WWE News: Zack Ryder and 12 Predictions for the Next 12 Months

2011 has its bags packed and is currently seated, rather uncomfortably, at the terminal.  As 2012 looms closer, the WWE will be faced with a handful of critical decisions that could make or break WWE careers and in turn have a major influence on their business going forward. 

The WWE is not the only entity that has tough decisions to make, as some of the men and women of the largest North American wrestling promotion may have to make decisions for themselves as to whether or not pro wrestling is in their futures. 

Major title changes, pushes and departures are both inevitable and necessary in today's fast-moving world of professional wrestling.  But who will be at the helm during what will be some of the bigger stories in the next year?  Nobody truly knows these answers, but one can always prognosticate. 

1. Cody Rhodes Will Win a Major WWE Championship

It will probably be the World Heavyweight Championship on SmackDown, but it seems like only a matter of time before Cody Rhodes gets a chance with the proverbial ball. 

Rhodes has been steadily improving since his "Dashing" Cody Rhodes gimmick, and instead of resting on his laurels, he continues to evolve as he turned psychotic, added and eventually shed a protective mask this past year. 

Rhodes is coming off of a high-profile feud against Randy Orton, and was one of two survivors in last weekend's traditional Survivor Series tag team match alongside Wade Barrett. 

Rhodes' time could come during the summertime post-WrestleMania lull season where WWE typically tends to experiment with new world champions.

2. Dolph Ziggler Will Win a Major WWE Championship

Dolph Ziggler has been the RAW equivalent to Cody Rhodes as an upper-echelon mid-carder who has received immense emphasis.

As the longest reigning champion currently in WWE, Ziggler has been protected when necessary, and is often just as impressive in losing efforts as he is when winning. 

Ziggler is far from an original.  But instead of being incomparable, his work has often been compared to the likes of the late Curt Hennig and Billy Gunn, who once upon a time was on the cusp of a breakout WWE career.

If Ziggler stays the course, alongside Vickie Guerrero, a world title run could be more than interesting on WWE's flagship show. 

3. Zack Ryder Will Win One of WWE's Money in the Bank Matches

Zack Ryder's momentum is undeniable, and what better way to put a stamp of approval on Ryder's hard work than to reward him with a guaranteed title shot. 

The anticipation created by the sheer fact that, at any moment, Ryder can become a world champion would be electric. 

And while in possession of the lucrative briefcase, Ryder can continue to win matches and be taken more seriously as an in-ring competitor before cashing in. 

4. Zack Ryder Will Turn Heel, Cancel His Internet Show

Zack Ryder has been rewarded for virtually making himself into a star through his popular Internet show, but if the WWE goes all the way with a Zack Ryder push, don't expect the iron-fisted monarchy to simply do it on his merits. 

The ego of the WWE dictates that if the WWE were to make a champion out of somebody who put themselves on the map, they would have to make their own changes to said character beforehand. 

Turning Zack Ryder heel would be that change, and should the heel-turn work out, the fed could claim just as much ownership over Ryder's success as Ryder himself. 

5. Alberto Del Rio Will Become a Mid-Carder

As has been the story with previous first-time world champions, the WWE largely botched Alberto Del Rio's run as WWE Champion. 

In his two runs as WWE Champion, Del Rio was never champion for more than two months, and he was never given top billing on TV as champion.

Subsequently, it will be difficult for fans to take Del Rio seriously in the WWE title picture, and with Miz reportedly re-entering the WWE title picture after splitting with R-Truth, expect a role reversal of sorts as Del Rio slips back into mid-card territory on the strength (or lack thereof) of a played-out gimmick.

6. Vince McMahon Will Return to Television as a Regular Character

There are three certainties in the WWE: Premature death, no employment taxes, and Vince McMahon in the spotlight.

In previous shareholders' meetings, McMahon has expressed a desire to scale back his television presence, but whenever ratings begin to incrementally sink, McMahon miraculously resurfaces in some capacity.

