411’s Wrestler of the Week 7.23.07: Week 16
Posted by Larry Csonka on 07.23.2007
New champions, new gimmicks, impressive defenses and more highlighted the voting week! But who had what it takes to walk away with the coveted 411 WOTW award? CLICK!
Welcome to Week 16 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!
Michael Bauer
1) John Cena - John Cena proved why he is present of the WWE with his successful defense over Bobby Lashley. Lashley is the future, but for now, we still have John Cena as the WWE Champ after a tremendous build on Monday Night.
2) The Great Khali - Yes, he wins a Battle Royal and then pins Kane to stay the New World Heavyweight Champion. I still can't justify him as #1.
3) The Briscoe Brothers - Two successful title defenses in Japan for RoH is good stuff.
4) Takeshi Morishima
5) Hornswaggle
Ryan Byers
1) The Great Khali
What a week it's been for the proud Punjabi warrior. Though he's certainly not the best looking wrestler from a technical standpoint, his accomplishments cannot be denied. Since moving to Smackdown, he hadn't impressed all that much, mainly hanging around in the midcard and slowly being rebuilt after losing his feud with John Cena. The budding rivalry with Batista made it look like Khali was headed back to the main event scene, but he suddenly shot up there much more quickly than was expected thanks to his surprise victory for the World Heavyweight Championship, the same title he successfully defended on Sunday by pinning Kane clean as a whistle. All of that, combined with a promo that reminded us why Khali is one of the top five mic workers in the business today, is enough to make him an easy pick for WOTW.
2) The Briscoe Brothers - When it comes to their in-ring, I'd rather watch a Khali match . . . but going 3-0 on ROH's first tour of Japan is nothing to scoff at.
3) Cody Rhodes - Cody has shown the most potential of anybody coming out of OVW since the legendary Cena/Batista/Lesnar/Orton class.
4) Claudio Castagnoli
5) The Colony (Fire, Worker, & Soldier Ant)
Mike Minotti
1) The Great Khali
Once again I find myself in a keyfabe/non-keyfabe dilemma. Although I like to try to consider a bit of both when it comes to my WOTY voting, and I hate the Great Khali and his incredibly sloppy ring-work, I can't deny that the man has just won the WHC and defended it all in the same week. You win this round, Khali.
2) John Cena - I was really beginning to think that Cena may not walk away from his match against Lashley with his championship, especially once Lashley came out to revamped music. Improved song usually means that a giant push is soon to follow. While I don't doubt that said push will be coming for Lashley, he was not able to overcome the champ on Sunday. It'll be interesting to see if Cena can hold onto the belt until Unforgiven, meaning his reign will be a whole year long. That would certainly be impressive.
3) Takeshi Morishima - Defended the ROH Championship in Japan. That makes 12 title defenses. Well done, Takeshi. Well done.
4) The Briscoe Brothers
5) Hornswoggle
SAT
1) The Great Khali
The Great Khali gets the top slot for winning the World Heavyweight Title and then successfully defending it against Batista and Kane at the Great American Bash
2) John Cena - John Cena gets the second slot because he shocked me by defeating Bobby Lashley cleanly
3) Briscoe Brothers - The Briscoe Brothers get the third slot for winning twice in Japan.
4) Randy Orton
5) Hornswoggle
JT~!
1) John Cena
He continues to overcome any odd put in front of him. On the outside his win may not seem like that big of a deal, but let's remember one thing here. McMahon hand-picked (as he did with Cena) Bobby Lashley to be the E's new BEAST. He's had him run through half the roster with ease, AND made him the man that led to a major WrestleMania moment and Vince getting his head shaved. Vince has put everything behind Lashley; yet, Cena prevailed here. That says something to me. As it was said, Lashley is the future, but John Cena is the present.
Oh yeah, and he happened to retain the second most recognizable title in the entire wrestling industry.
2) Great Khali - Not only won, but successfully defended the World Heavyweight Championship in a more than watchable (and even recommendable) match at the Great American Bash.
3) The Briscoe Brothers - Took their show overseas for the first time and won throughout.
4) Chuck Taylor
5) Kurt Angle
ARI
1) John Morrison: For providing a new twist on his character, taking advantage of the spotlight thrust upon him in the new ECW and then for defending the title successfully against CM Punk.
