WWE Opinion: A Wrestling Fan's Wish List for 2012

The holiday season is a time for wishes. Children compose wish lists to Santa Claus in hopes that a few of their wanted gifts end up underneath the Christmas tree. They ask for toys and electronics, books and clothing. Some of those gifts end up in their little hands by the morning of the 25th and others, unfortunately, do not.

As 2011 comes to a close, and 2012 rapidly approaches, wrestling fans across the country are writing their own "wish lists." Some want to see a certain wrestler get their shot at championship gold. Others want to see better stories being told or a more coherent product overall. Some hope to have a wish filled in the new year that may not have been in the concluding one.

This is my wrestling wish list for 2012. Am I idiotic enough to believe all of these so-called "wishes" will be met? No. Can I count on even one of them being met by the largest wrestling company in the world? Probably not. But like any anxious and excited youngster on Christmas morning, I look forward to seeing what Santa (or Satan, perhaps in Vince McMahon's case) brings me in 2012. There may be something I ask for and a lot I do not. There will be great reward and, realistically, disappointment. But like Christmas Day, the fun is in the anticipation. And as 2012 inches closer and closer, my anticipation is at its height.

Without further ado, here is Erik Beaston's wish list for 2012.

1. CM Punk Keeps the Momentum He Had in 2011 Strong into and Throughout 2011

One of the most rewarding stories of 2011 was the emergence of CM Punk as a bona fide main event Superstar in World Wrestling Entertainment.

As the year comes to a close, he is the WWE Champion and a legitimate face of the company. With merchandise numbers rivaling John Cena's, the fans have undeniably accepted the "Second City Saint" as one of their heroes. Let us hope the focus remains on Punk in 2012 and he has the opportunity to continue proving to the world that he can be the face of a new era in professional wrestling.

2. Christian Returns to the Main Event Scene Upon His Return from Injury

Christan had a spectacular 2011, becoming one of the most hated and obnoxious heels on the WWE roster. His constant whining and complaining and protesting for "one more match" for the World Heavyweight Championship struck a nerve with fans and cemented him in the upper-card on the Smackdown brand.

Hopefully, when the self-proclaimed "Captain Charisma" returns from an ill-timed ankle injury, he finds himself back in the position he so greatly prospered in during 2011.

3. WWE Realizes the Asset Mick Foley Is in Putting over Young Talent

Surely when fans found out Mick Foley would be returning to WWE, they figured the company would utilize his abilities to get over young talents. Instead, we have been forced to sit through a painfully-bad "John Cena, This Is Your Life" segment and a holiday edition of Smackdown that ranks with the worst shows the company has ever produced.

Here is hoping that, in 2012, the company realizes what an asset they have in Foley and programs him to work with a young up-and-comer in hopes of creating a star in the same manner as he did with Randy Orton and Edge.

4. More AJ and Maxine on My TV, Please

Just because.

5. Dolph Ziggler and Kofi Kingston Break Through the Glass Ceiling

Yes, Dolph Ziggler has become one of the few, truly great in-ring workers WWE has on its roster.

And yes, he will likely see his first world championship gold because of it in 2012.

That part of this wish is a given. But let us not ignore Kofi Kingston. Kofi has been ready to ascend to the main event since 2009, when he was given a major push but had his momentum killed by, at the time, an angrier and less-than-patient Randy Orton than the one you see today.

Thrown into a tag team because of the crowded Raw landscape, Kofi's talents have been underused in a big way for most of 2011. Here is hoping the draft sends him to Smackdown so that the two Superstars so used to competing against one another can experience success at the top of the card.

6. NXT Finally Ends Its Current Season

Seriously, how many times can Derrick Bateman wrestle Titus O'Neil?

7. John Cena Defeats the Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII

Every second that The Rock has been on WWE television has been used to stroke his ego. To Cena's credit, he has not objected to being the butt of the joke on multiple occasions. He has handled things with dignity and absorbed verbal blows someone such as Hulk Hogan never would have.

Cena, whether anyone wants to admit it or not, is the face of the company and will benefit from a win far more than his opponent, who will return to Hollywood the following day.

8. Chris Jericho Returns to WWE

Because, well, isn't everyone wishing for this?

9. Daniel Bryan's Championship Reign Is More "Edge" Than "Jack Swagger"

There are two ways a post-Money in the Bank cash-in can go: It can go the way of Edge, or it can go the way of Jack Swagger. The former became a major star for WWE and had what amounts to a Hall of Fame career. As for Swagger, he stumbled and has never achieved the same success he had prior to, and for the first few weeks of, his World Heavyweight Championship reign.

Hopefully the creative team does not pull the plug on Bryan and allows him to win over the fanbase through a series of long, quality matches rather than via his one weakness—promos.

10. Alberto Del Rio Finds an Aggressive Streak

Alberto Del Rio is a main event character. He is the cocky, aristocrat jerk the fans hate and want to see beat up. The problem is, he has yet to really own that character during his matches. He lacks a presence in the ring despite being an above-average worker.

I hope that Del Rio can find his inner aggression and allow it to shine in his matches so that the fans have a reason to care. Otherwise, Del Rio risks becoming a boring, heat-less main event competitor that no one takes seriously.