wrestling / Columns

411’s Wrestler of the Week 2.26.13: Year Eight, Week 47

February 26, 2013 | Posted by Larry Csonka

Welcome to WEEK 47, YEAR EIGHT of 411’s Wrestler of the Week. A quick overview of the rules to kick things off for us as a reminder…

Each writer chooses FIVE wrestlers from any promotion and each wrestler gets a point total attached to that ranking. It looks a little like this…

1st – 5
2nd – 4
3rd – 3
4th – 2
5th – 1

Then we tally up the votes and the official 411 Wrestler of the Week is crowned. But wait, there’s more! Each week the top SIX vote getters get a points value for their ranking which looks something like this…

1st – 15
2nd – 12
3rd – 9
4th – 6
5th – 3
6th – 1

…and they go towards the 411 Wrestler of the Year award to be announced each year around WrestleMania. This will be posted every Monday (the voting week runs Monday through Sunday). Let’s see who wins this week…


Larry Csonka
1) Bully Ray
While I will certainly agree that he didn’t do anything to “earn the shot” in terms of a visible accomplishment, Bully Ray has been the man in TNA. He is having good matches, cutting good promos, has made this whole bullshit with acceptable and seems to be heading towards being the centerpiece of the company (as far as being champion goes) in the very near future. Bully Ray is a great man, and I for one will gladly accept him as world champion.

2) The Shield: The Shield continue to get TV time, and they continue to make the most of it. Also, they continue to win.
3) Kanemura: Kanemura defeated Kondo to become the new AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Champion.
4) Marty Scurll
5) Undertaker

Ryan Byers
1) Jack Swagger
I went back and forth regarding whether I should cast a vote for Jack Swagger this week. I cannot advocate the (alleged) actions that lead to him being arrested for DUI and, if I were running WWE, he would be immediately suspended after the arrest and terminated if convicted. There should be zero tolerance for DUI when driving is such a large part of your job in the company. HOWEVER, even if you ignore what was written about his DUI, Swagger got more mainstream publicity this week than any wrestler in the industry not named Dwayne, all related to his new gimmick. I think that mainstream attention is worth first place in what was otherwise a pretty quiet week considering that we’re on the road to Wrestlemania.

2) The Undertaker: It didn’t get mainstream press, but Taker’s return on a Saturday night house show got more people within the wrestling world talking than just about any other story this week, and he proved he’s still in the physical condition necessary to show up at Wrestlemania.
3) Yoshinobu Kanemura: Kanemura is the new AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Champion, becoming the first wrestler of the “Burning” stable that defected from NOAH to hold gold in their new home of All Japan.
4) Marty Scurll
5) Dinastia

James Wright
1) The Shield
How do you top a stellar win live on PPV? By picking up another great win against another solid threesome of WWE’s top face stars, that’s how! To me the Shield are beyond Nexus booking now, all three men look strong and what’s more they have all proved that if put in singles matches they wouldn’t look out of place at all, but let’s hold off on that until at least after Wrestlemania shall we.

2) The Rock: Debuting a new title on Raw isn’t something that happens every day, hell it hasn’t happened for near a decade now (and what felt like way more than one). So now we have a new title, and while some aren’t too happy with it, it certainly is better than the spinner belt, which showed promise when Edge customized it and then it never happened again. Now that the new title has those replacable side panels I am looking forward to seeing what designs certain superstars bestow upon it.
3) C.M. Punk: With an appearance by the Undertaker this might all come to nothing, but as it stands Punk has managed to keep himself in the title picture despite losing to the Rock at Elimination Chamber, and that is a feat in itself. So now he is in the position of a match with Taker or for the WWE title at Mania against the Rock and Cena, not too shabby.
4) Alberto Del Rio
5) The Miz

Nick Sellers
1) Alberto Del Rio
Bertie continues to do a fine job as World Champion, bringing out the best in everyone he’s booked with. This week in particular, he’s been at it constantly: He worked three solid matches in three nights (Chamber, Raw and SD tapings) in addition to house show duties. I’m never quite sure what criteria I should meet for this column; The Rock debuted a new title belt this week and we had a decent set-up for Punk/Cena, but none of those three actually wrestled a TV match. Del Rio has worked 3 in as many days in addition to contributing to the build-up for his Wrestlemania feud in the form of promos. His face turn was initially met with confusion and some raised eyebrows, but he’s gradually slotted into his new role with real panache. As much as I think Jack Swagger is an absolute tool (actually, I think he’s a f*%£ing idiot, but we’ll save that for another day), if they stick switch the program between them for Wrestlemania, the matches between have some serious potential for some technical master classes.

