411’s Wrestler of the Week 5.14.07: Week 6
Posted by Larry Csonka on 05.14.2007
Two New World Champions, the winner of the Cibernetico, the man that took Tiger Mask’s title and more all get talked about this week. But who had enough steam to take the top spot? This is where you click and read.
Welcome to Week 6, Year-Three, of 411's Wrestler of the Week. A quick overview to kick things off as we have some new rules for year three…
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…
1st - 5
2nd - 4
3rd - 3
4th - 2
5th - 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 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 at WrestleMania. This will be posted every Monday. Let's see who wins this week…
The Voting!
Samuel Berman
1) Mark and Jay Briscoe
Successfully retaining their belts on both shows of a double shot is usually good enough, but this time they did it while facing a dominant World Champion along the way. Jay & Mark are already being positioned as true cornerstones of ROH for the near and not so near future. It's strange to think that they took almost two full years off from Ring of Honor competition, because now I literally can't imagine an ROH show without them.
2) "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson - His return may be the spark that lights a truly classic summer for ROH.
3) Davey Richards - Two big falls for the suddenly streaking NRC member.
4) Edge
5) Takeshi Morishima
ARI
1) Edge
Made perhaps THE biggest impact of 2007 in the WWE. Yes, he was placed into the situation of becoming World Heavyweight Champion by necessity, but he performed up to the task both on Raw and on Smackdown. His heel act is tremendous--he evokes hatred just by being, but also by doing. His goading of Kennedy into the fight for the MITB was a masterstroke, and his cashing in the title shot shortly after that was pure villainy. Kudos.
2) The Briscoes: Once again, the Southern Delawarians are proving that they are THE top tag team of Ring of Honor but also likely the MVP of 2007 for ROH. The Briscoes had ANOTHER tremendous match of the year candidate with Claudio Castagnoli and Matt Sydal (professional tag team whore). THIS is the must see match for Ring of Honor's debut PPV "Respect is Earned" on July 1st.
3) Bryan Danielson: The "Best Wrestler in the World" came back on this weekend's ROH shows and did what he did best--wrestle. He did triple duty on Friday night in Hartford, CT (although never officially tagging in to the third match, a six man tag). He destroyed and dismantled Shane Hagadorn and Adam Pearce to the delight of the fans in attendance. Then Danielson was THE MAN to be Saturday in New York, as he returned in a SWANK Maroon dress shirt (I have to get one of those), staked his claim to the ROH World title contention, and then made KENTA tap out one more time to Cattle Mutilation in NYC (just like Glory By Honor V Night 2), this time in a tag match teaming with Morishima against KENTA and Nigel McGuinness (who, like Undertaker, gutted through a match even though seriously injured). The show ended with Danielson in the ring for his well-deserved curtain call.
4) The Undertaker
5) Nigel McGuinness
Mathew Sforcina
1) Edge
So, Edge becomes a 2 time MITB holder, and a 2 Time Take-Advantage-Of-Iter. He pins Taker with a very nice finishing sequence, and generally acts like a total dick and such. Bravo Edge, bravo.
2) Kurt Angle- I maintain my RT pick is what happened and therefore, we have another 411 WRESTLING CELLO PREDICTION (TM, R, C, Ours & Not Yours). Huzzah.
3) Bryan Danielson- I can't wait to meet him. And I will, in a couple of weeks. Huzzah again.
4) Jay & Mark Briscoe
5) Sting
Stuart Carapola
1) Edge
He had two huge wins this week, first over Ken Kennedy to win the Money In The Bank title shot and then over the Undertaker for the World Title on Smackdown. Can't argue with results like that.
2) Kurt Angle: Until they announce otherwise, he is the TNA World Champion and is only in second place because Edge had one more big win than him.
3) Bryan Danielson: The guy had about as impressive a comeback weekend as one could ask for. Two wins on Friday and a submission win over one of his toughest opponents to win the main event of ROH's first PPV the following night sounds pretty strong to me.
