Now that Armageddon is over and done with. Some might be daring enough to consider Armageddon as a fine choice to define the success of the WWE over the past year. 2004 did bring many things. Including first time title reigns for some grizzly veterans, some deserving (Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero) and some not so deserving (John Bradshaw Layfield). One cannot forget Triple H's continuing strangle hold of the World Championship Title. Then there was Randy Orton's surprise jump to the top of the mountain. We saw some impressive debuts, and some extensive cuts and departures. (Come back Goldberg!) Yet, the WWE looks to be steamrolling along into 2005. For the first time ever, the Royal Rumble will not be the first event of the year, but a RAW brand only first called New Year's Revolution. So using New Year's as a theme for this article, it's time to take a look back ten years ago. We're talking 1995 here, the era of garbage men, clowns, and race car drivers and a whole bunch of other crazy characters. If one was to compile a top ten going into 1995. It might look something like this.

1) Diesel 2) Shawn Michaels 3) Owen Hart 4) British Bulldog 5) Bret Hart 6) Lex Luger 7) Jeff Jarrett 8) Crush 9) Tatanka 10) Marty Jannety

You certainly have some interesting names listed there. Now getting back to the present, it is time to look at who should be making the biggest impact for 2005. Keep in mind, these top tens is solely based on one writer's opinions. I welcome everyone out there who checks out these articles like I do, to comment and compile their own top tens. In fact, for this article only I have included the opinions of a fellow wrestling fan Mark "Big Mac" Maguire. (No relationship to the baseball player)

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire (friend of article writer Avi Krebs): First of all I'd like to say that the "World Heavyweight Title" on Raw has a two year history and was created by Eric Bischoff in the fall of 2002 because the then WWE Undisputed Champion Brock Lesnar refused to defend that title on Raw therefore making both himself and that title exclusive to Smackdown. Simply because the "raw world title" is essentially the old WCW Championship belt with a couple alterations (plates curved and WWE logo added) does not mean it's a continuation of the WCW Championship title history. The "Raw world title" is a new title with a new history and new stipulations. The WWE Championship title (formerly the WWF Championship) remains the same. The only difference is that it's now exclusive to Smackdown. Because of that, in my view, Chris Benoit, Goldberg and Randy Orton have never won "The Big One".

So without further ado let's start the countdown.

#10, Kane (Raw)
Avi Krebs: The Big Red Machine had a noteworthy 2004. Considering he did get married to Lita and was preparing to see his first little red machine be born into the world. The whole love triangle thing along with Matt Hardy looked pretty absurd at first. However, as the storyline played out, and a new wrestler was introduced (Gene Snitsky), it showed a few sides of Kane that looked like an entirely different character. Plus he did a fine job of putting Snitsky over at Taboo Tuesday. He's got a good feud set when he makes his return and who knows" A potential shot at the heavy-weight championship certainly isn't out of the question.

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: Personally I think the Gene Snitsky thing is stupid. Kane could be a great main eventer if they used him properly. Giving him the "world title" would be something I'd like to see (not to say no one else deserves it). I also think him "marrying" Lita was pretty dumb too. I think it would be cool to see Lita and Matt Hardy genuinely get married on Raw. Get rid of Gene the Goon and put Kane back in the title hunt.

#9, Chris Jericho (Raw)
Avi Krebs: Jericho seems to always be consistently near the top tier of established superstars. Although he is certainly not in the decline stage of is career yet, it seems that Jericho's window of opportunity to be the top dog again is closing quickly. Another year without at least a genuine title shot seems insane. His highlight reel has gone from being a complete waste of time to something to look forward to in between all the overdone diva segments. He's probably a notch under a few other superstars who are more deserving of the big prize (and you will see them on this list), but if Jericho gets reduced to just doing the highlight reel every week, then tell me when it is safe to turn on my television again.

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: Ah Jericho...one of my favorites. The first ever WWF(E) Undisputed Champion winning the title when the company was still called the World Wrestling Federation (I hate the name World Wrestling Entertainment). I believe Jericho should be moved back to Smackdown and first go for the US Championship. Then give him his over due run as WWE Champion. He is arguably the best in my view winning the IC Championship more then anyone else. Give him his due. His time has come long ago.

