eventually, I see the brothers breaking up, with Matt playing the heel, and them moving into the last quarters of the year with a feud.

Umaga: Vince McMahon decides he does not want the Samoan Bulldozer as his primary hitman, and Umaga is drafted to ECW. He is treated as a much bigger deal there, and he works some greatness with your more capable performers there, like CM Punk, Chavo Guerrero, The Miz and John Morrison. I look forward to the Extreme Rules Match between Umaga and Tommy Dreamer, where Dreamer is "put on the shelf." The talent exchange will also allow Umaga to appear on SmackDown! and work with guys like Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio and The Undertaker.

Chris Jericho: He will not be traded, and will hold the WWE Championship at some point during the year, when he fanfare swells up again. I can see Jericho closing the year as a favourite to headline WrestleMania 25. Rumours might pair up Jericho and Cena as your WMXXV main event.

JBL: I don't seem him closing the year out as a wrestler. Eventually, his body begins to catch up with him, and Vince realises he is much better as a commentator than a wrestler. He will get paid a lot of money (probably moreso than a lot of wrestling members of the roster), to sit at the RAW announce table with JR. JBL will force himself into the broadcast position somehow. Jerry Lawler might stick around as the third man, to keep JR happy, or he could go to ECW as was once rumoured, and Tazz replaces Coach on SmackDown!, pleasing a lot of people there. JR will not like working with JBL, as fresh as the commentary would be, and JR looks like a bit of an anachronism. Rumours begin to spring up that JR will not remain with the WWE long enough to call WMXXV.

Randy Orton: He spends a lot of 2008 feuding with Matt and Jeff Hardy, teaming with MVP to battle them. RKO and MVP might even hold the World Tag Team Championship. Eventually, Orton and MVP develop a rivarly, with neither man really turning, and get to be a part of some multi-man matches for the WWE Title. Orton might end up on either ECW or SmackDown! towards the end of the year, in one of those unexplained moves the WWE likes to pull every now and then.

SmackDown!

Rey Mysterio: I think we will see Rey Mysterio get a solid main event run in 2008, even if he never holds the World Heavyweight Title. I can see the WWE promoting a "Battle of the Human Highlight Reels" between Shawn Michaels and Rey Mysterio, with HBK defending the World Title against Mysterio. Rey Rey might get to win the United States Title from MVP before they decide to move him to SmackDown!.

Edge: A lot of people predict that Edge will be SmackDown!'s man in 2008, but I'm actually guessing he will drop a little bit. I think the draft will actually give SmackDown! and ECW some talent to use. I can see Edge taking advantage of the talent exchange, and sticking his head in ECW for a while, giving them a big heel to work with. CM Punk vs. Edge at some point? I can see it.

The Undertaker: He (unfortunately) wins the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania, and while my head says he goes on to hold the title for most of the year (remember those rumours of a long Taker run last year?), I'm hoping (with a little reasoning dripped in), that he loses the belt at either Backlash or Judgment Day to Shawn Michaels. If anyone is going to end Taker's reign quickly, it could be HBK.

Batista: I see a move to RAW, and a partnership with Triple H, which eventually turns into a bit of a feud, and then Batista tries his hand at winning the WWE Championship from John Cena. They won't wait to WrestleMania to blow this feud, but rather it will be a Survivor Series type program (or something around that time). Batista might also end up being managed by Ric Flair.

Matt Hardy: After moving to RAW and winning the World Tag Team Championship with his brother Jeff, Matt Hardy decides to eventually turn heel out of jealousy, and the two get a real feud this time. Both men are a little better on the mic, and both have improved in the ring, and both are more important to the WWE than they once were. I see their break-up being the closest thing the WWE will have come to duplicating the Superkick and barbershop window toss.

MVP: I see a move to RAW without MVP being lost in the shuffle. This will get people singing MVP's praises louder than ever. I don't see him really etchning his way into the immediate WWE Title scene, but I think come the 2009 Royal Rumble, more and more people will be calling for the surprise MVP win.

Kane: He will continue to become less and less of a presence on the roster, but will get enough wins to surprise some people with his continued overness. I don't see much changing for Kane in 2008, to be honest. :(

Big Daddy V: He will lose to The Undertaker, and the WWE will realise that they aren't as interested in him as they once were. He will begin to slip in stature, and I actually see the WWE feuding him with Mark Henry, with the fans taking Henry's side, including the smarks. People will praise Matt Striker and Henry for making the feud somewhat watchable (Henry gets credit because he is "not horrible" even though he's "not good"). Big Daddy V then gives Matt Striker the Samoan Drop, as they decide to repackage V, and rumours of the return of "The World's Largest Love Machine" pick up.

Mark Henry: I actually see a face turn that leads nowhere. Actually, believe it or not, I see a WWE Tag Team or United States Title reign, as scary as it may be. I think people will actually continue to not despise Henry as much as they used to, but when his contract comes up, he and the WWE will part ways, and people will make jokes about how it is now that he's actually tolerable that he's leaving.

