411s Wrestler of the Week 03.23.09: Week 51
Posted by Jeremy Thomas on 03.23.2009
MVP wins back the United States Title, Nigel McGuinness successfully defends the ROH World Championship through an injury, Hirooko Goto and CIMA have big weeks overseas and more! Check out the latest edition of 411's Wrestler of the Week for all the details and for an updated look at the Year-End standings!
Welcome to Week 51, Year FOUR, of 411's Wrestler of the Week. A quick overview to kick things off as we have some new rules for year four
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
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 at WrestleMania. This will be posted every Monday. Let's see who wins this week
The Voting~! Andy Clark
1) Nigel McGuinness
Let me put aside my own growing hatred of Nigel's title reign and the fact that if someone like Triple H or John Cena had a title reign like this there would be a riot. Still, Nigel has been a good representative of the ROH brand and he had what is said to be a good main event match with KENTA despite being pretty well banged up. Kudos to Nigel for fighting through the pain and providing the fans with the match they paid to see.
2) MVP: After his 20-week losing streak on SmackDown MVP is once again on the up-and-up on SmackDown. Not only has he gotten over well as a face but he finally regained the United States Championship he lost less than a year ago.
3) Evan Bourne: Air Bourne returned to ECW this week and appears to be shooting his way to the top of WWE's third brand. His return was treated like a big deal and the fans were excited to see him back.
4) Kevin Steen & El Generico
5) Hirooko Goto
Matt Short
1) MVP
The long losing streak finally reached its upside as MVP reclaimed the US Championship, beating Shelton Benjamin on the 500th episode of Smackdown.
2) CIMA: Had what was regarded by many as the best match at Dragon Gate's Sumo Hall debut, dethroning Masato Yoshino for the Open the Brave Gate title.
3) Hirooki Goto: Came out the winner of the New Japan Cup this weekend, first beating his long-time nemesis Yuji Nagata in the semi-finals and then Giant Bernard in the finals. Goto earns himself one more crack at the IWGP Heavyweight title against the winner of the up-coming title match between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kurt Angle.
4) Evan Bourne
5) Colt Cabana/Jimmy Rave
Michael Bauer
1) Nigel McGuinness
Say what you want about his title reign, but he solidly backed it up this weekend with a huge win over KENTA. To make it better, he virtually wrestled with one arm from an injury the night before. And I was there, I saw his face, I swear that any other wrestler would have taken the night off with how much pain he was in.
2) MVP: The new US Champion deserves plenty of love this week.
3) Colt Cabana/Evan Bourne (tie): Both made returns to RoH/ECW respectfully and both places exploded.
4) Kevin Steen and El Generico
5) Hirooki Goto
ARI
1) Kevin Steen & El Generico
I loved that Colt Cabana and Jimmy Rave returned to ROH this weekend, but Steen & Generico stole the show right out from under them with their violent NO DQ tag title match against The American Wolves. It was an awesome match from beginning to end, and all four men really put themselves on the line to entertain the fans.
2) Nigel McGuinness: Fought through his arm injury and put on one hell of a show against KENTA at ROH's Seventh Anniversary Show, evoking flashbacks to ROH Glory By Honor V Night 2 when Danielson put on an unforgettable performance against KENTA under similar circumstances. The fans hated Nigel back in November 2007 when he had the bicep tear and took some time off to wrestle--well, for better or for worse to his arm, Nigel did the professional thing and gutted out the injury to work the show.
3) Negro Casas: Defeated Mistico for the CMLL Welter Title. A win against Mistico, while not so rare anymore, is still a very impressive event in today's Lucha landscape.
4) CIMA
5) Ultimo Guerrero
LARRY CSONKA
1) Ultimo Guerrero
Ultimo Guerrero defeated Villano V in a 2 of 3 falls match over the weekend. This was no ordinary match though, it was mask vs. hair, and with his victory, Guerrero saved his hair and unmasked Villano V as 46-year old Raymundo Diaz Mendoza Jr.
2) MVP: Ended the long reign of Shelton Benjamin to win the WWE US Title on the 500th Episode of Smackdown.
3) Negro Casas: Defeated Mistico to win the CMLL Welterweight Title over the weekend.
4) Hirooki Goto
5) No Limit
Samuel Berman
1) Kevin Steen & El Generico
Ari was at the shows and I wasn't, so I'll go with his thoughts on the ROH World Tag Team Champions over the singles title holder.
2) Nigel McGuinness: Bested NOAH's Junior Heavyweight ace KENTA to retain the ROH World Title.
3) Hirooki Goto: Won the New Japan Cup and a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Title.
