411’s Wrestler of the Week 12.05.11: Year Seven, Week 36
Posted by Larry Csonka on 12.05.2011
Mark Henry retained the world title, Sara Del Rey dominated JoshiMania weekend, Bobby Roode continued to rule Impact 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 36, 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) Jay Lethal
Jay Lethal had a tremendous weekend for ROH. First of all, on Saturday night in Spartanburg, SC he defeated TJ Perkins to continue his role as TV Champion. Also later that night, he won the Honor Rumble, guaranteeing himself an ROH World title shot in 2012. From there, he went to Greensboro, NC and defeated Adam Cole in a Proving Ground match. Lethal is running strong as the TV champion, and has been revitalized since leaving TNA.
2) Sara Del Rey: Had a great weekend at CHIKARA's JoshiMania, defeating Ayako Hamada, Aja Kong and Tsubasa Kuragaki for a clean sweep of the weekend. She is the queen of wrestling after all.
3) Seiya Sanada & KAI: Won All Japan Pro Wrestling's Real World Tag League, defeating Big Japan's Daisuke Sekimoto & Yuji Okabayashi in the semifinals and then Masakatsu Funaki & Masayuki Kono in the finals.
4) Mark Henry
5) The Miz
Greg DeMarco
1) Robert Bobby Roode
Bobby got some much needed character development this week, and for me it was a home run. I'm really digging his heel persona, and I think he's hitting an all-time career high in all facets of his work.
2) The Miz: The Miz destroyed John Morrison while taking a huge step in revitalizing his character. If the WWE truly is serious about keeping the strap on CM Punk for a decent run, The Miz is a great opponent for him to feud with.
3) Daniel Bryan: The people bought into the possibility that 186 pound Daniel Bryan (even if he was mysteriously announced at 210) could beat 400 pound Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship. 99% of that has to do with Daniel Bryan's efforts.
4) John Cena & Roddy Piper
5) The only redeeming factor of that stupid car wash, Madison Rayne
Wes Kirk
1) Bobby Roode
With his new heel persona intact, Roode has become the centerpiece of TNA programming once again except this time it is as a heel. Using his own family and friends in the video packages just helps to sell the character with the people and Roode has gone from the top face to the top heel in less than a month and a half! Also, he's able to back it up with solid wrestling skills as he showed in the three-way match with Hardy and Styles. Hardy took the fall, so neither AJ nor Roode look weak coming into their half-hour Ironman match at Final Resolution. I'm looking forward to seeing this match in a big way!
2) Daniel Bryan: It isn't easy to carry a gigantic lug like Mark Henry to a watchable match but Bryan did his best inside the steel cage on the live Smackdown holiday special. Bryan is a natural underdog face wrestler, and against somebody who weighs over four hundred pounds that's simply a great match for his abilities. Although Bryan didn't take Mark Henry down for the three count, he certainly put on an exhibition and also still has his MITB briefcase ready in case the Show vs. Henry match has a favorable ending for him. But he wouldn't do that, would he?
3) Mickie James: Kudos to both Mickie James and ODB in putting together a great street fight that easily beat the men's street fight from Smackdown. Women taking bumps in dangerous environments like they did and pulling out the stops is exactly the type of match a street fight is supposed to be! Mickie continues to bring her career back on the winning track with a victory over ODB after using her swiveling roundhouse kick to a chair that whipped back into ODB's face for a satisfying victory for the Hardcore Country gal in a match both women got seven minutes for and deserved.
4) CM Punk
5) Randy Orton
Chad Nevett
1) Hiroshi Tanahashi
Has set the record for most successful defenses of the IWPG Heavyweight Title and looks to keep the belt for at least a year. No hot potato in New Japan it seems...
2) Daniel Bryan: Had an effective promo on Monday night and then came very close to becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion on Tuesday.
3) CM Punk: Successfully defended the WWE Championship against Alberto Del Rio in a good match.
4) Mark Henry
5) Randy Orton (he threw the present at Otunga's head!)
TJ Hawke
1) Sara Del Rey
Death Ray was put in three high profile singles matches with big Joshi stars, and she won them all (in reportedly great matches). Chikara has successfully built Del Rey as one of the companies biggest stars since her big push started in the summer, and she is easily the top contender for Eddie Kingston's Grand Championship.
2) Hiroshi Tanahashi: Set the record for most successful IWGP Heavyweight Title defenses. Good enough for me.
3) Mark Henry/Daniel Bryan: The two told a great in-ring story for this week's Smackdown main event, and managed to convince the live crowd that Bryan (booked to be a glorified jobber since winning Money in the Bank) had a legitimate chance of walking out with the World Title by making Henry tap out. Bravo boys.
