Uncork This, 2009! Pro Wrestling Top 25 Rankings Return

So the start of 2009 sounded good to a lot of people, right? Well, just because a year starts off with such promise doesn't make it any different than last year. The only way to make a year start off good is by doing something different than last year when you bombed badly.

So who in the Wrestling World ended 2008 with a bang...and started 2009 the same way?

#1) Jeff Hardy (WWE Champion),SmackDown

The WWE Champion survived an onslaught from the World's Largest Athlete to keep him out of the picture for the WWE Title at Royal Rumble. But after learning that Edge will face him for the gold at The Rumble, Hardy went out with his brother and took out a partner-less Rated R Superstar to end the year/start the year with a pair of victories.

#2) Matt Hardy (ECW Champion), ECW

Hardy has had a very busy week. The ECW Champion has had a week filled with victory and pain along the way. After defeating Manu on RAW, he won a DQ victory over Mark Henry, only to get decimated by Jack Swagger and Henry in the end. By the time SmackDown rolled in, he had momentum and used it to defeat Edge and Big Show along with his brother, WWE Champion Jeff.

#3) John Cena (World Heavyweight Champion), RAW

Though he hasn't had a legitimately good storyline since Armageddon, that has not stopped John Cena from being active on the Flagship Brand. Cena saved Batista, Santa and Rey Mysterio in the past few weeks, welcomed Trish Stratus back to WWE Competition, and even gave Stephanie McMahon & the WWE Universe one hell of an ending to 2008: A Ten Men Tag Team Match! Now he has another thorn coming up in the form of an old nemesis.

#4) Rey Mysterio, RAW

The Maestro of the 619 has dealt with giants his entire career. From Big Show to Khali, he's never backed down and has always gave it his all. Unfortunately, his last three giants were not by request. After trying to get his rightful spot back in the World Title picture (which was denied by JBL), Mysterio was the victim of a mugging from Mike Knox. But by the end of the night, Mysterio got revenge via his teammates in the ten man tag.

#5) JBL (#1 Contender, World Heavyweight Championship), RAW

JBL has proven that money can buy you whatever you need sometimes. This past Monday, JBL defeated two other former champions and bought a third one to become the #1 Contender for Cena's World Title. Now at the Royal Rumble, Cena will have to defend the gold against a man who has a WWE Legend in his pocket (literally). Could 2009 be the start/return of The Wrestling God Era of WWE?

#6) The Undertaker, SmackDown

The Deadman has not been seen since his steel cage match against Big Show the week after Survivor Series. But that didn't stop The Phenom from returning to the WWE in impressive fashion this past Friday night. The Deadman returned to let Shelton Benjamin know that his Gold Standard Stock was taking a "Chokeslammish" Turn at The Royal Rumble. Will The Deadman make it two Rumble victories at the end of January?

#7) B/R Wrestling Writers (Internet Writer World Champions), Bleacher Report

Thanks to all the hard work of the writers of the Bleacher Report, we are now where we belong: Among the best sections on the site. For this reason, I have bestowed upon the entire Wrestling Section the first ever 2008 Internet Writer Sensation Award! Congratulations and continue to bring the noise in 2009!!

#8) WWE Universe

The Universe once again talked, and the WWE once again listened. Thanks to the efforts of the Universe, the WWE is becoming watchable again. Despite many not happy with Cena as World Champion on RAW, they are all in favor of Jeff Hardy not only being #1 in the Top 25, but also happy as him as WWE Champion. Let the voice send shockwaves into the new year! It helps.

#9) Michelle McCool, SmackDown

She has had the worst two weeks of any Diva/Knockout in Wrestling. Michelle McCool lost her gold and her cool last week on SmackDown to Maryse. She then took her frustration out on the special referee, Maria. This past Friday was no different as she dismantled former friend Eve Torres after Eve suggested that she apologize to Maria for her actions. What's the next move for the former Divas Champion?

#10) Ezekial Jackson, SmackDown

This man is sick and twisted. He is big and nasty. He is a man who should be United States or WWE Champion right now. Unfortunately, as long as The Brian Kendrick is pulling the strings on the man I'm calling Negrodamus, Ezekial Jackson will never have a shot to become what he already should be: A Champion. Besides, he is the only reason that Kendrick still has a job. BTW: Michael Jackson called. He wants his jacket back.

#11) Triple H, SmackDown

The Game has been a man possessed as of late. Thanks to Vladimir Kozlov, he isn't WWE Champion right now. Thanks to Chavo (and some pretty racy photos of the GM), he also has to face several competitors in the first ever Triple Jeopardy Match this Friday night. But no one can deny that he is still a D-Generate, and now Vickie knows just how far The King of Kings will go to keep SmackDown for the people.

#12) Beer Money (TNA World Tag Team Champions), TNA

Being as one of the only teams that actually competed this week on IMPACT, Beer Money is earning their spot, one beer bottle at a time. They managed to survive an old foe in LAX, but can Robert Roode survive a very hungry and irate Blueprint when he faces Matt Morgan this Thursday night? If he can't, well...Sorry about your damn luck, Bobby!