2) Bryan Danielson/Go Shiozaki: Dragon had the best match of the night at the Tokyo ROH show against Go Shiozaki of all people, a younger wrestler with a lot potential but really untested in bigger match situations. Both men worked hard and from all reports performed incredibly well for themselves.
3) Takeshi Morishima: Morishima retains the ROH World belt in what is becoming a habit for these two to have great matches against one another. That Morishima did it in his home country makes this an extra special victory.
4) The Briscoe Brothers
5) John Cena
Andy Clark
1) The Great Khali
Shocked the world to win the World Heavyweight Title and then shocked the world even more by having an entertaining title defense against Batista and Kane at The Great American Bash.
2) Hornswoggle- Heading into the Bash I was really hoping Rey Mysterio would be a surprise entrant and he could win the belt and finally unify the thing with the US Title. The Cruiserweight Title is beyond pointless in this day and age, especially in WWE. But then they managed to revive my faith in it. Hornswaggle has now won a championship, something the likes of Elijah Burke, Chris Masters, and The Miz have all failed to do. Not since the glory days of WCW has the Cruiserweight Title meant more. Viva Hornswoggle!
3) John Cena- Cena won the huge Cena-Lashley match at the Great American Bash and carried (yes, I said CARRIED) Bobby Lashley to a good outing. Plus he finally pulled the trigger on the top rope FU, something he's been teasing for two years.
4) Umaga & Jeff Hardy
5) Matt Hardy
Samuel Berman
1) Jay & Mark Briscoe
A pair of huge title defenses in Japan which beyond the normal show of dominance, go further to prove that the ROH World Tag Team Title switch from March was far more of a fluke than a real hole in the Briscoes' armor. If Morishima had made a pair of defenses instead of just the single successful bout against Nigel, he'd have my top spot. As is, he's simply excellent.
2) Takeshi Morishima - A second defeat of highly-regarded contender Nigel McGuinness pushes Morishima above the simple 'transitional champion' that many predicted he would be.
3) "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson - Reportedly dominating in a pair of high profile victories in Japan.
4) Chuck Taylor
5) Jack Evans
Matt Adamson
1) The Great Khali
I was very reluctant to give Khali this honored position on my list of votes for Wrestler of the Week, but the guy hasn't just earned it in kayfabe terms, but managed to actually entertain the hell out of me at the Great American Bash. That's something the majority of the Smackdown roster hasn't accomplished recently.
2) Hornswaggle - Wait a minute, isn't he a flyweight? Seriously though, If I'm going to mark out while watching wrestling it better be because of a midget winning a title.
3) Mistico & Negro Casas - These two regained the CMLL World Tag Team Titles, they lost them last week too. Another notch on their belts.
4) Takeshi Morishima
5) John Morrison
Bayani Domingo
1) The Great Khali
I hate, hate, HATE to vote for this guy, but anyway you slice it he won the second most important title in North America. He also retained over the only real two "main event" level guys that Smackdown has. Geeez...I worked so hard to get my IWC "cred" and in one weeks voting it's all evaporated.
2) Mark and Jay Briscoe - Racking up win after win in Japan no matter the format, cementing themselves as the BEST tag team in the world right now.
3) Hornswaggle - Finally bringing back prestige and legitimacy to the cruiserweight title. Or...something.
4) Chuck Taylor
5) Steiner Brothers
Jeff Small
1) The Great Khali
All Hail the Great Khali. Khali of course is our wrestler of the week as he not only did an excellent Ric Flair imitation to win the Big Gold Belt but then he retained the title in a match that has gotten reviews from pretty awful to pretty entertaining (JT). Plus we have to enjoy this now because Khali's dominance at the top will likely be short. Pity.
2) John Cena - Retained his title (once again) in a match against Bobby Lashley, a guy who most people thought would finally end Cena's reign (including myself). Cena looks set to defend the title either in a rematch against Lashley or against Randy Orton at Summerslam. Both matches work in my book.
3) Hornswaggle - How can I not vote for a midget? Especially a midget with gold!
4) John Morrison
5) Charlie Haas (for killing Paul London with a nasty German suplex from the top rope on HEAT!)
Mathew Sforcina
1) The Great Khali
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *gasp* OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *gasp again* OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *cough, splutter* OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *sip of water* OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *massage the throat* OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
2) Hornswaggle- Let's see. The guy's over, has back up, is clearly in the weight class, and has a perfect W/L record, as far as I can tell. So yeah, this is both logical and stupid, which is Russo Booking at it's finest. Wait, he's not booking? *hops on 'Victoria for CW Champ' minibus*
3) The Briscoe Brothers- I really wish they came out to the Animals so I can make 'House Of The Rising Sun' references, but I can't, so I won't.
