411’s Wrestler of the Week 03.03.08: Week 48

Posted by Larry Csonka on 03.03.2008

Morishima wins NOAH Gold, CM Punk is the #1 Contender and Team Mexico dominated the CHIKARA King of Trios Tournament! But who had the goods to take home the WOTW award? Come on into find out!



Welcome to Week 48, 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!

Andy Clark
1) Takeshi Morishima
After increasing his star worth in ROH during 2007, Morishima has now moved on up to the big time and won the GHC Title from a Japanese legend no less.

2) Team Mexico (Lince Dorado, El Pantera, & Incognito)- Team Mexico won the CHIKARA King of Trios Tournament. Say what you will about the relevance of the promotion, but they defeated a pretty stacked field to win this tournament.
3) Dory Funk Jr- After a long, great career Dory has finally decided to hang it up, winning his final match in the process.
4) Chris Jericho
5) Masato Yoshino


Matt Short
1) Takeshi Morishima
Ended the yearlong GHC Heavyweight Championship reign of Mistuharu Misawa on Sunday. Morishima made waves last year as the ROH World Champion and now he's stepped up further and is being given a chance to run at the top of one of Japan's most prominent companies. Defeating a legend like Misawa is a perfect way to kick-start a Morishima GHC reign and hopefully he'll prove that Japan's younger generation is ready to take over what the legends of the 90s started.

2) Mucha Lucha (Lince Dorado, El Pantera, & Incognito): These three managed to come out on top in CHIKARA's King of Trios tournament this weekend. King of Trios was just a massive tournament and you have to give some props to the winners of it. Lince Dorado won the final fall for his team making Eddie Kingston tap to the Chikara Special, a tough enough feat on its own.
3) Demolition: I have to give some love to Ax & Smash of Demolition. They didn't fare too well in the King of Trios tournament with One Man Gang, but they won the annual Tag Team Gauntlet match on Night 3. This earned them a point and one step towards CHIKARA's Campeonatos de Parejas.
4) Masato Yoshino
5) Dory Funk Jr.


ARI
1) Takeshi Morishima
I think many could see this coming a mile away, but you never quite know for sure if Misawa was going to pull the trigger on the title change until it actually happened. Morishima's ROH World title run helped to build to this moment, and now it has finally arrived.

2) Team Mexico (Lince Dorado, El Pantera & Incognito): Three months ago Lince Dorado was badly injured off of a botches shooting star senton. Now Dorado and his lucha companions march all the way to the top of one of if not THE largest wrestling tournaments EVER. They had to defeat the very capable BLK OUT and Eddie Kingston to do it.
3) Eddie Kingston: Retains his IWA: MS title against Scorpio, one of the more revered and lasting professional wrestlers on the independent scene. That and Kingston's awesome heel role in CHIKARA and his BLK OUT team making it to the finals of the Trios Tournament '08 helps King get to the number three slot.
4) Demolition
5) Mr. Kennedy


Mike Campbell
1) Takeshi Morishima
Winning the GHC Title is enough to get the top vote from me. But adding his name to the short list of guys who've beaten Misawa for a singles title is a huge accomplishment all on its own.

2) Dory Funk Jr.: An all time great called it a career, and did so in the most rare of ways: He got to go out on top, and not on his back.
3) CM Punk
4) Silver King
5) Masato Yoshino


Ryan Byers
1) Takeshi Morishima
Was Morishima eventually going to become GHC Heavyweight Champion? Of course he was. People have known that for months if not years, but it hardly diminishes the importance of the accomplishment now that it has happened. Beating Misawa is also nothing to sneeze at, even if the legend is nearing the end of his time on top. My only hope is that Mori's title reign in NOAH involves defenses against people who actually have a snowball's chance in hell of beating him as opposed to what happened in ROH, when he seemed to face a cavalcade of midcarders with Nigel and AmDrag periodically making guest shots.

