411’s Wrestlers of the Week 05.01.06: Week 4
Posted by Larry Csonka on 05.01.2006
Week 4 produces a NEW Wrestler of the Week!
Welcome to Week 4 Year-Two, of 411's Wrestler of the Week. A quick overview for those who don't know the deal…
Each writer chooses three wrestlers from any promotion and each wrestler gets a vote attached to that ranking. It looks a little like this…
1st – 5
2nd – 3
3rd – 1
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 five vote getters get a points value for their ranking which looks something like this…
1st – 15
2nd – 10
3rd – 5
4th – 3
5th – 1
...and they go towards the 411 Wrestler of the Year award to be announced each year at WrestleMania. So this week is the first instalment to be posted every Monday. Let's see who wins this week…
Ryan Byers
1) HHH
Yeah, he ate the pinfall at Backlash, but he hardly "lost" by any stretch of the imagination. He was the guy left standing on the end of the show, metaphorically nodding and winking as if to say, "Oh, I lost. But you all know who the reeeeeal star is, right fans?" He's the guy who comes out of the match looking the best, and now he can say to his detractors "But I lost to Cena! Twice! I'm really trying to put him over, but he's just doesn't have what it takes!" Hulk Hogan could probably beat him in a shootout, but, for today, Trips is the smartest man in wrestling.
2) Alex Shelley
3) Nigel McGuinness
Derek Martin
1) RVD
I don't feel like anyone stole the show at Backlash tonight so I'll go with the guy who came the closest. RVD and Shelton put on a mildly exciting match which ended with a Van Daminator and Five Star Frog Splash. Even with the horrid promos RVD continues to be over like crazy.
2) JBL
3) Cena
Scott Slimmer
1) RVD
RVD had just about the best week a WWE Superstar possibly can. He was part of a good six man tag team match on Raw that saw him get a clean pin on Shelton Benjamin. He then went to Backlash, put on what has to be considered the match of the night, and once again got a clean pin on Shelton Benjamin to become the NEW Intercontinental Champion. On top of that, RVD still holds the Money in the Bank Briefcase and a guaranteed shot at either the WWE Championship or the World Heavyweight Championship. As if all of that wasn't enough, there have been countless rumours concerning the return of ECW, and you have to assume that RVD would play a HUGE role if that were to occur. The ECW atmosphere is one in which RVD thrives, and the return of ECW could mark a major resurgence in RVD's career. Somebody better call VH1, because RVD just had the Best Week Ever.
2) Shelton
3) HHH
Jeff Small
1) John Cena
Winner of the match that at least saved Backlash from being one of the worst PPVs of recent years. Sure Triple H stood tall at the end, but Cena came off quite dominant throughout the match. He played his role as a tweener so well that Trips came off as an unstoppable face and Edge played the hated heel. Now it looks like Cena vs. Triple H Hell in the Cell at Vengeance. Only question is whether the match will be for the title or not.
2) HHH
3) RVD
ARI
1) Vince McMahon
What the hell is the matter with everyone so far? Vince McMahon WENT OVER God...if that isn't enough to get someone number one in the WOTW, then I don't know what in Heaven or Hell will. You don't just beat God everyday you know...this is a once in an existence occurrence. Now, everyone bow down to your new supreme Lord, Vincent Kennedy McMahon. McMahonism indeed. Amen.
2) Alex Shelley
3) RVD
Mathew Scforcina
1) RVD
You know, Karma's a strange thing. RVD works for WWE for several years and is misused in a different way than he was misused in ECW. He gets over and is then not used to his full potential. Yes, he's not perfect, but then he's over and that's the main thing. And then...it's as if RVD's entire career has been building up to this period of time. Let's see how it gets blown.
2) Shelton
3) HHH
Unidentified Staff
1) John Cena
He's the greatest heel since The Rock was in the NOD and HE"S NOT EVEN TRYING. That is simply phenomenal. And he's still the champ. Now he gets to move on to being RVD's bitch at One Night Stand 2: Booty Call!
