411’s Wrestler of the Week 08.22.11: Year Seven, Week 21
Posted by Larry Csonka on 08.22.2011
Alberto Del Rio rolled on as WWE Champion, El Generico won the Battle of Los Angeles, Austin Aries dominated the X-Division 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 21, 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…
Larry Csonka
1) El Generico
El Generico defeated Claudio Castagnoli, Willie Mack and former tag team partner and rival Kevin Steen to win the PWG BOLA tournament. Not only did he win the tournament, but also Steen is the current PWG Champion. This was a great night for Generico.
2) Mexican America: Defeated beer Money to win the TNA Tag Team Titles.
3) Alberto Del Rio: Retained his title against Rey Mysterio on Raw, and also defeated Daniel Bryan on Smackdown. Both were good matches, and the WWE Champion is off to a great start.
4) Mark Henry
5) Austin Aries
Wes Kirk
1) Alberto Del Rio
As the new WWE Champion, Alberto not only defeated Rey Mysterio but for a second time submitted Daniel Bryan after that to complete two successful title defenses. Del Rio has the potential for legend status as time goes on, so keep an eye on him! But you already knew that.
2) Austin Aries: The new number one contender to the X-Division title, Aries will be heading into the restructured division as their top heel with the blessings of Eric Bischoff to continue the ongoing rivalry between Bischoff and the X-Division. So far Aries has put on some excellent matches and will likely be champion sooner than later.
3) Mark Henry: Henry has finally gotten himself a title shot, and in decisive fashion by winning the battle royal. Now the real question is if he can actually win the title he's been after for fifteen years!
4) AJ Styles
5) El Generico
Ryan Byers
1) CM Punk
If you've watched wrestling for the past fifteen or so years, you should be well aware that Kevin Nash is a pretty smart, politically savvy guy who has a knack for saying the right things that the right time to make sure that he stays over and anybody who opposes him looks like a total doofus. I've watched Nash verbally own a lot of guys over the years in a way that doesn't just build heat for a storyline but actually goes further and buries his opponent in a way that hurts their credibility. Well, Kevin Nash tried to do that to CM Punk this week, and, quite frankly, Punk beat Nash at his own game. Actually, scratch that. He didn't just beat him. He destroyed him. Kudos, Punker, kudos.
2) Alberto Del Rio: WWE is establishing their new wrestling champion by having him put on good wrestling matches in which he beats other wrestlers clean. That should be elementary booking that almost all champs get the benefit of, but, these days, it's sadly pretty damn novel. I'm just glad to see that ADR is the beneficiary, as he's got more than enough talent to hold up his end of the bargain.
3) Mark Henry: Henry has really been reinvigorated since his heel turn, and I'm very happy to see that his performances have elevated him all the way into the title picture. I don't see him holding the big gold belt, but he at least deserves a few months of larger payoffs that will come with this promotion up the card.
4) Minami Hikari
5) El Generico
Aaron Frame
1) Alberto Del Rio
Became the new WWE in shocking but predictable fashion. And he was able to defend that title and not lose it the next night to John Cena. For that, he gets my vote.
2) El Generico: Defeated Kevin Steen, the PWG champion, to win the Battle of Los Angeles 2011 tournament. If you don't know what PWG is, it's Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, pretty much the ROH of the West Coast. Only not as big.
3) Mark Henry: He's been impressing me lately and continued to do so as he won himself a shot at the title. I'm alongside some other people who think it's about time the man got his shot. He deserves it in my eyes.
4) Young Bucks
5) Joey Ryan & Scorpio Sky
Michael Ornelas
1) El Generico
Beat PWG Champion (and former BLOOD ENEMY) Kevin Steen to win the 2011 Battle of Los Angeles
2) Alberto Del Rio: Had two hella great matches this week to kick off his championship run.
3) Mark Henry: New #1 contender to the World Heavyweight Championship.
4) Daniel Bryan/Rey Mysterio
5) CM Punk
Seán Reid
1) Alberto Del Rio
Our new WWE Champion put on two great matches this week with Rey Mysterio and Daniel Bryan. His reign is off to a great start.
2) Austin Aries: 'The Greatest Man That Ever Lived' came out on top of the X Division gauntlet and is the number one contender to the X-Division Title.