4) John Cena
5) Takeshi Morishima
Meehan
1) The Great Khali
Not only WON a world title this week, was also able to successfully defend it a mere five ("two") days later against two of Smackdown's hottest stars. Sure, he sucks... but at a time like this when WWE is under the steroid microscope and injuries are ravaging their roster(s) as performers tear muscles left and right in a desperate attempt to get off the gas, putting the belt on a natural "giant" that doesn't wrestle a high-risk style is hardly the worst idea in the world.
2. John Cena - Screw the haters, da champ is HERE! Rapidly closing in on the 1-year-mark as champion, Cena continues to be the flag bearer for WWE's biggest brand.
3. Hornswaggle - It seems so obvious in hindsight, but whoda' thunk the leprechaun would end up with gold?
4. The Steiner Brothers
5. The Briscoe Brothers
Andy Critchell
1) The Great Khali
Khali has had quite a lot of success in a short period of time. First he wins a battle royal for the vacant World Heavyweight Title then he has a really fun match with Batista and Kane at the Great American Bash to retain his newly won title. Khali has done quite a bit over the past week to prove wrong all of those who rolled their eyes when we heard that he was getting the strap. Obviously there is still much more to be done but he has certainly gotten off on the right foot.
2) John Cena – What can you say about this guy that hasn't already been said? Once again, he impressed in a PPV and went toe to toe with the WWE's other "Golden Boy" and came out on top. What's more, he was able to keep his belt as well as keep Lashley looking strong which is going to be important for the WWE's future. Cena has been the ultimate company man for a long time and those types are always valuable.
3) John Morrison – The former Mr. Nitro has a new look, a tweaked attitude, and looks to be making the most of his opportunity by putting on some extremely entertaining matches. His win over CM Punk last night was a big step towards his ascension into the upper echelon of the WWE.
4) Candice Michelle
5) Hornswoggle!!
Larry Csonka
1) The Steiner Brothers
Scott Steiner nearly dies on Puerto Rico weeks back. He has a near 20-inch scar across his chest and back. He was not allowed to fly and had to take a cruise ship back to America. He then returned and wrestled for three days in a tag team tournament with brother Rick and won the whole deal. Sorry kids, that's pretty damn good and they'll get my vote this week.
2) Mistico & Negro Casas – Regained their titles in another great match. VIV MISTICO~!
3) Little Bastard! – It's stupid and completely buries the division, but he's better than Khali.
4) Takeshi Morishima
5) The Great Khali
THE WINNERS!
Special Mention…Jon Morrison - 12 Votes
Fifth Place…Takeshi Morishima - 17 Votes
Fourth Place…Hornswaggle - 28 Votes
Third Place…Mark and Jay Briscoe - 30 Votes
Mark and Jay put together an impressive string of defenses in Japan and tat was enough to take the 3rd spot this week.
Second Place…John Cena - 36 Votes
John Cena defended the title against Lashley this Sunday at the GAB PPV. Cena is on a roll in defenses and quality matches.
Wrestler of the Week…The Great Khali - 58 Votes
Not only did Khali win the world title on Smackown, but he successfully defended it at the Great American Bash PPV against Batista and Kane, and that's all it took to get him first place this week.
Year-End Standings~!
John Cena extends his year-end lead with h-s second place finish. Khali makes a big jump in the rankings, while the Briscoe's crash the top 10 party. A very interesting list thus far, and we're not even halfway through the year.
-The top 10 spots are marked
1. John Cena – 62 (Raw)
2. Kurt Angle – 45 (TNA)
3. Samoa Joe – 42 (TNA)
3. Matt Hardy – 42 (Smackdown)
5. Edge – 38 (Smackdown)
6. Bobby Lashley – 35 (Raw)
7. MVP – 31 (Smackdown)
8. CM Punk – 27 (ECW)
9. Mark Briscoe – 21 (ROH)
9. Jay Briscoe – 21 (ROH)
Brother Ray – 18 (TNA) Brother Devon – 18 (TNA) Sara Del Ray – 18 (US Independent) Vince McMahon – 18 (WWE) The Great Khali – 18 (Raw)
