2012 predictions for the WWE and TNA rosters

As we head towards a new year in wrestling, I thought it would be appropriate to forecast the year ahead. Wrestling is notoriously unpredictable, so this could be insanely wrong. But that's part of the fun! So, in alphabetical order, here's what I think will come for the Superstars, Divas, Knockouts, Rookies, (some) developmental talents, and other on-screen talents in 2012. Keep in mind that these are more gut feelings based on where the talents are now than anything else.


 Abyss- TNA World Heavyweight Champion at least once as a monster face (the second will be after revenge for losing the first time)

AJ- continuing her rise in the Divas' division, finishing up in FCW to become a fairly regular part of the division. I don't think she'll be champion just yet, though
AJ Styles- continuing to be a "utility player", used all over the card wherever they think he can be used best but probably not champion
Aksana- will seek to become Smackdown general manager and could even briefly succeed, but will end up in the Purgatory of the Divas' division before year's end (see: Rosa Mendes pre-Primo/Epico). Possibly released or leaving when that doesn't work out as well as planned.
Alberto Del Rio- an even bigger part of the main event picture, almost certainly holding more than one major title on either brand
Alex Shelley- will reunite with Chris Sabin and try to recreate the magic they once had as a tag team before getting once more lost in the shuffle
Alex Riley- Chris Masters'd unless he gets to Smackdown where they'll use him well (like Rhodes, DiBiase, McIntyre, Ezekiel, etc. over the years)
Alicia Fox- will be pushed as a big part of the division, probably even Divas' Champion by year's end. Will still have a ways to go as an in-ring competitor. Possibly joined by her sister (who's currently in FCW).
Anarquia- midcard Purgatory if not released when Mexican America breaks up
Angelina Love- featured competitor in the Knockouts division, presumably as a face
Anthony Nese- will continue to improve and move up the ranks of the X-Division, but won't get close to the title yet
Antonio Cesaro (FCW)- If NXT isn't replaced, he'll end up there in a future season. He'll end up on the main roster at some point, but maybe not as soon as some would like
Austin Aries- one of the top acts in TNA's midcard, possibly eventually reaching the level that Kazarian, Styles, and Daniels reached
Beth Phoenix- One of the top Divas, then back to supporting character while others get the spotlight
Big Show- After a heel turn, losing to Daniel Bryan in World Title matches, then losing to Shaq at WrestleMania, will start to slip into the Kane/Taker/Henry territory of not being full-time and used more strategically
Bo Rotundo (FCW)- on a future season on NXT if they continue that idea. Will likely at least get tryouts for the main roster. Creative won't know what to do with him. Maybe he'll start strong this year, then get lost in midcard hell. See the early careers of Rhodes and DiBiase
Bobby Roode- one of the top acts in TNA. Will be "made" as a top guy there (at least for now)
Booker T- After WrestleMania or so, will slip into the Jerry Lawler/William Regal role of occasional wrestler but mostly commentator (and maybe Producer)
Brian Kendrick- X-Division purgatory or used as comic relief like Eric Young. Maybe pushed later in the year as a challenger for the X-Division (and TV?) Title(s?)
Brie Bella- eye candy, filler in the Divas' division. Same as every year.
Brodus Clay- Will kill people in squash matches for a while, then Creative will run out of ideas for him and he'll be just another guy on the roster for a while. Then they'll try again late in the year.
Brooke Tessmacher- one of the top Knockouts. Will surprise people by how much she's improved in the ring.
Bully Ray- top name in TNA, used to help get others over.
Byron Saxton (FCW)- will at least appear as a backstage character or manager. Ditto for Abraham Washington, who will have a new name
C.M. Punk- top name in WWE and wresting, built on his way to Orton/Cena level (but maybe not there yet)
Chris Sabin- see Alex Shelley. They might even split up and feud (again).
Christian- might add more gold to his resume, but will primarily be used to elevate the future of WWE's main event scene
Christopher Daniels- might get some titles in the midcard range (X-Division, TV, Tag), but won't get the "big one". Maybe midcard Purgatory again.
Cody Rhodes- Possibly win MITB. Will get at least close to the World Title unless they draft him to Raw and lose him in the shuffle
Comacho- will eventually turn face and split from/feud with Hunico. Might disappear afterward.
Conor O'Brian (FCW)- will at least get the chance to make it up to the main roster by year's end
Corey Graves (FCW)- what I just said for Conor, and maybe on a future season of NXT. Stands a decent chance of getting over
Crimson- will continue to be built towards the TNA World Title. Might lose in some BS fashion before September or so. Not sure if he'll get near the top of the company by the end of 2012
Curt Hawkins- unless the MidCard Mafia show catches on, released when the company can't think of how to use him. NXT can't go on all year, can it? MAYBE the tag team division catches on again and he and Reks get a chance there
D'Angelo Dinero- on his way up to the TNA World Title, but not there just yet. Big feuds as he gets closer, though
Damien Sandow (FCW)- will at least get a shot at the main roster. Will either be in midcard hell or released if he doesn't impress enough to get over.
