10 Things That Should Happen in the WWE in 2011
Hello, Bleachers!
I should have had this one out two weeks ago...I wanted to touch on a few things that I feel should happen in the WWE in our brand new year of 2011. I feel quite passionately about the topics you will read in this slideshow, and I hope you do as well about at least a few of them.
So, without further delay, let's go!
Gail Kim Finally Gets a Well-Deserved Push
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WWE diva Gail Kim is, in a word, awesome.
The former WWE Women's and TNA Knockout's champion returned to the WWE due to financial issues and seemed to take the Women's Division by storm on SmackDown in March 2009. However, in spite of the belief that she would end up winning the Divas Championship on the blue brand at some point, and then possibly on RAW when she was drafted there, this has yet to happen.
Gail was a finalist alongside Maryse for the title when Melina had to vacate it due to injury. But when push came to shove and the two divas had their match to determine a new champion, Maryse bested Kim.
Ever since, Gail has been horribly misused, often only seen in backstage segments on RAW or not on at all and relegated to random tag team matches on Superstars.
This is the same woman who was pushed like crazy by TNA and was the first ever Knockouts champion. She deserves to climb up the ladder in the WWE as well and be a contender for the Divas Championship.
Here's hoping it happens sometime this year.
Resurrect the Tag Team Division!
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What do I really have to say that hasn't already been said by so many before? The WWE tag team division should be resurrected.
There aren't many teams around anymore, as the company split up the Hart Dynasty and released two members of tag teams not very long ago (Vance Archer and Caylen Croft, respectively). They are notorious for lumping two guys randomly together and calling them a "tag team," such as in the case with the short-lived duo of Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre.
Tag Team champions Santino and Vladimir Kozlov don't even defend their titles, for crying out loud! Hey, we do still have some teams, like the Usos, and Nexus' Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel have decided to stick together, even after figuratively telling new leader CM Punk where he could stick it (no pun intended with the kendo sticks) last week on RAW.
Come on, WWE...put a little stock in your tag teams again!
Michael Cole Leaves the Announce Table to Manage the Miz
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Hey, here's an idea—how about doing away with the whole "anonymous General Manager" nonsense on RAW, ditching the laptop, and having Michael Cole vacate the announce table in favor of managing the Miz?
Cole can't get enough of letting each and every one of us know, week in and week out, how much he adores—I mean admires—the WWE champion. He even got physically involved in the Miz's first title defense on RAW, in which the champ faced Jerry "the King" Lawler in a ladder match, of all things.
C'mon, WWE—we all know Cole is dying to actually be alongside Miz, and to stand in his corner every time he has a match. Sure, he enjoys annoying the fans with his, "Can I have your attention please..." and "And I quote" nonsense, but he would relish this new prospective job.
Michael Cole could even oust Alex Riley as Miz's personal cheerleader so the NXT 2 member can actually get into the ring and make a name for himself, well, himself!
Maryse Returns to Regular Action in the Divas Division
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While I don't hate the pairing of Maryse and Ted DiBiase, I can't help but resent it to a small extent due to the fact that it's not doing the French-Canadian diva any favors.
Maryse is a former two-time Divas champion. She isn't that bad in the ring and has a load of charisma to back herself up on. Yet, for some reason, back in the late spring last year, the WWE decided to pair her with the "fortunate son."
The two were paired together back during their OVW days, so it's easy to see the nostalgia factor. However, ever since the reunion, Maryse has not seen regular in-ring action at all and has instead had the odd match here and there. Usually, she's involved in tag team contests or mixed tags along with DiBiase.
Also, due to DiBiase's longstanding losing streak, this doesn't help Maryse's cause as a wrestler herself. She needs to break away from the son of the Million Dollar Man and get back in regular action. Maybe she can even challenge Natalya for the Divas Championship.
But that can't happen as long as she's saddled down by Ted DiBiase.
Kofi Kingston Gets a Main Event Push
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Kofi Kingston may have just won the Intercontinental Championship again at long last, but he's worth so much more than that.
Okay, I wouldn't expect him to be number one contender for the World title when a babyface (Edge) is currently the champion, but c'mon—this guy has proven himself in the ring, and he's also very good on the mic. Granted, he hasn't been in the WWE too long, but Kofi is still a great talent, and he deserves a main event push.
The WWE can put him in the main event, feuding with a top heel on SmackDown for a few months. Then, why not let him win Money In the Bank? It would be the perfect way for him to climb to the top.