#8, Rob Van Dam (Smackdown)
Avi Krebs: If this list had been done since Van Dam made his way over to the WWE via the invasion angle, he would have been a perennial candidate for the top ten every year. This time around, Van Dam was pushed out of the title picture on RAW, and was moved to Smackdown and became a tag team specialist. As good as he has looked with Rey Mysterio, Van Dam still continues to be poorly used and it makes one wonder if he'll ever get his first WWE championship title reign. There's no doubt about it that R.V.D has the makings of a great champion. If his time doesn't come in 2005, keep holding your breath. A Chris Benoit or Eddie Guerrero style title victory is in the cards. Now will anyone even care when and if it happens" Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: The making of a great WWE Champion, put him in a match with Jericho for that title (maybe a ladder match) and you'd have one of the greatest matches in history. RVD is way over due to be WWE Champion. His time has come as well.

#7, Gene Snitsky (Raw)
Avi Krebs: Every top ten list has to have a sleeper pick. This one is no different and now it is up to Snitsky to prove he's worthy of the # he's been given. His debut as Kane's punching bag spiraled into a hot and heavy feud. His complete dominance over Kane gives Snitsky a tiny amount of credibility and a large amount of potential for 2005. So he kicks babies and attacks women, he doesn't seem to know a wrist hold from a wrist watch, but let's not write him off just yet. He's the typical big guy who may take longer to develop, but like most of the big boys, should enjoy a significant shelf life in the WWE while more proficient wrestlers are let go. Snitsky is a scary guy to look at. Get use to seeing that ugly mug because it's bound to run wild all over RAW in 2005.

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: Well what can I say other than that he's one of the stupidest competitors ever. A waste of TV time, kick him out now before he makes me even sicker. What kind of a wrestler kicks babies, honestly" Get rid of him.

#6, Rene Dupree (Smackdown)
Avi Krebs: Here's what needs to be done, lose the France flag, lose Fifi, and lose the French tickler. In other words, does that mean a complete character change" Heck No! Unfortunately it is hard to take a wrestler seriously when his gimmick revolves around all of the aforementioned. For those who can look past it, there's a young talent that is just oozing to breakout in 2005. Considering that by the time Wrestlemania XXX rolls around (Yeah, you know the WWE will use that excessively) Dupree will barely be in his early thirties. The sky is the limit for this young Quebecker. Yes you read that right, here's hoping he can do something with that awful looking U.S custom-made for John Cena title. Then again, maybe he should at least keep the French tickler.

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: Great talent but a waste of character, he can still be great without being a "snob". Get rid of the French flag and such and give him a US Title run. But do this while making him a face.

#5, Shelton Benjamin (Raw)
Avi Krebs: It is now official. Mr. Benjamin has surpassed his former Team Angle partner Charlie Haas by leaps and bounds. While Haas is involved in pointless soap opera dramas, Shelton has truly shown what he's capable of. Out of all the superstars who were involved in the draft, it seems pretty clear that Shelton has gotten the most out of his new opportunity to strut his stuff on RAW. Anyone who has multiple wins over Triple H (and isn't named the Rock or Stone Cold) deserves his due. His Intercontinental title win was well earned and there is a possibility that he could go down as one of the greatest IC champs of all time. Is a World Heavyweight title out of the question" Perhaps it isn't going to happen this year, but rest assured that Mr. Benjamin will take his rightful place as a top notch superstar. He has only begun to reach his prime.

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: Another one of my favorites, he's making quite a name for himself on Raw. Unless he goes back to SD he'll never win "the big one". He would make an excellent US Champion and WWE Champion but you can't win either on Raw. As long as he stays a face I'm happy.

#4, Batista (Raw)
Avi Krebs: Well he or won't he" This is referring to Batista's long overdue face-turn. Currently playing the role as Evolution's animal (or Triple H's whipping boy), the WWE decided to give Randy Orton the face treatment and consequently the World Championship Title in 2004. This is not to say that Batista hasn't looked dominant or intimidating but a World Tag-Team Title reign with Ric Flair being his only claim to gold since his debut shows that Batista might very well never compete for the biggest prize in the industry. 2005 is the year for Batista to really breakout. First take out Triple H, and then focus on destroying the rest of the competition. The payoff could be a very successful title run that a former big man by the name of Diesel had a decade ago. He could either be the Diesel of old, or just an old Diesel.

