411’s Wrestler of the Week 02.18.08: Week 46

Posted by Larry Csonka on 02.18.2008

Shinsuke Nakamura unifies the IWGP titles, The Undertaker and HHH shine in the chamber matches, Jeff Hardy defeats HBK and much more! But who had the goods to take home the WOTW award? Come on into find out!



Welcome to Week 46, 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!

Ryan Byers
1) Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura scored this week's most impressive clean victory in a match for a major World Heavyweight Title. (No, the FIP Title doesn't fit in to that category . . . sorry, Brad). However, what he did this week was more than just win a title. He beat Kurt Angle clean in the middle of the ring via submission. That would mean nothing in the United States given that Angle has basically been turned in to a joke by TNA, but, in Japan, Angle is still revered as a god of professional wrestling. Beating the former Olympic gold medallist gives Nakamura a legitimacy that he didn't even achieve when he first won the IWPG Title, one that will in all likelihood stick with him until the end of his career. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! Nakamura's victory also brought closure to one of the longest running main event storylines in the Japanese wrestling landscape, namely the saga of the two IWGP Title belts. (Which, depending on who you believe, either started out as a real life situation and turned in to a work or was a work from the very beginning.) He brought the big, shiny, IWGP Third Generation Belt back in to the New Japan fold after Brock Lesnar walked out with it almost a year ago and, as such, looks like a huge conquering hero. Had Nakamura only successfully defended his title on a major New Japan show, I would've considered voting him in at number one. Had Nakamura only beaten Kurt Angle, I would've considered voting him in at number one. Had Nakamura only successfully resolved and eighteen month long storyline, I would've considered voting him in at number one. The fact that he did all three simultaneously makes him a no-brainer for Wrestler of the Week in my opinion.

2) Well, it's the Big Show - How badass does Show look now? Returning is one thing, but to return AND get involved with a very hot angle with Floyd Mayweather is something altogether. The fact that Show took several big punches from one of the most recognizable names in boxing today and managed to walk away despite being bloodied is the sort of thing that commentators will be able to bring up for years in relation to Show's toughness, and it's the kind of moment that will be replayed time and time again on WWE television. For being involved in an event that I can say with no doubt in my mind will become a major part of professional wrestling history and folklore, Show slides in at number two. (And, in most weeks, would've made it to number one.)
3) Triple H - It's odd that the winner of a WWE PPV main event comes in third in my votes, but this week I feel that it's justified since winning an Elimination Chamber and headlining WrestleMania are both accomplishments that have an air of "been there, done that" about them for Hunter. In other words, he's not advancing his career but rather hanging around at the exact same level he's been at for years. Had this been his first time heading to the big dance, I probably would've given him number one. However, it's not.
4) Togi Makabe & Toru Yano
5) The Undertaker


ARI
1) Triple H / The Undertaker
The winners of their respective brand's elimination chamber and now each has earned their way to WrestleMania 24 title shots. The Undertaker dominated his Chamber match, throwing everyone around, down and through the metal of the chamber and concluding with a terrific tombstone on Batista. Triple H took advantage of the moments where he could best attack and thus was part of the final two. He pings HBK and then gets his win back against Jeff Hardy. Both wins were inevitable as their participation at WM24 has long ago been forecast, but these matches were done the right way to put each over as worthy of moving on to their respective title shots.

2) Jeff Hardy / Shawn Michaels: Hardy and Michaels had a really great match against one another on Monday Night Raw and that Hardy took the closing minutes of the match and actually bested HBK was a great moment (and as it turns out a nice consolation prize as opposed to winning the Elimination Chamber match). Kudos to both men for going out there and giving it their all.
3) Big Show: Well, that was certainly some way to showcase the return of one of WWE's biggest wrestlers on the roster. On the one hand, Show was rocked by Floyd Mayweather and was busted open. On the other hand, Big Show just took Mayweather's "best" and lives to tell the tale and is one very angry giant. This was a huge sports moment for WWE and I am amazed at how not only was it a surprise but that it was actually pulled off so well.
4) Batista
5) Roderick Strong


Christi Csonka
1) The Undertaker and HHH
These two men each outlasted five others to win their chamber matches, which also earns them World and WWE Title matches. That's a damn good week, and deserving of the first place tie.

