WWE Injuries And Inactivity: Biggest Losses Of 2010
Recently at a WWE press conference for their quarter, WWE representatives states they haven't been doing well due to retirements, releases and injuries of top wrestlers. But was it really just this quarter?
All year long, the landscape has changed dramatically, for better and worse. I'm about to analyze WWE's biggest losses (despite some returns) of 2010, and how this year has impacted the roster more than ever.
Feel free to comment on your opinions on the list at the conclusion of the article. So, let's Bleach It!
10. Evan Bourne
1 of 11This has been an up-and-down year for Evan Bourne.
He started off on Superstars, with some wins, and competing in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WM26.
He picked up the biggest push of his career by tagging with Cena to defeat Sheamus and Edge in June. However, after a loss to Jericho, WWE dropped the ball on Bourne again.
He deserves to be in main event, much less as United States Champion. Before being injured, Bourne was in a steady tag team with Mark Henry. He made his last appearance losing to CM Punk.
When he returns, I hope to see him in a better role in the mid-card or continue his feud with CM Punk.
9. Daniel Bryan
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Even though he was re-hired for SummerSlam, his release still was a big loss for the summer of Nexus.
For those that don't know, Daniel Bryan was fired for choking Justin Roberts with his own tie and spitting in the face of John Cena because it wasn't "PG friendly". Stupid, right?
Daniel Bryan had big plans for Nexus, and being the best wrestler in the group besides Wade Barrett. We could have seen Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena!
Well, despite his actions, he was re-hired secretly due to crowd demand, and is now our reigning United States Champion. A loss for the Summer of 2010, nonetheless.
8. Beth Phoenix
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Melina would count here too, but technically she wasn't injured in 2010. Beth was, but either way, both Divas' injuries were MAJOR blows to the division.
Before Beth was injured, she was having the highlight of her career, winning her third Women's Championship as the top babyface Diva in the WWE. However her reign was cut short for an injury she sustained while wrestling Rosa Mendes on WWE Superstars.
Her last match saw her losing the title in a Handicap Match to Lay-Cool in her hometown in May. Currently, Smackdown only has four Divas - two being the champs Lay-Cool, one being Kelly Kelly, and the other being the one who never wrestles: Rosa Mendes.
If Natayla doesn't win the title at Survivor Series (or even if she does), will we see the Glamazon return with revenge on her mind to destroy Michele McCool and Layla?
7. Christian
4 of 11Throughout the entire year of 2010, Christian has been lost in the shuffle. Everywhere.
On ECW, he dominated the beginning of the year before losing the ECW Championship to Ezekiel Jackson on the last episode. He was moved to RAW for two months, where he accomplished nothing but wrestling on Superstars.
Upon his draft to Smackdown, everyone expected a main event push for Captain Charisma. Wrong again.
He had minor feuds with Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, and Dolph Ziggler, but nothing did it for him. Then it hit him. A feud with none other than Alberto Del Rio!
Finally, Christian was getting a great feud! But before they could finally have their match, Christian went out and got injured. Damn it!
It's a big loss for the mid-card faces of Smackdown, seeing Kofi and MVP are losing it and Matt Hardy was released.
Hopefully, upon his return, we can see him continue his feud with Alberto Del Rio to Wrestlemania, or win the World Heavyweight Championship and feud with Edge!
Ha, never mind. McMahon hates him.
6. Chris Jericho
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Ok, it hasn't been that long, but this is Chris Jericho we're talking about! One of the only reasons I actually watch RAW!
He moved to RAW in the 2010 Draft, but it was a major downgrade from Smackdown, losing numerous matches to John Cena, the Hart Dynasty, Evan Bourne, John Morrison, and Randy Orton.
He had his final match on Sept. 27, losing to Randy Orton in a spectacular match and punted to take him off television.
He took time off to tour with Fozzy, and should be back early next year or as early as the Holiday season. I hope Orton is still WWE Champion when Jericho returns, leading to a huge rivalry and possibly a title win for Jericho.
RAW is lacking heels, so his return is needed. By the way, doesn't this mean this is his first injury in storyline, seeing that he has never had an injury?
5. CM Punk
6 of 11Overall, 2010 has been terrible for CM Punk. Let's recap, shall we?
Serena got released, Mercury got injured, lost at Wrestlemania, SES broke up, lost to Big Show three times, got his head shaved, de-masked, lost to Undertaker in three minutes, lost three World Title opportunities, got his arm broken, and lost at Bragging Rights
A year probably worse than anyone else that was active. But, his move to RAW was to change all that.
He defeated and injured Evan Boune in his RAW re-debut, and qualified for the red team (even though they did lose). He made his last appearance (besides tonight) the night after Bragging Rights commentating a match between Daniel Bryan and Ziggler, signing a future feud between the two.
