By Richard Gardner, Torch specialist

As 2009 draws to a close, here is a look at 20 of the most important stories from the North American wrestling scene, which I have written about in my Key Moment of the Week columns. The stories go to show why wrestling is such an unpredictable form of entertainment, and why we continue to watch after all these years.

The second part is Stories 1-10. Read Stories 11-20 in Part 1.

(10) The Denver Debacle

It is remarkable that a fairly innocuous arena booking mishap became a national news story. Vince McMahon proved to be a firm believer in the age-old adage of "there's no such thing as bad publicity," as he did his best to push the story and try to present himself as wronged by Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke. Trying to capitalize on the story, McMahon opened that week's Raw with a segment where he argued with a fake version of Kroenke, also booking a main event where wrestlers wore basketball jerseys.

Excerpt from May 31 column: The fake Stan Kroenke was accompanied to Raw by a fake Jack Nicholson, fake Jerry Buss, and fake David Stern. Nicholson was involved in an even worse segment later in the show. With the Bella Twins fawning over him, the blatantly bogus movie star was stopped by Goldust and Hornswoggle in the corridor. Goldust, who had revived his speech impediment solely for the purpose of this angle, stuttered his was through the most famous scene from "A Few Good Men," a movie hardly likely to be on the radar of their new target market. If this was an attempt to expose the casual fan to WWE "comedy" it was severely misguided; it was the sort of intelligence-insulting segment that makes you embarrassed that you watch wrestling.

The main event was billed as WWE's version of Lakers vs. Nuggets - a ten man tag team match with the wrestlers dressed in basketball shirts. Any time that the phrase "WWE's version of" is used, it is an assurance of bad quality, and this was no different. The match itself was bearable, but it made no sense for the WWE to providing publicity for a basketball match that could be watched on another channel. In addition to this, putting the heels in Denver shirts must not sit well with Nuggets fans in their audience.

(9) Kurt Angle Arrested

Although later acquitted, Kurt Angle's arrest was a major news story and raised the issue of whether he was in adequate mental and physical condition to continue as TNA's top star.

Excerpt from Aug. 23 column: Kurt Angle can no longer perform as he used to, and his appetite for self destruction should no longer be indulged by Dixie Carter or TNA fans. He needs to be sent home, just as Jeff Jarrett was last month. Not only for his health, but also for the long-term health of TNA.

(8) Jeff Hardy Leaves WWE at the Top of His Game

Once pegged as a mid-carder, Jeff Hardy rose to become arguably the most popular wrestler in WWE during 2008 and 2009. Yet he chose to walk away from wrestling and the offer of a lucrative new contract.

Excerpt from Apr. 26 column: Although any references to financial security are pure speculation, reports of Jeff Hardy a modest lifestyle suggest that he may not need the assurance of a regular paycheck to make ends meet. If this is the case, then the WWE may be heading towards a situation similar to that of Rob Van Dam's in 2007, when a wrestler who was still important to the company rejected their advances in favor of living life on their own terms.

Excerpt from Aug. 30 column: Like that, he was gone. After months of speculation, months of conjecture, Jeff Hardy made his final appearance in the WWE for at least a few months. Since returning from his exile from WWE, he has become the most popular wrestler in the company; the poster boy for fans who are marginalized by John Cena's overbearing persona. His departure is a massive blow to WWE at a time when they are struggling to make new stars.

(7) The Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker Feud and Match of the Year

I have no problem admitting that the Michaels-Undertaker program held a lot of personal significance. The first time I ever saw wrestling was when I was eight-years-old and my friend loaned me a VHS tape of Summerslam 92. Both wrestlers appeared on this event, but they had minimal interaction with one another after the '92 PPV.

If the feud was exciting, the match blew away anything I saw in 2009. It is remarkable that Shawn Michaels still delivers such excellent performances in spite of his age and numerous injuries. The Undertaker is a far better worker than he is given credit for, and put in a career-best performance. I, for one, am anticipating the re-match.

Excerpt from Mar. 8 column: Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker is a dream match in an era when few exist. The match promises to deliver on all levels, and feels fresh due to the WWE limiting their contact over the years. With nearly 40 years in the company between them, the two are almost part of the furniture, but despite their lengthy tenures, the interaction between the two over the years has been limited to only one meaningful feud. Added to which, it is a treat for wrestling fans who grew up in the nineties and have followed the sport ever since.

And that's why Michaels-Undertaker is the match that I am looking forward to most at WrestleMania 25.