2) The Big Show: Should we call him the Medium Show now? He's back and got into it with a big name boxer, which came off really cool.
3) Chavo Guerrero: While the ECW title is a joke, and it treated as such on PPV Chavo did defend his title and impressed me tonight.
4) Jeff Hardy
5) Randy Orton


Andy Clark
1) Jeff Hardy
OK, I'm breaking my own rules on this one. He didn't win a title, he didn't even win a No. 1 Contender's spot. Hell, he didn't even win his PPV match. But Jeff Hardy still had one hell of a week. First, he has a great match with Shawn Michaels on Raw and actually WINS. Then he competes in the Elimination Chamber Match and looks like a million bucks. The dude kicked out of a freaking PEDIGREE. Hardy has successfully recaptured his pre-Royal Rumble momentum and I dare say that if WWE is OK with a Triple Threat Match at Mania with Orton, Cena, and Triple H, what's the harm in making it a Four-Way with Jeff Hardy?

2) Triple H- Triple H won the Raw Elimination Chamber Match and is on his way to WrestleMania. It was a great match and a great performance by the Game, both in the kayfabe and non-kayfabe sense.
3) Big Show and Togi Makabe & Toru Yano- Both of these acts need rewarded after their weekends, so that's why I have them sharing the third spot. Makabe & Yano defeated THE team to beat in Japan Tomko & Giant Bernard to essentially become the new team to beat. Brother Ray put them over strong during Global Impact and it looks like their futures are indeed bright. As for Big Show, he returned at No Way Out and looked great. He carried himself like a true star, he managed to go from face to heel at the drop of a hat, and more importantly he instantly made me care about his big angle with Floyd Mayweather. Now, if this was just a one off deal that doesn't lead anywhere (I'm looking at you Shaq and Carlito) then I'll be disappointed, but if this is leading to a big WrestleMania showdown I am all for it.
4) Undertaker
5) Shinsuke Nakamura


Samuel Berman
1) Roderick Strong
Shocking the world by regaining his FIP World Heavyweight Title was one thing, but using a method (causing his opponent to be counted out of the ring) puts this title change on a whole other level. In upending his protégé Erick Stevens for the strap, Strong put to use the strategy he had employed to keep the FIP World Heavyweight Title for nearly fourteen months, outsmarting his talented, but less experienced opponent to win back the belt and become the first two-time champion in FIP history.

2) Shinsuke Nakamura: Unseats Kurt Angle and vanquishes the TNA star's fake IWGP belt (and not a moment too soon).
3) Jeff Hardy: HHH may have walked out with the title shot, but Hardy's week (including a win over HBK on RAW) was better overall.
4) Togi Makabe & Toru Yano
5) Doug Williams, Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe


Matt Short
1) Undertaker/Triple H
Both won in their respective Elimination Chamber matches at No Way Out. Winning a number one contender spot at WrestleMania is always an impressive feat even if it was the sort of thing you could see coming from a mile away.

2) Shinsuke Nakamura: Pinned Kurt Angle to reunite his IWGP Heavyweight title with Angle's Third Generation IWGP Heavyweight title. And that will hopefully be the end of the Third Generation title.
3) Togi Makabe & Toru Yano: Ended the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Title reign of Tomko & Giant Bernard. Getting the belts off a red-hot team like Bernard & Tomko is pretty damn impressive, even though I'd prefer it if the gaijin had held belts longer.
4) Big Show
5) Christopher Daniels


David Martell
1) Jeff Hardy
This week proved that Jeff Hardy is a legit main eventer. He not only defeated HBK on a great TV match he also had a great showing at No Way Out where he actually kicked out of a pedigree. Hardy's climb to the top isn't over and I wouldn't be surprised if he won the MITB match at 'Mania.