Finlay: I see a move to RAW, and a face push against Vince McMahon as Hornswoggle's big buddy. Behind the scenes, Finlay will work with the women, and help them improve their craft. He will be involved in more "angles," and people will question how well Finlay's character and reputation can survive them, but he holds on, and remains over and working good matches. I think he will win the Intercontinental Title from Bobby Lashley at some point.

ECW

CM Punk: He remains the top guy in ECW, and has a "feud of the year" with Shelton Benjamin, which involves the two working some great matches, including one that surprises everyone with its length, perhaps a 2/3 Falls Match, and a Ladder Match. They might trade the title for a bit. Eventually I see him being groomed for a feud with Edge, which begins at a time where it becomes perfect for a WrestleMania climax, even if it doesn't happen that way.

John Morrison: He refocuses himself, and I actually see him spending more time on SmackDown! than ECW this year, maybe even with an official move. I don't know if he will turn face, but it would not surprise me, although I hope the WWE holds off. I see Morrison and HBK teasing a feud, or maybe even having a match or two to put over Morrison as a "younger version" of HBK.

The Miz: He continues to improve, but gets left behind by John Morrison, and he is left without too much direction at several points during the year. I actually see him hosting the Diva Search again, and kind of going back to square one character-wise, even if he has grown as a performer. He will get to work some matches with guys like Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels, but this time next year, I doubt he will be much higher up the card (although there will be slightly more demand for it, as people realise he is not horrible).

Chavo Guerrero: I actually see a face turn for Chavo, even though he prefers to be a heel, and gets quite a bit of heat from it. He will at least tone down the heelishness a bit. When Gregory Helms returns, I see him and Chavo renewing their partnership, which most have probably forgotten about. I'd like to say I see a lot of good for Chavo, but I don't know. He tends to get dropped by the WWE, a lot. I see a WWE Tag Team Title reign, though, and maybe a run with the United States Title, or even the revived Cruiserweight Title. And once again, he's someone who gets to work with Shawn Michaels and look like a million bucks, and flirt with the main event scene.

[Mr. Nerfect]

TNA

Booker T: I see him and Kaz getting a run as TNA World Tag Team Champions at some point. I doubt he will really get to main event, as even without Russo booking, the main event scene is pretty cluttered. I do see him getting a little disappointed with this, but he sticks with TNA, and works harder with PWA than ever/

Kurt Angle: He will drop the TNA World Heavyweight Title before Slammiversary, and will then undergo a "mid-life crisis" angle, where he drops his wife as a manager, which pisses her off and "ruins his family life," and Russo expects him to get cheered for it. He doesn't get cheered for it, but when he works with some of the younger guys, and the X-Division talent, which he does because he feels older and less validated than he once did, he gets some of his respect back, as he does what he was brought into TNA to do.

AJ Styles: He will end up a face with *gasp* personality, when he and Tomko continue to be entertaining. Their TNA World Tag Team Title reign will last a fair bit longer, but when they do lose the belts, I see Styles working in some great singles matches which remind everyone of why he was so instrumental in getting TNA to where it is, even though they now choose to suck on that platform. Styles will continue to be a goof, but will become more lovable.

Christopher Daniels: He will return, and this time the push will stick. I don't know how it will go, exactly, but I'm hoping we see Angle teaming with him, Daniels playing the protoge in the ring, but the mentor outside of it (giving Angle "spiritual advise"). I see some fun matches throughout the year, with names like Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles being cross-referenced with his.

Samoa Joe: His new character will lead to him getting pushed to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, and he will hold the title for a fair while. Until he loses the belt to Petey Williams. Yes, you heard that right. I think TNA will deliberately pretend that Petey never won his title shot, and then he cashes it in one night in an attempt to shock the crowds. Don West will say "This is so BIZARRE!" Joe will also have a moment at one point during the year where he makes people that are negative on him, like BDC, say something like "I hate to admit it, but that was aactually," or "that actually entertained me."

Robert Roode: Bobby gets Rain on his side, and he finally has a perfect fit for a valet. He continues to be impressive, but he never really gets a main event push. He works with Chris Harris at one point in the year, where he inadvertently provides Chris Harris (who would be aligned with Tracy Brooks) the motivation to get back into shape, by constantly taunting him. Roode will basically do what he is asked to do for the company, and do it well. I can see a TNA World Tag Team Title reign with James Storm at some point during the year, too. Probably near the end.

Kaz: He continues to add more and more credibility to his character, and gets to hold the TNA World Tag Team Titles with Booker T. Eventually TNA does the Russo thing, and have tension spring up between Kaz and Booker, with Sharmell being caught in between her husband, and a guy she really likes (maybe not romantically, but they play up some kind of relationship between Kaz and Sharmell, even if it's like "mother-son"). If things get really Russo (I'm using it as an adjective now), then Booker T and Sharmell might reveal that they can't have kids, and Kaz is the closest thing Booker and Sharmell have had to a son. Hopefully it remains professional, though, and Booker helps Kaz improve in the ring as a guy who can work with heavyweights, and on the mic by giving him a target to cut emotional promos on.