Excerpt from Apr. 26 column: It was a rare occasion where a wrestling match stops being entertainment, and becomes something far more important. This match was what "The Godfather" was to the film industry, or what "Nevermind" was to the alternative music scene. This match was a work of art.

Wrestling will never be considered culturally important, so to suggest that this match was important may seem laughable. Yet Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker set standards for everyone else in the industry to follow at WrestleMania. Next time someone asks you why you watch pro wrestling, show them a tape of this.

(6) Hulk Hogan Signs with TNA

In what originally seemed like an attempt to get Vince McMahon's attention, Hulk Hogan signed with TNA this year. There are still questions about what his exact involvement in the company will be before the Jan. 4 Impact debut, but major upheaval is afoot.

Excerpt from Nov. 1 column: Credibility is not a word normally associated with a man who has a fictional autobiography before his new book and whose matches consist of Superman comebacks against men half his age. Yet, it's something that Hogan brings to TNA.

Hulk Hogan is the most famous wrestler in the world, and that can only help when negotiating sponsorship and television deals. Whether his presence is wrestling or ambassadorial role, long-term or for a few weeks is irrelevant; Hulk Hogan's endorsement raises the profile of TNA amongst groups that have never heard of it before, and his appearances will yield footage that can be used for years to come.

(5) TNA Announces that Impact will go Head-to-Head with Raw

TNA wrestlers have talked about re-starting the Monday Night Wars ever since the company came into existence, but it was Hulk Hogan's arrival that was the catalyst for Spike TV commissioning a live edition of Impact, which will go out head-to-head with Raw on January 4. Any hint that a Monday night Impact has growth potential could lead to a permanent move. However, TNA and Spike's specific promotion of what will be contained on the show leaves much to be desired compared to WWE announcing the return of Bret Hart for the same night.

Excerpt from Dec. 13 column: If TNA is serious about moving to Monday nights on a regular basis, then there should not be panic if the January 4 show draws a low rating. They cannot build an audience to rival Raw's overnight, but over time the upside of a move to Mondays is huge. Monday night is wrestling night. On March 21, 2001 - the night of last Nitro - WCW and WWF drew a combined 7.7 rating. Today, Raw draws ratings in the low-to-mid 3.0's, indicating that there are a significant number of people who used to watch wrestling on Monday nights when the wrestling genre was at its absolute peak audience. It is highly unlikely that TNA will draw a rating equating to even half of what Raw gets every week. Yet in the long-term, Monday could prove to be a better fit for Impact.

(4) Shane McMahon Leaves WWE

On October 16, WWE announced that Shane McMahon was leaving the company to pursue outside ventures. Precisely what these outside ventures are has yet to be revealed, although he has had meetings with UFC officials. Shane's influence and financial power make this a huge story that has yet to fully unfold. Looking back, though, Shane started the year as a television character, destroying Legacy in an absolutely preposterous angle.

Excerpt from Feb. 1 column: Shane McMahon appeared on the ramp, looking as though Big Daddy V had been his gym buddy for the past year and a half. Despite not wrestling sine 2007, McMahon had no qualms about taking on all three members of Legacy. Twenty-four hours after winning the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton was selling for the Executive Vice President of WWE Global Media. As McMahon threw punches that wouldn't break an egg, Orton reacted as though he was suffering an assault from an angry Wladimir Klitschko. This was self-indulgent television at its absolute worst.

(3) WWE's Guest Host Concept

I have written more about the guest host concept than anything else during 2009. While I am aware that the idea has supporters on the Torch staff, my belief is that the WWE should be spending their time promoting Pay-Per-Views rather than the products of B-list celebrities. Dusty Rhodes bucked the trend by being one of the few guest hosts who actually improved Raw.

Excerpt from July 28 column: The celebrity guest host concept is the realization of Vince McMahon's attempt to redefine his wrestling federation as an entertainment format, moving away from old-school wrestling traditions. The problem is that WWE's attempts at scripted entertainment segments are generally poorly written and executed even worse.

Excerpt from Aug. 9 column: WWE has sold its soul to celebrity culture. With less than three weeks before the second biggest Pay-Per-View of the year, WWE spent an entire show promoting a movie that, for the record, looked f'n terrible. The fact that Summerslam is on August 23 was an aside; the big issue was that "The Goods" is in cinemas on August 14. Whether WWE was remunerated for this promotion is irrelevant; there is no way that the release of a Jeremy Piven film should be presented as bigger event than Summerslam.

