WRESTLING WONDERS PRO WRESTLING 50
WRESTLING WONDERS PRESENTS THE PRO WRESTLING 50. RANKING THE 50 BEST WRESTLERS OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR OF 2011 FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 26TH DECEMBER PERIOD.
RANKINGS ARE BASED ON WRESTLING SKILL, IN RING PERFORMANCE AND NOT HOW MANY MATCHES, MAIN EVENT SPOTS NOR 'TOP OF THE COMPANY' PRESENTATION...
COUNTING DOWN FROM 50 - 25...
50
R-TRUTH
WWE
Competed in Royal Rumble on Jan 30th... Next night on Raw joined first ever 7 man Raw Rumble… 12 man tag win with babyfaces on Feb 15th with Edge, Mysterio, Morrison, Cena and Orton should have kept him in high esteem with key players… Cut an electric promo on the April 1st Raw draft show, which made 20 minutes of no draft picks entertaining for the very first time, in which Truth turned heel and set the stage alight, proving WWE’s most superior vocalist, which hadn’t been seen for a long time from anyone… April 11th saw Gauntlet challenge seeing off Ziggler and Morrison to prove heavyweight potential, only to be besmirched by John Cena… Over the Limit claimed Mysterio in singles competition… May 30th gave Truth huge win over Cena, though dismayed with no sell from John caused aspiration in character to dip for Truth as serious contender… Jun 20th lost him a Randy Riley Jimmy contest in a strong showing, propped up by Orton, freshman Riley, veteran Christian and The Miz to lend support… June 27th Raw saw Truth perform a level Tables match only to be castigated by a run in from CM Punk whom positioned Cena into Table viewpoint for Truth to smash Cena through, picking up blunt scraps... Summerslam entered slow opening match to build red herring Del Rio, also in the match, for unsuspected WWE title win later that night… As Awesome Truth should have flew over many heads in WWE, however was grounded in a stagnated run failing to receive booking faith… Gained cheap win at Vengeance after a no sell from HHH and Punk… Found himself in a powerful position at Survivor Series against The Rock and John Cena, where Truth looked impressive in those short moments when locking up with ‘The Great One’.
Missed 30 days instantly afterward, in which no new players lived up to his hype...
49
MIKE MONDO
OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING
Feb 5th’s Saturday night special for OVW saw inability to wrest Cliff Compton’s heavyweight title in a mild demand… Victories in OVW in February rebuilt challenger graciously… Four Corners Survival match alongside Andy Ridge
Consistent former stable member can claim singles domination, may need a wider platform for recognition, though gathering pace for OVW as a stronghold… WWE should offer him a contract, though may be too stubborn with pride… Mondo, in physical shape and credible talent, would be a sore loss to OVW, who have donated time to Mondo's nourishment… Mondo has prospects in any organisation that would seek him, no doubt…
48
BRUTUS MAGNUS
TNA
Needs more respect from TNA bookers, should consider peering into options with WWE should they come knocking, they could do with a Brit whom contains flair, gusto and devotion… 25 year old talker has wit and intent in promos, other promotions could use him beneficial should TNA neglect that quality…
47
JAY BRISCOE
RING OF HONOR
Bled heavily against Strong in their January 15th title collision which he lost…With briother Mark, suffered loss to Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas, Eliminated as a pair in PWG’s DDT4 tournament at the start of March… Claimed victims in Rhett Titus and Kenny King during an animalistic strret fight on May 21st… June and August saw the homophobe emerge within Pugh, posting abuse on Twitter, to which ROH management stamped out forcing an apolgy from Briscoe… September 17th bore witness to insane blade jobbing against ANX at Ladder War III…
Brutal attitude holds his inner self back, unwillingly to support others potential means Jay will be stuck in tag team role, cannot amount to anything in any other division or ptomotion for that matter… Has done all he can…
46
MARK BRISCOE
RING OF HONOR
Paired with brother Jay, both seem to be focused on illustrated stunts than sole wrestling entertainment levels as their priority…. Stronger of the two in singles action… Mark has most potential in singles areas, though both are officially typecast after winning Final Battle every year they perform on it…
45
BOBBY FISH
FREELANCE / NOAH
FREELANCE / NOAH
