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411’s Wrestler of the Week 06.28.10: Week 13

June 28, 2010 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas

Welcome to Week 13, Year SIX, 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

If you are wondering how some of the writers decide who to vote for, please check out our Wrestler of the Week Supplemental Column!

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) Da Soul Touchaz
CHIKARA made its return to the Midwest this weekend with shows in Michigan and Ohio, which allowed the Chicago-based trio of Da Soul Touchaz, who in the past have been guest stars at King of Trios, an opportunity to return to the promotion. It was a hell of a return as well, with the Soul Touchin’ trio of Acid Jaz, Marshe Rocket, and Willie “Da Bomb” Richardson defeating two of CHIKARA’s top trios on two separate nights. On Saturday in Ohio, the team scored a surprising upset win over the top heel stable of the Bruderschaft, while on Sunday in Michigan they toppled the Colony of Fire Ant, Solider Ant, and Green Ant. Both rudos and technicos were put on notice by the Touchaz this weekend, and it will be interesting to see where they go from here in the company.

2) Jack Swagger: It’s a bit of a shame that WWE didn’t start booking Jack Swagger to look like a legitimate threat until AFTER he lost the World Heavyweight Title, but, hey, at least it helps build up his coming pay per view title match with Rey Misterio. His angle with the Big Show this week on Smackdown made him look like a killer . . . it’s just a shame that they didn’t do this sort of thing prior to pushing him up into title contention.
3) CIMA, Gamma, & Genki Horiguchi: The titles have been changing hands a lot lately, and, once again, Dragon Gate has new Open the Triangle Gate Champions. I’m not sure where the company is going with the belts, but it’s a slow week and this was the only significant title change in the world, so here it is.
4) Shuri
5) Tim Donst

Chad Nevett
1) Jack Swagger
Hey, Swagger actually looks strong and dominant, that’s the way you book your cham… oh… yeah… still, Swagger finally looked like a major threat against the Big Show by taking a lesson from Kurt Angle’s book and using the anklelock on the giant until he was disqualified for not adhering to the rope break. Maybe losing the title is all Swagger needs to gain some focus and get a decent push.

2) Kane: Fought off the entire Straight Edge Society and sent CM Punk running into the night.
3) Beer Money, Inc.: Beat Ink, Inc. in the battles of the Inc.s to earn a tag title shot against the Motor City Machine Guns at Victory Road.
4) Kurt Angle
5) Abyss

Steve Cook
1. Chris Jericho
Jericho had a pretty big week inside and outside of the ring. On Raw he put his WWE career in a match against Evan Bourne, which fortunately for Jericholics worldwide, he won. On Tuesday his game show “Downfall” debuted on ABC, and while ratings were a mixed bag, reviews of his performance were pretty good. Whether the show succeeds or not, Jericho has solidified his standing in show biz. I’m also very jealous of him for reasons my legal team advises me I shouldn’t discuss here.

2. Matt Hardy: Returned to Smackdown with a bang, defeating Drew McIntyre in a really good grudge match and then bidding Drew farewell after Theodore Long revealed that the Scot was in the country illegally.
3. Jack Swagger: Though he lost to Big Show by DQ, he left the big man in a state that we’re not used to seeing him in. Rey Mysterio has two bad knees…you think Swagger’s aware of that?
4. Kurt Angle
5. Da Soul Touchaz

Ronnie LaFianza
1. Jack Swagger
Big Show is something that we haven’t seen in a while, and it definitely help makes Swagger look like a main event player, something that he could have used during his run as champion. I’m not saying he didn’t look like he belonged, he just looked a little out of place. This definitely helps him move up the charts.

2. Matt Hardy: Put on a pretty good match against Drew McIntyre and proves to be the better man. Hardy’s been saying 2010 is his year, and with MITB coming up, it very well could be. Not saying he’s going to win, but this win helps move him closer to looking like a possible candidate.
3. Chris Jericho: Came out victorious against Evan Bourne while putting his career on the line and then hosted his new game show, which from what I hear was pretty good.
4. Beer Money
5. Kane

Aaron Hubbard
1) Matt Hardy
Returned on Smackdown! and defeated Vince’s golden boy in a match that was way better than anyone expected. Almost nothing happened this week, but Matt beating Drew is enough to make me happy.

2) James Storm & Robert Roode [TIE]: Will be facing The Motor City Machine Guns to determine the new tag team champions of TNA.
3) Jack Swagger: Pulled a trick out of Angle’s playbook and looked like a ruthless, intelligent monster who could make Big Show squeel in pain.
4) Chris Jericho
5) Da Soul Touchaz

Michael Bauer
1) Chris Jericho / Evan Bourne (tie)
For the second straight night on Raw, these two tore the house down with an incredible match. Jericho got his win back, but Bourne needs to be given credit also for a tremendous match as his push looks to continue, even with defeat.