After getting all this advertising for his movie you would think that Jeremy Piven would have the integrity to put over the WWE product. That was not the case. He had to be corrected by John Cena after he referred to Summerslam as "Summerfest." The jury is still out over whether this was a genuine mistake or he was just making sure that the general public knew he wasn't a fan of something that hasn't been cool since the turn of the decade.

Excerpt from Sept. 6 column: Dusty Rhodes's appearance on Raw this week was refreshing; one of the few times where the guest host has not been a liability. It was a nice story that put the wrestlers over rather than the host, when in previous weeks the situation was the exact opposite. Added to which, Dusty is revered by wrestling fans so the turn and Orton's attack meant so much more than jumping a random celebrity such as Freddie Prinze Jr.

(2) Bret Hart Signs with the WWE

When WWE re-created the Montreal Screwjob for the umpteenth time, this time with C.M. Punk and The Undertaker, it seemed that they were once again trying to cash in on the biggest controversy of the '90s. But it wasn't long before reports emerged suggesting that The Hitman was in serious negotiations with the WWE. He would eventually agree to a short-term deal to return as a television character, and he is rumored for a match at WrestleMania 26. Considering his health issues and animosity with Vince McMahon, his return is the proof that no one in wrestling really retires, and that anyone will work with anyone else if there is money to be made.

Excerpt from Sept. 20 column: WWE's bookers believe recreating the finish will result in instant heat on the authority figure that is cheating the babyface. Actually, each time this finish is used it has less impact than the time before. Nevertheless, WWE dragged this tired concept out yet again at last Sunday's Breaking Pont Pay-Per-View.

Excerpt from Sept. 27 column: Wrestlers often berate Vince McMahon in the public domain after leaving WWE, but with Bret Hart it was different. It's hard to begrudge any wrestler going back to WWE, due to the money that is on offer coupled with the fact that it is the only truly international stage for a wrestler to ply his trade, but Bret Hart was absolutely adamant that he would never work for Vince McMahon again. If he were to return it would be absolutely shocking, more so than when Eric Bischoff came to WWE as General Manager.

But where exactly does Bret Hart fit? Present day WWE is different than it was in 1997 when Bret had his greatest year in the ring and on the microphone. The creative freedom that the wrestlers had has been replaced by scripts produced by a creative team. Comedy is favored over drama, entertainment emphasized over sport. An obvious way to get The Hitman into the mix would be to attach him to The Hart Dynasty. There are also rumors that he will take over from Teddy Long as the Smackdown General Manager, but that role has been stale for a number of years. Nevertheless, Bret Hart is a WWE legend who is excellent on the microphone, despite a prevalence of opinion to the contrary.

If used correctly, appearances by Bret Hart could be a useful tool in encouraging fans who feel marginalized by WWE's current creative direction to tune back in. His presence alone would unlikely retain viewers over the long term due to his inability to wrestle, but his appearances may draw attention to the Smackdown brand. Raw is promoted as the flagship show, but Bret should stay away from the celebrity hosts and poorly written comedy that plagues Monday nights.

(1) More Wrestlers Die Young

The most horrifying aspect of following professional wrestling is hearing the news that yet another wrestler has lost his life in his forties, or even thirties. 2009 was the year that Andrew "Test" Martin (33) and Eddie "Umaga" Fatu (36) died so tragically young, yet their peers continued to exhibit the sort of behavior that has pushed so many wrestlers into an early grave.

One such example of potentially unhealthy risk is Rey Mysterio's willingness to work on an injured knee, despite having a history of pain killer dependency.

Excerpt from Dec. 6 column: From December 6th: The most dangerous factor to be taken into consideration is Mysterio's admission to ending up in rehab for dependency on prescription medication. Four months of working on a damaged knee will cause Mysterio a great deal of pain, which needs to be carefully managed. Only Rey Mysterio can ensure that the pain is managed responsibly.

The tragic and untimely death of Eddie Fatu a/k/a Umaga at the age of 36 is a reminder that personal well-being is infinitely more important than any payday. Yet the industry will move on, and wrestlers will continue to work hurt, using pain medication to do so. Painkiller abuse is a cancer in the wrestling industry.

That's the end of my wrap up of the most important stories of 2009. The list is subjective and other fans and writers have lists of their own, but I feel it accurately represents what was a year that was generally more interesting outside the ring than it was inside it.

Sheamus's push, Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart's comebacks, Shane McMahon's new business venture, and TNA's attempt to restart the Monday Night Wars are huge stories that are yet to be resolved and as a result 2010 promises even more.

Be sure to check out my Key Moment of the Week columns that appear on PWTorch.com every Sunday.

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