2) Triple H: He won another shot at the WWE Title and once again he will be in the main event at WrestleMania.
3) Big Show: He made a great return at No Way Out. Show set up a storyline with Floyd Mayweather that got him a ton of heat. He even took a few REAL punches to the face and broke a nose. To me that's amazing.
4) Undertaker
5) Roderick Strong


Mathew Sforcina
1) Undertaker/HHH
The two men both earned their shot at immortality (although Cena/Orton/HHH to erase that other three way is so obvious...)

2) Jeff Hardy- He didn't win the match, but he may have gotten the most out of it.
3) Roderick Strong- I really admire a man who wins a title by count out. Seriously.
4) The Big Show
5) Shinsuke Nakamura


Michael Bauer
1) Triple H / Jeff Hardy
When I look back at both chambers, the Smackdown one will be an afterthought, but the RAW Chamber will be the highlight of No Way Out. Triple H ended up winning it, but Jeff Hardy capped off an overall great week by making himself look 100% viable as a contender again. Plus these two ended the chamber with a tremendous finish. I can't give the edge to either man, so they are tied for me this week.

2) Shinsuke Nakamura - Pinned Angle and finally cleared the air on the IWGP title situation.
3) Togi Makabe & Toru Yano - Tomko and Bernard were great champs, but champs no longer thanks to these two.
4) Roderick Strong
5) Undertaker


Arnold Furious
1) Triple H/Undertaker
Both dudes won their big shot at WrestleMania. Undertaker looking more impressive in the process but the achievement is the same for both men.

2) Shinsuke Nakamura. Ended the speculation over the IWGP belt. Looks like the problems in New Japan have been ironed out. Plus its a big win for him over a top talent and makes him a better and more convincing champion.
3) Jeff Hardy. Beat Shawn Michaels on Raw and then did the unthinkable of kicking out of the Pedigree. Hell of a rub.
4) Big Show
5) Togi Makabe/Toru Yano


Daniel Wilcox
1) Triple H/The Undertaker
I can't separate these two this week as both won brutal Elimination Chamber matches to earn themselves a shot at respective world championships at WrestleMania 24.

2) Jeff Hardy - Hardy looked tremendous in defeat in the Elimination Chamber match and even kicked out of a Pedigree, and also got a big win in a great match against Shawn Michaels on Raw.
3) Rey Mysterio - Rey gets my third spot for gutting it out at No Way Out despite his injury.
4) Big Show
5) AJ Styles


SAT
1) Undertaker/Triple H
The Undertaker and Triple H get the top slots for winning their respective chambers

2) Jeff Hardy: Jeff Hardy gets the second slot for defeating Shawn Michaels on RAW and then doing a good job in the chamber.
3) Shinsuke Nakamura: Shinsuke Nakamura gets the third slot for winning the IWGP title
4) Big Show
5) Rey Mysterio


Theo Fraser
1) Triple H/Undertaker
The Elimination Chamber matches were the highlight of the No Way Out PPV, so the respective winners deserve recognition here. Both men became the Number One Contenders to their brand's World Title, and in doing so earn themselves a place in one of the WrestleMania main attractions. Big week for Trips and Taker.


2) Jeff Hardy: Another big win for the younger Hardy this past week, getting the 3 count on Shawn Michaels, as well as an impressive showing in the Raw Chamber match at No Way Out, looking good in defeat against HHH. Hopefully this loss won't derail him on the way to WrestleMania.
3) Shinsuke Nakamura- Defeats Kurt Angle to unify the two IWGP World Titles ("Fake" and "Real" versions). That's a pretty big deal if you ask me.
4) Roderick Strong
5) Togi Makabe & Toru Yano


Larry Csonka
1) Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura Unified the IWGP World Titles as he defeated Kurt Angle this week. The IWGP title was held by Shinsuke Nakamura, but with Angle winning Brock's bastardized third generation version on if, Nakamura was considered by many to be the interim champion. Now you can call him the Undisputed IWGP Champion as he has brought the honor back to the title.

2) The Undertaker and HHH: They not only won, but they survived their elimination chamber matches. Taker and Trips are WrestleMania bound.
3) Jeff Hardy: He beat HBK and had one hell of a showing in the Chamber match. Remember what I have been saying, title shot at Summerslam and a Hardy win. He's on his way.
4) Togi Makabe & Toru Yano
5) The Big Show

THE WINNERS!