2) Bryan Danielson: Two victories in his return to the Indies, including the last true Indy dream match against Eddie Kingston.
3) Da Soul Touchaz: Just read what Ryan said, because he is spot on.
4) Kane
5) Matt Hardy

Jeremy Thomas
1) Jack Swagger
Last week, Swagger was a weak champion who had just lost his belt. This week, he’s the guy who hurt Show so bad, the big guy couldn’t stand. That’s one hell of a boost.

2) Matt Hardy: Could the Era of Mattitude be back? Ehh, probably not. Still, Matt beat Drew McIntyre in a damn good match and sent him packing for now.
3) Beer Money: Roode and Storm earned a trip down Victory Road to face the MCMG’s for the Tag Team Titles. That’s all good news right there.
4) Kane
5) Chris Jericho

THE WINNERS~!

Special Mention…Kane – 9 Votes

Fifth Place…Acid Jaz, Willie Richardson and Marshe Rocket – 10 Votes

Fourth Place…Robert Roode and James Storm – 12 Votes

Third Place…Chris Jericho – 16 Votes

Y2J puts his career on the line against Evan Bourne and beats him in the TV Match of the Week, plus gets great marks for his game show host performance.

Second Place…Matt Hardy – 18 Votes

Matt make shis return from suspension a triumphant one by beating Drew McIntyre.

Wrestler of the Week…Jack Swagger – 25 Votes

After coming out of Fatal Four-Way looking weak, Swagger puts a major hurting on the Big Show. He didn’t beat him but he left him unable to walk for the moment and that’s enough to make him our Wrestler of the Week!

Year-End Standings~!

The big move this week is Jack Swagger, who leaps ahead of Rob Van Dam to claim the number one spot. Matt Hardy, Beer Money and Da Soul Touchaz all make their debuts this week on the list while Kane nudges up a point and Chris Jericho leaps up just outside the top 15. Things are starting to get interesting now!

Let’s check out the Year-End Standings!

1. Jack Swagger – 55 (SmackDown)

2. Rob Van Dam – 40 (TNA)

3. Wade Barrett – 35 (NXT)

4. Bryan Danielson – 32 (US Independent)

5. Rey Mysterio – 27 (Smackdown)
5. Evan Bourne – 27 (Raw)

7. Kofi Kingston – 25 (Smackdown)

8. Claudio Castagnoli – 24 (ROH)
8. Tyson Kidd – 24 (Raw)
8. DH Smith – 24 (Raw)

11. Kurt Angle – 18 (TNA)

12. Randy Orton – 16 (Raw)
12. Tyler Black – 16 (ROH)

14. Madison Eagles – 15 (SHIMMER)
14. Togi Makabe – 15 (IWGP)
14. Edge – 15 (Raw)
14. R-Truth – 15 (Raw)
14. Sheamus – 15 (Raw)

Douglas Williams – 13 (TNA)

Chris Hero – 12 (ROH)
Ares – 12 (US Independent)
Tursas – 12 (US Independent)
Minoru Suzuki – 12 (AJPW)
Paul London – 12 (US Independent)
El Generico – 12 (US Independent)
John Cena – 12 (Raw)
Desmond Wolfe – 12 (TNA)
Matt Hardy – 12 (SmackDown)
Chris Jericho – 12 (Raw)

Mr. Anderson – 10 (TNA)
Kazarian – 10 (TNA)

YAMATO – 9 (Dragon Gate)
Jay Lethal – 9 (TNA)
Davey Richards – 9 (ROH)
Prince Devitt – 6 (NJPW)
Robert Roode – 9 (TNA)
James Storm – 9 (TNA)

Heath Slater – 6 (NXT)
Nick Jackson – 6 (TNA)
Matt Jackson – 6 (TNA)
Bison Smith – 6 (NOAH)
Keith Walker – 6 (NOAH)
AJ Styles – 6 (TNA)
Bret Hart – 6 (Raw)

Christopher Daniels – 4 (ROH)

Jon Moxley – 3 (US Independent)
CM Punk – 3 (Smackdown)
Dr. Wagner Jr. – 3(AAA)
WIllie Richardson – 3 (US Independent)
Marshe Rocket – 3 (US Independent)
Acid Jaz – 3 (US Independent)

Kane – 2 (SmackDown)

John Morrison – 1 (Raw)
Beth Phoenix – 1 (SmackDown)
Ted DiBiase – 1 (Raw)
Christian – 1 (Smackdown)
Shingo Takagi – 1 (Dragon Gate)
Chuck Taylor – 1 (US Independent)
Masaaki Mochizuki – 1 (Dragon Gate)
Batista – 1 (Raw)
The Undertaker – 1 (Smackdown)
Giant Bernard – 1 (NJPW)
Karl Anderson – 1 (NJPW)