4) Jay & Mark Briscoe
5) Samoa Joe
Sat
1) Edge
Edge gets the top slot for his amazing week. First, he wins Money in the Bank from Mr. Kennedy. Then, on SmackDown, he cashes in the Money in the Bank to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
2) Kurt Angle - Angle gets the second slot because he wins the TNA title.
3) Bryan Danielson - Danielson gets the third slot for his return to ROH.
4) The Undertaker
5) Samoa Joe
Andy Clark
1) Edge
Who would think the more legitimate World Title change would come in the the 30 second free TV match instead of the PPV main event? Edge had a great week, beating Mr. Kennedy for the Money in the Bank opportunity and then cashing it in to become World Heavyweight Champion. Plus, he put both Kennedy and Undertaker out of action.
2) Kurt Angle- Won the NWA World Heavyweight Title, and probably will be the last TNA member to hold that belt.
3) The Great Khali- Officially become No. 1 Contender for the WWE Title, will main event the upcoming PPV, and had an entertaining match with Shawn Michaels on Raw.
4) Mike Quackenbush
5) Jay & Mark Briscoe
Matt Short
1) Edge
Won Kennedy's MITB on Raw then cashed it in after Undertaker survived a tough cage match with Batista and a beat down by Mark Henry. Edge has ruled WWE this week and will continue to do so as World Heavyweight champion.
2) Kurt Angle- Despite a wacky finish he was announced as new TNA Champion at Sacrifice.
3) Bryan Danielson- Had an amazing comeback weekend in ROH. The guy has put himself right back at the top of ROH
4) Jay & Mark Briscoe
5) Mike Quackenbush
Ryan Mancuso
1) Edge
Winning MITB and cashing it in to defeat Undertaker to win the World Title on SD! is definitely enough to earn WOTW.
2) Ultimo Guerrero - Survived a 45 minute 16-man Torneo Cibernetico to win the CMLL Grand Prix in back-to-back years. He eliminated the very popular Marco Corleone (Mark Jindrak) and AJPW Triple Crown Champ Minoru Suzuki by provoking a Takayama run-in. To win the 2007 CMLL Grand Prix, he pinned Jr. Heavyweight legend and current Open the Dream Gate champion Jushin Thunder Liger. If Edge didn't have the week he had, then Ultimo Guerrero would win WOTW in my book because of victories over the AJPW Triple Crown champ and Dragon Gate's top singles champion.
3) Kurt Angle - He finally won the TNA Title, but the cloud of controversy over it drops him down to #3.
4) Larry Sweeney
5) Mike Quackenbush
Mat Adamson
1) Edge
The guy had a huge week, I don't really have anything to add that hasn't already been said besides that I have a feeling Edge is going to wind up at the top of WOTW a whole lot in the coming year.
2) Mike Quackenbush - When you defeat Tiger Mask for the title that it seems like he has held for ten years you have earned at least a number two spot.
3) Ultimo Guerrero - Huge win for Guerrero that isn't controversial like everything else seemed to be this week.
4) Kurt Angle
5) Jay & Mark Briscoe
JT~!
1) Edge
First he becomes one of the few people to actually outsmart Kennedy by enticing him to put up his Money In The Bank contract, then he goes out and beats him for it fairly decisively. To cap it off, he hops over to SmackDown! and beats the Undertaker (regardless of his condition) in a little under two minutes. So, let's see. Biggest moment on RAW, followed by the biggest moment on SD. That equals #1 for me.
2) Kurt Angle - Walked into a match that everyone was SURE Christian Cage was going to win, gave everyone the finger, and walked out with the belt, despite the fact Sting will show up Thursday to claim that he in fact won.
3) Bryan Danielson - Returned to ROH and did so in convincing fashion. Immediately elevated himself back to the top in only one weekend.
