ECW Predictions for the 2009 year

Well, 2008 is over, or coming to an end. It's now time for 2009. ECW is nearing its 3rd year since its rebirth. So, I wanted to take this time to make some bold predictions about what will happen to ECW and its superstars for the new year. Just so you all have a leg up on what's going on, my predictions will be based on what I know will happen, what I think should happen, and what should happen based on common sense and good logic. So, let's get to the predictions:

Bam Neely
-What does the future hold for ECW's resident bodyguard? If all works out, a change of scenery is in order. Body guarding will still be his main job, but his employer will be different. Who will it be? My guess is The Brian Kendrick. So, then, he'll have Ezekiel on one end and Bam on the other as protection and as a potential tag team for the WWE tag titles, leaving Kendrick free to pursue singles gold. If all doesn't work out, wish Bam the best in his future endeavors.

Boogeyman
-I'm predicting that the Boogeyman will continue to terrorize the ECW superstars of his choosing and amusement, but it will benefit him based on gold. His next target will the Dirt Sheet duo of the Miz and John Morrison. But for that to work, won't he need a partner? Sure, and the only person who could handle this crazy creature is another one, only shorter and spunkier. I'm talking about Hornswoggle, of course. You can't get him without his tough father, Finlay. So, these two will join forces to make things very unorthodox for the World Tag Champions Miz and Morrison as well as for ECW.

Chavo Guerrero
-He doesn't use Bam anymore, and he's regularly showing up on Smackdown in defense of his aunt. It looks like a change of scenery is in order for Chavo as well and Smackdown is the only place to go. A flunky he'll remain for the most part until he finally fights for his respect. But, not before he makes another attempt at becoming the ECW champion, which he won't succeed at.

Evan Bourne
-The high-flying aerialist will make his return to ECW in a big way. However, his run on ECW won't last forever as he will be joining the Raw brand in the future, most likely the near one. If and when that happens, expect him to give the Intercontinental title a look or the Miz and Morrison a run for their money as he will reprise his role as Rey Mysterio's partner and shoots for the World Tag titles. But, until that may or may not be a reality, his time on ECW will be accentuated with another shot at the ECW title and a big win to solidify his importance. He will be the one to end Jack Swagger's undefeated streak. I can feel it.

Finlay
-The fighting Irishman will continue his shenanigans (much to my chagrin) until the ECW champion takes notice again. No, Finlay won't win the belt, but he will set his sights elsewhere. For more on that, see the Boogeyman's prediction.

Gavin Spears
-I don't see anything positive with this guy. I predict he will remain a loser, jobbing until he's fired. If there's anything that will happen as a positive for this guy, I don't know it. I would say he'll come to Smackdown and receive some well-deserved motivation from another Canadian in Edge, but who really knows for sure.

Jack Swagger
-Jack's future? He will remain undefeated until a certain ECW upstart upsets him. See Evan Bourne's prediction. Once upset, Swagger will be very upset, unleashing a mean streak to go along with his cockiness. This will propel him to title contention. A title win is imminent if he remains on ECW for the year, but I see Jack going to Smackdown to continue his winning ways. If the singles game fizzles out for Jack (which will depend on his U.S. title reign), a tag team will form between Jack and.........Vladimir Kozlov??! Both talented, tall, and powerful wrestlers will form a "summit" of sorts (a la Reagan and Gorbachev) and wreak havoc on the tag scene. I'm making a lot of tag predictions aren't I?

John Morrison and the Miz
-This dynamically dangerous duo will continue their World title run, fending off challengers left and right, from ECW and even Raw, as mentioned in earlier predictions. This will prove to be a very tough spot for them as I believe that they will relocate to Raw before 2009 finishes. Why tough? The allure of gold will get the best of them as the IC and World titles will be in plain sight and ripe for the taking. This will place some friction between the two, coercing or signaling a possible break-up. It will be a breakup that will benefit one more than the other. On that note, expect Morrison to return to the World title picture.

