WWE 2009 - The Revolution
As the year of 2008 began to recede, the wrestling world was changing and there was a distinct hint in the air that the powers of the wrestling industry might be shifting.
Due to faltering ratings, lack of talent and of creative direction, the inevitable fate of the ECW brand was realized and it was abolished. Superstars from the brand were distributed among both Raw and SmackDown and the ECW title was terminated.
Throughout the month of November, WWE workers began leaving the promotion. Some were released due to roster congestion caused by the influx of ECW superstars, whilst others left of their own accord, seeking work in the WWE’s now more prominent rival, TNA.
The following is a list of all the superstars who had left the WWE by the culmination of the year.
Jim Duggan (Chose to retire)
Jamie Noble (released)
Snitsky (released)
Tommy Dreamer (release)
Mark Henry (released)
Hornswoggle (released)
Bam Neely (released)
Mike Knox (released)
Funaki (released)
The Great Khali (released)
The Brian Kendrick (Left to pursue work with TNA)
Hardcore Holly (released)
Finlay (Left to pursue work with TNA)
Val Venis (released)
Tony Atlas (released)
With John Cena still out with an injury and Batista and JBL both sustaining injuries of their own, which could keep them out until mid-way through 2009, the WWE had lost three of its main eventers.
However, that wasn’t the only thing the number one wrestling promotion in the world was losing, as huge drops in revenue began being reported. This was attributed to declining attendance levels at live shows, ever-worsening ratings and Pay Per View income weakening.
Crisis looked set to hit if Vince McMahon did not do something to spark interest in his promotion once again and cure his ailing fan base.
In December, serious talk began about merging Raw and SmackDown rosters together in order to form one brand. This would mean that the WWE would have only one major weekly show but hoped that with the higher concentration of star power, would rate highly. The show would take up RAW’s previous timeslot but would be renamed.
At the Royal Rumble, the rumors were abated as Vince McMahon announced his plan live. Along with this was the announcement that the royal rumble winner, Randy Orton would face the world heavyweight champion at No Way Out as opposed to Wrestlemania, which had been the tradition. This was due to the fact that every corresponding championship from each brand would be amalgamated – The world champion would face the WWE champion with the winner being allowed to keep their title, whilst the other title was abolished. The same applied for the tag team, US/IC titled and the women’s/divas championships.
The show was dubbed ‘Rage’ and would premiere after Wrestlemania. Fans were stirring, as Wrestlemania and the debut of the new show approached. Meanwhile, some were grieving over the demise of SmackDown and the dual brand setup, which the WWE had become so accustomed to in recent years. Some looked upon the decision as more of a step back, rather than forward. However, Vince remained adamant that with a larger and more varied roster, feuds, matches and Pay per views would be consistently better.
Wrestlemania 25 results
WWE Championship VS World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H (WWE Champion) def. Randy Orton (World Heavyweight Champion)
Hell in a cell
Undertaker def. Edge
US Title VS IC Title
Santino Marella (IC Champion) def. Shelton Benjamin (US Champion)
Chris Jericho def. CM Punk
World tag team titles VS WWE tag team titles
Priceless (World tag team champions) def. Carlito and Primo Colon (WWE Tag team champions)
MITB Ladder Match
Paul Birchall def. Matt Hardy, Chavo Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, R-truth, Kane, Jeff Hardy & MVP
WWE Women’s Championship VS Divas Championship
Beth Phoenix (WWE Women’s champion) def. Natalya
John Cena made his return, declaring in a promo that he was now 100% fit to compete, to a huge crowd ovation.
Roster
WWE Champion: Triple H
Intercontinental Champion: Santino Marella
World Tag Team Champions: Priceless (Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr.)
Women’s champion: Beth Phoenix
Armando Estrada
Batista (injured)
Carlito Colon
Charlie Haas
Chavo Guerrero
Chris Jericho
Chuck Palumbo
CM Punk
Cody Rhodes
Curt Hawkins
Deuce
D-Lo Brown
Edge
Elijah Burke
Evan Bourne
Ezekiel Jackson
Festus
Gavin Spears
Gregory Helms
JBL (injured)
Jeff Hardy
Jesse
Jimmy Wang Yang
John Cena
John Morrison
JTG
Kane
Kenny Dykstra
Kofi Kingston
Lance Cade
Manu
Matt Hardy
Mike Mizanin
Mr. Kennedy
MVP
Paul Birchall
Paul London
Primo Colon
Randy Orton
Rey Mysterio
Ricky Ortiz
R-truth
Ryan Braddock
Santino Marella
Scott Goldman
Shad Gaspard
Shawn Michaels (currently taking a break from the business)
Shelton Benjamin
Super Crazy
Ted DiBiase Jr.
The Big Show
The Undertaker
Triple H
Umaga (injured)
Vladimir Kozlov
William Regal
Zack Ryder
Divas
Alicia Fox
Beth Phoenix
Brie Bella
Candice Michelle
Eve Torres
Jillian Hall
Katie Lea Burchill
Kelly Kelly
Layla El
Lena Yada
Maria
Maryse
Melina Perez
Michelle McCool
Mickie James
Natalya
Tiffany
Victoria
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WWE 2009 - The Revolution
