411’s Wrestler of the Week 08.15.11: Year Seven, Week 20
Posted by Jeremy Thomas on 08.15.2011
Alberto Del Rio won the WWE Title, Randy Orton took back the World Heavyweight Title, CM Punk defeated John Cena and more! Check out 411's Wrestler of the Week for all the details and for an updated look at the Year-End standings!
Welcome to Week 20, Year SEVEN, 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 around WrestleMania. This will be posted every Monday. Let's see who wins this week…
Jeremy Thomas
1) Randy Orton
Del Rio's title win may have been a bigger feather in his cap than Orton's, but Orton accomplished something else by acheiving what many are calling his best in-ring effort to date. He and Christian are magic in the ring and I look forward to every time they lock up. Kudos to Orton for the victory, and he gets my #1 spot.
2) Alberto Del Rio: Del Rio is YOUR new WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World, being the latest to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Here's to a long run, whether I think he'll really get it or not.
3) CM Punk/John Cena: It takes two to tango and while Punk may have won the main event, both he and Cena are equally responsible for the great match they put forth.
4) Crimson
5) Cody Rhodes
Andy Critchell
1) Alberto Del Rio!
Cashed in MITB at SummerSlam and walked out with the title LIKE A BOSS
2) Mark Henry: If you aren't able to appreciate the greatness of the World's Strongest Man then I suggest you GTFO. Quite simply, Mark Henry is doing the best work of his entire career and if it wasn't for the amazing work CM Punk has been doing then Mark Henry would have to be considered the hottest act in all of wrestling. Henry has nothing left to prove, he's destroyed EVERYONE in his path, including a very game Sheamus. I'm hoping we see Mark Henry as the next challenger to Orton, he has more than earned that spot.
3) Christian/Randall K. Orton, Esq: Christian and Orton had the best match on the PPV, it was amazing and brutal. This year's SummerSlam will be remembered as one of the best ever and these guys were a big reasons why.
4) Kevin Nash
5) CM Punk
<Seán Reid
1)CM Punk/John Cena
Both men went out and, in my eyes, performed better than at their MITB match. The two have a natural chemistry in the ring that brings out the very best in one another.
2)Randy Orton/Christian: Just like Punk and Cena, these two put on the best match of their series and almost stole the show. Brilliant ending and a contest than had me second guessing the whole time.
3)Cody Rhodes: Thank God the IC Title is around the waist of this man. If there was anyone on the roster who deserved it more than Cody then I have clearly been watching a different show than everyone else.
4)Shinsuke Nakamura
5)Hector Garza
Robert S. Leighty Jr
1) Alberto Del Rio
Del Rio's week started with a clean loss to Punk on RAW, but then rebounded with a win over Bryan and then cashing in to win his 1st WWE Title. Winning your first World Title is an easy way to garner Wrestler of the Week with me.
2) Randy Orton: Orton defeats Khali on SmackDown and ends the week by regaining the World Title from Christian.
3) CM Punk: Punk started off great with win over ADR and then the awesome contract signing segment. I loved the fact that he got another win over Cena and won the Undisputed Title, but while some had ADR cashing in, nobody saw Kevin Nash of all people playing a role in all of this. Still, Cena was the undisputed champion for a short time.
4) Cody Rhodes
5) John Cena/Christian
Michael Ornelas
1) Alberto Del Rio/CM Punk
One man won his first WWE Championship and the other beat John Cena to become the Undisputed WWE Championship. They both beat each other this week, so their weeks were very very similar. Punk matches Del Rio's victory over Bryan by delivering an awesome match in the main event of SummerSlam. I can't justify putting one over the other here.
2) Randy Orton: Defeated Christian for the World Heavyweight Championship in what I hear was an incredible match that I probably will have seen by the time this column goes up, but I haven't seen it as of the time I'm writing this.
3) Shinsuke Nakamura: Won the NJPW G-1 Climax tournament for the first time, defeating Tetsuya Naito in the finals.
4) Hector Garza
5) Cody Rhodes/Tetsuya Naito
Ryan Byers
1) Christian & Randy Orton
For my money, the greatest thing about Summerslam was the World Heavyweight Title match between Christian and Orton, especially after the finish to the evening soured me on Punk and Cena's segment. Both Christian and Orton left it all in the ring and poured out some big-time effort in a battle that both of them are going to be feeling tomorrow. Plus I would say that they contributed equally to the match, so I can't put one man in the top spot over the other.