Mark Henry and Tony Atlas
-The world's strongest man will continue the punishment in ECW, and may get an ECW title run out of it. However, I'm starting to see that Tony is getting tired of being Mark's whipping boy. This could coerce Tony to step out of retirement and teach Mark Henry some manners. This will effectively end the relationship between the two, and I doubt Tony will be returning....

Matt Hardy
-He will continue his push to become the best ECW champion ever, getting into battles with all those around ECW. I predict that there is a chance that the ECW title won't stay on Hardy's waist, leaving him with all the time in the world to help Jeff in his quest to remain a champion. Slowly and surely, Matt Hardy will reveal to us that he was the one that cost Jeff the title at Survivor series. This will definitely give us the Hardy vs. Hardy match we've been waiting for. Why Matt? Isn't it obvious? Matt's been working hard at being a top star, and Jeff has been messing up. So, why should Jeff get the richest prize in the industry over Matt, who is champion of a reborn and severely weakened ECW? (Note: to members of the A.C.A. on Facebook, I thought of this around the same time as some of you did. I'm not stealing it from you. If anything, I'm agreeing with you).

Matt Striker and Todd Grisham
-They will keep announcing. Duh. I would hope that one gets removed, but..no

Ricky Ortiz
-The rambunctious Latin Assassin will continue to rally for some support. He may even get some help in the form of a very pretty person (See Theodore Long's prediction later). If he does, say, utilize this girl, we can be assured as to where DJ Gabriel will lie (See Gabriel's prediction later) and we'll see something of a rivalry between the two, as both are charismatic, but both are still blossoming into stars. If this doesn't look likely, I predict that Ricky will do what he probably should have done since the beginning: turn heel. That annoying attitude of his will give him Carte Blanche to be under the skin of the many ECW personalities. Granted his in-ring style shapes up, I can see him setting up shop elsewhere in the WWE. I'm predicting Raw, since Carlito is the only Afro wearing Spanish wrestler on Smackdown and that's all we need. I wouldn't frown on a match between the two, however. Ortiz is going to be big as a singles wrestler.

Theodore Long and Tiffany
-Teddy will continue to get his shine on doing this job, but I predict he'll be losing Tiffany to Ricky Ortiz very soon based on how they look at one another. Can you say "backstage romance" because I can say this was more than obvious. This will continue into Ricky's prediction as noted earlier. What will Teddy do? I predict he will work out a partnership with a new person working alongside him. Who? Let's just say that he's an innovator.

Tommy Dreamer
-Dreamer will leave the wrestling aspect of ECW but not the brand itself. See part of Theodore Long's prediction. If that works out, Theo will work out a deal with Tommy for a partnership, giving Teddy a second-in-command and a great mind to utilize for future purposes. Dreamer will eventually get into a situation where he has to run ECW on his own, preparing for the show of a lifetime. This will place two scenarios in play. One scenario is his last ditch effort to be a big star on ECW before the move is made to administrative purposes. He'll try to find victory only to lose to say...either an established star like Mark Henry (who will "injure" Tommy, forcing him to retire) or a new star like a Jack Swagger (who has already beaten him at his own game). The second scenario has Tommy being coerced into combat while being in charge. Someone will provoke him into returning and he will. This may or may not work for Dreamer as I can see his administrative career being on the line in this match, and I can see him losing that, too.

DJ Gabriel and Alicia Fox
-They will keep on dancing. Will they dance their way into our hearts or into our hatred? If the former, expect a certain superstar to have his game checked to find its legit. The superstar in question is one of great "confidence" (Yea, it's that obvious). If the latter, watch for an angle with the Latin Assassin as mentioned earlier. The latter will help us get a better understanding of their allegiances.

Those are my predictions. Now, which do you think is what I know, like to see, and what makes common sense? Either or, it's going to be an interesting year. I can definitely predict that. As for ECW as a whole, I will make this prediction: it will...probably continue on, but not without some changes occurring and quickly. Now that it's at 9 p.m. and shows like American Idol are returning, they have to protect themselves, ratings-wise and keep their key demos from changing the channel. Otherwise, the rumors of ECW's departure might very well be truer than you all think...