411s Wrestler of the Week 12.07.09: Week 36
Posted by Jeremy Thomas on 12.07.2009
Takashi Sugiura wins the GHC Heavyweight Title, the Real World Tag Team tournament produces winners, Mickie James wins a #1 Contender's match 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 36, Year FIVE, 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
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~! Ryan Byers
1) Takashi Sugiura
In the wake of Mitsuhara Misawa's death earlier this year, Pro Wrestling NOAH's top title, the GHC Heavyweight Championship, was put around the waist of young up-and-coming star Go Shiozaki. It looked like Shiozaki was going to be the face of the company for the foreseeable future with its top star outside of Kenta Kobashi having just passed away. However, in what has to be considered a bit of an upset, Takashi Sugiura defeated Go this weekend in order to take the GHC Title away from Shiozaki. It will be interesting to see where the company goes from this point forward, as the victory by Sugiura appears to be a bit of an about face from the direction that the promotion was headed in just a few months ago.
2) Keiji Mutoh & Masakatsu Funaki: The Real World Tag League of All Japan is one of the most prestigious - if not the most prestigious - tournament in professional wrestling history. This year's edition had a bit of a unique story to it because numerous teams had to withdraw when their members contracted a severe influenza. With the field narrowed somewhat by health issues, the veteran team of Keiji Mutoh & Masakatsu Funaki was able to steal the victory this week, giving Mutoh is third RWTL win and Funaki his first.
3) Shinsuke Nakamura: Nakamura became IWGP Heavyweight Champion a few months ago, essentially on a fluke as a new titleholder was needed due to an injury to Hiroshi Tanahashi. Originally I figured that Nakamura would be a short-term champ, just holding the belt until Tanahashi was healed up. However, Nakamura defeated Tanahashi in their rematch for the belt. This week, Shinsuke extended his reign by overcoming the challenge of veteran Yuji Nagata, fully cementing him as somebody that NJPW has full confidence in to carry the promotion for quite some time.
4) Takeshi Rikio & Mohammed Yone
5) Billiken Kid
ARI
1) Takashi Sugiura
Ousts Go Shiozaki as GHC Heavyweight Champion and becomes the current face of Pro Wrestling NOAH.
2) Mickie James: Won the number-one contendership for the WWE Women's Title by upending Beth Phoenix and Natalia in a three-way match, which was pretty damned good actually.Also got a taste of payback on Layla and Michelle McCool in the same segment on Smackdown.
3) Triple H: Defeats Chris Jericho in the main event of Raw and ends up giving D-X a significant advantage for next week's show as the build to the TLC match for the tag titles continues onward.
4) Shinsuke Nakamura
5) Drew McIntyre
Chad Nevett
1) Takashi Sugiura
A big win to become the new GHC Heavyweight Champion and man to beat in Pro Wrestling NOAH.
2) Drew McIntyre: Defeated John Morrison in a non-title match that went over two segments on Smackdown to show that McIntyre isn't just cheap beatings and lots of talk.
3) Mickie James: Won a triple threat match against two superior wrestlers and held her own throughout the match quite well.
4) Kurt Angle
5) Triple H
THE Larry Csonka
1) Takashi Sugiura
Defeated Go Shiozaki to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship, which is the top title for NOAH. It seemed that Go Shiozaki was going to be the new face of the company, but the victory by Takashi Sugiura seems to have changed that direction. This was a huge victory for Sugiura and easily takes the top spot with me.
2) Keiji Mutoh and Masakatsu Funaki: Won the Real World Tag League of All Japan, which is one of the most prestigious tournaments in pro wrestling. While the swine flu tried to play havoc on the tournament, Keiji Mutoh earns his third Real World Tag League title.
3) Mickie James: Defeated Nayalya and Beth Phoenix in a solid match to become the #1 contender for the WWE Women's Title.
4) Kurt Angle
5) Drew McIntyre
Samuel Berman
1) Takashi Sugiura
Bested Go Shiozaki to win the GHC Heavyweight Title and become the top man for Pro Wrestling NOAH.
2) Shinsuke Nakamura: Retained the IWGP Heavyweight Title over former title holder Yuji Nagata.
3) Keiji Mutoh & Matsakatsu Funaki: Won the Real World Tag League in AJPW.