2) RVD
3) Samoa Joe
Steve Sullivan
1) RVD
I was going to go with God for the classic "Leave Your Partner Alone Heel Turn" but being there, I found out that God was actually a spotlight hanging from the rafters in Lexington. No wonder people think Kentucky basketball is divine. Anywho, RVD and Shelton put on the best match by far. RVD is red hot right now and has a full head of steam heading into One Night Stand.
2) HHH
3) John Cena
Meehan
1) John Cena
You retain when everybody thinks you're gonna job, you win top honors in my book. "STFU" to the haters - Cena is still the man to beat.
2) HHH
3) Paul Heyman
Stephen Randle
1) John Cena
Oh yes, The Champ is still here. Who can stand against the might of his PPV undefeated streak? Okay, he lost to Edge, but he'd already won once that night. The feud with Triple H continues, one more chance for a lot of things to happen: the return of DX, Cena's possible heel turn, Triple H either putting Cena over clean again like he did Batista OR getting the title back after over a year without it. And let's not forget ECW One Night Stand is between us and the next Raw PPV. Plus, it's oodles of fun for me to listen to everyone complain about John Cena while I cheer for him.
2) RVD
3) HHH
Bayani Domingo
1) John Cena
This feud has been hot for weeks now and has finally reached a point that I was really interested in this match. Then...a Jack Knife pin happened. I was really hoping for a Magistral Cradle here so we could see the evolution of "Ground n' Pound" Cena, "Submission Specialist" Cena, and then "Lucha" Cena. Oh well, he retains we have the possibility of extending this entertaining feud. Huzzah!!
2) RVD
3) Nigel McGuinness
Andy Clark
1) HHH
Normally I'd go with the guy that retained his title for WOTW, but this is the exception. Triple H was mad over for the entire match and pulled off the Superman face routine really well. That was one scary blade job, too.
2) John Cena
3) RVD
Larry Csonka
1) Giant Bernard
Bernard went through Yugi Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi and Riki Choshu to win the New Japan Cup Tournament. Not only does he have the honor of winning, but will face Brock Lesnar for the IWGP title this week. Could this be Bernard's time? We'll see. Other had good weeks as well, but this is the biggest accomplishment of Bernard's career, so the big man from New Japan gets the love this week.
2) HHH
3) RVD
THE WINNERS
Special Mention…Alex Shelley and Shelton Benjamin - 6 Votes
Alex Shelley has been impressing in TNA and ROH a lot recently, to the point that his name keeps coming up more often. After a double shot with ROH and a great tag match on Impact, he gets some love this week and a special mention. Shelton busted his ass and showed his athletic ability in his match with RVD. He may have lost, but he looked good doing it and got some appreciation for it.
Third Place…HHH - 25 Votes
The King of Kings bled a bucket in last night's main event and helped to make it a good one. Don't get me wrong, HHH did what he did to position himself in the best light possible, but he busted his ass doing it so he got some respect from the panel this week.
Second Place…John Cena - 30 Votes
The champ is still here. He survived a brutal match with HHH and Edge at Backlash that really helped pull that show from the toilet. What's next for the champ? Most figure a trip to ONS II and heel heat the likes we have never seen.
Wrestler of the Week…RVD - 33 Votes
RVD missed near a year of action before returning to the ring at the Royal Rumble. He struggled a bit but at WrestleMania won the MITB match. With One Night Stand II upcoming and the added fact that ECW is rising from the ashes, RVD could have man more weeks like this.
Year End Standings
Another week, another WOTW crowned! This year is off to a wild start as the staff is very divided each week on various wrestlers. RVD is the latest to win the weekly honor and is in a good position. With ONS II and the ECW revival, he could be a major player this year. John Cena finally debuted on the list and is in a good spot and HHH gained some ground as well in this week's voting. There is a large variety thus far in the voting with WWE, TNA, ROH, All Japan and New Japan. Interestingly enough, last year's winner Ric Flair is nowhere to be found on this year's list.
