With time running out rapidly on the year 2022, we thought we would do what everybody else seems to be doing and take a look back at the year that was in pro wrestling. Each year brings its own share of surprises across the board and the past 12 months have certainly been no exception in real life or in the world of pro wrestling, which often hovers between real life and the alternative universe known to some as scripted sports entertainment. The two are actually inseparable much of the time.
Easily the biggest story this year was the “retirement” of Vince McMahon as head of World Wrestling Entertainment. The mogul who led the biggest company in the industry for four decades was really forced out by his own misdeeds. Ironically, if he hadn’t grown the company to such exorbitant heights that it became a publicly-traded one with a legitimate board of directors who have a duty to the stockholders and a higher-than-ever public profile, Vince may have been able to weather the storm as wrestling had previously flown so far under the mainstream news radar that many unflattering elements of the business (as well as the many good things that took place) were seldom known, much-less publicized to those outside of it. Vince killing “kayfabe” eventually helped kill Vince, although there have been rumblings recently that he wants to return.
The saying “Never say never” is a popular one in wrestling. Hulk Hogan is still around despite a couple of large scandals that damaged his reputation and status. Vince also brought Bruno, Austin, the Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart and Superstar Graham, to name just a few, back to the fold despite major differences he had with each. Several of them actually had legitimate reasons to distance themselves from McMahon. Eric Bischoff, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Cody Rhodes and Goldberg, once the enemy competition with WCW and AEW, all returned and found jobs with Vince after some dust settled. It would not be unthinkable that Vince would try to come back to the only thing he knows during 2023. He still owns a lot of stock, and has family and friends who might not be able to resist his request for another chance. The current impression seems to be that more people oppose his return than desire it because the product is generally perceived as improved with the new leadership in charge. The stock has fallen some since stories emerged that Vince wants back. Only time will tell.
The strife in AEW during the past year would have to be another of the biggest stories in 2022. CM Punk’s return and the rise of MJF after his worked holdout were major pluses early on, but on the night the company should have been celebrating another hugely successful pay-per-view, Punk’s second major injury and more importantly, the pipebomb press conference and subsequent fight in the locker area resulted in a black eye for the company. The suspension of the Elite left the AEW short on star power. Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson and Chris Jericho held things together until the suspended stars returned and the depth of talent on the roster — sometimes viewed as a liability in terms of getting enough people enough television time — proved to be a blessing during the rocky stretch. Unless the fight was a worked storyline (Can you blame long-time wrestling fans for always being just a bit suspicious?), it will be interesting to see if Punk can somehow make his way back to AEW or heads to WWE. Vince could bring him in personally for a WWE double return. Would that be a moment or what? Evil Vince brings in the reputed troublemaker Punk to get revenge on the company that shelved them both. The story practically writes itself. There is fantasy football, and, in wrestling, there is fantasy booking.
In the ring, the gutsy effort by Cody Rhodes in his match against Seth Rollins just days after tearing his pectoral muscle from the bone was one of the year’s most memorable visual events. Not to be outdone, Brock Lesnar, part-time WWE star and most of the time farmer, bringing a tractor down to upend the ring with opponent Roman Reigns in it at SummerSlam beats even the aforementioned visual in the minds of many. Gunther and Sheamus had a sensational battle at Clash At the Castle, and Drew McIntyre’s challenge there of Roman Reigns should have gone the Scottish Warrior’s way, a moment that WWE should have pulled the trigger on in front of the hometown crowd, but didn’t. Ricochet had a sensational tussle with Gunther recently on Smackdown, and down at NXT Bron Breakker had multiple outstanding outings defending the brand’s heavyweight crown.
AEW had no shortage of match of the year caliber candidates. Dynamite certainly finished the year with a bang this past Wednesday as that strong show included Danielson overcoming Ethan Page, Joe putting Wardlow to sleep, Moxley and Castagnoli upending Top Flight and the Elite taking Death Triangle to force a Match Seven in their terrific series, all of which were fantastic episodes. The AEW roster never took a back seat to anybody with respect to their in-ring work during the past 12 months. When compared to the television wrestling of yesteryear, current fans probably don’t really appreciate how fortunate they are. Remember the days of TV consisting of mostly squash matches to promote the big stars who fans would have to pay to see compete against each other at house shows? Now we get a lot of quality bouts on free TV because ratings mean more money for rights fees. House show income is now several notches down on the revenue stream list of importance and the fan in the recliner or on the couch is the beneficiary.
It was also a great year for former Shamokinite Tony Deppen as he worked featured matches for ROH and GCW, including high-profile title challenges and also wrestled for AEW toward the end of the year, traveling around the country and abroad as he motored his way up the infamous Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 listing to No. 143, no small accomplishment. This year he actually ranked higher than such prominent wrestlers on television as The Miz, Jimmy Uso, Jeff Hardy, Jay Lethal, Karrion Kross, Dexter Lumis, and Madcap Moss based on extensive criteria used by the publication. It was not a great end to the year for AJ Styles as he reportedly suffered a leg or ankle injury in his match in Hershey this week as the match was stopped and he had to be helped to the back with a non-storyline issue.
A very Happy New Year to everyone reading this column and best wishes to all for 2023.
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