411’s Wrestler of the Week 1.09.12: Year Seven, Week 41
Posted by Larry Csonka on 01.09.2012
Chris Jericho returned to WWE, Bobby Roode retained the TNA World Title, Hiroshi Tanahashi is still the IWGP Champion and much more, but who was 411's Wrestler of the Week? Find out by checking out the full article!
Welcome to Week 41, 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) Chris Jericho
2) Hiroshi Tanahashi: Retained his title at the big show on January 4th event to keep his yearlong title reign going.
3) Satoshi Kojima & Hiroshi Tenzan: Defeated Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson to win the IWGP tag team titles at the big show on January 4th. Bernard and Anderson had held the tag titles for a year and a half, so this was a big victory.
4) Bobby Roode
5) Cody Rhodes & Daniel Bryan
Ryan Byers
1) Hiroshi Tanahashi
The biggest wrestling show in the world this week was New Japan Pro Wrestling's annual January 4 show from the Tokyo Dome, with 43,000 fans looking on live and even more watching on pay per view, with more still watching on free TV on tape in the coming weeks. The biggest win of the show was earned by Hiroshi Tanahashi, who retained his IWGP Heavyweight Title by pinning Minoru Suzuki in the main event. In addition to happening on such a big show, the victory is noteworthy for a couple of different reasons. The first is that Tanahashi started his current title reign on the 2011 version of the January 4 show, meaning that he has now had the belt for exactly one year. The second is that this was Tanahashi's eleventh successful defense of the title, which is a new record. Hiroshi had perhaps the best year of any pro wrestler in the world in 2011, and his 2012 is starting off just as bright.
2) Chris Jericho: He would make my top five this week on the basis of his jacket alone, but Jericho's excellent performance on Monday night and all of the hype that he's generated around himself get him all the way up to number two. He'd be number one if his comeback weren't the same week as the Tokyo Dome show.
3) Satoshi Kojima & Hiroshi Tenzan: TenKoji ended one of the most impressive title reigns in all of pro wrestling, defeating Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson for the IWPG Tag Team Titles in the Tokyo Dome.
4) Bull Nakano
5) Cody Rhodes
Wes Kirk
1) Austin Aries
Over six months back, very few of us actually had hope for the X-Division after Eric Bischoff began his campaign to seemingly destroy it. Little did the critics know the division was about to pick up in a big way, and most of that momentum has come from the deserving champion Austin Aries and his skill in the ring and on the mic. A Double has beaten pretty much everyone in the Division and capped the week off with a victory in a three elimination match to retain his title in a great match, and is currently the longest reigning champion in TNA. So much for the IWC "experts" right?
2) Abyss and Bully Ray: These guys just never stop impressing with their hardcore brutality and the matches they can put together with virtually anybody. Did you really think in 2012 Abyss and Bully Ray could put together a match that got fans to chant, "this is awesome!" several times and broke the three-star barrier? The crowd was mostly silent at first but as the match progressed they won the fans over and got them chanting and cheering. It is one thing to work a very good match with a crowd already into you, but to win fans over during a match? That takes talent and these guys did it.
3) Robert Roode: Not since the days of the Honky Tonk Man has there been a more cowardly champion who will do anything to retain his championship! Robert Roode is making a name for himself as the most selfish champion and using that gimmick to retain by constantly getting himself counted out, disqualified, or basically whatever it takes to retain the title. Seriously, how many wrestlers kick a referee in the balls? I hate DQ endings on any main event, but Roode is becoming the cowardly selfish champion that few thought he could pull off.
4) Hiroshi Tanahashi
5) Daniel Bryan
Greg DeMarco
1) Chris Jericho
Really, who got more people talking than Chris Jericho. Over the next seven days, we will care about the words and/or actions of one man far more than any other. Chris Jericho.
2) Bobby Roode: Character Development is Job #1 in TNA right now, and they are hitting on all cylinders with Roode. Anyone unhappy with Roode's reign needs to go back and watch some old school Flair stuff. Because it's Flair without the Horsemen at this point.
3) Hiroshi Tanahashi: Breaking the record for most IWGP Heavyweight Championship defenses and reaching a one year reign on the same day? Huge in any country, especially one where title defenses are built up to be a big deal and reign length matters.
4) Bully Ray
5) Dolph Ziggler
Chad Nevett
1) Chris Jericho
Was anything more talked about this week? Wrestling is more than just in-ring performance and, this week, Jericho worked everyone with an expertise rarely seen.