Accompanied Eddie Edwards, against Yoshinari Ogawa and Kotaro Suzuki on Jan 15th for Pro Wrestling NOAH in fixed, confrontational fanfare… Returned favour losing following night to Suzuki… Didn’t receive supportive wins until March 12th and 13th at NOAH’s Day 1 and 2 events for Navigation theme, in successful tag action with Brian Breaker and Trevor Murdoch… May regained stride fortifying monumental win over Austin Aries at Evolve #8… Challenged Low Ki at FIP Full Force… Joined forces with Roderick Strong in June against Kotaro and Ricky Marvin… Teamed with the late Bison Smith… Returned at Evolve #9 on 26th July to best Jon Davis and Kevin Steen in a disorderly unsanctioned 3 way street fight… Fell to Takuma Sano on Nov 5th… Following night fell to KENTA in a benevolent, dimensional contrast of a challenge… Headed into NOAH’s Global League on Day’s 2 and 3 with Sano and KENTA respectively… Won Day 4 on November 8th against Shuhei Taniguchi raising likelihood of challenger roles… Equal wins and loses in November after drawing to a close, gaining successful win with Sano on the 13th and final day for NOAH’s yearly Global League against Kento Miyahara and Yutaka Yoshie…
Continental 32 year muscle man has big potential in the west if given devotion… Big fish in a small pond, is almost ready to fly out of it… Needs to be given higher platform in any organisation booked for in order to prove that further towards title contention…
44
KOFI KINGSTON
WWE
Started January effectively on the 7th with Intercontinental win forcing strap from Dolph Ziggler's waist on Smackdown.... Elimination Chamber singles match with Del Rio showed tremendous heart, though as champion, shouldn't have been booked to someone of Del’s Rios force…Wade Barrett winched the strap from him on March 22nd… 1:34 minute match at Wrestlemania further projected Kingston as a joke… Switching brands with Sheamus, Kingston , now Raw superstar had task of bringing US Kingston
Supportive bookend to mid card structure is firmly placed on the outer end failing to edge inward… Desperately needs a heel turn to inundate spectators… At 30 years of age, needs to prove himself further in order to aspire to heavyweight title/division before deemed too late…
Supportive bookend to mid card structure is firmly placed on the outer end failing to edge inward… Desperately needs a heel turn to inundate spectators… At 30 years of age, needs to prove himself further in order to aspire to heavyweight title/division before deemed too late…
43
ADAM COLE
RING OF HONOR
Began Jan 7th with successful defence of CZW Jr heavyweight championship against Ruckus… Partook further loses in January to Mike Bennett, the Bravados and Rhett Titus… Defended CZR title on UK shores successfully against Joey Hayes... March and start of April became subdued at ROH, though joined with Kyle O’Reilly in a duo that has taken notice positively… Six back to back triumphs, one as champion, against Gargano and O’Reilly in a 3 way challenge as well as Zack Sabre Jr and Austin Aries created atmospheric tones... Received wins at ROH in May before being dropped in July, fought Edwards and Richards with O’Reilly on July 9th as a dependable set... August and September noticed good stead continue, with Oct 1st in Germany for CZW defending against Chuck Taylor, gaining the win… Not respected enough with ROH once again with all five losses in November, Nov 12th finally saw loss of Jr heavyweight title to Sami Callihan... Further back to back loses in December from ROH, was allowed one round approval before failing to advance to the next on Dec 23rd with O’Reilly, at Final Battle…
May be doomed in ROH, needs further development in their eyes, though unwilling to give support to him, Cole could be on a rocky road again…
42
DOUGLAS WILLIAMS
TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION
First match of the year in January saw loss of TNA TV title to Abyss of all people… Jan 31st featured 3 way loss with Jay Lethal to Jeremy Buck... Failed to regain tag titles with Magnus at Slammiversary in June… Destination X saw Williams tame fellow Brit Mark Haskins in what was a competitive bout... Further losses in July and August as a pair with Magnus initiated fallout…. December saw Williams return to tag action with Robbie E… Ended the year a night later with a placid win over Gunner…
Like Magnus, is on shaky ground in TNA, needs further booking consistency, A performer who can shape and work others in roles shouldn’t be under utilised… Needs heartier roles, consider further upping on the card...
