Survivor Series 2009 may have been based around two gigantic Triple Threat matches for the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships, respectively, but it was the emergence of Kofi Kingston and his blossoming feud with Randy Orton that had captured the attention of fans begging for new stars and change in the somewhat stale world of sports-entertainment. They got that change, or at least what looked like change, when Kingston led his team to victory over Team Orton, doing so with two impressive eliminations that not only left him the sole survivor, but also landed him on this list over Hall of Famers such as Ted DiBiase and Razor Ramon. The Superstars he knocked off? Former heavyweight champions Orton and CM Punk. The entire match was very much built around the idea that Kingston would prove himself worthy of hanging with Orton, who was an elite performer and coming off of a huge months-long rivalry with John Cena that included an Iron Man match at October's Bragging Rights pay-per-view. He did just that, picking up his biggest and most impressive victory to date while simultaneously building momentum for himself in what was WWE's first real attempt to push him beyond the midcard. Unfortunately, a mistimed spot in a match with Orton a month later, not to mention a very public temper tantrum by The Viper in the middle of the contest, effectively ended any shot the former WWE Intercontinental champion had of ever advancing past a certain spot on the card. Recently, Kingston has been paired with Xavier Woods and Big E in a new trio known as the New Day. Whether that partnership can help him crack the glass ceiling or not remains to be seen but for right now, Survivor Series 2009 remains one of the biggest, brightest and best nights in the career of wrestling's most dynamic star.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