2) The Miz: Miz basically been everywhere. He gets a bad rap from the IWC, sometimes justifiably, but he’s been working his knackers off lately so I’m cutting him some slack. And he just got engaged to Maryse, so he’s done quite well all round, really. In a week with nothing truly ground breaking from an in-ring standpoint, hard-work and reliability were the key to me naming him just behind Bertie, but I very nearly ranked him top. We expect Del Rio, a seasoned workhorse, to deliver the goods consistently, whereas Miz has totally made a conscious effort recently to up his game and try and climb back up the card, and it’s showing. (Comments section, you don’t frighten me, bring the noise!)
3) The Shield: Another solid outing for the group on Raw, who are rapidly becoming a success story. Hopefully they’re kept strong going into Wrestlemania and beyond. Extra points for Ambrose taking Sheamus’ Brogue kick off the apron, selling it as if he’d been blasted in the face with a shotgun.
4) Antonio Cesaro
5) Wade Barrett

TJ Hawke
1) The Shield
Continued their undefeated streak by defeating another WWE All Star Team.

2) Marty Scurll: While Take Me Out Marty may have suffered a career disappointment a few weeks (months?) ago when he failed to win the TNA contract, his career received a MAJOR boost this past weekend when he pinned CIMA on a Dragon Gate: UK show. With CIMA being the current Open the Dream Gate Champion, this seems to indicate potentially two things. First, Dragon Gate: UK wants to set Scurll up as the biggest UK star now that PAC is in the WWE. Second, Scurll may be getting a Dragon Gate Japan tour soon.
3) Yoshinobu Kanemura: Kanemura is the new AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Champion.
4) The Rock
5) Mr. Touchdown

Francisco Ramirez
1) Dinastia
The Wrestling Observer Rookie of the Year picked up gold when he defeated Mini Psicosis to become the AAA Minis Champion. Yes, it is a minis division, but unlike in the states it is taken seriously in Mexico. Dinastia is a sight to see, and the young star has a bright future ahead of him.

2) Psycho Circus: Monster Clown, Murder Clown, Psych Clown The Psycho Circus reclaimed the AAA Trios Championship when they defeated the members of El Consejo.
3) Yoshinobu Kanemura: The new AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Champion, making the NOAH defection look like a smart move.
4) The Shield
5) Marty Scurll

Jeremy Thomas
1) Jack Swagger
You know, my thoughts on whether Jack would hit WOTW went up and down all week. Early in the week I was sure he was going to and then the whole DUI/pot thing hit and he dropped right off. But the controversy over his character, the Glenn Beck brouhaha and such prompted that video which I absolutely loved and I think did the character more good than anything so far. Swagger is definitely the talk of the wrestling world for a variety of reasons, but the fact that he’s seemingly dodged a DUI is enough to put him on top.

2) Undertaker: The Dead Man’s return at a house show this weekend sent fans into a tizzy and for good reason. Guess we’re getting a ‘Taker WrestleMania 29 match after all.
3) Bully Ray: Bully was named the #1 contender for the TNA World title, putting him up against Jeff Hardy at Lockdown.
4) The Shield
5) Yoshinobu Kanemura

Jack McGee
1) The Shield
In a pretty light week in wrestling, The Shield (Rollins, Reigns and Ambrose) continues to be booked well and beat whomever they step into the ring with. Considering they continue to, as Mr. Hawke stated, beat WWE all-star teams, it is hard to ignore what they have done thus far.

2) Jack Swagger: They say that there is no such thing as bad press. Well, Jack Swagger is more relevant than he ever has been up and to this point in his career.
3) Bully Ray: Your new #1 contender for the TNA World Title.
4) Velvet Sky
5) The Undertaker


THE WINNERS~!