3) Mark Henry: Is having the run of his career and looks like he could beat Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship.
4) El Generico
5) Daniel Bryan/Rey Mysterio
Michael Bauer
1) Alberto Del Rio
ADR looked really damn good this week, beating Rey Mysterio and Daniel bryan in two really damn good matches.
2) El Generico: Wins the 2011 BOLA, knocking off Claudio and Kevin Steen along the way.
3) Mark Henry: The new #1 contender on Smackdown gonna split some wigs.
4) Austin Aries
5) Mexican America
Greg DeMarco
1) Alberto Del Rio
Very strong week for the new WWE Champion. He beat Rey Mysterio and Daniel Bryan--both clean. He's drawn the attention of John Cena. He's off to a great start to his first reign.
2) CM Punk: I nearly put him #1, but wanted to focus on in-ring accomplishments first. Punk flat out owned Kevin Nash in a promo battle that has been reported to be unscripted. Nash is known for trying to put himself over and bury his competition at all costs. If that was his plan, he failed miserably, as he was completely destroyed by a short order cook from the Pikeville Waffle House. Nash is out of touch, CM Punk is on point and cutting edge.
3) El Generico: Generico beat Claudio Castagnoli, Willie Mack and PWG World Champion Kevin Steen to become the 2011 Battle of Los Angeles champion. Generico now has the rights to book any match he desires in PWG.
4) Austin Aries: Won the X-Division Gauntlet and continually proves why he is the class of that division.
5) Mark Henry: Won a battle royal and is now #1 contender for Randy Orton's World Heavyweight Championship...his career renaissance rolls on.
Chad Nevett
1) Alberto Del Rio
His first week as WWE Champion was a good one. His opening promo on Raw was great, he beat Rey Mysterio cleanly in his first defense, and, then, beat Daniel Bryan on Smackdown in a very good match. An excellent way to follow up how he cashed in Money in the Bank and make him look credible as champion.
2) Cody Rhodes: Defended the Intercontinental Championship against Ezekiel Jackson and finished the match with dominant victory. No quick roll-up, no cheating, he just kicked the crap out of Jackson.
3) El Generico: Won PWG's Battle of Los Angeles and beat three men in the same night to do it.
4) Mark Henry
5) Austin Aries
Steve Cook
1) Alberto Del Rio
The Essence of Excellence started his WWE title reign with a bang, defending the title against a one-legged Rey Mysterio in a match that was still good despite Rey blowing his knee out during it. Then he went over to Smackdown and had another good match with Daniel Bryan, looking impressive while still doing a lot to further build Bryan's credibility. This is the type of performance you need from your champion.
2) El Generico: Generico won the Battle of Los Angeles on Saturday night, defeating Kevin Steen in the finals. Steen has been on a hot streak lately, but once again El Generico proves to be his kryptonite.
3) Mark Henry: If he charges for air you better pay the rent. Mizark is now the #1 contender for Randy Orton's World title, and it's going to take a SuperOrton type of performance to keep the World's Strongest Man down.
4) Cody Rhodes
5) Kevin Steen
Andy Critchell
1) Alberto Del Rio
There are many who are concerned that Del Rio will be treated as an afterthought during this whole Punk/Cena/Triple H saga but if this first week of his championship reign is any indication, Del Rio will be kept strong. Alberto was impressive this week with big wins over Rey Mysterio on Raw and Daniel Bryan on Smackdown, which helps to solidify him as a real legitimate champion.
2) Mark Henry: It comes as no surprise to this writer that Mark Henry is getting a huge push right now. Quite simply, he has been the best-booked act in wrestling since his heel turn and brand switch. I think Mark felt he had something to prove to his critics, his fellow workers, and himself and it is clear that all his hard work is paying off and now he's the number one contender on Smackdown. Doubt Mark Henry at your own peril, lest you end up with your ass kicked and your wig split.
3) Mexican America: Won the TNA tag belts. Frankly I don't think these guys are very good, especially the unsafe Hernandez but at least they're trying which is more than I can say for a lot of guys in TNA. Anyway, their gimmick is built off of cheap heat and they are average at best so I don't see them as long term champs but for now they have the belts.
4) Kelly Kelly
5) Tyson Kidd
THE WINNERS~!