4) Takeshi Rikio and Mohammed Yone (tie)
5) BxB Hulk
Michael Bauer
1) Takashi Sugiura
Absolutly nothing happened in the States this week, so we look overseas. Takashi Sugiura beat Go Shiozaki for the GHC Heavyweight Title. It is the biggest title change in Japan this week, so he gets my vote.
2) Keiji Mutoh & Masakatsu Funaki: Winning one of the most prestigious tournaments in pro wrestling, yeah, that works.
3) Masaaki Mochizuki: In a shocker, he beat Davey Richards for the FIP Title.
4) Drew McIntyre
5) Shinsuke Nakamura
Aaron Hubbard
1) Takashi Sugiura
Defeated Go Shiozaki to when the GHC Heavyweight Championship, ending Go Shiozaki's near six-month reign at the top of NOAH. Even if this wasn't a slow week in the states, winning NOAH's top prize is worthy of note among any unbiased wrestling fan.
2) Keiji Mutoh & Masakatsu Funaki: The veteran duo won All Japan's Real World Tag League, one of the most important and prestigious tag title tournaments in the world.
3) Drew McIntyre: You can argue booking or whether Drew is worthy of the push, but this column isn't about whether something is the right decision or not. McIntyre defeated John Morrison in a very good match on Smackdown!, and looks to be the heir to Morrison's IC Title.
4) Shinsuke Nakamura
5) Triple H
Jasper Gerretsen
1) Takashi Sugiura
Ended Go Shiozaki's six month reign as GHC heavyweight champion to become the new top dog in Pro Wrestling NOAH, in a passing of the torch from one NOAH dojo student to the other.
2) Keiji Mutoh & Masakatsu Funaki: The team of Keiji Mutoh and Masakutsu Funaki might have benefited from the swine flu epidemic, but they still won one of the oldest and most prestigious tag team tournaments in the world.
3) Shinsuke Nakamura: Beat veteran Yuji Nagata to retain his IWGP heavyweight championship
4) Drew McIntyre
5) Austin Aries
Jeremy Thomas
1) Takashi Sugiura
Sugiura is NOAH's new top champion after dethroning Go Shiozaki, which is a big title change and a huge lift for the man's career. That really does make him the easy choice for the top spot in an otherwise very slow week.
2) Drew McIntyre: McIntyre actually wrestled for once, and he got a big, relatively clean non-title win against John Morrison to assumedly set up their title feud. McIntyre looked good and the match was very nice; it looks like Drew might have that potential we've all been hearing about.
3) Mickie James: Mickie may not have been in the greatest match this week (by far), but she did become the Number One contender to the Women's Title by outlasting and defeating Beth Phoenix and Natalya, then she refused to back down from Michelle and Layla. After all the "Piggie James" bullshit, this angle finally seems to be going somewhere.
4) Kurt Angle
5) Triple H
THE WINNERS~!
Special Mention Triple H - 7 Votes
Fifth Place Mickie James - 13 Votes
Fourth Place Shinsuke Nakamura - 15 Votes
Third Place Drew McIntyre - 17 Votes
McIntyre beats John Morrison to toss himself at the forefront of the Intercontinental Title hunt.
Second Place Keiji Mutoh and Masakatsu Funaki - 23 Votes
Mutoh and Funaki win the Real World Tag League in All-Japan to place second this week.
Wrestler of the Week Takashi Sugiura - 45 Votes
With a GHC Heavyweight Title win over Go Shiozaki, Sugiura gets the ball to run with for NOAH and becomes our Wrestler of the Week!
Year-End Standings~!
No big moves in the rankings this week, but lots of debuts as Sugiura, Mutoh, Funaki, Drew McIntyre and James all make their first appearances this year. Shinsuke Nakamura moves up a bit in the middle rungs of the rankings, while the Game gains another point to move further away from the bottom. There's only four months left to go; can anyone catch CM Punk?
Let's check out the Year-End Standings!
1. CM Punk 113 (SmackDown)
2. Jeff Hardy 85 (US Independent)
3. John Morrison 70 (SmackDown)
4. AJ Styles 60 (TNA)
5. Rey Mysterio 55 (SmackDown)
5. Chris Jericho 55 (SmackDown)
Wow, it was a slow week. Oh well, better keep up the tradition anyway...
BERRRMANNNN!!!!!