Daniel Bryan-Will float around between the top of the card and kind of, sort of midcard like Ziggler, Kofi, Swagger, Miz, Rey, Christian and Punk before him
Darren Young- either a consistent midcard performer Creative is unsure about what to do with, directionless and stuck, or released.
David Otunga- could very well cheat his way to being a solid midcard heel.
Dean Ambrose (FCW)- Will make a splash as an unconventional performer on Smackdown. It will take some time for people to get used to him, but he could be on his way to success.
Derrick Bateman- a fairly consistent part of Smackdown before possibly being lost in the shuffle
Devon- will be used as a springboard for others to move up the card, possibly including his kids
Dolph Ziggler- will at least get a shot at the top of the card, maybe holding one of the top titles for a while
Douglas Williams- another midcard utility player to get others over.
Drew McIntyre- Either FINALLY used as someone with a future in the company or released
Eli Cottonwood (FCW)- released or used as another big guy the company will use just because he's big
Epico- tag team champion with Primo
Eric Young- will remain employed all year as a goofy comedy character.
Evan Bourne- possibly a midcard singles champion, someone with a future
Eve- one of the top Divas in the company, possibly paired with a top male act. Maybe a heel turn?
Ezekiel Jackson- will go from dominant force to lost in the midcard over and over again
Gail Kim- one of the top Knockouts and characters in the company
Garett Bischoff- will be pushed. A lot. David Flair Version 2.0.
Goldust- will feud with Cody Rhodes (possibly winning one last IC Title), then go back behind the scenes. And block a LOT of people on Twitter
Heath Slater- will annoyingly stick around for a while. Might get pushed to more titles on the midcard level.
Hernandez- will breakout of Mexican America and feud with Anarquia before being used as a strong singles star. Might hold the TV Title.
Hornswoggle- will be used any time the writers want to amuse themselves with a comedy segment
Hulk Hogan- will show up whenever he feels like it, make a lot of money, push himself and his friends, then go back to whatever else he thinks is a better use of his time than moving the wrestling business into the future
Hunico- consistent midcard heel
Husky Harris (FCW)- will likely get another shot at the main roster, possibly with his brother Bo Rotundo.
Jack Swagger- face turn and push to at least the IC Title level
James Storm- World Champion, one of the top faces in TNA
Jeff Hardy- will be a pretty big deal at the top of TNA, then screw something up somehow. It's Jeff Hardy...
Jeff Jarrett- will be phased out to work with TNA's Indian project, but will still show up here and there to help get others further over
Jesse Godderz (OVW)- will either fail miserably or have a chance of success. Not expecting a big year from him.
Jesse Sorensen- if he catches on well enough, X-Division Champion and an important part of the divsion. If not, TNA Purgatory.
Jey Uso- either a Tag Team Champion or feuding with his brother
Jimmy Uso- see Jey Uso
Jinder Mahal- will get fairly over, and maybe hold a midcard title
John Cena- won't be quite as omnipresent as in 2011 after Mania, but will still be a pretty big part of the company. MAYBE a heel turn.
John Laurinaitis- either removed from his role or will be the next Michael Cole/Vickie Guerrero.
Johnny Curtis- consistent role on Smackdown
Justin Gabriel- important part of the rising WWE midcard
JTG- either used to get others over, in midcard Purgatory, or released
Kaitlyn- will be more featured in the Divas division, but not near the title yet
Kane- will be awesome and a big part of WWE for a while, then right back in the supporting character to the main eventers spot.
Karen Jarrett- back on TV as a manager or authority figure of some sort, at least for a while. With or without her husband.
Kazarian- will continue to be groomed to be someone important in TNA
Kelly Kelly- Divas Champion. Top Diva. Same old, same old.
Kevin Hackman (Andy Leavine) (FCW)-either brought to the main roster with a shaky start to his career or will stay in FCW.
Kevin Nash- will have at least one more match/feud in WWE by year's end. Otherwise will likely be a big player behind-the-scenes in WWE.
Kharma- will crush Divas for a while before losing via upset. Big part of the division when she returns.
Kid Kash- will either get a good number of X-Divisioners further along in their careers or be phased out of the company
Kofi Kingston- will continue his rise in WWE
Kurt Angle- will help stars get further over approaching the main event level
Layla- will do nicely in the Divas' division as one of the more experienced members
Leakee (FCW)- on a future season of NXT and/or get a shot at moving up to the main roster
Leo Kruger (FCW)- will at least be given a shot on the main roster
Madison Rayne- will feud with a number of top Knockouts and likely hold the Title
Magnus- will surprise us and do fairly well as his career continues to grow
Mark Haskins- will eventually get a chance to show what he can do in the X-Division
Mark Henry- will eventually lose momentum and be on a downward slope as his career slows down
Mason Ryan- will be pushed as a big guy, possibly holding a title or two
Matt Morgan- after putting Crimson over, possibly closing in on a World Title
Maxine- a fairly big part of the Divas' division on Raw or Smackdown
Michael McGillicutty- will either surprise everyone by doing something fairly important or will have a very unimportant year
Mick Foley-will show up every now and then, possibly feuding with an up-and-comer or two to give them legitimacy.