2) Shinsuke Nakamura: The G1 Climax is one of the biggest annual tournaments in professional wrestling, and it celebrated its twentieth anniversary this year with a record twenty competitors. The G1 came to an end this week, and, when the dust all cleared, Shinsuke Nakamura was the winner. Nakamura has long been a main eventer for the promotion, but this is still a feather in his cap, as it's the first time that he's managed to win the G1 in eight attempts.
3) Cody Rhodes: Cody's Intercontinential Title reign seems like something that could actually elevate him. Maybe that's naive given how the title has been booked recently, but I've got a good feeling about this one.
4) Tetsuya Naito
5) CM Punk
Wes Kirk
1) Alberto Del Rio
Alberto accomplished the one thing eluding him the length of his career thus far when he cashed in the MITB briefcase during the end of SummerSlam and like all the others before him, won the championship. Alberto was on fire in late 2010 and early 2011 and hopefully becoming the WWE champion means a long reign, as I'm sure he can pull off both the in-ring and mic work beautifully. Finally, the champ has his own ring announcer!
2) Randy Orton: After losing the World Championship due to kicking Christian in the yam bags, he got it back after pulling out all the tops in the no holds barred rematch at SummerSlam with a SICK RKO. I think Randy will be holding on to the belt for a while now that he's pretty much ruined Christian.
3) Cody Rhodes: The NEW IC Champion is a deserving one, as Cody has been impressing people as of late with his psychosomatic "grotesque disfigurement" gimmick and pulling it off well. Cody also can go in the ring as can Ted Dibiase, his protege in this unusual alliance, and together they make a terrific team and a potential foil for Cody should Ted decide to make the title his goal on SmackDown.
4) Crimson
5) Hector Garza
Michael Bauer
1) CM Punk
Yes, Del Rio may have walked out of SummerSlam as the champion, but it was CM Punk who pretty much beat John Cena cleanly for the second straight Pay Per View. That is almost unheard of in this day and age, so it is a huge feet in itself. Add in the WWE Title and it is pretty much unheard of.
2) Alberto Del Rio: Yep, he cashed in and walked out as champ in a very similar way to Punk's first title win.
3) Randy Orton: Hopefully, he finally put the exclamation point on this feud.
4) Cody Rhodes
5) Mark Henry / Christian (tie)
Steve Cook
1) Alberto Del Rio
The Essence of Excellence is your new WWE Champion, and while many of us predicted he would cash in at SummerSlam, nobody predicted the manner in which he would do so. ADR is now the main man on Raw, and it'll be very interesting to see where he goes from here. John Cena? CM Punk? Both? Hey, maybe Rey Mysterio beats him tonight. You just don't know with WWE right now.
2) Cody Rhodes: My man won his first singles title on Friday night, defeating Ezekiel Jackson to hopefully restore some honor & prestige to the Intercontinental Title. It's going to be tough, but if anybody can do it it's Cody. Would have got #1 on my list if it happened at SummerSlam, and it's a shame he wasn't on that card.
3) Wade Barrett: I think people might be sleeping on Wade's outstanding showing on Sunday night due to everything else that went on. He had a great match with Daniel Bryan and showed the form that made us NXT viewers believe that he would be the next big thing. He still could be.
4) Randy Orton/Christian
5) CM Punk
Chad Nevett
1) Alberto Del Rio
Destiny fulfilled.
2) CM Punk: A killer promo on Monday followed by another win over John Cena for the WWE Championship? That's big.
3) Cody Rhodes: The new Intercontinental Champion. Finally.
4) Randy Orton
5) Crimson
THE WINNERS~!
Special Mention…Shinsuke Nakamura & John Cena (tie) - 9 Votes
Fifth Place…Christian - 16 Votes
Fourth Place…Cody Rhodes - 22 Votes
Third Place…CM Punk - 28 Votes
But for a powerbomb and a briefcase, he'd be WWE Champion right now.
Second Place…Randy Orton - 36 Votes
The Apex Predator regains the World Heavyweight Title from Christian.
Wrestler of the Week…Alberto Del Rio - 38 Votes
The new WWE Champion has fulfilled his destiny!