#13) The Dirt Sheet (World Tag Team Champions), ECW

Being one of the only teams that can say they were well decorated in 2008, The Dirt Sheet claimed World Tag Team and WWE Tag Team Gold last year, as well as winning not one but two Slammy Awards at year's end. Now they claim that they will win all the gold in 2009? Are these guys crazy...or just plain stupid? When will the Shaman of Stupidity and The Guy Magnet make their first move towards their Omega-sized goal?

#14) Melina (#1 Contender, Women's Championship), RAW

The Original Hollywood Diva returned in impressive fashion at year's end when she defeated several other Divas to become the new #1 contender for the Women's Championship. But can she finish the job @ The Royal Rumble when she faces The Glamazon for the gold? Or will Santino or Rosa (her #1 Fan) have something to say about that possibility?

#15) Cryme Tyme, RAW

The Bling Kings of RAW returned to action this past Monday as they team with CTC teammate John Cena, Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston to pick up a victory over Team Knox. It won't be long before the Bad Boys of Brooklyn be wearing some more bling as the WWE has to start pushing the duo more and finally give something that is necessary for longevity: Tag Team Gold.

#16) Kennedy (Star of Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia), SmackDown

He hasn't wrestled since being brought over from RAW, but that hasn't stopped him from being entertaining. The star of the newest BHL movie has made it his business to try to pick up the spirits of MVP, who is still on a losing streak. The 2008 Mic Check Winner is slated to return to action at The Royal Rumble if not sooner. And for the record: The Beard is Crazy Good!

#17) Jack Swagger, ECW

The All American American is hoping that the Sooners won't be the only ones winning championships in January. Thanks to his impressive victory streak, and his interference this past week on ECW, Swagger has made it clear that he deserves to be the #1 Contender for the ECW Championship. But he may have to go through an angry World's Strongest Man to earn his rightful spot @ The Royal Rumble.

#18) DJ Gabriel, ECW

The newest addition to Teddy Long's New Superstar Initiative has been making a lot of noise as of late. Besides being a pretty good dancer, Gabriel is currently undefeated. It won't be long before either RAW or SmackDown sees this guy in action. But if it is SmackDown, a word of advice DJ: Keep Alicia away from Vickie Guerrero's warpath. She's still a little sore about that whole cheating with her husband thing.

#19) Maryse (Divas Champion), SmackDown

She went from having a best week to a worst week. Maryse finally achieved her ultimate goal of holding gold as she defeated Michelle McCool last week on SmackDown. Unfortunately, she also suffered an injury over the weekend that could sideline her all the way through Wrestlemania. When will the French Canadian Fox be seen again on SmackDown? And when will the rematch between her and Michelle happen?

#20) Edge (#1 Contender, WWE Championship), SmackDown

Edge thought he had it all figured out when he lost the gold to Jeff Hardy at Armageddon. Unfortunately, his wife had other plans. But thanks to Hardy's victory over Big Show, Edge had a clear path to the WWE Championship waiting for him at The Royal Rumble. Are we preparing for yet another Rated R Era on SmackDown? Or has Edge's blushing bride been blinded by power enough to cost him the gold once again?

#21) The Mean Cuisine, SmackDown

Who says Curry and Guiness don't go well together? Apparently, Vickie doesn't. This past Friday, Finlay and The Great Khali joined forces to defeat the former WWE Tag Team Champions Hawkins and Ryder. After the bell, Khali found out that he had the winning bid for the nude pictures of SmackDown's GM. I'm not sure if that qualifies as the best ending or most sickening ending for the Punjabi Playboy and The Fightin' Irishman.

#22) TNA FanNation

If the FanNation wanted change, they didn't show it this past week. They were only able to sit and hurl as they saw only one live match from the IMPACT Zone. With 2008 behind all of us, they will have to let their voices be heard once again and hope that in 2009, TNA listens intently. But then again, maybe TNA will think they can survive the onslaught of three WWE brands. Who knows? Only they do.

#23) LAX (#1 Contenders, TNA World Heavyweight & X Division Titles), TNA

They lost a chance to wear tag team gold this past Thursday night. But nothing could shake the spirits of LAX. Homicide has a briefcase that guarantees a shot at the X Division Championship, while Hernandez will use his Big Mex muscle to try to get the TNA World Title. In the end, they got even better news: Salinas is coming back to TNA real soon! Happy New Year, Eses!

#24) Stephanie McMahon (GM/RAW Law), RAW

Despite being there for a short time, Stephanie McMahon has brought RAW back to the mainstream. She managed to give several huge matches that gave us a great ending to RAW, including the ten man tag and Fatal Four Way Elimination Match for the #1 Contendership. The question now is what's next for the Billion Dollar Princess? What does she have in store for the Universe in 2009?

#25) Shawn Michaels, RAW

He would be ranked higher if he stuck to his guns. Unfortunately, HBK showed that he has become nothing more than a shell of his former self as he handed the #1 Contendership for the World Title to his "boss" JBL. It's sad how all good things have to come to an end, but for Shawn Michaels, maybe he's heading down the same path as the legendary Nature Boy. Shawn: It's time to put up or shut up.

Others Receiving Votes: Main Event Mafia, TNA Front Line, Kizarny, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, The Legacy

On Tap: TNA Genesis (This Sunday, January 11th) & WWE Royal Rumble (January 25th)