4) CIMA and Naruki Doi (tie)
5) Colt Cabana
Robert S. Leighty Jr
1) MVP: As always winning Gold is very important in regards to me voting for WOTW. MVP regains the US Title in a good match with Shelton, so he gets the nod.
2) Evan Bourne: Made his much anticipated return to ECW and the crowd was more than happy to see him.
3) Nigel McGuiness: The monster title reign continues and he shows some balls by wrestling with the injury.
4) Steen and Generico
5) Ultimo Guerrero
Ryan Byers
1) Hirooki Goto
Goto defeated both Yuji Nagata and Giant Bernard in the same night to win a shot at New Japan Pro Wrestling's IWGP Heavyweight Championship against either Hiroshi Tanahashi or Kurt Angle.
2) Naruki Doi: The match reportedly fell apart, but Doi's retention of Dragon Gate's top title against legendary NJPW junior heavyweight Koji Kanemoto is still a big deal.
3) CIMA: A few months ago it looked like he could be on is way out of wrestling due to injuries, but now he is your new Open the Brave Gate Champion.
4) MVP
5) Nigel McGuinness
Andy Critchell
1) MVP
The man had a very big week. First off, he pulls a Miz & MORRISON by being on all three shows in a week, picking up a tag win on Raw, a loss on ECW, and a title win on Smackdown! The title win is obviously the biggest story as MVP unseats Shelton Benjamin who had been US champ for quite a while. Not to mention that MVP had finally come all the way back since his "epic" losing streak. I hope this signals big things for MVP in the future
2) Triple H: Triple H had a good week, winning on both Raw and Smackdown in singles contests and adding more intrigue to his storyline with Orton. It seems that Trips is looking to take out Legacy one member at a time and really backing Orton up against the wall. I like it!
3) Shawn Michaels: HBK had a good week as well, picking up a tag win on Raw and a singles win on Smackdown. Of course, his biggest moment of the week was when he took out his Wrestlemania opponent, the Undertaker. This storyline has been great because it is clear, simple, and involves two consummate pros who are at the top of their games.
4) Evan Bourne
5) Jerry Lynn
Jeremy Thomas
1) MVP
MVP's United States Title win may very well not be the end of his push; however, regaining the title that he held longer than anyone since Rick Rude in 1991 is in many ways the culmination of his redemption following the silly losing streak angle he was saddled with for months. The 'E is very clearly behind him at this point and this U.S. Title win almost means more for him than his first one did, especially if it comes with a sustained push even further up the card.
2) Nigel McGuinness: McGuinness not only defended the ROH World Title, but he did so with what's reported to be a serious injury and still delivered a good match against KENTA.
3) Ultimo Guerrero: Unmasking a guy like Villano V may not mean much to American audiences who only ever saw the Villanos as WCW enhancement talent, but to the followers of Lucha Libre it's pretty huge thing and it's ended a twenty-five year run for Villano with the mask.
4) Hirooko Goto
5) Evan Bourne
THE WINNERS~!
Special Mention CIMA - 11 Votes
Fifth Place Evan Bourne - 15 Votes
Fourth Place Kevin Steen & El Generico - 16 Votes
Third Place Hirooko Goto - 17 Votes
Goto beats his long-time rival Nagata and then Giant Bernard to win a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Title that currently rests around Kurt Angle's waist.
Second Place Nigel McGuinness - 26 Votes
ROH's World Champion refused to let an arm injury hold him down, going against KENTA and defeating him in a very good match to retain his title.
Wrestler of the Week Montel Vontavious Porter - 34 Votes
A second U.S. Title reign in an excellent TV match against Shelton Benjamin puts MVP back in possession of WWE gold, and also earns him the Wrestler of the Week Award!
Year-End Standings~!
No moves between the two contenders, and Edge's chances have all but slipped away. Meanwhile, Nigel McGuinness secures himself a spot in the Top 15 by tying himself with Matt Hardy for seventh place, Steen and Generico hop up a few places, and Evan Bourne ties thinks up with Miz, Morrison and Yoshino. Things are looking good for Y2J; can he just hold on long enough to take the fourth annual Wrestler of the Year award?
Way way way way way too much indy and Japanese love this week. Simply terrible.
Posted By: K-Money (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Jericho may win wrestler of the year but he certainly won't look like it after he is made to look like a joke at Wrestlemania.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Vintage Berman!
Posted By: Michael Cole (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Vintage K-Money!
Posted By: Michael Cole (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 12:26 PM
The U.S Title hasn't meant anything in a long long time. The match got all of 5 minutes and Benjamin's title reign was a bit of a joke. He rarely got on ppv'S(and when he did it wasn't a US Title match) and jobbed a bunch in non title matches and really didn't feud with anyone most of his reign. Imo MCMG And No Limit should have gotten more love as well as Foley for his great promos on Impact.
