What to expect in 2011
A New Year is upon us. What does the future bring? Your guess is as good as any but here is what people from the SPW office and roster had to say:
Who will break out in 2011
John Henry: I touched on this in The Buzz and the more I think about it the more I’m leaning towards Tommy Lee Curtis. If he continues the way he has, there is nothing he can’t accomplish.
Matt Fairlane: If I had to pick two it would be Tommy Lee Curtis or Shadow Xtreme. TLC showed a lot of promise in the later half of 2010 while Shadow stepped up his game all year evolving past just being another trainee. There is something special about him that, if he can tap into it, he’ll be a big star in the company.
Shawn Coates: This may seem like a strange choice but I’m going to say Nacho Slurpee. He doesn’t have the best win/loss record but he’s proven to be a fan favorite despite win or losses. I think if he starts to take himself a little more serious, Nacho Slurpee could be the dark horse for break out star.
The state of the entire industry at the end of 2011
Ron McLean: With so much going on this is a tough one. If Bischof and Hogan leave TNA we could see some major changes in that company. If HDnet clears more markets and RoH keeps growing their internet PPV market, I think we’ll see some real growth. I think WWE will be much of the same but with a new crop of main event wrestlers that will include Sheamus, Wade Barrett, The Miz, John Morrison and Alberto Del Rio. Chris Jericho will also make his return sometime in the summer or right after SummerSlam and CM Punk will solidify himself as a future legend much as Edge did a few years ago.
Brady Blitz: I think WWE will be full of new faces. Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan will both become free agents. TNA will hit the reset button again when Hogan and friends are fired. RoH will try to grow but will be hampered by roster depth. SPW will grow along with GoFightLive and debut on internet PPV. The UFC will continue to corner the PPV market with an international expansion into South America and Asia. Oh and Brock Lesnar will be built up for a rematch against Cane Valesquez and lose.
Robbie Robinson: I think WWE, TNA and RoH will be much of the same. WWE will continue its youth movement, TNA will struggle to settle on one direction and RoH will continue to grow its internet PPVs while creating new stars for the future. DragonGate USA will continue to grow as well with an expanded live event schedule and more terrestrial and internet PPVs as well as a DVD distribution deal or a deal with something like Netflix. Lucha Libre will continue to explode with a more American presence for AAA and CMLL and Lucha Libre USA will finish out Season 2 with its future in question. SPW will expand its presence on GoFightLive.tv and look at creating a new TV series that will air on cable.
Who will end 2011 as SPW Heavyweight Champion
Tom Hallick: He’s not very nice and he’s not very well liked but I’m a big fan of “Iron” Ike Idol. He’s my pick to end 2011 as SPW Heavyweight Champ!
Mike Mission: I like La Sombra’s chances because he’s always in the mix and really started to gain momentum throughout the summer. If not La Sombra I could see Chi Chi Cruz becoming a 2-time champion.
Rob Stardom: Marius finished 2009 as champion. He finished 2010 as champion. I’ll be damned if he doesn’t finish 2011 as champion too.
Who might receive the SPW Lifetime Achievement Award
Dale Barnett: I’d be very proud to give the award to Tony Condello for years of promoting throughout Central Canada.
Chi Chi Cruz: Dave Pinsky would be a good choice I think. He has a lot of history as a promoter, booker and wrestler..
Jethro Hawg: Having worked for Tony Condello for years, he would make a great choice. If not Tony then my next choice would be Walter Shefchyk.
Jerin Rose: I’d love to see Wayne Stanton get the award. No one gave more guys, more opportunities for such a long period of time as Wayne did. If not for Wayne and River City Wrestling a lot of us wouldn’t be here. Heck, SPW might not even be here!
What you’d like to see in 2011
SYKO: Marius continue his epic reign as SPW Heavyweight Champion and the end of Chip Fletcher’s career.
Shadow Xtreme: I’d like to see Necro Butcher and for SPW to debut in my hometown.
Marius: I’d like to see SPW debut on internet PPV and have more digital video content. It’s the next natural step for me as the champion, to prove why I’m better than Matt Fairlane.
Alex Shaver: I’d like to see the end of the Family of Darkness and for S ‘n R to get the Tag Team titles back!
Shawn Coates: A full fledged women’s division!
So what should we expect from SPW in 2011? Expect the unexpected!