2) Dolph Ziggler: Another win over WWE Champion CM Punk and a title shot at the Royal Rumble.
3) Hiroshi Tanahashi: Set the record for most successful defenses of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
4) Daniel Bryan
5) Cody Rhodes
TJ Hawke
1) Hiroshi Tanahashi
Successfully defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the 11th time, which is a new record. He has now officially held the title for over one year.
2) Chris Jericho: I seriously considered making this a tie between Jericho and his new ring jacket.
3) Apollo 55 (Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi): Defeated The No Remorse Corps (Davey Richards & Rocky Romero) to win back the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Titles.
4) Austin Aries
5) Dolph Ziggler
Steve Cook
1) Chris Jericho
Jericho made his return to WWE, and it's definitely had a mixed reaction. Some whined and moaned about how he didn't do anything, while others thought the greatness of it was that he didn't do anything. He also had an awesome jacket that sparkled. It'll be interesting to see where Jericho goes from here.
2) Hiroshi Tanahashi: Has a record-setting reign as IWGP champion going, as he's now held the belt for over a year and has defended it more times than anybody before him.
3) Daniel Bryan: While others yap about cowardly, selfish champions, we should honor the opposite of that in D-Bry, who defeated Cody Rhodes in impressive fashion on Raw and then defended the World title against Big Show on SmackDown.
4) Dolph Ziggler
5) Taeler Hendrix
Andy Critchell
1) Jericho
You know the name, you know the game. Or at least you think you do. Jericho has always maintained that every time he makes a return to WWE he wants to reinvent himself and it looks like we're seeing that happen once again. I have no clue where this is going but I do know that it has the wrestling world buzzing.
2) Dolph Ziggler: Dolph got a DQ win over CM Punk in the TV match of the week. That is a pretty righteous accomplishment for the former US Champion. Big things are definitely in store for Dolph.
3) Jinder Mahal: Yeah, that's right, Jinder Mahal had a really nice week. First he got a big win over Ezekiel Jackson on Superstars, making the big man submit to the Camel Clutch. Did you know that there aren't any camels in India? I digress. As a follow up, Mahal also looked strong on Smackdown and stood tall over Sheamus, a guy who has pretty much kicking his ass lately. For a guy at Mahal's level and stature, these are big accomplishments and show me that there might be a future for Mahal in this business after all.
4) Daniel Bryan
5) Hiroshi Tanahashi
THE WINNERS~!
Special Mention…Austin Aries - 7 Votes
Fifth Place…Daniel Bryan - 8 Votes
Fourth Place…Bobby Roode - 9 Votes
Third Place…Dolph Ziggler - 12 Votes
Earned himself a WWE Title shot at the Royal Rumble.
Second Place…Hiroshi Tanahashi - 27 Votes
Is still your IWGP heavyweight champion.
Wrestler of the Week…Chris Jericho - 32 Votes
He's baaaaaaaaack!
Year-End Standings~!
And here are the rankings after week FOURTY-ONE! Chris Jericho debuts on the big list, while some small changes went down in the top 15. Here are the updated standings…
1. CM Punk (WWE) - 117
2. Mark Henry (WWE) - 89
3. Randy Orton (WWE) - 87
4. Bobby Roode (TNA) - 86
5. Daniel Bryan (WWE) - 84
6. Alberto Del Rio (WWE) – 74
7. Christian (WWE) – 69
7. R-Truth (WWE) – 69
9. Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW) - 55
11. John Cena (WWE) - 51
11. Austin Aries (TNA) - 48
12. Sheamus (WWE) - 42
13. Gail Kim (TNA) - 41
13. Kurt Angle (TNA) - 41
15. The Miz (WWE) - 40
Kevin Steen (US Independent) - 39
Dolph Ziggler (WWE) - 38
Cody Rhodes (WWE) - 36
Zack Ryder (WWE) - 33 El Generico (ROH) - 33
Davey Richards (ROH) - 32
Wade Barrett (WWE) - 31
Johnny Gargano (US Independent) - 30
Sara Del Rey (US Independent) - 28
Sin Cara (WWE) – 27 {INJURED}
Rey Mysterio (WWE) – 26 {INJURED}
Sting (TNA) - 25
Gunner (TNA) - 24 Giant Bernard (NJPW) - 24 Kota Ibushi (DDT) - 24
James Storm (TNA) - 21 MVP (NJPW) - 21
Takashi Sugiura (NOAH) - 19
