Shining a Spotlight 12.18.08: 2008's Gifts for Fans

Posted by Michael Weyer on 12.18.2008

My annual look at the best moments of the year from Cena's surprise return to Punk's title win to Booker in TNA and more.

Like most folks, surprised that WWE finally pulled the trigger and gave Jeff Hardy the title. I know I've been doubtful over whether or not he can hold it together but I do truly hope he's able to handle the responsibilities without sliding into his old bad habits. After all, if he screws up again as champion, that's pretty much it for him as far as WWE goes and hard to get back the fans' trust as well. It was a great moment and a fine late gift for fans, which ties nicely into my column this week.

Yes, it's my annual tradition since I started at 411mania, my look at the great moments, matches and stories that wrestling gave us over the last year. Last year, I had the daunting task of finding the good in the year with the Benoit mess but this year was brighter, giving some great mark-out moments and matches that made 2008 a good year for wrestling fans, despite some poor stuff. The good did outweigh the bad a lot and here's a few of the highlights.
　
Cena's Royal Return: Probably the single most surprising moment of the entire year. Going into 2008, it was reported as fact that John Cena would be out until at least Wrestlemania, more probably SummerSlam with the shoulder injury he suffered in late 2007. The idea he could come back sooner was impossible. So when the final entry of the Royal Rumble came and Cena's music hit, the shock was huge all over the arena and the IWC. For someone supposedly hated, Cena got one of the biggest pops I've ever heard from a Madison Square Garden crowd as he came out and went on a tear eliminating guys. It culminated in one of the best Rumble finals ever with him, Batista and HHH going at it with Cena winning it all. Sure, it took a while for him to get a belt again but the sheer unexpectedness of it all made this a classic moment.
　

Punk Cashes In: When HHH was drafted to SmackDown with the WWE title, most didn't expect it to last as it seemed odd to leave RAW beltless. That was rectified in a major way as Edge interrupted a farewell adress by Jim Ross to run him down and boast about his greatness. Out came Batista to pummel Edge into oblivion with slams, punches and a Batista Bomb that left him lying. That appeared to be that but as Batista headed up the ramp way, the wild guitar music kicked in and out came CM Punk with his Money in the Bank briefcase in hand and a referee in tow. It didn't seem real, it seemed ridiculous that WWE would actually go through with something like this, truly boost someone the IWC wanted to see on top. Even as it was announced this was a World Title match and the bell rang, most expected some way for Edge to escape. Instead, Punk picked Edge up, gave him a GTS and three seconds later was the World Champion. It was delicious thanks to the irony of Edge getting the exact same treatment he'd given Cena and the Undertaker. While Punk's reign wasn't as good as some hoped, you can't deny it kicked off with a bang and provided a moment for any ROH fanatic to mark out to.
　

Flair's Farewell: It was time. We all respect and admire Ric Flair but the fact was, it was time for the aged champion to finally hang it all up. At least he went out in style, teasing it with the "one loss and you're gone" stip before forcing Shawn Michaels into a Wrestlemania battle. The match was a great one, maybe not MOTY but a good candidate with both men going at it hard and fast, ending with the already classic moment of Shawn whispering "I love you. I'm sorry," before hitting Flair with Sweet Chin Music and a pin. In a move of class, Michaels left quickly so Flair could soak in the cheers of the fans who recognized him for a classic career.

As good as that was, the next night was even better as RAW was built as a tribute to Flair with videos of his greatest moments and matches spread throughout the program. It culminated with Flair coming out to give a tearful goodbye speech and ready to leave when HHH, a self-avowed lifelong Flair fanatic, came out to stop him. What followed was major mark-out central for classic wrestling fans as old friends and foes like Harley Race, Greg Valentine, Ricky Steamboat and others came out to embrace a crying Flair. Of course, the highlight of it all was the long-overdue reunion of the greatest version of the Four Horsemen with Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and JJ Dillion all coming out together. Toping it off was the entire locker room coming to pay tribute to the man who helped pave the way for many of them. An absolutely wonderful moment that the Nature Boy had more than earned many times over. He may be gone but not forgotten and this proved that.
　

Joe finally wins the Big One: For over two years, TNA fans had been clamoring to see Samoa Joe take the NWA title. They waited while TNA pulled out of the NWA, they waited through stupid swerves and stories, they waited while guys like Sting were put over with the belt first. But at long last, the wait ended as Joe finally captured the title from Kurt Angle at Lockdown in a hard fought match. It was great to finally see Joe hold that belt as fans had waited so long for it. His reign may not have been as awesome as we hoped with various goofy matches before dropping it to Sting, but at least TNA finally gave him the shot.
　

Maria Does Playboy: Sue me, I've always liked her as she works that ditzy character to perfection and with good humor to it all. So I was more than happy to see her doffing it for her fans and even working it into a storyline. Maybe not a noble reaction but an honest one.
　