This tremendous feud was unfortunately cut short due to Punk being injured at Bragging Rights and required surgery, although he never got it.
It was said that Punk was in for a huge push on RAW with Edge's departure from the brand. I'm thinking a Royal Rumble victory upon his return might do the trick.
4. Triple H
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What else is there to say about his year? He's been out for 3/4 of it!
Triple H competed and defeated Sheamus at Wrestlemania, and then fell victim to the Celtic Warrior the following month at Extreme Rules. He was attacked viciously by Sheamus, writing him out off TV so he can get the surgery he needed.
However, four months later, it was revealed The Game had another injury, which also needed surgery, and pushing his return for another four to five months.
The Game's return is long-overdue, not including Fan Appreciation Day. His return will be bigger than ever.
How does this affect RAW? The flagship show has begun to get stale with the same faces each and every week in the title picture: John Cena, Wade Barrett, and Randy Orton. Of course Sheamus, Punk, Jericho, and Miz have lost huge momentum.
Three possible scenarios for HHH's return: 1) Finish rivalry with Sheamus (which is the most likely), 2) Compete against or join Nexus, or 3) win the upcoming Royal Rumble.
A heel turn would be huge, but either way, I would like to see Barrett take on HHH at Wrestlemania rather than Taker.
3. The Undertaker
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As years pass, the Undertaker becomes more and more prone to injury. This year was no exception, being inactive for six months of this year at separate times
The Deadman started out 2010 as World Champion, holding the title in January and February along with retiring HBK at Wrestlemania. But following these tremendous matches, it went all downhill from there.
Taker went MIA following the Show of Shows, returning for one match only in May before being injured again by Rey Mysterio. He made his return at SummerSlam three months later, only to be Tombstoned by his attacker, Kane.
The three encounters with his brother Kane followed for the World Title, with Kane winning every one. Taker was buried at Bragging Rights to get surgery, and in storyline was buried by both Kane and Nexus.
His absence from the blue brand has been huge seeing he is the face of Friday Nights. His return should not be rushed, as Smackdown has three top faces right now. His presence at WM27 is still up in the air, so let's hope he makes a healthy recovery.
2. Batista
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Now for the two wrestlers who have stated their "retirement" from the pro wrestling business; First up, "The Animal" Batista.
Batista had a historic run with the company, but I believe my favorite incarnation of him was his fresh heel turn late last year. This fully brought out the 'loner' in Batista, having good matches with Rey Mysterio, the Undertaker, Matt Hardy, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, and of course, John Cena.
During his feud with Cena earlier this year, Batista was quietly moved back to the RAW brand before pursuing his sixth WWE Championship. After losing to Cena three straight times, Batista left RAW in an unprofessional manner: a crying, beaten man in a wheelchair.
The Animal would have been the top heel on RAW, and could have renewed rivalries with HHH, Edge, Orton, or creating new ones with Morrison, Sheamus, or Miz. However, he left due to his dream for competing in MMA, and the heel status on RAW hasn't been the same since.
Batista's presence will be missed on Monday Nights, and bound for the Hall of Fame for his illustrious accolades.
1. Shawn Michaels
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Without further ado, the biggest loss of 2010 and to the professional wrestling world: Shawn Michaels.
Shawn Michaels made his official retirement from wrestling losing to the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 26, and making his final appearance the next night on RAW. His slot on the brand will never be taken, as he played the legend role well for RAW as Taker does for Smackdown.
HBK is one of very few men to never be drafted away from Monday Nights in his entire 25-year career. It's a shame he was never able to regain the WWE Championship since 2002, but he was successful in putting over other wrestlers in the last decade with five-star matches, including Randy Orton, John Cena, Batista, JBL, Rey Mysterio, Triple H, Ric Flair, Ted DiBiase, Chris Jericho, Mr. McMahon, Jeri-Show, Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle, and many, many more.
Of course,WWE's paper-view buyrates have declined since his departure. It's either that, or WWE just has crappy shows these days, or both! But the Heartbreak Kid is one that will truly be missed, and doesn't seem that he has interest in returning anytime soon.
Honorable Mentions
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The Great Khali - The Punjabi Playboy has been off TV more than he been on, and I consider that a good thing. His release should just come already, as he has done any possible feud that could actually work.
Nexus Members - Michael Tarver and Skip Sheffield got injured at the wrong times, and will more than likely find themselves future endeavored before they return.
John Morrison - This is only a minor miss for Morrison, having an ankle injury upon being drafted and not being used at all.
Ezekiel Jackson - Although he did return, he spent most of 2010 rehabbing a nasty injury. I am very glad to see his push continue from where it left off in February.
Melina - She's up there with Phoenix, but her absence was deeply missed for the Divas division. She was only pushed for a month when she returned, and is now back to the drawing board.
Shad Gaspard - Never mind, he just got released! LOL!
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