4) CM Punk: Successfully defended the WWE Title against Del Rio in a reportedly strong match
5) Young Bucks: including TV and Live Events, the Bucks defeated the All Night Express, Future Shock, and C&C Wrestle Factory this weekend, which should hopefully make them a top contender for the ROH Tag Titles (and even more hopefully bring the end to the crappy reign of Wrestling's 15th Greatest Tag Team).
Ryan Byers
1) Hiroshi Tanahashi
Tanahashi is high on my list of candidates for Wrestler of the Year, as he's held New Japan's IWPG Heavyweight Title since January 4, 2011. This weekend, he added to the epicness of the title reign, as he got his tenth successful defense of the championship, a record for the company. Perhaps fittingly, the man that he beat to attain the record was the prior record holder, Yuji Nagata. With this win, Tanahashi almost guarantees that he'll be the champion heading into NJPW's January 4, 2012 Tokyo Dome show, making himself one of the few (if not the only) big league champion who can say that he's held his title for one solid year.
2) Sara Del Rey: Speaking of having a Wrestler of the Year caliber 2011, SDR has been tearing it up in CHIKARA, SHIMMER, and other places and will probably be my pick for Female Wrestler of the Year. She cemented that status this weekend, getting three big singles wins on CHIKARA's three JoshiMania shows, defeating Japanese imports Aja Kong, Tsubasa Kuragaki, and Ayako Hamada in individual matches, all of which are getting glowing reviews.
3) Daniel Bryan: Remember when people claimed that Daniel Bryan couldn't cut a promo? Well, he disproved that on Monday night with a solid performance on the stick. He went on to have a good-for-TV cage match with Mark Henry where he looked like a legit contender for the World Heavyweight Title. Everything's looking good for D-Bry.
4) Seiya Sanada & KAI
5) Jay Lethal
Jeremy Thomas
1) Sara Del Rey
I love me some Sara Del Rey and she rocked it this past weekend with three big wins over major Joshi stars at Chikara. Can't argue with that one bit.
2) Daniel Bryan: Despite not winning the World Title on SmackDown, I would say that Daniel Bryan did as much to cement his status as a future main eventer as he did last week when he had his not-win of the belt and then became the number one contender. Bryan carried on a really good match against Mark Henry and while he lost, he looked damn good in the loss to the point that it took a second-rope World's Strongest Slam to beat him.
3) Hiroshi Tanahashi: Tanahashi retains the IWPG Heavyweight Title by beating Yuji Nagara and sets a record for successful title defenses. Whether you like Japanese wrestling or not, you have to acknowledge the significance of that.
4) CM Punk & Mark Henry (tie)
5) Jay Lethal
Andy Critchell
1) Mark Henry
Despite injury, Mark beat a very game Daniel Bryan to retain his World Heavyweight Championship in a fun cage match. Once again Mark is proving that he a worthy champion and that when someone eventually does defeat him, they will look like a million bucks for doing so.
2) Daniel Bryan: As far as storyline goes, he hung with Mark Henry and accounted for himself very well. In terms of his career, being in the main event of a special Smackdown was huge, especially given that it came on the heels of what may have been a breakout promo on Monday's Raw. Big week for Daniel.
3) Dolph Ziggler: He pinned Randy Orton in what can be considered the TV match of the week.
4) Sara Del Ray
5) Alicia Fox
THE WINNERS~!
Special Mention…CM Punk - 9 Votes
Fifth Place…Bobby Roode - 10 Votes
Fourth Place…Mark Henry - 14 Votes
Third Place…Hiroshi Tanahashi - 17 Votes
Hiroshi Tanahashi set the record for successful IWPG Heavyweight Title defenses, defeating Yuji Nagata, who was the prior record holder.
Second Place…Sara Del Rey - 19 Votes
Sara Del Rey dominated JoshiMania weekend, willing all three of her matches against Ayako Hamada, Aja Kong and Tsubasa Kuragaki.
Wrestler of the Week…Daniel Bryan - 23 Votes
A promo that impressed on Monday night, and a valiant effort against Mark Henry on the live Smackdown were enough to give "D BRY" the top spot this week.
Year-End Standings~!
