The 10 Biggest Questions Heading Into 2009

1. Who Knocked Out Jeff Hardy?

On the morning of The Survivor Series, Jeff Hardy was found unconscious in his hotel stairwell. While Edge is the most obvious suspect, there are a few others that clues may link to this event. Triple H has the motive, no alibi, and a history of taking someone out of their Surivivor Series match. Jeff's brother Matt was conspicuous by his absence when Jeff won the title at Armageddon. My guess is that this assault would be a great way to reintroduce Christian Cage to the company.

2. What Type of an Impact Will the Economy Have on Wrestling?

This year was marked by a financial collapse that saw untouchable financial institutions disappear overnight and many other major corporations at the brink of bankruptcy. Wrestling fans and their parents saw their 401ks diminish to 201ks. The wrestling industry is now facing a situation where their fans have less money and advertisers have less money. The year ended with the WWE changing their TV taping schedule to save money as well as release some wrestlers. Is this just the beginning of the maneuvers for wrestling companies to stop the bleeding that the economic collapse has brought?

3. Will WrestleMania be Indoors or Outdoors?

WrestleMania XXV will be taking place at Reliant Stadium in Houston. That stadium features a roof that opens and closes which gives the WWE the option of having either an indoor or outdoor event. However, at the moment the roof is in the open position due to damage it sustained from Hurricane Ike. With the football season over, the work to repair the roof is set to begin. The repair will take a few months to complete and there will be a few events at the stadium between now and the show that will cause the work to stop. It is not known if the repairs will be completed in time for a closed roof at the show.

4. Will The Wrestler Win any Oscars?

2008 ended with the limited-release opening of the critically acclaimed movie The Wrestler. The movie has been nominated for three Golden Globe awards. Will this movie get any nominations for the Academy Awards?

5. When Will the HBO Wrestling Drama Debut?

HBO has teamed up with Norman Lear to produce a drama about the world of professional wrestling. HBO has a very good track record when it comes to creating weekly dramas and Norman Lear is a television icon who is responsible for classic television programming like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, and countless other programs that many readers of this site grew up watching. The teaming of HBO and Norman Lear could be the most entertaining tag team for wrestling fans since Hawk and Animal got together.

6. Are Wrestlers Employees or Independent Contractors?

In 2008, a few former WWE wrestlers started a class action case against the WWE claiming that they should be considered employees and not independent contractors. A loss by the WWE in this case could be very costly for the company. Not only will this increase future costs for the company, a loss could set in motion a case by the IRS for back taxes due to improper classifications.

7. Which Case Will Cost Hulk More Money?

Hulk Hogan is on the verge of two court cases that could wipe out portions of his fortune. His divorce has been both public and nasty and there is no doubt that Linda will want as much as she can get in the divorce. In addition to that case, Nick's 2007 automobile accident that left his friend with permanent brain damage will more than likely lead to Hulk losing quite a few dollars.

8. Will The Frontline Ever Win?

2008 ended in TNA with the Main Event Mafia going undefeated against the Frontline for two consecutive PPV events. Since the final PPV event of 2008, the Mafia has gotten even more of an advantage over the Frontline as they have take out Samoa Joe and Brother Ray in two separate hits. What could be the greatest feud in TNA history is on the verge of becoming a route. With three members of the Frontline proud about their ties to Michigan, it appears that they are trying to emulate the Detroit Lions.

9. What's Going on With the McMahon Family?

This summer, Vince McMahon was taken off of TV when a set collapsed on him. His two children, Shane and Stephanie, have appeared on RAW both flexing their muscles trying to outdo each other it in filling their father's shoes. Something has to give in this brewing sibling rivalry and it appears that 2009 will feature another chapter in the long-running but recently dormant McMahon family feud.

10. Will the Edge and Vickie Guerrero Marriage Last?

The honeymoon for the newlyweds was very short when Edge was caught trying to cheat on Vickie during their wedding celebration. Vickie went nuts and put Edge in a Hell in a Cell match. After Edge was put out of commission for several months, he returned at The Survivor Series and all the prior problems in the marriage seemed to be settled. If the two can keep their relationship together, they can dominate SmackDown. However, if they split up again, life can become miserable for them both again. Either way, the state of marital bliss in that household will have a huge impact on every SmackDown wrestler.