4) Jay & Mark Briscoe
5) Great Khali
Brad B.
1) Edge
In about one minute of wrestling within two shows, Edge defeats Mr. Kennedy to win his second Money in the Bank briefcase and defeats the Undertaker to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. He was also posted all over WWE.com. Undisputed wrestler of the week.
2) Kurt Angle- Hated the finish and match, but he walks out of Sacrifice as NWA/TNA Champion.
3) Great Khali- Defeated HBK to become #1 Contender for the WWE Championship.
4) Chris Harris
5) Jay & Mark Briscoe
Dan Wilcox
1) Edge
This one is obvious. While we had two new world champions this week, Edge did it a lot cooler than Kurt did and provide a mark out moment for all wrestling fans. Here's to the new Rated R era.
2) Kurt Angle - Beat Sting and Christian Cage for the NWA Championship at Sacrifice
3) Batista/Undertaker - This is for having a great feud with great matches including the cage match last week, prematurely ended due to injury.
4) Khali
5) Robert Roode
Bayani Domingo
1) Edge
Edge you just beat Mr. Kennedy for the MitB shot while making him look like and idiot, then you beat Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Title and YOU my friend are having the Best Week Ever
2) Kurt Angle - Not sure how this is all going down and B-thinks that this is about to be one of the shortest title reigns since Kane, but hey, you're officially the NWA champ right?
3) Nanae Takahashi - No, you have no idea who she is, but she just beat Amazing Kong on Sunday night for the AWA Women's Heavyweight Title at the Inoki Dojo in one of the best women's matches I have ever seen in my life. The other being earlier in the evening when Cheerleader Melissa laid the most vicious beat down on a poor little Japanese girl I have ever witnessed live. Nanae, you just changed my whole perspective on women's wrestling on Sunday and for that you deserve some Kudos.
4) Mike Quackenbush
5) Bryan Danielson
Mike Minoti
1) Edge
Made the biggest impact on Smackdown since Kurt Angle won the title on the show last year. Edge is now a three time world champion, and has set events in motion that will effect things in the WWE for a long time to come.
2) Kurt Angle - Won the NWA Championship, ending a decently long reign from Christian. Of course, he may not keep it for long, but he still gets to say he was an NWA World Champion.
3) Undertaker - I have to give props to the man for having as good as a match as he did with an injury.
4) Ultimo Guerrero
5) Bryan Danielson
Arnold Furious
1) Edge
No argument from me over this one. Edge might have only wrestled for about two minutes total in his two victories this week but made a huge impact in downing Mr. Kennedy and world champion the Undertaker. Wins over the Undertaker for titles are pretty rare. The list of previous people to do that would be; Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Steve Austin and The Rock. That's pretty good company for Edge.
2) Ultimo Guerrero. Two big singles wins over Suzuki and Liger before taking home the big tournament win down in Mexico.
3) Mike Quackenbush. Huge, huge win over Tiger Mask IV, which has to be the biggest of Quack's career.
4) Bryan Danielson
5) Kurt Angle
Mike Bauer
1) Edge
Everyone at work who watches wrestling thought I was fucking nuts when I said Edge would be the champion of Smackdown this week and my friends, that it exactly what happened. After totally killing Kennedy, Edge perfectly picked his spot again and defeated The Undertaker. That is how you earn the #1 spot, unlike some people who use fucked up finishes, who I refuse to put on my list.
2) Ultimo Guerrero - Winning any tourney in back to back years is noteworthy, regardless of the level.
3) The Briscoe Brothers - Two very good title defenses, including a victory over the current RoH champion.
4) Bryan Danielson
5) Mike Quackenbush
Andy C.
1) Edge
He made the biggest impact of any wrestler so far this year. First he wins MITB from Kennedy then he wins the World Heavyweight Title. Just like Sinatra, Edge did it his way and you gotta respect that
2) Kurt Angle - Won the NWA title but under silly/shady circumstances. Is this what you left WWE for Kurt? I mean, you did quit right, right?!?