McMahon has had a string of resurfacing on WWE television in consecutive years...a tradition that continued this year when he briefly returned to television this year after being fired by the WWE Board of Directors. 

7. Steve Austin Will Wrestle CM Punk

Stone Cold Steve Austin has not shied away from the idea of returning to the ring.  He remains in excellent shape as he pursues a career as a Hollywood action star, and while CM Punk dismissed the idea of wrestling Austin at WrestleMania XXVIII while bellyaching about the Rock's return, this match remains a distinct possibility.

CM Punk will likely be in no man's land come WrestleMania, and Vince McMahon has been known to pull rabbits out of his hat for his annual spectacular. 

The closer we get to WrestleMania XXVIII, and the more desperate McMahon gets to stack the deck, expect to hear Austin's name surface in pro wrestling headlines. 

8. John Cena, The Rock to Break Multiple WrestleMania Box Office Records

WrestleMania XXVIII figures to be the biggest WrestleMania of all time as it will feature a dream matchup between John Cena and The Rock in Miami. 

The Rock has already proven to be the top draw in wrestling despite leaving the WWE in 2003.  Rock wasn't even advertised for a wrestling match at WrestleMania XXVII, and his presence alone was the driving force behind the second-highest grossing WrestleMania in history.  

With Rocky now advertised in the main event of WrestleMania XXVIII, opposite John Cena, the main event alone should easily be enough to make next year's WrestleMania the most successful WWE pay-per-view of all time. 

9. The "It Begins" Promos Will Not Be for Chris Jericho

Since leaving the WWE in 2009, Chris Jericho has received a steady and endless stream of inquiries regarding a potential return. 

Jericho has remained adamant that he has moved on from pro wrestling for now, and keeps himself busy with his similarly endless stream of side projects. 

Contract talks for a Chris Jericho return have reportedly fallen through, and I expect both sides to move on comfortably without one another for now. 

Recent cryptic promos that feature a creepy little prep-school child have fueled familiar rumors of a Chris Jericho returns, but the promos seem too supernatural to be centered around the return of a character like Chris Jericho. 

All signs point to an Undertaker return come Jan. 2, 2012, with Chris Jericho out of the picture for the foreseeable future. 

10. WWE Studios Will Be Shut Down

WWE continues to hold shareholders' meetings where WWE Studios is the obvious weak spot of their already slumping business. 

One or two more under-performing quarters for the burdensome enterprise and I could easily see a scenario where the WWE cuts their losses with a studio that has given us such duds as The Chaperone, The Reunion and Knucklehead.

11. Kelly Kelly Will Leave the WWE

It has already started, as the ridiculously attractive blonde WWE Diva landed the cover of popular mainstream magazine Maxim.  This will figure to open doors that includes lighter travel, less pain and less talent required to perform admirably.

Kelly Kelly has worked hard to become a top-flight WWE Diva, but the athleticism just isn't there.  She has a very bright and profitable future in modeling, and once the agencies come calling, it will become increasingly difficult to turn them down. 

Much more talented women's wrestlers have left the WWE for greener pastures, including Trish Stratus and Sable.  Kelly Kelly will figure to follow in their footsteps if afforded the opportunity.  

12. Randy Orton Will Win the 2012 Royal Rumble, Reenter the Title Picture

The WWE are big fans of embarrassing superstars in their own hometowns, but such recreational activities tend to go out of the window when it comes to top stars like Randy Orton. 

The 2012 Royal Rumble will take place in St. Louis, and with Orton uncharacteristically floundering in the mid card since a pair of clean losses to Mark Henry a few months back, January's Royal Rumble will be the perfect opening for Orton to get back into the title picture prior to WrestleMania XXVIII. 

Big Nasty breaks down John Cena's greatest matches on B/R Video.  Follow Big Nasty on Twitter @ ThisIsNasty.