Year-End Standings~!
And here are the rankings after week TWENTY…
1. CM Punk (WWE) - 72
2. Christian (WWE) – 69
3. Randy Orton (WWE) - 58
4. R-Truth (WWE) – 48
5. Alberto Del Rio (WWE) – 36
6. Kurt Angle (TNA) - 31
7. Sheamus (WWE) - 30
8. John Cena (WWE) - 29
9. Sin Cara (WWE) – 27 {SUSPENDED}
10. Rey Mysterio (WWE) - 26
Sting (TNA) - 24 Giant Bernard (NJPW) - 24 Kota Ibushi (DDT) - 24
Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW) - 22
MVP (NJPW) - 21 Daniel Bryan (WWE) - 21
Takashi Sugiura (NOAH) - 19 The Miz (WWE) - 19
Mark Henry (WWE) - 16 HHH (WWE) – 16 Brian Kendrick (TNA) - 16
Kevin Nash should have got more votes. He's the one we're all talking about, regardless of if we like it or not.
Posted By: Guest#6725 (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 02:48 PM
I was at Summerslam and I really don't understand why everybody had so much praise for the Orton/Christian match. As a Christian fan (and someone who is EXTREMELY tired of Orton and his 45 title reigns) there were no spots in that match to cheer for. Aside from Christian's one Killswitch and a little bit of offense at the very start of the match, Orton DOMINATED. Totally one-sided. Admittedly, the spots were cool, but how can people enjoy such a one-sided affair? Randy Orton (just like Cena) is extremely over with the crowd only because the WWE tells us he is more important than everyone else. This match proves that fact even more. Why does Blandy Boredom need ANOTHER title reign? I'll never be able to fathom why people who criticize Cena for being boring and repetitive can continue to cheer for Orton.
Posted By: Tatankatron (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Keep up the insightful writing Nevett!
Posted By: Guest#9415 (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 02:56 PM
I was at Summerslam and I really don't understand why everybody had so much praise for the Orton/Christian match. As a Christian fan (and someone who is EXTREMELY tired of Orton and his 45 title reigns) there were no spots in that match to cheer for. Aside from Christian's one Killswitch and a little bit of offense at the very start of the match, Orton DOMINATED. Totally one-sided. Admittedly, the spots were cool, but how can people enjoy such a one-sided affair? Randy Orton (just like Cena) is extremely over with the crowd only because the WWE tells us he is more important than everyone else. This match proves that fact even more. Why does Blandy Boredom need ANOTHER title reign? I'll never be able to fathom why people who criticize Cena for being boring and repetitive can continue to cheer for Orton.
Posted By: Tatankatron (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Let's be clear about something, son: There are way, waaaaaaaay more guys deserving of being labelled boring or unexciting. Orton continues to step up his in-ring game and compared to say, two years, he MILES AND MILES ahead of where he was. Plus, it takes TWO to put on a good match and don't you ever forget it, son.
Posted By: Guest#3733 (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 04:07 PM
Mark Henry way under repped here.
1. Orton - winner of the best match at Summerslam.
2. ADR - biggest career advancement
3. Punk/Christian - putting them in the same category. In ring action was great for both, but Punk winning with Cena's foot under rope + losing to ADR is equivalent in my eyes to Christian losing in the best match at SS.
4. Mark Henry - I can see a world title in his reach. Looked pretty damn good in the ring (not just good for Mark Henry, but good for ANY big man).
5. Cody Rhodes - IC Title win I guess is important these days.
Posted By: SpankyHamm (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Because orton is only 30 and still improving nd more athletic and in much better shape then cena nd ortons character is accaully intresting and he's been involved in amazing fueds u stupid dick
Posted By: Guest#1176 (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 04:26 PM
What a cop out. Nash should have at least gotten fourth or fifth place. The man wrestled on a Juggalo iPPV (what, indies suddenly and conveniently don't mean anything now?) and then appeared in the main event of SummerSlam two days later, laying out the WWE champion with his finishing move. Going into tonight's RAW, he is now one of the main draws. How the hell is that not with anything?
Posted By: AsoTamaki (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 04:51 PM
"Randy Orton (just like Cena) is extremely over with the crowd only because the WWE tells us he is more important than everyone else. This match proves that fact even more. Why does Blandy Boredom need ANOTHER title reign? I'll never be able to fathom why people who criticize Cena for being boring and repetitive can continue to cheer for Orton.