3) American Dragon Bryan Danielson - Had a big win in ROH's first PPV main event. Looks like he is gonna be the face of ROH for long time to come and that is a great move for the promotion
4) Khali
5) The Briscoe Bros.
Larry Csonka
1) Edge and Kurt Angle
Huge weeks as Edge steals the MITB and then cashes it in on a beaten Taker. Also Angle wins the NWA Title in a disputed fashion to close out TNA Sacrifice. I put disputed on level with beating a one armed man who already had a match and got beat down by a 400lb gravy boat.
2) Ultimo Guerrero – Ryan put it best, amazing match with a ton of Talent (KOZLOV~!) and Guerrero walks out with the HUGE win. With Mistico down and out for a while, people will have to step up ad Guerrero can do that. A most excellent win.
3) "Lightning" MIKE QUACKENBUSH – Sent a message to Japan by taking the NWA Jr. Title from Tiger Mask.
4) Chris Harris
5) Larry Sweeney
THE WINNERS!
Special Mention…Mike Quackenbush - 16 Votes
Fifth Place…Ultimo Guerrero - 21 Votes
Fourth Place… Mark and Jay Briscoe - 24 Votes
Third Place…Bryan Danielson - 31 Votes
Danielson made his long waited return to ROh this past weekend to be part of the double shot and first PPV taping. Danielson was doing well in last year's rankings until the shoulder forced him out, and now he looks to make an impact this year.
Second Place…Kurt Angle - 55 Votes
Kurt Angle, for now, is the NWA Champion. It was wacky circumstances, but the man left the PPV announced as the champion and that gets him 2nd place for the week.
Wrestler of the Week…Edge - 87 Votes
For the second straight week Edge takes the WOTW top spot. All he did this week was win the MITB from Mr. Kennedy and stroll over to Smackdown and beat the Undertaker after his cage match for his first "World" Title. Solid week huh?
Year-End Standings~!
Edge leaps into the top spot for the year with his title win, and looks to be on fire. Kurt Angle makes the big move with his second place win, and looks for more. The Briscoes and Bryan Danielson make mores and are part of a big mess with 9-points, while Ultimo Guerrero and Mike Quackenbush debut this week.
Elijah Burke – 12 (ECW) Deuce – 12 (Smackdown) Domino – 12 (Smackdown) Brother Ray – 12 (TNA) Brother Devon – 12 (TNA) Dick Togo – 12 (New Japan)
Bryan Danielson – 9 (ROH) Nigel McGuiness – 9 (ROH) Mark Briscoe – 9 (ROH) Jay Briscoe – 9 (ROH) Jeff Hardy – 9 (Raw) TAKA Michinoku – 9 (New Japan) Yugi Nagata – 9 (New Japan)
Paul London – 7 (Smackdown) Brian Kendrick – 7 (Smackdown)
Vince McMahon – 9 (WWE) CM Punk – 6 (ECW) Abyss– 6 (TNA) Sting– 6 (TNA)
Ultimo Guerrero – 3 (CMLL) Christopher Daniels – 3 (TNA) Bobby Lashley – 3 (ECW) The Great Khali – 3 (WWE) Togi Makabe – 3 (New Japan) Sara Del Ray – 3 (US Independent)
Jeff Jarrett– 1 (TNA) Rob Van Dam – 1 (ECW) Colt Cabana – 1 (WWE) El Generico – 1 (US Independent) Chuck Taylor – 1 (US Independent) Mike Quackenbush – 1 (US Independent)
Voting began 4.09.07
Year-End Rankings Key:
Raw and Smackdown Wrestlers are represented in BLUE.
ECW Wrestlers are represented in GREEN.
TNA wrestlers are represented in RED.
ROH/FIP Wrestlers are represented in MAROON.
US Independent Wrestlers are represented in ORANGE