Mickie James (TNA) - 18 Go Shiozaki (NOAH) - 18
HHH (WWE) – 16 Brian Kendrick (TNA) - 16
Jay Briscoe (ROH) - 15 Mark Briscoe (ROH) - 15 Eddie Kingston (US Independent) - 15 Super Dragon (US Independent) - 15 Tadasuke (OSAKA Pro) - 15 Mr. Anderson (TNA) - 15 Antonio Cesaro {Claudio Castignoli} (WWE) - 15 Yuji Nagata (NJPW) - 15 Edge (RETIRED) - 15 Kofi Kingston (WWE) - 15 The Rock (WWE) - 15 Chris Jericho (WWE) - 15
Prince Devitt (NJPW) - 12 Velvet Sky (TNA) - 12 Karl Anderson (NJPW) - 12 Winter (TNA) - 12 Cheerleader Melissa (US Independent) - 12 Nick Jackson (US Independent) - 12 Matt Jackson (US Independent) - 12 Undertaker (WWE) - 12 Kenny King (ROH) - 12 Rhett Titus (ROH) - 12
AJ Styles (TNA) – 10 Kharma (WWE) – 10 {PREGNANT} The Big Show (WWE) – 10
Masato Tanaka (ZERO1) - 9 Minoru Suzuki (NJPW) - 9 Lance Archer (NJPW) - 9 Katsuhiko Nakajima (NOAH) - 9 Hunico (WWE) – 9 Alex Riley (WWE) - 9 Angel De Oro (CMLL) - 9 BxB Hulk (Dragon Gate) - 9 Abyss (TNA) - 9 Charlie Haas (ROH) - 9 Shelton Benjamin (ROH) - 9 Evan Bourne (WWE) - 9 Chuck Taylor (US Independent) - 9 Mike Quackenbush (US Independent) - 9
The Sheik (US Independent) - 7 Jeff Jarrett (TNA) - 7
Kane (WWE) - 6 Madison Rayne (TNA) - 6 Jun Akiyama (NOAH) - 6 PAC (Dragon Gate) - 6 Eric Young (TNA) - 6 Ezekiel Jackson (WWE) - 6 Escorpion (CMLL) - 6 Low Ki (US Independent) - 6
Beth Phoenix (WWE) - 4
Michael Elgin (ROH) - 3 Bully Ray (TNA) - 3 Zema Ion (TNA) - 3 Fire Ant (US Independent) - 3 Green Ant (US Independent) - 3 Soldier Ant (US Independent) - 3 Booker T (WWE) - 3 Tyson Kidd (WWE) - 3 Kelly Kelly (WWE) - 3 Hirooki Goto (NJPW) - 3 Rocky Romero (US Independent) - 3 Fit Finlay (Independent) - 3
I agree that Tanahashi deserves wotw this week given the TokyoDome show, the record setting defence of his title and the one year anniversary of winning the belt... but it does seem hypocritical to give it to him and mention Kojima and Henzan when you don't report news or results from Japan.
If you think it's such big news, why not report it in the news?
Posted By: Luke (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 05:47 PM
I voted for Jericho's jacket.
Posted By: Guest#2937 (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 06:27 PM
"Not since the days of the Honky Tonk Man has there been a more cowardly champion who will do anything to retain his championship!"
See this is just embarrasing to read for any wrestling fan. I mean I know Wes is going to give blow TNA every chance he gets but seriously even for his level of stupidity this is exceptional in how utterly ridiculous it is.
Posted By: Guest#0780 (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 07:24 PM
Wes Kirk is 411's Michael Cole. He's talentless. He's annoying. And despite the fact that no one likes him 411 continues to let him spew his bile everywhere.
Posted By: Guest#1907 (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 07:27 PM
Weird Wes Kirk...
Posted By: Smark Mero (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 07:40 PM
Let's see, TNA had a PPV this week, which featured several good matches and some decent storyline development. Five of your eight writers choose to ignore this event in voting for WotW. Now, some trolls will say that shows that TNA sucks. What it really shows, of course, is that most of the writers on this site have their heads implanted firmly inside their own assholes. Really, guys, when Wes fucking Kirk seems more reasonable than you, you have truly fucked up.
Posted By: the ghost of Buddy Rogers (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 08:13 PM
Let's see, TNA had a PPV this week, which featured several good matches and some decent storyline development. Five of your eight writers choose to ignore this event in voting for WotW. Now, some trolls will say that shows that TNA sucks. What it really shows, of course, is that most of the writers on this site have their heads implanted firmly inside their own assholes. Really, guys, when Wes fucking Kirk seems more reasonable than you, you have truly fucked up.