Posted By: Tatankatron (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 02:55 PM"
I have to wonder how much of this is your opinion and how much is just a bitter Christian fan regurgitating what he's read online.
Listen, I'm the biggest Christian fan there is and I feel like he should have gotten more decisive wins in the feud and longer title reigns. That being said, he and Orton have undeniable chemistry. Orton is an incredibly talented wrestler.
Nothing says nonsensical rhetoric more than that tired, never clever nor funny, "Blandy Boreton" nickname. It's just sad to even say it.
And really, Orton is over because we were told he's over? Do you have any idea how silly that is? Randy was a career heel who no one thought could play face yet the fans cheered for him to be an anti-hero. He was continually pushed as a mega heel yet they CHEERED.
Now since then he's definitely fallen into a similar role to that of Cena but saying that he got there in the same way is nothing more than your own display of profound ignorance.
Posted By: Ron Mexico (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 05:46 PM
Not one, but two people left Alberto del Rio off their lists completely. Everyone expects that sort of dumb shit from Byers, but WTF Sean Reid.
Also, needs more Mark Henry.
Posted By: saneiac (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Hey, JT, I emailed you a house show report Saturday night. Did you receive it?
Posted By: the ghost of Buddy Rogers (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 09:28 PM
"CM Punk who pretty much beat John Cena cleanly for the second straight Pay Per View"
Not by my definition of clean. There was a distraction at MITB and foot on the ropes at Summerslam. Out of interest, when was the last time someone beat Cena clean?
Posted By: Hoooo Rah (Guest) on August 16, 2011 at 07:09 AM
So whats the excuse for some people not voting for Del Rio? Winning your first world title is a big deal, even if it's the WWE spinner belt.
Posted By: Guest#6658 (Guest) on August 16, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Kevin Nash should have got more votes. He's the one we're all talking about, regardless of if we like it or not.
Posted By: Guest#6725 (Guest) on August 15, 2011 at 02:48 PM
3 guys won World Titles, Nash is lucky to get as many votes.
Posted By: Guest#2885 (Guest) on August 16, 2011 at 08:29 AM
You done trolling, Byers? Not even including Del Rio ANYWHERE in your top 5 reveals you're nothing but a troll.
Posted By: Guest#8588 (Guest) on August 16, 2011 at 11:14 AM
How Is Nakamura not number one in any of these lists. He just won the most prestigious tournament in wrestling history. It's a two week event. I hate the American IWC who refuse to watch anything other than "The big three". When it comes down to it. "The Big THree' in terms of wrestling in the world are WWE, NJPW, and Pro Wrestling NOAH
Posted By: ChrisKazama (Guest) on August 16, 2011 at 08:10 PM
How Is Nakamura not number one in any of these lists. He just won the most prestigious tournament in wrestling history. It's a two week event. I hate the American IWC who refuse to watch anything other than "The big three". When it comes down to it. "The Big THree' in terms of wrestling in the world are WWE, NJPW, and Pro Wrestling NOAH
Posted By: ChrisKazama (Guest) on August 16, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Come on man, you know why he's not number one. Its like saying 'why doesnt everyone love this japanesse comedy show instead of Scrubs.' No matter how good it is the launguage is always gonna be a problem. It really suprises you people prefer American wrestling? It shouldnt.
Posted By: The Watcher (Guest) on August 16, 2011 at 09:25 PM
So Orton and ADR win the titles, but Punk is still on top of most of the lists?
No, there's no ROHbots working here.
Posted By: Faceless (Guest) on August 17, 2011 at 09:35 AM
Jesus Christ, Byers it the only one who got it right this week.
Orton should be number one, he won the world title clean.
Shinsuke won the G1. That's good enough for a sure number one on any other week and he only gets an honorable mention?
The whole RAW main event shit had no one person look good coming out and instead all three get ahead of Shinsuke? Fuck that. Why is Cody Rhodes even on the list? AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH
Posted By: puropedestal (Guest) on August 17, 2011 at 09:08 PM
Copyright (c) 2011 411mania.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
Click here for our privacy policy. Please help us serve you better, fill out our survey.
Use of this site signifies your agreement to our terms of use.