Special Mention…Togi Makabe & Toru Yano - 17 Votes

Fifth Place…The Big Show - 28 Votes

Fourth Place…Shinsuke Nakamura - 34 Votes

Third Place…Jeff Hardy - 46 Votes

Jeff Hardy's week saw a big win over HBK as well as a great run in the chamber, which was enough to take the third spot this week.

Second Place…The Undertaker - 48 Votes

The Undertaker wins the Smackdown version of the Elimination Chamber after putting on a show. The dead-man now goes to WrestleMania to face off with Edge.

Wrestler of the Week…HHH - 60 Votes

HHH wins the Raw version of the Elimination Chamber and he now heads to WrestleMania to face off win Orton for the title.

Yearend Standings~!

We have 6-weeks left as we build towards WrestleMania and the end of the voting year. The Undertaker, Big Show and Toru Yano all made their debuts this week on the list. Nakamura saw a small bum in his standing while HHH is just on the outside of the top 15. While he lost at No Way Out, his win over HBK and performance Sunday were enough to give Jeff Hardy a third place finish. That third place finish vaulted him into second place overall in the yearend standing! 6-weeks left…and it is far from over.


-The top 15 spots are marked

1. John Cena – 102 (Raw)

2. Jeff Hardy – 95 (Raw)

3. Kurt Angle – 92 (TNA)

4. Samoa Joe – 90 (TNA)

5. CM Punk – 82 (ECW)

6. Matt Hardy – 66 (Smackdown) {INJURED}

7. Edge – 65 (Smackdown)

8. Randy Orton – 61 (Raw)

9. Mark Briscoe – 55 (ROH)
9. Jay Briscoe – 55 (ROH)

11. Batista – 51 (Smackdown)

12. MVP – 47 (Smackdown)

13. Shawn Michaels – 46 (Raw)

14. Nigel McGuinness – 42 (ROH)

15. Jimmy Jacobs – 41 (ROH)


CIMA – 39 (Dragon Gate)

Claudio Castagnoli – 38 (ROH)

HHH – 37 (Raw)

Black Machismo – 36 (TNA)

Bobby Lashley – 35 (US Independent)

Chuck Taylor – 32 (US Independent)

Tomko – 29 (TNA/New Japan)

Kaz – 28 (TNA)
John Morrison – 28 (ECW)
El Generico – 28 (US Independent)

Awesome Kong – 27 (TNA)
Christian Cage– 27 (TNA)

Erick Stevens – 26 (ROH)

Umaga – 25 (Raw)
Bryan Danielson – 25 (ROH)

Giant Bernard – 24 (New Japan)
Keni'chiro Arai – 24 (Dragon Gate)
Ryusuke Taguchi – 24 (New Japan)
Takeshi Morishima – 24 (ROH/NOAH)
Chris Hero – 24 (US Independent)
The Great Khali – 24 (Smackdown)

Austin Aries – 22 (ROH)
Ric Flair – 22 (Raw)

Sting– 21 (TNA)
Hiroshi Tanahashi – 21 (New Japan)

Mike Quackenbush – 19 (US Independent)
Kevin Steen – 19 (US Independent)
Chris Sabin – 19 (TNA)

Shinsuke Nakamura – 18 (New Japan)
Brother Ray – 18 (TNA)
Brother Devon – 18 (TNA)
Sara Del Ray – 18 (US Independent)
Vince McMahon – 18 (WWE)

Gail Kim– 16 (TNA)
Ken Kennedy – 16 (Raw)

Averno - 15 (CMLL)
Mephisto - 15 (CMLL)
Kenta Kobashi – 15 (NOAH)
Masato Tanaka – 15 (ZERO-ONE MAX)
Christopher Daniels – 15 (TNA)
Alex Shelley – 15 (TNA)
James Storm – 15 (TNA)
Chris Jericho– 15 (Raw)
Lance Cade – 15 (Raw)
Trevor Murdoch – 15 (Raw)
Santino Marella – 15 (Raw)
Eddie Kingston – 15 (US Independent)
PAC – 15 (Independent)
Davey Richards – 15 (ROH)
Rocky Romero – 15 (ROH)

