WWE/TNA: Wrestling Wish List for the New Year

The wrestling year is finally over! Awards have been given out. Major moments have been counted down, and plenty of sad memories are in our minds. However, it is now time to look forward to a new year.

I debated even doing this for the past couple weeks. As most know, I don't like "fantasy booking." Even doing predictions or a preview feels "off" for me.

However, I have managed to come up with a couple things I wish to see in 2012!

5. TNA Stops Being TNA

I debated even including TNA Impact Wrestling. I suppose they are a (small) part of the business, so I am giving them one mention as a whole. Here are wishes for TNA in the new year:

Do not ever allow another "Victory Road" debacle to happen! I don't even have to explain that one.

Please stop mentioning WWE every week! Your run on Monday nights was embarrassing enough in 2010. No more little "shots" from Taz at commentary or trying to spoof their latest stories.

If "Wrestling Matters Here," prove it! You sure haven't for the past six months. As usual, it is an empty catchphrase that went nowhere in DixieLand.

Are you "TNA" or "Impact Wrestling?" Or "TNA Impact?" If people in your own company do not know your name, how can the fans?

Stop the constant face and heel turns. It happens way too often to truly "care" about a character when they are playing different roles or are "tweeners" every month.

I understand this may not be possible, but get out of the Impact Zone! Yes, it is a little bit of a stretch and may not work, but it is way past time. Having 1,000 non-paying tourists sleeping through your tapings each week is not fun to watch on television.

Finally, I want TNA to make one real star! Yes, just one. Not a TNA star or a wrestling star. I mean a legitimate "star!" They have yet to do so in their 10-year run, and I wish this year would be different.

The company has way too many talented performers to be stuck in an Orlando sound stage another year...

4. The Rock Continues with WWE

I am not counting his build to WrestleMania here. Anything from now until April 1 is off limits.

My over/under for The Rock is set at five appearances. Not five matches. I just want to see Rocky appear on five WWE shows this year after his big match with Cena.

Maybe a few Raw shows in the summer and a match. Then a special Smackdown appearance and a match. Again, I am not asking for a full schedule. That is not happening, so get that thought out of your heads.

I doubt his final WWE appearance will be in Miami on April 1. Very few believe he will disappear for good after that. He may for a few months, but he will make more WWE appearances in 2012.

3. The WWE Network Succeeds

Honestly, I think people are underestimating how big this is for the industry. Not just for WWE, but for the entire business.

The new WWE Network is really going to be a huge turning point. Good or bad, there are going to be a lot of changes in this business after this launches. Again, this is a major story to watch in 2012.

I just wish this entire risk ends up well. If not, I fear what may happen in the next few years. This is where being a positive person pays off, folks. 

Look for the negative, and they will be there. Expect good things, and they will come...

2. Fans Respect John Cena

I have never, ever understood the "hate" for John Cena.

If you want to boo him, go ahead. If you want to cheer him, go ahead. I am not going to stop you.

However, the man has done nothing but good for WWE. The man has given his life to this business. From WWE shows to PPV events to media appearances to movies to merchandise to outside avenues, he is doing everything in his power to make the company as big as possible.

I have said this before, but I will repeat it again. When Cena retires, a lot of people are going to realize just how much he meant to the business. In terms of profits. In terms of time on television. In terms of representing the company as an absolute gentleman. Everything.

It is the same reason you will never see me doing a "Cena heel turn" article. Trust me! You will never read that prediction from me. Ever!

Others may want to cover that topic every other week for the past five years, but I am not. There is just no reason to do so, and the sooner people realize this, the better.

Dislike his character on WWE Raw. Dislike his character on WWE Smackdown. Just please respect John Cena!

1. A Happy New Year

Death may be inevitable, but that doesn't make it any easier to handle.

In the wrestling business, far too many have passed away. It is a part of life, but I just wish to have a 2012 with as very few deaths as possible.

There is a reason I preach "safety comes first" so much. The men and women we watch on WWE TV each week are human beings. Some people forget that. They have families, friends and lives just as much as the next person.

Let's make 2012 tear-free...

Follow me on Twitter @JustinWatry! Thank you.