  • Special Mention…Alberto Del Rio and Marty Scrull – 7 Votes
  • Fifth Place…Undertaker – 10 Votes
  • Fourth Place…Bully Ray – 11 Votes
  • Third Place…Yoshinobu Kanemura -13 Votes

    Your new AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Champion

  • Second Place…Jack Swagger – 14 Votes

    He certainly got a lot of attention this past week…

  • Wrestler of the Week…The Shield – 26 Votes

    They continue to be dominant on WWE TV…

    Year-End Standings~!
    And here are the standings after week 47…

    1. CM Punk – 138 points (WWE)

    2. Austin Aries – 93 points (TNA)

    3. Jeff Hardy – 88 points (TNA)

    4. Daniel Bryan – 87 points (WWE)

    5. Bobby Roode – 83 points (TNA)

    T~6. Sheamus – 78 points (WWE)
    T~6. Dolph Ziggler – 78 points (WWE)

    8. Big Show – 72 points (WWE)

    9. Brock Lesnar – 70 points (WWE)

    T~10. John Cena – 64 points (WWE)
    T~10. Alberto Del Rio – 64 points (WWE)

    Hiroshi Tanahashi – 63 points (NJPW)

    Samoa Joe – 62 points (TNA)

    Bully Ray- 57 points (TNA)

    Antonio Cesaro – 54 points (WWE)
    James Storm – 54 points (TNA)

    Kevin Steen – 51 points (ROH)

    Seth Rollins – 49 points (WWE)

    Dean Ambrose – 46 points (WWE)
    Roman Reigns – 46 points (WWE)

    The Ryback – 40 points (WWE)
    Kane – 40 points (WWE)

    Johnny Gargano – 37 points (US Independent)

    Jack Swagger – 33 points (WWE)

    The Rock – 31 points (WWE)

    Wade Barrett – 30 points (WWE)

    Kazuchika Okada – 28 points (NJPW)

    Christopher Daniels – 27 points (TNA)
    Kazarian – 27 points (TNA)
    Alex Shelley – 27 points (US Independent)

    El Generico – 25 point (US Independent)

    KUSHIDA – 24 points (NJPW)

    Kofi Kingston – 21 points (WWE)
    Kenny King – 21 points (TNA)
    Christian – 21 points (WWE)

    CIMA – 19 points (Dragon Gate)
    Player Uno – 19 points (US Independent)
    Stupified – 19 points (US Independent)
    Damian Sandow – 19 points (WWE)

    Prince Devitt – 18 points (NJPW)
    Samuray del Sol (aka Octagon Jr.) – 18 points (US Independent)
    Adam Cole – 18 points (ROH)
    Chuck Taylor- 18 points (US Independent)
    Nick Jackson- 18 points (US Independent)
    Matt Jackson- 18 points (US Independent)

    Hirooki Goto – 15 points (NJPW)
    Masato Tanaka – 15 points (ZERO1)
    Ryusuke Taguchi – 15 points (NJPW)
    Tyson Kidd – 15 points (WWE)
    Rhett Titus – 15 points (ROH)
    Portia Perez – 15 points (US Independent)
    Nicole Mathews – 15 points (US Independent)
    Ric Flair – 15 points (US Independent)

    Mark Henry – 13 points (WWE)
    Karl Anderson – 13 point (NJPW)
    The Miz – 13 points (WWE)
    Devon – 13 points (TNA)

    Big E. Langston – 12 points (WWE)
    2 Cold Scorpio – 12 points (US Independent)
    Tim Donst – 12 points (US Independent)
    Sweet Saraya Knight – 12 points (US Independent)
    Masakatsu Funaki – 12 points (AJPW)
    Magnus – 12 points (TNA)
    AJ Styles – 12 points (TNA)
    Zema Ion – 12 points (TNA)
    Tensai – 12 points (WWE)
    Dr. Wagner Jr. – 12 points (AAA)
    Texano Jr. – 12 points (AAA)
    Kenta Kobashi – 12 points (Retired)

    RVD – 10 points (TNA)