Posted By: Jamal (Registered) on December 07, 2009 at 01:06 PM
so that slope misawa wins wrestler of the week when he dies but someone like umaga who people actually know dies and get no votes?
maybe if you got your collective heads out of the crotch region of japan, you could actually join the rest of us in the real world.
Posted By: Guest#9780 (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 01:22 PM
In what was one of the least memorable weeks of wrestling in the States, I've got no problem with the Japanese promotions getting the top slots.
But still have one question - do they wrestle in Latin America any more? Are there no Mexican or Puerto Rican promotions going on - no title changes or great matches?
Posted By: SpankyHamm (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 01:35 PM
let the ever so amusing bitching begin in 5..4..3..2..1
Posted By: Britishfan (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 01:52 PM
I skipped to the end and for a moment there I thought it was Sho 'Kung' Funaki!
Cue all the WWE guys hating on the column for not including one of their boys.
Posted By: Louwax (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 01:59 PM
What did Rikioh and Yone do this week?
Posted By: Ben (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Realllllyyyyy sloooooowwwwww weeeeeeeeeeeek
Posted By: Guest#4214 (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 02:06 PM
>so that slope misawa wins wrestler of the week when he dies but someone like umaga who people actually know dies and get no votes?
Because Misawa's contribution to pro wrestling far and away exceeds Eddie Fatu's and his death was far more tragic than a Samoan who more than likely has years of drug abuse to blame for his early death.
Posted By: Guest#2905 (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 03:03 PM
'so that slope misawa wins wrestler of the week when he dies but someone like umaga who people actually know dies and get no votes?'
I am ok with Fatu not getting any posthumous votes. it just keeps everyone honest since 99% of the writers and readers of this site considered him nothing more than Samoa Joe Lite and trashed him every chance they could.
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 03:07 PM
No Umaga posthumous mention? Hmmm...
And no, no one is going to catch Punk. His two most likely challengers are Styles and Jericho, and he's almost got them BOTH doubled up.
Posted By: Guest#6783 (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 03:10 PM
WORST. WRESTLER OF THE WEEK. EVER!
A bunch of nobodies in the top 5? Nothing more needs to be said.
Posted By: Peep#5638 (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 03:19 PM
"Wow, it was a slow week.
Posted By: Jamal (Registered) on December 07, 2009 at 01:06 PM"
I'll say. With people like HHH, Mickie James and Drew McIntyre getting votes. UGH!
Posted By: mogamer (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Since it was such a slow week, here's my top 5.
1. Vladimir Kozlov: Became a US citizen, now allowed to challenge for US Title (Big step up from ECW title).
2. Mark Henry: A for Effort, like any of you could bust out some phat rhymes on the spot. He's not John Cena you know.
3. John Cena: Continues to exist, good enough for 3rd place.
4. Flippy guy from Chikara or whatever: Did three flips in one match, ****.
5. Rick Steiner: 'The Dog-Face Gremlin' is the best nickname ever.
Posted By: Deathpool (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Only four weeks to go moron.
Posted By: Guest#6197 (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Misawa was in a match when he died. Umaga wasn't
Posted By: Guest#9656 (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 04:28 PM
"Only four weeks to go moron."
not at all.
The 'year' doesn't end til Wrestlemania
Posted By: mikemike (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 05:08 PM
Actually, if you look at the week number (36), you'll see that we still have 16 weeks to go and that this runs from WrestleMania to WrestleMania.
Posted By: Skios (Registered) on December 07, 2009 at 05:09 PM
@Guest#6197:
WOTW runs from WrestleMania through WrestleMania. Thus, four months. You could probably tell that by the fact that there are more than 40 weeks in the year and the fact that it says, "and they go towards the 411 Wrestler of the Year award to be announced each year at WrestleMania." Just sayin'. Good effort though, and thanks for reading!
Posted By: Jeremy Thomas (Registered) on December 07, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Since it was such a slow week, here's my top 5.
1. Vladimir Kozlov: Became a US citizen, now allowed to challenge for US Title (Big step up from ECW title).
2. Mark Henry: A for Effort, like any of you could bust out some phat rhymes on the spot. He's not John Cena you know.
3. John Cena: Continues to exist, good enough for 3rd place.
4. Flippy guy from Chikara or whatever: Did three flips in one match, ****.
5. Rick Steiner: 'The Dog-Face Gremlin' is the best nickname ever.
Posted By: Deathpool (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 04:04 PM
I can't believe it... a genuinely funny comment on 411Mania! Congrats, I'd take your picks over these nobodies that Byers and his butt-buddies love to jerk themselves off to every week. "Flippy guy from Chikara" - haha! Good shit.