Posted By: the ghost of Buddy Rogers (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 08:13 PM
There were six times more people watching the NJPW Tokyo Dome show in the arena than watch most TNA PPVs on PPV. It was ignored because, even though you had to pay for it, it was an insignificant show.
Posted By: Ryan Bias (Registered) on January 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM
Gail Kim should have picked up some votes this week. Two successful title defenses in two good matches.
Posted By: luvher (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 09:27 PM
There were six times more people watching the NJPW Tokyo Dome show in the arena than watch most TNA PPVs on PPV. It was ignored because, even though you had to pay for it, it was an insignificant show.
Posted By: Ryan Bias (Registered) on January 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM
Yeah and 95% of the people at 411 had no clue there was even an event this week. Wouldnt that constitute as insignificant if no one knows about?
More than 5% of the 411 knew TNA had a ppv this week and once again 411 snubs them because of this insane bias against the number 2 wrestling fed in the the US
Posted By: Ur Full of Shit Ryan (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Yeah and 95% of the people at 411 had no clue there was even an event this week. Wouldnt that constitute as insignificant if no one knows about?
Posted By: Ur Full of Shit Ryan (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 10:34 PM
A show that many people pay to see means more than a show that few people pay to see.
Posted By: Ryan Bias (Registered) on January 09, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Jericho, just for turning up and producing a boring segment? Come on. I'm sorry but I think Jericho is the most over-rated wrestler of all time.
Posted By: Guest#9364 (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 11:22 PM
There were six times more people watching the NJPW Tokyo Dome show in the arena than watch most TNA PPVs on PPV. It was ignored because, even though you had to pay for it, it was an insignificant show.
Posted By: Ryan Bias (Registered) on January 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM
Awesome. I must have missed your live report. Whats that? You chose to highlight a show virtually no one who visits this site even had the chance to watch? And yet the show tons of people watched (legally or not) is the insignificant one? Good work.
Posted By: Guest#2778 (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 11:48 PM
There were six times more people watching the NJPW Tokyo Dome show in the arena than watch most TNA PPVs on PPV. It was ignored because, even though you had to pay for it, it was an insignificant show.
Posted By: Ryan Bias (Registered) on January 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM
I'll have to remember to quote this back at you next time you pick so tiny indy bullshit no one saw.
Posted By: Guest#6094 (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 11:50 PM
Regardless of how much 411mania's "writers" fight it, Robert Roode(c), TNA World Champion, is headlining TNA's UK tour, is heading into the February PPV, against Jeff Hardy, a guy who folks here seem to still hold in some etseem, where he's gonna win, and then head into a Spring program, likely capping itself with a title change at Slammiversary, against "Cowboy" James Storm, arguably one of the hottest rising top stars in the entire wrestling business.
Gonna be funny to see how you clowns steal this one from the guy
Posted By: scipio2009 (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 12:55 AM
"Not since the days of the Honky Tonk Man has there been a more cowardly champion who will do anything to retain his championship!"
See this is just embarrasing to read for any wrestling fan. I mean I know Wes is going to give blow TNA every chance he gets but seriously even for his level of stupidity this is exceptional in how utterly ridiculous it is.
Posted By: Guest#0780 (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 07:24 PM
Most heel champions since HTM fit this. Randy Orton in 2007? Miz? DANIEL BRYAN right now?
Posted By: Guest#6586 (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 02:08 AM
So the Tokyo show gets votes because a lot of people saw it. So indy wrestlers get votes...why?
Seriously, that makes no sense. I don't even mind indies getting votes, I just hate logical inconsistencies.
Posted By: armchair theologian (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 02:56 AM
How could you not have Jericho number 1??? Most anticapated and actually happened returned in years!!
Posted By: Guest#3570 (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 05:15 AM
It really proves a point: all you have to do to be wrestler of the week on this site is work for the WWE and walk to the ring and back.
Posted By: Guest#9680 (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 09:07 AM
If just being the "most talked about wrestler on Twitter" qualifies for WotW, then Benoit should have it for life. After all, he is talked about more than any other wrestler in history right? I'm sure if he worked in TNA and did his act no one would care.
Posted By: JR (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 09:25 AM
Seriously, I used to not think much of it, but it's annoying now. Why is Wes Kirk allowed to write for this site?
Posted By: Banz (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 09:36 AM
there are LOTS OF camels in India
Posted By: DX (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Once again Aries and Roode got screwed. Jericho winning was fine, but they should have been 2 and 3.