Mickie James- one of the top Knockouts for a while
The Miz- will continue his ascension as a top star of this generation
Mr. Anderson- important part of wherever TNA sees fit to use him
Natalya- will be used to elevate other Divas. Hopefully feuds with Beth for the title
Naomi (FCW)- will finally make it to the main roster and do decently in the Divas division before she ends up yet another cog in the machine
Nikki Bella- see Brie Bella.
ODB- will be featured a good deal, but might not be Knockouts Champion
Percy Watson- possibly in a tag team with Titus O'Neil. He'll at least have a chance to show what he can do before becoming just another guy not doing much of anything.
Primo- tag team champion with Epico, probably will feud with him not too long afterward
R-Truth- one of the top players in either the WWE or World Title pictures
Randy Orton- a pretty important part of whichever brand he's a part of. Almost certainly will add more than one top title to his resume
Raquel Diaz (FCW)- will debut as either a manager or backstage character playing off of her mother Vickie Guerrero
Rey Mysterio- important part of the company, used to elevate others, etc.
Ric Flair- will step in the ring at least once, used to legitimize others, will get a good deal of screen/mic time
Ricardo Rodriguez- will eventually be dumped by Del Rio, then turn face and fight him. Then they'll probably run out of ideas for him (see: Alex Riley in 2011)
Richie Steamboat (FCW)- will likely be on a future season of NXT and/or get a chance at making it to the main roster
Rob Van Dam- will further be used to put on good matches, draw people to TNA, etc.. Maybe used to get others over.
Robbie E- might end up with a gimmick change, but will stay in TNA
Robbie T- will likely get some kind of push as a serious character, in either a singles or tag team role
The Rock- will continue to pop up here and there after Mania to pop a rating and promote things, etc.
Rosa Mendes- either used as a manager for some new people or eventually released
Rosita- will continue to grow in the Knockouts division
Samoa Joe- will finally be on his way to doing something big in TNA
Santino Marella- will continue to do what he does
Sarita- feud with Rosita, elevated in the Knockouts division
Scott Steiner- will cut hilarious promos and be used to legitimize up-and-comers either by facing them or teaming with them
Seth Rollins (FCW)- will be on his way to being someone of interest in WWE
Shannon Moore- used to get others over in the X-Division
Sheamus- big star in WWE
Sin Cara- will continue his growth as an international sensation
Skip Sheffield- will get a chance to break out as a powerhouse, but WWE will give up halfway through and he'll be caught in the shuffle (are you noticing a theme here?)
Sting- will continue to be used as a supporting character, stepping in the ring here and there but mostly used as a star presence to get segments over.
Tamina- pushed, eventually Divas' Champion
Tara- will continue to wind down her career getting over other Knockouts
Ted DiBiase- will ride the DiBiase Posse idea to getting nicely over, probably holding one or more titles
Terrell Hughes (Devon's son)- will become part of a fairly regular tag team in TNA
Terrence Hughes (Devon's son)-see Terrell Hughes
Titus O'Neil- will be given a shot as a powerhouse, likely originally in a team with Percy Watson
Toxxin- will either manage Shannon Moore in the X-Division, link up with someone new, end up in the Knockouts shuffle, or end up out of TNA
Traci Brooks- will continue to be used as something of a background character by TNA
Trent Barreta- will likely continue to be a good worker that isn't used as much as he should be
Triple H- will continue to go into the background of WWE after WrestleMania season, working to improve aspects of the company and its performers as he sees fit
Tyler Reks- See Curt Hawkins.
Tyson Kidd- Might finally get a shot to show what he can do and be on his way to being one of the best pure workers in the business
The Undertaker- work Wrestlemania, show up here and there as his health allows to be the top guy, then go back to the sidelines and let everyone else worry about what to do about all the people who are made to look as less important than him
Velvet Sky- one of the top Knockouts, holding the title.
Vickie Guerrero- will continue to be used to get heat, possibly feuding with her daughter at some point
Wade Barrett- top player in the WWE, getting the World/WWE Title he should have got as the leader of Nexus
William Regal- will wrestle every once in a while, and maybe do commentary, but will generally be behindthe scenes.
Winter-used off-and-on in the Knockouts Division. Sometimes important, sometimes not as much
Xavier Woods (FCW)- will either end up on a future season of NXT, or get a shot at the main roster at some point (maybe in a tag team)
Yoshi Tatsu- Stuck in the midcard, used to get some others over, etc. Will wrestle when there's time to fill.
Zack Ryder- continuing his rise as a popular superstar. At some point he'll quit the YouTube show as he'll be pretty over without it.
Zema Ion- will do pretty well for himself in the X-Division, holding the title and growing as a superstar.

That's it for my 2012 forecasts. I'll be back later tonight with the final news post of 2011, then a statement regarding the new year. Thanks for reading!