Posted By: Guest#9354 (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Remember people. This is "WRESTLER OF THE WEEK". This list is open to ANY WRESTLER IN THE WORLD. This isn't called the "WWE/TNA/ROH Wrestler of the Week". It's about time you fools learn that there are other wrestling companies outside of Vince McMahon's empire. Get off his dick...or your butthole will continue to be hurt.
Posted By: The IWC (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 08:28 PM
Slow week?
The GHC title changed hands and it went to 1 of the more exciting performers of 2009.
SUGGERNAUGHT OWNS!
Posted By: DocSarpolis (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Strange that the runaway wrestler of the year (potentially) is someone who has been out of the main event picture for months now. Im guessing he started to pick up wins with his cashing in MITB on Jeff yes? So he's basically going to win Wreslter of the year on the basis of his program with Jeff and his MITB win at mania 25. Thats indicative of how there hasn't been a standout wreslter recognised by IWC. If you look at the year on the whole, I would say Orton deserves to be called wreslter of the year (at least in the domain of WWE alone). Rumble win, main event (burial) at Mania, held wwe title for months. Easy choice in my opinion. I like Punk, but I'm saying if you look at his contributions throughout the year on a whole and compare it to Orton's, I'd say Orton deserves it more. And what he's doing with Kofi to elevate him is out of the blue and brilliant. Just saying.
Posted By: Heel (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 09:17 PM
I'm of the opinion that wrestler deaths should never be qualifiers for inclusion into WOTW (that's what other columns are for,I suppose),so Fatu's lack of mention is fine by me.
What isn't fine? Mochizuki getting one fucking mention and no points. At nearly 41 years (and with more than a decade and a half of wrestling experience), one of Dragon Gate's ex-aces took one of the current U.S. indy darlings to school. Now, one of three things happens:
1.)Mochizuki goes to FIP to defend the heavyweight title, and makes his first appearances in the States
2.)Mochizuki comes along with the regulars in DGUSA to do the same (against FIP guest talents) and STILL makes his debut in the States)
3.)FIP names head to DG proper to try and bring the title back home,get the opportunity to sharpen their skills in Japan,and hopefully become the next Kenny Omega.
Meanwhile, Triple H gets points for clarifying an already obvious point (that DX apparently have JeriShow's number) and prompting a match that will either be a massive ego stroke or be more of an angle than an actual handicap match.
Also, two teams successfully defended junior tag titles, another guy in DG gave their ace only his second loss this entire year, and Alex Shelley pinned one half of the TNA tag champs this week. If anyone should be alongside Mcintyre and James for doing shit that's actually important, it's these folks.
Posted By: B.W.G. (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 10:17 PM
And how about Texano, Jr. & Terrible? They did defeat No Limit in a Hair v. Hair Match.
Posted By: DocSarpolis (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Seriously, I agree. Mochizuki is really overlooked as well.
1. Sugiura
2. Mochizuki
3. Terrible & Texano, Jr.
4. Mutoh/Funaki
5. BxB Hulk
Posted By: DocSarpolis (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 11:23 PM
LOL at the wwe fanboys bitching
Posted By: Guest#0958 (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 11:55 PM
"so that slope misawa wins wrestler of the week when he dies but someone like umaga who people actually know dies and get no votes?
maybe if you got your collective heads out of the crotch region of japan, you could actually join the rest of us in the real world.
Posted By: Guest#9780 (Guest)"
Japan isn't in the real world?
Posted By: Shawn S Lealos (Registered) on December 08, 2009 at 02:12 AM
BWG I believe Mochizuki made a couple of appearances for ROH in years previous, likely Supercard of Honor 2 or 3.
Posted By: Berenstein Von Raschke (Registered) on December 08, 2009 at 02:20 AM
Oh, Mochizuki beat Davey was forgotten.
DG forgot to tell FIP title move and DGUSA title defend.
Posted By: myspace.com/ichifuji (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 03:50 AM
1.Hulk Hogan: he was on spike tv talking about TNA. Plus he was sporting a new moustache cream, that makes him look 20years younger.