Posted By: Guest#7866 (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Okay, I get that 411 has a WWE bias but still Bobby Roode survives a title defense (yes TNA has screwy finishes, but this one made sense for the character) and only comes in 4th place? Seriously?
Posted By: Norway (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 02:16 PM
agree that Tanahashi deserves wotw this week given the TokyoDome show, the record setting defence of his title and the one year anniversary of winning the belt... but it does seem hypocritical to give it to him and mention Kojima and Henzan when you don't report news or results from Japan.
If you think it's such big news, why not report it in the news?
Posted By: Luke (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 05:47 PM
I agree with you 100%. YOu don't even have to review it, just give the results. The fact of the matter is it's not just wwe and tna, it's roh, pwg, chikara, dragon gate, aaa, njpw...even fuckin czw. all of these deserve at least the most miniscule of coverage....i don't know. this website just feels incomplete.
Posted By: mello yello enthusiast (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 04:28 PM
First, a shout out to Ur Full, 2778, and 6094 for handing Byers's ass to him. Good job.
Now, to all the WWE fans bugged by Kirk. I feel your pain. Really, I do. Not just because Kirk is an obvious asshole, but because as a TNA fan visiting this site, I have to put up with Byers, Cook, Critchell, Csonka, etc. etc. Think about it, TNA fans have to put up with most of the writers here being obviously and unapologetically biased against the promotion. You E fans have to put up with Kirk. So I definitely know how you feel, I just have to feel it more often.
By the way, I'm expecting an uptick in attacks on DeMarco, since he's doing his best to take an impartial look at TNA, and is actually giving them credit for what they're doing right. (In his opinion, at least. I don't always agree with his assessments, liking some things more, others less, than he does.) I'm sure you E fans won't tolerate that for very long.
Posted By: the ghost of Buddy Rogers (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 05:22 PM
There were six times more people watching the NJPW Tokyo Dome show in the arena than watch most TNA PPVs on PPV. It was ignored because, even though you had to pay for it, it was an insignificant show.
Posted By: Ryan Bias (Registered) on January 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM
I'll have to remember to quote this back at you next time you pick so tiny indy bullshit no one saw.
Posted By: Guest#6094 (Guest)
LOL. So very true. When you use the exact same logic to get to two wholly opposing conclusions, you might be a giant hypocrite.
But. Seeing as how I lost $10 on a friendly bet (I bet the panel would use "genius" and/or "brilliant" at least 6 times when discussing Jericho cause that's all the meme) I'll give it a pass.
ps: not going to be surprised if they ever announce that Kirk and Byers are actually the same writer, it's like almost the exact same gimmick.
Posted By: nWc (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 05:47 PM
The fact of the matter is it's not just wwe and tna, it's roh, pwg, chikara, dragon gate, aaa, njpw...even fuckin czw. all of these deserve at least the most miniscule of coverage....i don't know. this website just feels incomplete.
Posted By: mello yello enthusiast (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 04:28 PM
Agreed. Just posting the results (which 411 often does for WWE *house* shows!) for the major Mexican and Japanese federations would be very useful. Add a comment or two to the results, and we'd get some good education.
Also, it's late, but Christian should be listed as {INJURED}.
Posted By: Joe Schmoe (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 05:54 PM
"Not since the days of the Honky Tonk Man has there been a more cowardly champion who will do anything to retain his championship!"
See this is just embarrasing to read for any wrestling fan. I mean I know Wes is going to give blow TNA every chance he gets but seriously even for his level of stupidity this is exceptional in how utterly ridiculous it is.
Posted By: Guest#0780 (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 07:24 PM
Most heel champions since HTM fit this. Randy Orton in 2007? Miz? DANIEL BRYAN right now?
Posted By: Guest#6586 (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 02:08 AM
He's going to ignore those since they're in WWE. Its only sinful because its happening in TNA
Posted By: Guest#2090 (Guest) on January 10, 2012 at 06:50 PM
There were six times more people watching the NJPW Tokyo Dome show in the arena than watch most TNA PPVs on PPV. It was ignored because, even though you had to pay for it, it was an insignificant show.
Posted By: Ryan Bias (Registered) on January 09, 2012 at 09:18 PM
I'll have to remember to quote this back at you next time you pick so tiny indy bullshit no one saw.
Posted By: Guest#6094 (Guest) on January 09, 2012 at 11:50 PM
Feel free. 99% of the time my top picks are from WWE or a major Japanese groupl
Posted By: Ryan Bias (Registered) on January 10, 2012 at 10:31 PM
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