And here are the rankings after week THIRTY-SIX! Mark Henry's fourth place victory helped him climb into second place in the overall standing, while Daniel Bryan's efforts get him into the top 10. Hiroshi Tanahashi is the only Japanese talent in the top 15, climbing to 11th place, and Sara Del Rey's weekend gets her closer to the top 15. Here are the updated standings…
1. CM Punk (WWE) - 108
2. Mark Henry (WWE) - 89
3. Randy Orton (WWE) - 87
4. Alberto Del Rio (WWE) – 74
5. Christian (WWE) – 69
5. R-Truth (WWE) – 69
7. Bobby Roode (TNA) - 67
8. Daniel Bryan (WWE) - 51
8. John Cena (WWE) - 51
10. Austin Aries (TNA) - 46
11. Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW) - 43
12. Kurt Angle (TNA) - 41
13. The Miz (WWE) - 40
14. El Generico (ROH) - 33
14. Sheamus (WWE) - 33
Davey Richards (ROH) - 31
Johnny Gargano (US Independent) - 30
Sara Del Rey (US Independent) - 28
Gail Kim (TNA) - 27 Sin Cara (WWE) – 27 {INJURED}
Rey Mysterio (WWE) – 26 {INJURED}
Sting (TNA) - 25
Gunner (TNA) - 24 Giant Bernard (NJPW) - 24 Kota Ibushi (DDT) - 24
Posted By: x (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 02:14 PM
Orton gets my vote for tossing that present at Otungas head. Hilarious and fun use of weird props.
Posted By: Guest#4988 (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 02:23 PM
I think the world of Daniel Bryan but him being 1st this week with Mark Henry being 4th is ridiculous. While it might be the start of something wonderful for Bryan, Henry should have been recognized more this week for the monster he was on Tuesday. Ideally, these two should have been flipped in rank.
Posted By: Kedrix (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 02:30 PM
I do like me some D-Bry but for him to win this week is ridiculous.
Especially given that Ziggler beat Orton this week and got no votes at all.
Posted By: Guest#3616 (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 02:32 PM
The top 3 standings for this year look just about right right now
Posted By: Guest#8213 (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 02:44 PM
i think mark henry wants to drop the title to d bryan when he eventually does...
Posted By: Guest#1029 (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 02:48 PM
Actually Wes, the Mark Henry of 2011 doesn't need to be carried...he's just as responsible for that great main event as Daniel Bryan was.
Posted By: Guest #2121 (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Actually Wes, the Mark Henry of 2011 doesn't need to be carried...he's just as responsible for that great main event as Daniel Bryan was.
Posted By: Guest #2121 (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Beat me to it, Henry can't do a billion moves but he's become a very good big man. I'm rooting for him to win WotY, he deserves it.
Posted By: Guest#7958 (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Y'all need to find reasons to throw some votes at Ziggler and Ryder. Compare Ziggler's year to D Bry's, then look at their overall rankings here. And Ryder.... he's tied with Hunico. Huh?
Posted By: Dr Insanity (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 04:23 PM
DEATH REY
wuz robbed
Posted By: s1rude (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 04:33 PM
I don't get this place sometimes, Daniel Bryan's great and all but losing a match, even if it's a world title match should NOT put you in the top spot.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 06:48 PM
I don't get this place sometimes, Daniel Bryan's great and all but losing a match, even if it's a world title match should NOT put you in the top spot.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 06:48 PM
You really must be new. Daniel "zero charisma" Bryan was voted 1st one week when he was in a tag match that his team LOST! Yes, they are that delusional on this site for him.
Thankfully in the real world, he gets almost ZERO reaction. If he manages to somehow become champion it will be transitional at best as well as ONE AND DONE!
This is the same nonsense as last year when Kane was dominating EVERYONE as Champion including Undertaker and Daniel Bryan kept winning WOTW. It's really sad.
Posted By: Kane>Daniel Bryan (Guest) on December 05, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Lethal got robbed
Posted By: Guest#8975 (Guest) on December 06, 2011 at 02:11 AM
Look, I like Daniel Bryan Danielson too, but come on. Mark Henry won the damn match. There is looking good in defeat, but Mark Henry retained the title. At the very least, put Henry above Bryan.
Posted By: Mike (Guest) on December 06, 2011 at 07:33 AM
I agree, that top 3 is spot on and really you can make an argument for any of them taking WOTY. My vote would go to Orton because he's had phenominal matches all year, including a couple MOTYC. But hell a strong case can be made for Henry and Punk as well.
Posted By: Guest#9064 (Guest) on December 06, 2011 at 10:59 PM
I'd rather see Sara get the win this week. 3 strongs win should count for more than 1 nice loss. Also with Mark not being higher than Bryan, so Bryan looked like a credible championship contender in a good loss, what does that mean for the credible world champion that actually wins, with a messed up leg?
Posted By: midz (Guest) on December 07, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Tanahashi did not break the record, he tied it.
He will beat it if he defeats Minoru Suzuki in his next title defense.
Posted By: Boubba (Guest) on December 08, 2011 at 01:34 AM
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