Posted By: graves9 (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 12:29 PM
There was way too much ROH and Japan because they were, you know, more important than anything the big two had this week.
Granted, MVP basically erased any doubts as to where along the WWE pecking order he's currently at (and more importantly, has been saved from lower-card hell).
Still, DG had their first-ever show at Sumo Hall, so practically anything happening there would have merited some mention (surprised no one mentioned KAMIKAZE's title defense), and Hirooki Goto went from mid-card to main event status again in NJPW(much like MVP, moving up the card in one night).
Can't comment much on the lucha stuff, although in Ultimo's case I know it was a big deal to basically end one of wrestling's most legendary factions.
And of course, when is anything that Steenerico NOT important?
Posted By: B.W.G. (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 01:08 PM
I'm so sick of the out-right racism in the WWE, pulling the title off a black man. They just can't stand to have a black champion.
If I were Shelton, I would sue.
Posted By: I Cry Foul (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 01:39 PM
BERRRMAAANNNNN!!
Posted By: Jamal (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 02:07 PM
let the berman bitching begins
Posted By: Sivpac (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 02:07 PM
Jericho pretty much has this thing locked
Posted By: natedoggcata (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 02:23 PM
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr Berman! Nobody cares about Roh or any Japanese nobody. What a clown.
Posted By: K-Money (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 02:45 PM
I understand why Berman always picks obscure, indie guys. Berman himself is the obscure, indie guy of the 411mania staff. Just like his picks, Berman's writing only generates discussion in this one article every week.
Posted By: Guest#1608 (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 02:47 PM
The people bitching each week about 'too many' indy stars are obviously 'tards. You just need to look at the overall results to see only three non WWE/TNA wrestlers make it into the top 15.
Posted By: Ian (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 03:28 PM
TNA wrestlers count as indie nobodies as well.
Posted By: Guest#8760 (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 04:25 PM
TNA wrestlers count as indie nobodies as well.
Posted By: Guest#8760 (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 04:25 PM
yeah! I mean the fact that nearly 2 million people watch the show weekly means nothing. Pull your head out of Vince McMahon's head.
Posted By: Guest#7790 (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 05:22 PM
I'm so sick of the out-right racism in the WWE, pulling the title off a black man. They just can't stand to have a black champion.
If I were Shelton, I would sue.
Posted By: I Cry Foul (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 01:39 PM
he lost it to MVP.Guess MVP is mocha
Posted By: Guest#4798 (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 05:50 PM
yeah! I mean the fact that nearly 2 million people watch the show weekly means nothing. Pull your head out of Vince McMahon's head.
Posted By: Guest#7790 (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Ssssh. The adults are talking now, Kurt Angle.
Posted By: Guest#1222 (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 06:06 PM
some ppl hate on the indies and never pick anyone from there. they are idiots.
then there are some who hate on the wwe and never take anybody from there while trying to get over the non-existant fact that a small title in a very small organisation over in japan is bigger than a US Title win in the BIGGEST organisation worldwide when it comes to wrestling.
dunno who the biggest idiot is, but both are idiots.
Posted By: berman-sucks (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 07:20 PM
"Pull your head out of Vince McMahon's head."
That's why I kicked your leg out from under your leg.
Posted By: Slick Rick (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Jericho deserves WOTY and I hope he gets it. I just really wish he WOULDN'T look like a joke at his WM match, but it's one of those feel-good for-the-crowd matches that will probably consist of every old wrestler in the building doing their finisher on him.
Posted By: luna (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 08:48 PM
The US Title makes someone worthy of the WOTW? Really? Mayhaps we'll be treated to another year long reign where it gets defended 5 times...
And people moan about "indy love" as a result? Wow. just wow.
Posted By: elgrannoche (Guest) on March 23, 2009 at 11:22 PM
Berman you sly dog
Posted By: S Dot (Guest) on March 24, 2009 at 03:09 AM
^ Tanahashi is the champion, rather. No idea why Nakamura was in my head.
Posted By: Guest#9979 (Guest) on March 24, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Can't believe no one even mention Orton!
Posted By: Daffo (Guest) on March 24, 2009 at 07:39 PM
You just know that if any of Berman's top five had the week they did under a WWE or TNA contract they wouldn't be listed there. Get over yourself dude.
Posted By: Guest#5501 (Guest) on March 24, 2009 at 08:31 PM
Lol. Berman is such a pathetic, worthless, know-it-all wannabee smart mark douchebag its ridiculous. Pull your head out of your ass you self-important little faggot bitch.
Posted By: Guest#2483 (Guest) on March 25, 2009 at 09:45 AM
go jericho!
Posted By: Guest#3083 (Guest) on March 25, 2009 at 05:19 PM
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