Wrestling 2008: Winners and Losers

Another year of wrestling is about to be put in the books, so it's time to reflect on the winners and losers of 2008. There have been several surprises and many disappointments, and there are huge expectations for '09. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Come take a walk with me down memory lane.

Winners

TNA

Just to be optimistic, they've made it through one more year and that's enough in itself to put them in the winners column.

However, TNA has to do much more than "just make it" in 2008. They've added a key acquisition in the war against the WWE (for those who are confused I'm talking Mick Foley, not Al Snow). And 2008 also marked the return of the founder, Jeff Jarrett. But the key for TNA '08 is expansion. They've had major PPVs all over the country and taken their house shows all across Europe.

Chris Jericho

Instead of aiming to save the WWE, Y2J decided to save himself, and in the process he took the wrestling world by storm. Jericho's new mean streak was the exact thing the WWE has been missing: intensity, passion and storylines that people actually cared about. He won the intercontinental belt for a record eighth time and captured the world title twice, etching his name as a future Hall of Famer along the way.

Matt Hardy

Oh yeah! Matt Hardy has finally captured world heavyweight gold, completing a lifelong goal of his. Sure, it's ECW, but it's still a world title in the WWE. But what's most surprising is everyone, and I mean everyone, expected his younger brother Jeff to reach heavyweight gold first. Now, however, Matt is carrying the ECW brand, and is truly the King of Extreme.

Edge

He's the world champion. He carried Smackdown. He's the best heel in wrestling. Enough said.

Samoa Joe

Not to spoil the heavyweight title theme, but Joe finally won gold by defeating Kurt Angle. As TNA's third Triple Crown winner, Joe might finally be in line for the respect he deserves. He's leading the feud against the Main Event Mafia and continues to be one of the reasons TNA is worth watching.

Christian Cage

Since losing the TNA title, Christian has seemed to coast along during his impact sessions. Don't get me wrong. He still cuts an entertaining promo and captivates with his in-ring work, but something's missing. That was until his contract expired and all eyes were once again on him. Will he take less pay and fewer days on the road to remain a main guy with TNA? Or jump back to the WWE to team or feud with lifelong friend Edge? Either way, he's got everyone's attention.

Honorable Mentions

Evan Bourne, Matt Morgan, Jay Lethal

Losers

Awesome Kong

She went from being the most captivating spot on the card to where has she been lately, all with a blink of an eye. With the departure of Gail Kim there has been no one big enough to pose a threat to Kong. And don't forget TNA's botched attempt to have her battle me (during the tag tournament). That should've been something special but turned out to be forgettable.

Rey Mysterio

Being out with an arm injury for most of '08 has landed wrestling's biggest little man in the bad column. Where he should've received huge hype for his return, not only to injury but also to Raw, he got a lackluster feud with Kane. Why the WWE hasn't been able to properly use this beloved underdog is the true King of Mysteries.

Samoa Joe

Joe finds himself on both sides of the pole this year. Although he finally got the due he deserved, it was oddly ripped away from him as quickly as it was received. For some reason, TNA has failed to pull the trigger on Joe, but maybe (like Goldberg) they feel Joe has a better following chasing the champ than being the champ. More than likely he just isn't getting the respect he deserves.

Jeff Hardy

Despite putting on great showings versus the Undertaker and Triple H, more attention seems to be paid on his off-air battles. There was more coverage on Jeff's airport incident than his in-ring work. Add in that he was supposed to be the HBK of the Rockers, the Stone Cold of the Hollywood Blonds and the Booker T of the Harlem Heat...Jeff Hardy is looking more like the Shannon Moore of "3 Count."

CM Punk

Both a world heavyweight champion and a world tag team champion, CM Punk still has the presence of the Invisible Man. How can someone be so successful and so irrelevant at the same time? Although Punk continues to get one of the loudest pops on Raw, creative has yet to find a story line worth caring about.

Honorable Mentions

Chris Harris, Christopher Daniels, Mr. Kennedy, Mike Adamle