2.Gorilla Monsoon: Made an announcement he may be a guest host on raw in March.
3. BxB Hulk: Just to show i can be really cool.
4.Maryse & My DVR: because of these two devices I was able to rub two out on Monday night.
5. Mark Henry: It was reported that there is a video tape of Henry trying out for "Dancing with the stars". If this audition tape surfaces he will catapult ahead of C.M Punk QUICK!!
Posted By: Poi (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 07:46 AM
VINTAGE BERMAN!
Posted By: Cole Slaw (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 12:38 PM
The "Real" Wrestlers of the Week are as follows: "Wildman" Marc Mero, "Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant, Bunkhouse Buck, Ranger Ross, Hakushi, 1-2-3 Kid, Evad Sullivan, Woman, Riki Choshu, Tatanka, King Mabel, Bushwacker Butch, "Dangerous" Danny Davis, Kerwin White, Tracy Smothers, Z-Man, Hollywood Nova, Rock-a-Billy, Droz, 8-Ball, Earl Robert Eaton, Butch Reed, Snitsky, Orlando Jordan, & The Miz
Posted By: John Cena (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 10:08 PM
'Japan isn't in the real world?
Posted By: Shawn S Lealos (Registered) on December 08, 2009 at 02:12 AM'
ANY country that sells used panties worn by preteens via vending machines so that some guy can wear them over his head whilst masturbating to Sailor Moon is really very not part of the real world.
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Guest) on December 10, 2009 at 10:18 AM
The "Real" Wrestlers of the Week are as follows: "Wildman" Marc Mero, "Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant, Bunkhouse Buck, Ranger Ross, Hakushi, 1-2-3 Kid, Evad Sullivan, Woman, Riki Choshu, Tatanka, King Mabel, Bushwacker Butch, "Dangerous" Danny Davis, Kerwin White, Tracy Smothers, Z-Man, Hollywood Nova, Rock-a-Billy, Droz, 8-Ball, Earl Robert Eaton, Butch Reed, Snitsky, Orlando Jordan, & The Miz
Posted By: John Cena (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Hey, you forgot a few. Here are a few you forgot: Zodiac, Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan, Kamala, Shark, K-Dawg, Diamond Dallas Page, Johnny B. Badd, Nasty Boy Saggs, Lex Luger, Ron Killings, Pat Patterson, Ruben Blades, Shad, JTG, Willis, Arnold, Dink, Pink, Wink, Stink, Doink the Clown, Honky Tonk Man, Artist Formerly Known as Goldust, Cloudy, Skip, Zip, Henry O. Godwinn, Bushwacker Luke, Sting, Dan Spivey, Dynamite Kid, Louis Armstrong.
Posted By: Dildo Saggins (Guest) on December 11, 2009 at 02:45 PM
The "Real" Wrestlers of the Week are as follows: "Wildman" Marc Mero, "Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant, Bunkhouse Buck, Ranger Ross, Hakushi, 1-2-3 Kid, Evad Sullivan, Woman, Riki Choshu, Tatanka, King Mabel, Bushwacker Butch, "Dangerous" Danny Davis, Kerwin White, Tracy Smothers, Z-Man, Hollywood Nova, Rock-a-Billy, Droz, 8-Ball, Earl Robert Eaton, Butch Reed, Snitsky, Orlando Jordan, & The Miz
Posted By: John Cena (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Hey, you forgot a few. Here are a few you forgot: Zodiac, Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan, Kamala, Shark, K-Dawg, Diamond Dallas Page, Johnny B. Badd, Nasty Boy Saggs, Lex Luger, Ron Killings, Pat Patterson, Ruben Blades, Shad, JTG, Willis, Arnold, Dink, Pink, Wink, Stink, Doink the Clown, Honky Tonk Man, Artist Formerly Known as Goldust, Cloudy, Skip, Zip, Henry O. Godwinn, Bushwacker Luke, Sting, Dan Spivey, Dynamite Kid, Louis Armstrong.
Posted By: Dildo Saggins (Guest) on December 11, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Seriously?! Where the hell is Bastion Booger, Man Mountain Rock or a true hall of famer.... Waylon F'n Mercy?!?
Posted By: Hall of Fame Class of 2010 (Guest) on December 12, 2009 at 08:11 AM
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