    Yoshinobu Kanemura – 9 points (AJPW)
    KENTA – 9 points (NOAH)
    Rey Mysterio – 9 points (WWE)
    R Truth – 9 points (WWE)
    Kurt Angle – 9 points (TNA)

    Low Ki – 7 points (US Independent)
    AR Fox – 7 point (US Independent)
    Cody Rhodes – 7 points (WWE)

    Sting – 6 points (TNA)
    Taiyo Kea – 6 points (AJPW)
    Lance Archer – 6 points (NJPW)
    Davey Boy Smith Jr. – 6 points (NJPW)
    KAI – 6 points (AJPW)
    Archibald Peck – 6 points (US Independent)
    Adam Pearce – 6 points (US Independent)
    17 – 6 points (US Independent)
    Shard – 6 points (US Independent)
    assailANT – 6 points (US Independent)
    combatANT – 6 points (US Independent)
    Colt Cabana – 6 points (US Independent)
    Ultramantis Black – 6 points (US Independent)
    Hallowicked – 6 points (US Independent)
    Frightmare – 6 points (US Independent)
    Mr. Touchdown Mark Angelosetti – 6 points (US Independent)
    The Great Khali – 6 points (WWE)
    Paul Heyman – 6 points (WWE)

    AJ Lee – 5 points (WWE)

    PAC – 4 points (WWE)
    Genki Horiguchi – 4 point (Dragon Gate)
    Christian York – 4 points (TNA)

    Undertaker – 3 points (WWE)
    Shinsuke Nakamura – 3 points (NJPW)
    Michael Elgin – 3 point (ROH)
    Jerry Lawler – 3 points (WWE)
    Stevie Richards – 3 points (US Independent)
    Scott Parker – 3 points (US Independent)
    Shane Matthews – 3 points (US Independent)
    Gran Akuma – 3 points (US Independent)
    Sara Del Rey – 3 points (WWE)
    Chris Sabin – 3 points (TNA)
    Chavo Guerrero – 3 points (TNA)
    Hernandez – 3 points (TNA)
    Robbie E – 3 points (TNA)
    Tommy Dreamer – 3 points (US Independent)
    La Sombra – 3 points (CMLL)

    El Terrible – 2 points (CMLL)
    Jon Davis – 2 points (US Independent)
    Kota Ibushi – 2 points (NJPW)

    Chris Jericho- 1 point (WWE)
    Mick Foley – 1 point (WWE)
    Shuji Kondo – 1 point (Japan)
    Akebono – 1 point (Japan)
    Dick Togo – 1 point (Japan)
    Yujiro Takahashi – 1 point (NJPW)
    Tara – 1 point (TNA)
    Miss Tessmacher – 1 point (TNA)
    Katsuhiko Nakajima – 1 point (NOAH)
    Charlie Haas – 1 point (ROH)
    Shelton Benjamin – 1 point (ROH)
    Layla – 1 point (WWE)
    Dmitrious “The Greek God” Papadon – 1 point (US Independent)
    Marty Scrull – 1 point (Independent)
    Kenny Omega – 1 point (US Independent)
    Sami Callihan – 1 point (US Independent)
    Rush – 1 point (CMLL)
    Ryo Saito – 1 point (Dragon Gate)
    Mr. Kyu Kyu Toyonaka Dolphin – 1 point (Dragon Gate)
    Rey Escorpion – 1 point (CMLL)

  • Voting began 4.09.12
  • Year-End Rankings Key:

    WWE, Raw, SmackDown and NXT-Contracted Wrestlers are represented in BLUE.

    TNA Contracted Wrestlers are represented in GREEN.

    ROH Contracted Wrestlers are represented in RED.

    US Independent Wrestlers are represented in MAROON.

    Japanese Contracted Wrestlers are represented in BLACK.

    Mexican Contracted Wrestlers are represented in MAGENTA.

    Other International Wrestlers are represented in INDIGO.



    **PREVIOUS WINNERS**

    Year One Winner: Ric Flair


    Year Two Winner: Samoa Joe


    Year Three Winner: John Cena


    Year Four Winner: Chris Jericho


    Year Five Winner: CM Punk


    Year Six Winner: The Miz


    Year Seven Winner: CM Punk

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    Larry Csonka