Kofi Kingston should definitely have a top spot in 2011, whether he's still on SmackDown or goes back on RAW.
Give Us More Depth in the Drew McIntyre/Kelly Kelly Relationship
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For weeks now, Drew McIntyre has been trying to impress the beautiful Kelly Kelly on SmackDown. He's shown a more sensitive, caring side during the angle thus far—at least toward Kelly herself—and actually seems genuine.
Last week, Kelly told him off and stormed away after Drew attacked Trent Barretta—who'd defeated him in a match moments earlier—backstage. The diva witnessed it and was furious, telling McIntyre to "grow up" before she walked away from him.
That can't be all there is to this storyline, not when it hasn't even really gotten going. There has to be some sort of reconciliation between the two, hopefully on this coming SmackDown. The WWE needs to develop the angle more, and give us more depth into the Drew/Kelly relationship, or would-be relationship.
Even fans who dislike one or the other want to see where this all goes. Is Drew being genuine, or is he just manipulating and using Kelly? Will Kelly fall for him? I don't know about everyone reading this right now, but I want to know.
Don't drop the ball on this one, WWE. Please...
Triple H and Undertaker Retire, But Chris Jericho Returns!
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I'm probably going to get flamed for this one, but oh well...Two superstars need to retire this year, and sorry, but they do. Triple H and the Undertaker are both constantly plagued by injuries, and neither is getting any younger.
What's more, both are currently out due to injury. Also, the WWE has a "youth movement" of sorts taking place now, and it's even been reported lately that they aren't even going to consider hiring anyone past the age of 30.
However, in spite of Trips and Taker having to retire, Chris Jericho needs to return. Yes, I know he's 40 years old. But he's in tip-top shape and has never had a serious injury throughout his career.
Jericho still has some good years left in him. He should return to prove to the fans that, once again, he is our savior and the best in the world at what he does.
LayCool Split Up at Long Last
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I'm sure those of you who are familiar with my articles will find this one as no surprise at all...LayCool should finally split up this year.
In the long run, this pairing really only benefited Michelle McCool, who had all of the ability a wet sponge to get over on her own as a heel (not that she got over as a face, either).
People may argue that Layla did indeed benefit as well, since she won the Women's Championship while a member of LayCool. Well, think about this—she had to share her title reign with McCool the entire time she had the title. She also had to stand by at ringside while McCool unified her championship with the Divas Championship when she beat Melina at Night of Champions this year.
The mean girls schtick is old. It was old as soon as it started! Enough is enough.
Let these two go their separate ways...and push Layla!
Edge Enjoys a Nice, Long World Title Reign
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As a huge fan of Edge, it is exhilarating to finally see him as World champion as a babyface!
Not to take anything away from his heel persona, but it's a refreshing change to see him in the hero role and holding gold.
For the longest time, Edge has been labeled as a "paper" champion, and it's no doubt due to the fact that he cheated to win or retain his titles. On top of that, he has also had quite short championship reigns, which is very unfair.
Well, 2011 should be Edge's year. The man deserves a good, long title reign and should get the chance to prove himself as a worthy champ.
The Rated R Superstar rules! The WWE knows it, and they should show that by letting him go into WrestleMania as World Champion.
John Morrison Becomes WWE Champion
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Finally, and this one also should come as no surprise to those of you who are familiar with me and my articles—John Morrison should win the WWE Championship in 2011!
Morrison has shown that he can hang with the major players. He has amazing in-ring ability and isn't half-bad on the mic, either. His ladder match with Sheamus at TLC, in which he won the number one contendership for the Miz's WWE title, cemented him as a top dog, in my opinion.
Two weeks ago, he faced the Miz for the championship on RAW in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Sadly, he lost, but there's still hope yet.
Although Morrison won't be walking into the Royal Rumble for a title match, he can still win the Rumble itself.
Or, borrowing my idea I had for Kofi Kingston a few slides ago, JoMo can win Money In the Bank and cash in whenever he wants to win the title. It's actually surprising he's never won that type of match yet.
The WWE obviously still has some faith in Morrison, judging by his latest two matches on RAW. He's gone over the likes of former two-time WWE champion Sheamus and then, tonight, US champion Daniel Bryan.
Once again, please don't drop the ball on this, WWE...
That does it for this slideshow. I hope you all enjoyed it!
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