Booker in TNA: I had my doubts about Booker T when he went to TNA. After all, he was giving up a great run as "King Booker" for a company that seemed to offer less than WWE. But Booker did open up majorly, embracing his arrogant "king" attitude with his outlandish speech and mannerisms. He added to it with his ridiculously overdone dressing room and holding court with interviewers. Creating his own "Legends" title just added to the fun as Booker showed no shame in flaunting his ego if it meant entertaining the fans, a terrific dynamic that made his entry into TNA truly memorable.
　
The New Rise of ECW: I'm sure we've all come to understand that the old ECW is dead and gone and won't come back. But as it is, the brand is starting to show real improvement this year with better shows and a focus on matches more than angles or skits. Having Matt Hardy as their champion seems to boost them up more and give the title some real merit. Shifting talent with SmackDown is an aid as well and it does seem to give boosts to young guys like Jack Swagger and Ricky Ortiz. It may be the ignored brand by some but it does show more actual wrestling than most of the WWE at times.


The Taylor Wilde Saga: A lot of us may run down TNA but now and then they really will give a good long-range story with a great payoff. So it was when Awesome Kong offered $25,000 and her title in open challenges, which usually ended with her crushing her opponents. Taylor Wilde, a supposed rookie (although we know her experience now) gave Kong a hard fight and insisted on a rematch. They built it up with her attacking Kong and told she'd get the shot by beating Rasheed, which she did. But it was still a great upset when she managed to pin the seemingly unstoppable Kong to win the title and the money and did well defending it for a while. A shame the Knockout division has slumped of late because this was a good showcase of how it can work well. And on that…


The Divas get serious: Perhaps pushed by the success of the Knockouts, the ladies of the WWE suddenly started focusing more on wrestling this year. Sure, we still get the costume fights and goofy skits at times but it did seem that the in-ring action was the focus. Beth Phoenix and Mickie James traded the Women's title with the return of Candice Michelle beefing up the scene along with Burchill. Smackdown finally got a women's title of their own and while it may be ugly, Michelle McCool made the Divas title work out and make women's matches on the show more important. The return of Gail Kim and possibly Trish Stratus can only promise 2009 adds to the improvement. Good to see the ladies of WWE showing they earn their worth more than just wearing skimpy clothing.


Angle vs. Nagata: Angle's TNA stay has been mixed to say the least but for their "Global Impact" broadcast, he and Yugi Nagata turned in an incredible matchup for the IWGP crown. In front of a packed Tokyo house, the two turned in an amazing twenty minute battle that started as a technical showcase before going ariel and then a brawl with Angle finally clamping on the Angle lock to force a submission. Arguably the best TNA match of the year and the best free TV bout as well and shows how Angle can still turn in a masterpiece when the occasion calls for it.


Tag Team Champion Fun: Tag team wrestling is in its dark days but this year saw some unique championship teams that made it fun to watch. On RAW, Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes made a unique heel team as Simply Priceless, showcasing some nice potential for future stardom as they held onto the belts. Over on SmackDown, The Miz and John Morrison gelled as a team much better than expected as a great heel tag team with the Miz improving amazingly paired with veteran Morrison. Finally, when TNA put Robert Roode and James Storm together, it seemed a bizarre ad hoc pairing but Beer Money clicked great and have done well as the TNA tag champs. It's a shame the challengers for all three are scarce but good to see some guys still caring about tag team fun.


Joey and JBL: We've become used to stories of guys throwing around their weight backstage and JBL in particular being a real jackass. I always knew someone was going to stand up to him one day. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that Joey Styles, the small, glasses-wearing announcer, would be the one to do it. The very idea of him giving JBL a black eye seems too wild to believe but it apparently happened and hopefully will be a good lesson for the guy. If nothing else, it's great to see the little guy get his due big time for once.


I'm sure many of you have your own choices and may argue with some of mine. I probably missed a few great ones from ROH but I'm sure Ari will have his own listing of that. But it's good to see 2008 giving so many fine moments for fans and prove again why wrestling is so much fun to watch year after year.


Also around 411mania:

Chin discusses the Importance of celebrities in wrestling

Evolution Schematic once again proves he's the only guy around a bigger Victoria freak than I am

Don't Think Twice has a very nicely written article on WWE's attitude toward kayfabe

The Wrestling Bard focuses on Gene Snitsky

The Shimmy updates his Hardy report card

Five Star Conversation talks back to his comment posters

If I could Be Serious talks if we're not shocked by things anymore in wrestling

Wrestling Doctor tries to fix the 1995 King of the Ring. Good luck

Tim beats me to an article with his Take on WWE's Starrcade set

Thoughts From the Top Rope gets into the year-end mood with a run down of the 10 best WWE matches of ‘08

Piledriver Report goes shopping for stars

The Top Five debuts with a look at the best feud-ending matches

Best of the Rest looks at Hardy's title win while Brooklyn Brawling tries to rebook it for Wrestlemania

Don't forget Column of Honor, Triple Threat, Ask 411, Fact or Fiction, 3 R's and all the rest.


Next week I look back ten years at the night, the shows and the fingerpoke that changed the Monday Night War forever. For now, the spotlight is off.