2) Lince Dorado, El Pantera, & Incognito - In almost any other week, I would've given the King of Trios winners number one. However, the tournament just happened to fall on the same week as a major World Title change, so the three amigos fall down a spot. This win was particularly important for Lince and Pantera, as it served as a major accomplishment for the former which vindicates him after his gruesome injury and set the latter up as a contender for the NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title.
3) Dory Funk, Jr. - And here's another guy who I would've loved to have put at number one if not for the fact that so many other things happened this week. Though he hasn't been all that relevant in recent years, Funk really was one of the greatest touring World Champions of all time, and it's nice to see him cap off his career with a victory.
4) Masato Yoshino
5) Silver King


Samuel Berman
1) Takeshi Morishima
At this point, the GHC Heavyweight Title has to be considered amongst the most prestigious belts worldwide. For Pro Wrestling NOAH to finally put their top belt on the former ROH World Champion shows that the company believes he has progressed enough to be viewed as the top dog at home. Who's to say how much the fantastic results of Morishima's Ring of Honor run had to do with this decision, but as someone who tries to view things positively from time to time, I'm willing to believe that the big man's development had a lot to do with his stateside performance. Hopefully Morishima will be afforded the luxury of an extended reign, something that fellow ROH alum Naomichi Marufuji wasn't granted when he held the strap in late-2006.

2) Eddie Kingston: Though unsuccessful in CHIKARA's King of Trios after a run to the finals, Kingston was still able to successfully retain the IWA Mid-South World Heavyweight Title over Too Cold Scorpio on the company's 500th show.
3) Lince Dorado, El Pantera & Incognito: Walked out the winners of CHIKARA's second King of Trios, outlasting a truly stacked field.
4) Masato Yoshino
5) Kensuke Sasaki


Randy Harrison
1) Dory Funk Jr.
I realize that this might not be as big a deal to some people as it is to me, but despite my not being as old as most of their fans, I've been a huge fan of the Funks for as long as I can remember watching wrestling. I can't say for sure when I watched my first Dory Funk match, but I can always remember loving the combination of Dory's technical skill in the ring, mixed with Terry's brawling, crazy style. Here's to hoping that Dory can avoid being sucked back into the business as often as his brother has and that he'll be able to ride off into the sunset with his head held high. A storied career comes to an end, and I tip my cowboy hat to one of the greatest to lace boots by naming him my Wrestler of the Week.

2) Takeshi Morishima: The biggest development of the week is the title change that puts the GHC Heavyweight strap onto the girthy midsection of Morishima. I loved the work I saw from him on the ROH shows that I've managed to check out this year and I really think that it was integral to his winning the title this past weekend. If he hadn't been the ROH Champion and done as well as he had done with putting on quality matches against a myriad of opponents, I highly doubt that NOAH would have chanced putting the belt on him. They feel like he's the guy to run with and I agree completely. Long Live MORISHIMA!!
3) Mucha Lucha: Anytime a fan can make it through CHIKARA's King of Trios tournament without a road map I applaud them. Anytime a team can WIN the tournament, I give them big props. With this being the first time I've been able to vote for WOTW while a King of Trios tournament happened, I have to give a well-earned third place to Dorado, Pantera and Incognito for making their way through possibly the biggest (in terms of participants) Indy tournament in the United States. I must own this DVD when it comes out.
4) CM Punk
5) Kensuke Sasaki


Bayani Domingo
1) Takeshi Morishima
He must have some pictures of Misawa dressed up in fishnets and high heels to be able to take the title off the old man. It'll be interesting to see where he goes with the belt and whether this truly is a passing of the torture of a temporary loan.

2) Lince Dorado, El Pantera & Incognito: What do you expect, they won the King of Trios. They had to go through a field that included Glacier....GLACIER. 'nuff said.
3) Masato YOSHINO: Defeated CIMA clean to retain the Open the Brave Gate title, now on his way to challenge him for his belt.
4) Kensuke Sasaki
5) CM Punk


Michael Bauer
1) Takeshi Morishima
After a pretty good RoH Title run, Misawa finally decided Morishima was good enough to defeat him for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. Remember, Misawa generally loses to nobody and I can't tell you the last time he took a clean pin. This is the biggest win for Morishima is his career without question.