41
MIKE BENNETT
RING OF HONOR
Excellent year sustained at beginning of year in singles competition back to back, up to Feb 26th where he also won a four corners survival against Steve Corino, Kyle O’Reilly and Grizzly Redwood at ROH‘s 9th anniversary show, enamouring him with a title opportunity as successor of the ‘top prospect tournament‘… Defy or Deny saw Christopher Daniels retain the TV title on March 18th… March and May saw further success over Corino and Redwood separately… Wasn’t Best In The World against Jay Lethal on June 26th… July 8th saw win over Kenny King and loss to King’s tag pard Rhett Titus in a well worked match… Went over on August 13th with Jimmy Jacobs… October 1st saw 15 minute draw over the TV title with Lethal… Nov 5th delivered sparklers in a lesser noticed win… November 6th bore witness to charismatic challenge with El Generico… Survival Of The Fittest on 18th couldn’t surpass Eddie Edwards in another defining divulge... Southern Defiance dropped Adam Cole in another pleasing portrayal… Travelled North to dent T.J Perkins at Northern Aggression on December 4th… Ended 2011 in a near miss from Final Battle in 3 way elimination action with El Generico and retaining champion Jay Lethal for the ROH World TV title, which also saw him accompanied by Maria Kanellis …
Cannot deny Bennett is fully respected by ROH… Has poise to claim title gold in 2012... With impressive record, would be foolish not to… Recently began YouTube shows as ROH’s version to Zack Ryder, which can also see real life girlfriend Maria Kanellis involved as his Christmas present…
40
ALEX RILEY
WWE
Joined mentor The Miz to combat opposing team of Jerry Lawler and Randy Orton on the Jan 10th Raw in a good starting match for Riley, on the flagship show... Entered first ever 40 man Royal Rumble as #34... February 28th saw first prolific match against John Cena in a Steel Cage match taking an arbitrary loss, which should have seen Cena sell for the newbie in order to create another performer WWE needed… March, April and May gave breathe to singles competition, however flawed choices to loss were booked… Made Wrestlemania main event match without being in a single match… Gained first biggest match of career on PPV against Cena at Over The Limit in May, which saw the WWE championship on the line in a Handicap “I Quit” match, in which Riley did most of the work handsomely… Turned baby face the following night, directing blame toward The Miz, in a excellent heartfelt brawl…Teamed with Cena against Miz and R-Truth with another disabling loss… Finally got the green light at Capitol Punishment where the 30 year old divulged gracious flair quelling The Miz for his first gargantuan win… Defeated The Miz before standing shoulder to shoulder with Rey Mysterio to surplant Miz and Jack Swagger… Included in the courageous Money In The Bank match at very PPV for the Raw brand against 7 other men in an exhilarating scramble which highlighted potential as main eventer… July and August claimed victories over Swagger and company favourite Dolph Ziggler… Vocal interactions with Vickie Guerrero and Ziggler stimulated audience… End of August and September’s beginning saw toppling of Swagger again, then on favourable side of 8 man tag and then with John Morrison one week later in matches that really showed talented outings… Lost Night Of Champions against Ziggler in a four man position which became a boisterous delight… Started return to Superstars show… Lost huge potential earner for Cody Rhodes' Intercontinental championship, along with 8 other men in a threatening parlour… Further Superstars showings… Was allowed out to play on October 11th for the 41 man Smackdown Battle Royal bonanza… Embroiled with Michael Mc Guillicutty on the derogatory C Brand Superstars…
2011 was supposed to be the hotly tipped year for Riley… Upset someone in WWE headquarters for undisclosed reasons, deflating push… Fanbase in place, wasted on Superstars… Has clinical structure to support WWE’s ailing walls… Needs faith given to project the magic he created in 2011, proving higher than most on the very roster in place… Made numerous main event matches without competing early on, which can only highlight potential…
39
CHUCK TAYLOR
CHIKARA
Participation at Dragon Gate USA saw tight tag pairings with Johnny Gargano with victories on Jan 28th and 29th at Dragon Gate USA’s New York and Philly events… Returned to CHIKARA: King of Sequel card on July 30th as part of trios in 6 man tag bouts with range over the coming months… Dabbled occasionally in singles, on form… Defeated Akira Tozawa at Evolve#7 on April 19th… Followed up for Evolve #9, conquering ally for most of the year, Gargano on July 26th… Consecutive days in September on 10th and 11th saw the national hero achieve successes with Dragon Gate, embodied with two further ventures a week later with CHIKARA… Challenged Adam Cole for the Junior Heavyweight title in Germany Taylor
Cogent success in a spacious year, amusing finishing move with the grenade endorses entertainment principals to audience…Strengthened tag specialist will need to eventually attain in-depth lone standing amid the near future… One to watch…
38
SHEAMUS
WWE