Special Mention…Mexican America - 8 Votes
Fifth Place…CM Punk - 10 Votes
Fourth Place…Austin Aries - 14 Votes
Third Place…Mark Henry - 30 Votes
Somebody's gonna get their ass whipped!
Second Place…El Generico - 32 Votes
Won the Battle of Los Angeles!
Wrestler of the Week…Alberto Del Rio - 51 Votes
He's the WWE Champion, and a winner. But you already knew that…
Year-End Standings~!
And here are the rankings after week TWENTY ONE…
1. CM Punk (WWE) - 75
2. Christian (WWE) – 69
3. Randy Orton (WWE) - 58
4. Alberto Del Rio (WWE) – 50
5. R-Truth (WWE) – 48
6. Kurt Angle (TNA) - 31
7. Sheamus (WWE) - 30
8. John Cena (WWE) - 29
9. Sin Cara (WWE) – 27
10. Rey Mysterio (WWE) - 26
Mark Henry (WWE) - 25
Sting (TNA) - 24 Giant Bernard (NJPW) - 24 Kota Ibushi (DDT) - 24
Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW) - 22
Austin Aries (TNA) - 21 El Generico (ROH) - 21 MVP (NJPW) - 21 Daniel Bryan (WWE) - 21
Jesus Byers, you think the Punk/Nash thing wasnt scripted? This is 2011 WWE we're talking about here.
Posted By: Guest#2464 (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 02:43 PM
The Punk marks on this site are getting awful. If Nash gets the better of Punk in a promo tonight will Punk be at fault? No, your'll just blame the booking. I think its hilarious Vince is working the smark marks like Byers and DeMarco.
Posted By: The Watcher (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 02:48 PM
This week pretty much confirms Punk will be WOTY. The smarks were all ready to pour votes into Christian and his joke of a main event run, but thankfully Punk came along and mentioned RoH and Paul Heyman, and became the new chosen one.
Posted By: Pound and Ground (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 03:00 PM
I'm as big of a Punk mark as there is out there, but he can't seriously be above Del Rio, Bryan, Henry or Generico this week.
Posted By: Aaron (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 03:09 PM
This week pretty much confirms Punk will be WOTY. The smarks were all ready to pour votes into Christian and his joke of a main event run, but thankfully Punk came along and mentioned RoH and Paul Heyman, and became the new chosen one.
Posted By: Pound and Ground (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 03:00 PM
If you look just above the Punker was the WOTY just a few years ago, I don't think he ever stopped being the choosen one. I can't really say Punk has been WOTY so far and I'm a CM Punk guy.
Posted By: Guest#4226 (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 03:34 PM
"the ROH of the West Coast."
Except PWG is good.
Posted By: Guest#3256 (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 03:56 PM
"the ROH of the West Coast."
Except PWG is good.
Posted By: Guest#3256 (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Has Perk finally returned?
Posted By: Guest#8268 (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 04:27 PM
Can we get off CM Punk's dick now, I love what he's doing too but voting for him week after week based on promos is asinine.
Posted By: Guest#5985 (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 06:20 PM
Well it seems pretty obvious who's going to win Wrestler of the Year. I mean I love C.M. Punk, I really do but come on. Del Rio defended in two stellar matches last week. One of which was even ranked third on this site for "Match of the Week" and yet 2 people still ranked Punk either first or actually considered him first based on his promo last week. Grant it the promo was good but not amazing.
The Punk bias is starting to become slightly obnoxious. I mean Punk sits in the ring "Wrestler of the week". Punk makes snow angels "Wrestler of the week". Punk gets his old ROH entrance music "Wrestler of the week". Punk just cut a promo on RAW and has a main event match with Cena so I'll guess he'll be "Wrestler of the week" next week as well. Come on guys. Can you at least try not to be so obvious on who you want to win "Wrestler of the year". Tone it down just a little bit. Show a little love to some other wrestlers who actually wrestled that week. Much appreciated.
Posted By: TmlFroggy (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 09:31 PM
You can't seriously think alblando del sucko puts on good matches? He was carried by DB, and Rey. Just because the E is pushing him now, doesn't mean you have to drool all over him too. The guy is meh. The character in no way is believable as any kind of champion, and when all is said and done, he will be a footnote in the pages of the WWE Championship. I don't even think he is top 3 in decent heels on the show right now. Mid card transitional champ. Nothing more.
