WWE: 15 Bold Predictions for the 2012 Wrestling Year

The last of the WWE pay-per-view events are over for the 2011 wrestling year.

Kane is back in the fold in the WWE and he looks like he wants a piece of John Cena.

Batista is making waves on the Internet and in interviews about how critical he is of the current situation in the WWE. It sounds like he wants to get in the ring again.

We all want to see the likes of Chris Jericho and Mick Foley make a return.

And everyone wants to see some new talent come in and sweep us off our feet with joy and excitement.

The WWE looks solid going into 2012, and here are some predictions of what just may happen in this year in the WWE.

15. WWE Will Realize It Made a Mistake in Letting John Morrison Leave

Morrison had an up an down career in the WWE. He was one of the most liked and most athletic wrestlers ever to compete.

As either a singles or tag team competitor, he always excited the fans and left us wanting more.

His out of the ring issues with a contract and girlfriend, Melina, who was let go by the WWE, ultimately may have had a stake in his being let go.

Morrison was championship caliber material and whether it is TNA, ROH, or Japan who gets his services, they will have a champion ready for the taking.

14. Returning Star Will Heat Up the Diva's Division

Could Lita coming back to the Diva's Division of the WWE help to give it more credibility.

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Rick Rockwell in The Examiner), Lita has been rumored to be headed toward a feud with Beth Phoenix.

Of course, this is just speculation right now, but it would be welcomed by the fans and the IWC.

Lita's skills in the ring are matched by few and would enhance the quality of wrestlers in the company right now. It would also mean there are a few more angles the WWE creative teams can work with.

13. Michael Cole's Role as Heel Announcer Will Shrink

He is annoying, arrogant, and plays the heel role well. But, he is also a decent announcer and story teller, so his presence is needed in the WWE.

What Cole needs to do with his character is stick to calling the match. His feud with Jerry Lawler got old quickly, and the growing war with Jim Ross is just unbearable.

Cole is a must have for the WWE, but his character needs to take on another dimension.

12. The Tag Team Division Will Return in Full Force

The Usos. Primo and Epico. Air Boom. Trent Barretta and Tyler Reks.

Tag teams need to be a staple of this company and will return in full force. It's just good for business.

Right now, the WWE is missing out on a major marketing tool.

11. John Cena Will Finally Make His Heel Turn After Wrestlemania XXVIIII

After seeing Kane turn his attention to Cena following his return to the ring, there is some speculation Cena will turn the corner.

But it has to happen.

Cena is a vanilla sundae and needs some more "juice" to his character. There needs to be anger. There needs to be greed.

And he needs to piss a few more fans off.

10. WWE Will Look at More "Attitude" to Gain More Fans

I think we all see this coming.

It is needed and warranted.

There is a reason why the "Attitude" Era of the WWE was so successful, and we are seeing a new guard in The Miz and CM Punk, as well as the return of Kevin Nash and Triple H.

The WWE knows if it wants to improve its marketing and brands, it will eventually take the "PG" rating away from its programing.

9. Kelly Kelly Will Leave the WWE

The more she gains attention, the more she will look at other avenues to showcase her talent. Maxim magazine may be just the tip of the iceberg for her.

8. There Will Be a Big Show/Kane/Mark Henry Feud

At some point, I can see this happening.

The Big Show and Kane are always exciting, and Mark Henry is still a main event talent.

If all three are involved in a feud, then it would become the biggest, and maybe the best, "big man" three way dance in the history of professional wrestling.

7. Someone from TNA Will Join the WWE and Have Huge Success

Sting, Kurt Angle, maybe Matt Morgan.

All three could light the WWE up like a fire storm.

I am betting on Samoa Joe making the leap.

Who ever that person is, they will have to make a splash quickly to earn acceptance. Angle and Sting would already have it. Morgan and Joe would need a huge heel run.

6. Batista and Chris Jericho Will Return to the Ring

It seems Batista is running his mouth off lately, commenting on Daniel Bryan winning the World Title and about other WWE issues.

Jericho would bring ratings and a possible feud with Randy Orton or CM Punk would bring the house down.

We all beg for this to happen.

5. The Cruiserweight Title Will Be Reinstated in WWE Wrestling

This needs to happen to give wrestlers like Tyson Kidd, Evan Bourne and Justin Gabriel a chance to shine.

There are so many good things that can happen with the cruiserweights that could get more fans interested in the brands.

This is something I hope the creative teams can decide on.

4. Vince McMahon Will Return to Television

You know this is coming.

At some point he will surface, and we will love and hate him at the same time.

McMahon is money on camera, and with the current feelings towards John Laurinaitis, this could be a real coup for the WWE.

Triple H tried and failed to be a camera man. Vince was born to be one.

3. Raw and Smackdown Will Finally Become One Brand

A few things must happen first.

WWE must cut its dead weight.

It must bring back tag teams and increase cruiserweight matches.

And it must also bring back the Hardcore and Divas Tag Team titles.

2. CM Punk vs. the Miz Will Be the Rivalry of the Year

We can already see this one in our minds.

CM Punk is the best in the business today. Miz is up and coming, and may be as good by the middle of 2012.

While there are other champions who can be a part of this formula, like Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler, these two superstars attract the most fans and can be the new Roddy Piper and Randy Savage of the company.

1. Stone Cold Steve Austin Will Host Wrestlemania XXVIII

Do I really need to sell you on this one?

This is something that makes sense. If The Rock can host, so can Steve Austin.

It would also help develop a Punk/Austin feud.