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: The big beast could be an excellent face. Would love to see him "kill" Triple H. Batista vs. Kurt Angle would be a great match too. Make him a face and get him out of Evolution. Give him a shot at the IC Title. He deserves it. It's time to let him loose.

#3, Randy Orton (Raw)
Avi Krebs: This was the year that Orton should have broken through; this should have been the year that Orton established himself as one of the next great champions. Leave it to the WWE to just surprise everyone and give Orton a stellar 2004. For what it is worth, Orton did look pretty good as the champion, but he did just keep the belt warm for Triple H while he was doing his movie business. Orton is still young and although he could compete for the World Title again, a move to Smackdown for a chance at the WWE championship would look pretty good as well. He's already surpassed both his father and grandfather as far as personal achievements and titles are concerned. The jury is still out though on whether Orton could etch his name as one of the greatest champions of all time. He's an R.K.O or two away from becoming more than just another wrestler who held the World Championship only once and for a brief time. (Think Sgt. Slaughter or Psycho Sid)

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: I'm glad to see he's a face. He's better as a face in my view. I believe he should move to SD. Maybe trade him for Kurt Angle (I'd like to see him (or John Cena on Raw. Randy could be a great US Champion as well as WWE Champion. But I think he could be teamed up with someone and go for either the World Tag Team Titles (formerly the WWF Tag Team Championships) or the WWE (SD) Tag Team titles. Either way Orton is on the rise. A push to the top too fast could ruin him but do it right and he could become a genuine "legend".

#2, John Cena (Smackdown)
Avi Krebs: All things considering, Cena had a pretty impressive year. He had a DVD released, worked on a rap album, and topped it all off with an appearance in a Vince McMahon directed movie. Does anyone care to point out that none of this was accomplished in the squared circle" He did manage to capture the U.S title, lose it, and regain it again. What's in store for 2005" Depending on whether he chooses to follow the Rock into Hollywood or choose to further solidify himself as one of the stop stars in wrestling is anyone's guess. If he stays, expect a chance for him to win his first WWE championship (Anyone is better than J.B.L). If he doesn't, well he'll always be #1 in those battle raps if that mean anything to anyone. In the words of Paul E. Heyman, here's hoping John Cena does the right thing.

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: Ah John Cena, he's got skills in various areas. He's a great in ring competitor. I believe he should be traded to Raw for a while and give him runs at both the World Tag Team Championships and IC Championship. After that move him back to SD for a run at the WWE Championship. Then he'll have won all the genuine titles that were around before the Brand Extension in 2002. I'd personally like to see Cena vs. Orton.

It's been a long wait and for those of you who have read up to this point then good for you. Those who chose to just scroll all the way down, well then the #1 superstar for the year 2005 is...

#1, Edge (Raw)
Avi Krebs: Edge-heads rejoice! It's time for the man also known of Adam Copeland to take that last step to greatness. The process has been painfully and agonizingly slow to the World Championship Title. I mean, just looking at him get screwed week in and week out for the title. Just looking at his facial expressions is more than enough to see how this man is suffering. He's made quite the progression from being just another Canadian wrestler to one of the premier men in the business. All the injuries, bad storylines, and countless missed opportunities are all a thing of the past. (Or at least until he becomes champion) His career patterns that of another wrestler who had to claw tooth and nail to make it to the top. You may have heard of him, his name is Shawn Michaels. The time for Edge to win the title would be perfect at Wrestlemania 21. From then on get use to hearing the phrase. "For those with the benefit of flash photography, here is your new World Champion."

Mark "Big Mac" Maguire: If Edge does win the "Raw world title" he still won't have won "the big one". He's grown up watching the likes of Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, the Rock, Stone Cold and Triple H all win the "real deal" (which is now exclusive to SD). In my view he still won't be the best unless he goes to SD and wins the WWE Championship. Benoit made the mistake of going to Raw after winning the Royal Rumble in 2004 and challenging for (and winning) the Raw "world title". Both superstars need to return to SD if they want a chance at winning "The Big One".

There you have it, the Top 10 for 2005. In closing, everyone have a happy holiday season and see you all next year for more wacky happenings from the WWE and Mr.Vincent K (for Krazy maybe") McMahon.

by Avi Krebs and Mark Maguire..