2) Team Mexico (Lince Dorado, El Pantera, & Incognito): Winning the CHIKARA King of Trios tournament is a major accomplishment, having to win six matches in two days.
3) Jimmy Jacobs: Jacobs delivered on "The Story of Eric" in what was a five star promo and one that should be remember come awards time.
4) CM Punk
5) Masato Yoshino


Larry Csonka
1) Takeshi Morishima
The man's time in the US has paid off as they felt it was his time to carry the title. But the fact that he got to take out Misawa speaks volumes regarding their feelings on him.

2) Team Mexico: Lince Dorado, El Pantera & Incognito were the last three men standing at the end of the 84-man tournament. Anytime you run through a tournament like that you need some recognition.
3) Silver King: Silver King won the held up AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Title against Katsuhiko Nakajima this past weekend.
4) Dory Funk Jr.
5) Chris Jericho/Masato Yoshino

THE WINNERS!

Special Mention…Eddie Kingston - 7 Votes

Fifth Place…CM Punk - 8 Votes

Fourth Place…Masato Yoshino - 13 Votes

Third Place…Dory Funk Jr. - 18 Votes

Dory Funk Jr celebrates his retirement this week in Japan, and gets respect from the 411 staff.

Second Place…Team Mexico: Lince Dorado, El Pantera & Incognito - 34 Votes

Team Mexico ran wild in CHIKARA slaying the other 81-men in the King of Trios Tournament, which my all accounts was the largest tournament ever held.

Wrestler of the Week…Takeshi Morishima - 49 Votes

It looks like the torch has been passed as Takeshi Morishima defeated Misawa to win NOAH'S GHC Heavyweight Championship. After spending time in America and winning the ROH Title, Morishima finally took the title most felt that he was being groomed for.

Yearend Standings~!

We have 4-weeks left as we build towards WrestleMania and the end of the voting year. Morishima made a big jump and is just on the outside of the top 15. El Pantera & Incognito debuted with their King of Trios win while Lince Dorado improved his overall stock. Yoshino and Kingston had small moves while Dory Funk Jr gets the respect vote to close out his career. Finally CM Punk earned a precious three points, and was the only one in the top 15 to gain points. He is still in the running, but needs get to work because the voting year is almost over. 4-weeks left…it isn't over, but Cena has a commanding lead.


-The top 15 spots are marked

1. John Cena – 117 (Raw)

2. Jeff Hardy – 95 (Raw)

3. Kurt Angle – 92 (TNA)

4. Samoa Joe – 90 (TNA)

5. CM Punk – 85 (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 – 45 (ROH)

15. Jimmy Jacobs – 41 (ROH)


Takeshi Morishima – 39 (ROH/NOAH)
CIMA – 39 (Dragon Gate)

Claudio Castagnoli – 38 (ROH)

HHH – 37 (Raw)

Black Machismo – 36 (TNA)

Bobby Lashley – 35 (US Independent)

Kevin Steen – 32 (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)
Chris Hero – 24 (US Independent)
The Great Khali – 24 (Smackdown)

Ric Flair – 23 (Raw)

Austin Aries – 22 (ROH)

Sting– 21 (TNA)
Hiroshi Tanahashi – 21 (New Japan)
Lince Dorado – 21 (US Independent)

Masato Yoshino – 20 (Dragon Gate)

Mike Quackenbush – 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)
Eddie Kingston – 16 (US Independent)

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)
PAC – 15 (Independent)
Davey Richards – 15 (ROH)
Rocky Romero – 15 (ROH)

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

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

Chavo Guerrero – 12 (ECW)
Elijah Burke – 12 (ECW)
The Big Show – 12 (Smackdown)
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)
Incognito – 12 (Mexico)
El Pantera – 12 (Mexico)

Abyss – 10 (TNA)

Dory Funk Jr. – 9 (Independent)
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)
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)
Human Tornado – 6 (US Independent)
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)
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.