Christian Cage: I see a TNA World Title reign in his future. I also see more guys surrounding him by the time the year is done. AJ Styles & Tomko once again joining the Christian Coalition, is not too hard to see. Another possibility, is some kind of "Team Canada," with Petey Williams and maybe Eric Young. Or a "Team Christian Cage," where Petey and Eric recite a rendition of the Canadian national anthem in tribute to Christian Cage. Of course, AJ Styles could also be a part of this stable, as the Owen Hart of the Nation of Domination. He's a goof, so him not being Canadian while wearing Canadian themed tights would fit.

Indy:

Bryan Danielson: He'll have several more match of the year candidates in ROH, which will still have their detractors who claim he is boring. I'm not sure when ROH contracts come up, but I think they are in 2009. I see Danielson actually leaving for the WWE when his deal expires, unless ROH really continues to grow.

Low Ki: He'll work in Japan and PWG, and then I see him either going to ROH or the WWE. It's hard to predict. On one hand, I can see ROH taking Low Ki back, and Ki getting a lot of hype from the company, and grooming him to his second ROH World Title win (as part of a race against Bryan Danielson and Austin). On the other, I can see the WWE being interested in him for his "unique" style, and using him in a reformed Cruiserweight Division, or even giving him a mid-card push on SmackDown!. They were interested in Tajiri again recently, if you believe rumours, and Low Ki's kicks are just as lethal the Japanese Buzzsaw's.

Nigel McGuinness: I can actually see him winning the FIP World Heavyweight Title in Florida over ROH's WrestleMania weekend shows. I see Nigel defending the FIP Title in Florida, and really lend that promotion a hand, while he also defends the belt in ROH under Pure Wrestling Rules (as sort of a gimmick). When his contract comes up, like Bryan Danielson, I see him considering leaving, when he's hit the roof of the promotion. I think Nigel would also be a good pick for 2008 Survival of the Fittest Tournament Winner, too.

Austin Aries: I see him being ROH's most devoted main eventer in 2008, and the guy they choose to make their first two-time World Champion (although I'm not sure it will happen in 2008). Aries will put on some great matches, and become sort of the new Homicide, in the way that he is booked. He will get some big wins, but also be kept far enough from the ROH Title than he needs to be. I'm hoping for some great matches against Japanese talent, that he actually gets to go over in, giving him the big rub. He might be an even smarter guess for 2008 Survival of the Fittest Tournament Winner.

[Super V]

TNA

Kaz: He continues to add more and more credibility to his character, and gets to hold the TNA World Tag Team Titles with Booker T. Eventually TNA does the Russo thing, and have tension spring up between Kaz and Booker, with Sharmell being caught in between her husband, and a guy she really likes (maybe not romantically, but they play up some kind of relationship between Kaz and Sharmell, even if it's like "mother-son"). If things get really Russo (I'm using it as an adjective now), then Booker T and Sharmell might reveal that they can't have kids, and Kaz is the closest thing Booker and Sharmell have had to a son. Hopefully it remains professional, though, and Booker helps Kaz improve in the ring as a guy who can work with heavyweights, and on the mic by giving him a target to cut emotional promos on.

LOL

[Impeccable]

TNA



Lol

[Mr. Nerfect]

LOL

Would you really put it past TNA? Would you really put anything past TNA?

[Jeritron]

Raw:
Cena - A big return in the summer, accompanied by the title. I see a return fued where he's fed Orton almost certain.
Lashley- A semi big return. He isn't very missed and he dissapeared right around when he was starting to get over. He could recieve a big push and a world title if he gets good reactions.

HHH- a heel turn, a title win.
HBK-same stuff. fueds to get people over or keep them busy, lend credibility. good matches, no titles, maybe even retirement.
Kennedy - either a huge year or a bad one. He's either going to crawl back up the ladder to near main event status and huge heat, or completely fade off into obscurity. I see 2008 as the most important year in his career pretty much.
Jeff Hardy-a title win. This is his year, he prob wont dominate or have it long but this is going to be a huge year for Hardy
Umaga - same shit, probably a move to smackdown and a fued with Taker. Umaga got over good but he's running out of shit to do I think.
Y2J - I think he'll come off the JBL fued huge and be way over in the uppermidcard. He'll slowly get back to being popular and on his game in the uppermidcard even though he kinda blew it when he had this huge chance. His restored popularity and demand will prob see him climb back into the main event and he'll be a go to floating between uppermidcard and main event as he always has in WWE.
JBL- a heel run not as good as before. probably the IC title, great promos. I see him fueding with Jeff at some point
Orton-fed to Cena, then a move back to Smackdown.

Smackdown:
Rey - midcard work, possibly a move to ECW or a US title run.
Edge - a big heel title run after snapping Takers streak, still the sneaky heel
Taker - a fued with Edge and eventually Umaga
Batista - a move to Raw and hopefully a heel turn
Matt Hardy - the US title
MVP - big things after dropping the US belt being moved up to a few big fueds with main eventers, before eventually fueding with a world champion and winning the belt in the winter.


ECW:
CM Punk - Holding the ECW belt until the draft where he gets moved to Raw with it. Has to defend it that night and loses it to ECWs new big heel. An IC title push

[St. Jimmy]

Triple H needs his belt back.