Tyler Black – 14 (ROH)
Naruki Doi – 14 (Dragon Gate)
Masato Yoshino – 14 (Dragon Gate)

Ricky Banderas a.k.a. Judas Mesias – 13 (AAA/TNA)

Chavo Guerrero – 12 (ECW)
Elijah Burke – 12 (ECW)
The Undertaker – 12 (Smackdown)
Deuce – 12 (Smackdown)
Domino – 12 (Smackdown)
Chris Harris – 12 (WWE)
Gamma – 12 (Dragon Gate)
Taku Iwasa – 12 (Dragon Gate)
Dick Togo – 12 (New Japan)
Adam Pearce – 12 (US Independent)
Roderick Strong– 12 (ROH/FIP)

Abyss – 10 (TNA)

Low Ki – 9 (US Independent)
Vito Thomaselli – 9 (US Independent)
Sal Thomaselli – 9 (US Independent)
Icarus – 9 (US Independent)
Gran Akuma – 9 (US Independent)
Kenny King – 9 (US Independent)
Jason Blade – 9 (US Independent)
Lince Dorado – 9 (US Independent)
BxB Hulk – 9 (Dragon Gate)
SHINGO – 9 (Dragon Gate)
TAKA Michinoku – 9 (New Japan)
Yugi Nagata – 9 (New Japan)
D LO Brown- 9 (NOAH)
Bull Buchanan - 9 (NOAH)
Naomichi Marufuji - 9 (NOAH)
Mitsuharu Misawa – 9 (NOAH)
Keiji Muto – 9 (All Japan)
Joe Doering– 9 (All Japan)
Blue Panther – 9 (CMLL)

The Miz – 8 (ECW)

Scott Steiner– 7 (TNA)
Necro Butcher – 7 (US Independent)
Finlay – 7 (Smackdown)
Paul London – 7 (Raw)
Brian Kendrick – 7 (Raw)

Hornswoggle – 6 (Smackdown)
Rey Mysterio – 6 (Smackdown)
Carlito – 6 (Raw)
Johnny Devine– 6 (TNA)
Booker T– 6 (TNA)
Kensuke Sasaki – 6 (All Japan)
Milano Collection AT – 6 (New Japan)
Scott Hall – 6 (Independent)
Super Dragon – 6 (Independent)
Ultimo Guerrero – 6 (CMLL)
Averno – 6 (CMLL)

Shelton Benjamin– 4 (ECW)
AJ Styles– 4 (TNA)
Delirious – 4 (ROH)
Rob Van Dam – 4 (US Independent)
Hallowicked – 4 (US Independent)
Togi Makabe – 4 (New Japan)

Eric Young – 3 (TNA)
Big Daddy V – 3 (ECW)
The Big Show – 3 (WWE)
Jimmy Yang Wang – 3 (Smackdown)
Shannon Moore – 3 (Smackdown)
Beth Phoenix – 3 (Raw)
Charlie Haas – 3 (Raw)
William Regal – 3 (Raw)
Mistico – 3 (CMLL)
Atlantis – 3 (CMLL)
Tiger Mask IV – 3 (New Japan)

KENTA – 2 (NOAH)

Jeff Jarrett – 1 (TNA)
Super Crazy – 1 (Raw)
JBL – 1 (Raw)
Hardcore Holly– 1 (Raw)
Cody Rhodes – 1 (Raw)
Colt Cabana – 1 (WWE)
Dragon Kid – 1 (Dragon Gate)
Taiji Ishimori – 1 (NOAH)
Minoru – 1 (New Japan)
Toru Yano– 1 (New Japan)
Prince Devitt – 1 (New Japan)
Andrew Martin – 1 (US Independent)
Sherri Martel – 1 {Deceased}

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

Japanese wrestlers are represented in BLACK.

Mexican Wrestlers are represented in MAGENTA.