Posted By: fullrubberbodysuit (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 11:20 PM
i think micky james should have had a mention...
she had one of the weeks best matches and she did it with odb...
Posted By: Guest#5758 (Guest) on August 23, 2011 at 04:01 AM
You can't seriously think alblando del sucko puts on good matches? He was carried by DB, and Rey. Just because the E is pushing him now, doesn't mean you have to drool all over him too. The guy is meh. The character in no way is believable as any kind of champion, and when all is said and done, he will be a footnote in the pages of the WWE Championship. I don't even think he is top 3 in decent heels on the show right now. Mid card transitional champ. Nothing more.
Posted By: fullrubberbodysuit (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 11:20 PM
I'm hardly drooling over Del Rio. I was just trying to make a point about the Punk bias on this site and I'm a fan of Punk. The thing is if Punk continues to get consideration for "Wrestler of the Week" for just sitting in a ring, it becomes less credible for everything else he does. Punk may very well deserve to be "Wrestler of the Year", this year but at least judge him with a little less bias, that's all I'm saying.
Posted By: TmlFroggy (Guest) on August 23, 2011 at 05:40 AM
Wow, Larry Csonka has out-Byersed Ryan Byers and out-Kirked Wes Kirk! Congratulations Larry!
Posted By: poffo316 (Guest) on August 23, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Can we get off CM Punk's dick now, I love what he's doing too but voting for him week after week based on promos is asinine.
Posted By: Guest#5985 (Guest) on August 22, 2011 at 06:20 PM
LOL. No it isn't.
Posted By: Guest#3347 (Guest) on August 23, 2011 at 09:15 AM
Froggy, I guess I see your point to an extent, but I'm still going to disagree. If the best thing going is a 20 minute interview with Punk then he deserves to win. I think most fans, myself included, would rather watch a Punk promo than an ADR match. Plus we know Punk can go in the ring. That makes him better. ADR is like a side-note to the whole Punk-Cena-HHH-Nash-Johnny Ace-Steph storyline. Side notes shouldn't be wrestler of the week.
Posted By: fullrubberbodysuit (Guest) on August 23, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Well I wouldn't have a problem with it, if the explanation wasn't so over the top for why Punk seems to get his votes. Unscripted or not do you really think Nash...notorious for his own shoot promo skills wasn't told to tone it down? As he just got back with the company Nash is playing the company man and realizing its Punk's time to be the smart ass, damn near like Nash was a while back. The blind love for Punk is starting to get rediculous. Like it or not Del Rio always had decent matches with Rey and a great match with Bryan. Generico, Henry, Aries, other people did more story advancing things in the ring than Punk did this week. His promo work back and forth with Nash was damn near equivalent to "he said/she said"
Hell Nash should have gotten a vote simply because his actions caused a title to change hands. Punk can come out now and piss on a fan, call it WWE's version of rain and get a vote. Simply because he says its what corporate wanted.
Unless some other miracle happens Punk will be able to do nothing else all year and keep fans on edge. Hell he even got the rub from everyone's superCena in Cena admitting Punk was the only one that keeps up with him. (except for this weeks loss but doubt that would stop people from voting for him and Cena in a tie next week)
But still love the fact he is getting to say what he wants but if you think its not scripted that he can say whatever and his opponent isn't partially muzzled.....you have a problem. Cena was the only one they let sort of say thins like Punk has said but everyone else pretty sure they are more handcuffed than Punk is.
Posted By: Guest#6126 (Guest) on August 23, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Personally, so far I think Orton should be in the lead for WOTW. He's been having the best matches on TV and PPV all year. Most consistent.
Posted By: Guest#1776 (Guest) on August 23, 2011 at 02:45 PM
If fucking Khali got a short run with the title, I won't see why Henry shouldn't. He's more than earned it. The pop would be like Kane's pop when he won the title from Mysterio.
Posted By: Guest#2802 (Guest) on August 23, 2011 at 03:58 PM
do you guys REALLY think Nash went out with a guy like Punk unscripted? He wasn't supposed to go over Punk on the mic, that would totally ruin Punk's UNDERGROUND VOICE gimmick.
Posted By: jay (Guest) on August 26, 2011 at 06:13 PM
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