BRIAN FRITZ'S FIGHTIN' WORDS ON WRESTLING

Here's what you can expect in the world of wrestling in 2008

Brian Fritz | Fightin' Words on Wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts

January 2, 2008

With the new year upon us, it's time to give some predictions as to what 2008 will hold for the wrestling business.

Healthier wrestlers in the ring

Quite a bold prediction considering all the wrestling tragedies that have happened, especially over the past five years alone. The WWE seems more serious than ever about enforcing its wellness policy and suspending those who violate it while helping others in need of treatment. Of course, the policy isn't perfect, and not everyone there or in other wrestling promotions will be clean. But you have to start somewhere, and this is as good as time as any.

So there will be wrestlers without the flawless physiques who might have a few extra pounds from time to time. It's better for the fans to get used to that than to see another name added to the list of those who have passed on way too young.

Ric Flair retires from wrestling

It has to happen at some point. After 35 years of limousine riding, jet flying, kiss stealing, wheelin' and dealin', the Nature Boy officially will end his legendary career in 2008.

Flair himself finally has realized that he cannot go on forever although he would like to. He loves the wrestling business and the life it has given him from being the star in the ring to the life of the party each and every night.

It's been a great ride for the man who is arguably the greatest professional wrestler of all time. Now we have to sit back and watch the conclusion to his legendary career.

Mick Foley retires from wrestling

While not talked about as much, the coming year will be the last time that the Hardcore Legend will enter the squared circle.

Foley is now 42 with bad knees, which have given him problems for years. He rarely wrestles now but would like to have one more juicy story line capped off by a big match before he officially calls it quits.

Foley isn't getting a huge send-off like Flair but he deserves one. From wild matches with barbed wire to falling over 15 feet off the top of a steel cage to re-creating himself using his wonderful sense of humor, Foley has left his mark on the wrestling business and given fans some great memories.

Jeff Hardy will win the WWE title

Hardy doesn't look the part of your typical wrestler with a huge, muscular body. But he does stand out in the crowd with hair colored anything from red to green to purple and a huge tattoo from his neck down his right arm.

He also stands out in the ring with his high-flying style that has made him into one of the biggest fan favorites in the WWE. He has been on quite a roll since returning to the company last August.

Hardy had a ton of success with the promotion before as part of a tag-team with his brother Matt. Now, he is becoming a main-event wrestler on his own, and 2008 should see him have the world title around his waist at some point, most likely in the summer.

Chris Jericho will not win the WWE title

Sure, some fans will like to see the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla with the gold again. But Jericho really doesn't need it to be one of the main guys in the WWE. The whole point of his returning to the company after a two-year hiatus was to be more than just a wrestler but an entertainer. He doesn't need a title to do that.

While Jericho will be the champion again at some point in his career, it likely won't happen in 2008.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling will replace its creative team

During the first few years of TNA Wrestling, the promotion seemed to be changing its creative team every few months, and with it, a different direction on screen. Now, things have settled with the current team of Jeff Jarrett, Vince Russo and Dutch Mantel having been in place for about a year.

But it's time for another shakeup as the group has relied too much on hokey storyl lines and not building up its talent into true superstars that fans will pay to see.

Give them credit for helping build TNA to where it is now after only five years, but if the promotion wants to take the next step, some new faces with fresh ideas are needed.

Samoa Joe will win the TNA world title

Why stop with a change behind the scenes? Samoa Joe is a unique talent with his physical style and amazing athleticism for a man weighing in at 280 pounds.

He looked to be on track last year to win the TNA world title for the first time, but the company decided not to pull the trigger. He's lost a bit of the momentum he had, but it wouldn't be hard to get it back. Samoa Joe is a standout talent and should be given the opportunity with the championship and to be a top guy there. It definitely wouldn't hurt business, and maybe TNA finally will create its own star in the process.

It will not rain on March 30

Well, the WWE is crossing its collective fingers and toes for this prediction. That is the day for WrestleMania 24 at the Citrus Bowl, the first time the promotion has held its signature vent outdoors in 15 years.

It might be a bit risky to hold the event there given the possible weather conditions. However, the 2008 Farmer's Almanac says there is a chance for rain in the morning, but the skies will clear up by midday. Let's remember how accurate this is in three months.

You can e-mail Brian Fritz at [email protected] .