Received huge praise from company working for, complete with babyface turn to facilitate new hope for a future… Slotted into role reversal easily to mass surprise… King of The Ring gimmick became surfeited, waiting for the impending Triple H of doom return… Threw Hornswoggle out of the Royal Rumble match to huge elation… Triple H returned earlier than expected after a lengthy build up in an originally planned Wrestlemania epic King v King collision which HHH swapped for a greater prospect on the April 3rd supershow, killing off Sheamus in a February 28th beat down which battered his backstage protégé on screen to a pulp to prove WWE pecking order belongs to Triple H alone… Gave benevolence to the Celtic Warrior in a street fight on March 19th at Madison Square Garden
Will now be the new face of Smackdown rapidly, where the 33 year old is earmarked to attain the World title at some point… When he does, however, he will receive no interest from fans, which sees the powerhouse characterisation whom can only use a clothesline over and over, having lost all his glamour previously earned… Ends the year with a string of December victories over jobbers and the occasional star in similar position to him in a careless manner that should really be building his future opponents…
37
MICHAEL ELGIN
RING OF HONOR
Jan 21st started the year with sweet success depleting Bobby Dempsey for ROH… Proved excellent worker for talent booked against him in losses to Kyle O’Reilly, Christopher Daniels, El Generico and Eddie Edwards and then O’Reilly and partner Adam Cole, against himself and Mike Mondo at ROH shows from January to March 19th… Snared a win from El Genercio in a fine offering between the two where both worked perfectly for one another at ROH’s Centre Stage event on April 1st… Fell to Daniels the next night… May 6th and 7th rewarded Elgin handsomely against Andy Ridge then a Double Danger Scramble in an entertaining equilibrium… Supported staff over the summer... October 1st saw singles victory and tag deflation in double duty of the night… Honoured in November in a fabulous Survival of the Fittest 6 man match and four corners survival exchange the following night on the 19th… December saw Honor Rumble entry at Southern Defiance… 8 person elimination tag match and a pinfall over TJ Perkins ends Elgin’s 2011 career highlights on December 23rd at Final Battle in a tenacious screening…
Constant booking designated as support mechanism to others in numerous match archetypes hasn’t gone unnoticed, however needs direction with singles competition… Must be provided with reinforced power over key players… Classed as someone who does what he is booked into very well… Has more to offer…
36
ADAM PEARCE
NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE
Pearce’s third NWA title reign was squandered by Colt Cabana on March 6th… As part of Juggalo Championship Wrestling on July 20th fought with Colt Cabana charismatically... July 31st saw fourth title reign occur once more, defeating Chance Prophet, Jimmy Rave and Shaun Tempers in a exciting four way to lift the vacant title… Pearce was again, the only credible candidate…
Ends year as two time, current NWA world champion… Booker, actor and wrestler, Pearce had to step down as head booker due to family obligations, though his showings remained talented and consistent, where he still remains NWA World Heavyweight championship at this time… She Wants Me, also stars Charlie Sheen and Hilary Comrie, which can only enhance the Hollywood tone to the organisation and Pearce as champion… Held title since March 14th 2010... Though only 2011 has been counted for this ranking, Pearce gleams prestige for NWA…
35
CODY RHODES
WWE
Clawed way back to the top in 2011... Missed Royal Rumble in order to receive a face mask gimmick which wasn't interesting after 2 months… Wrestlemania in April saw overrun success defeating Mysterio from their feud leading up to it propelling Rhodes further along… Took a brief dip when reforming tandem with Ted DiBiase… As servant and then opponent, bested Million Dollar DiBiase to raise stock level… June 20th Raw with Daniel Bryan was contested under No Countout rules… Following Smackdown saw Bryan belittled by Rhodes in victory… Took off with his paper bags over the head initiative, in which fans were pleased to put a bag over themselves… Quashed bland beefcake Ezekiel Jackson on June 28th… Failed to snare briefcase as hot favourite in the Money In The Bank Ladder match for the Smackdown brand, which highlight main event potential… August 9th confirmed that with Intercontinental title switch… As champion, successfully felled Jackson in rematch on the 16th … Supported a jobbers battle royale for Mark Henry which should not have seen him be a part of… Night of Champions saw fabulous fumble with DiBiase in IC tile defence for old adversaries … Revealed new IC title, in the form of previous white trimmed championship which regained honour and prestige to title and Rhodes as champion… Kept that title against John Morrison at Hell In A Cell... Had epic encounters with Randy Orton, including their street fight on Smackdown on November 4th... Saw challenges against favourites Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, and Dolph Ziggler in thrilling teasers… November 20th placed Rhodes firmly on map as survivor in the 5 man Survivor Series elimination match up, alongside Wade Barrett… Absurd TLC attacks on Booker T dissolved what became a good match considering… Ended December 26th with a favourable return of loss to Booker T in a fair ending…
Once knocked by McMahon for smaller build, Rhodes has become standout among the roster from his four year put down… Given the platform, the lesser tag specialist is the sole performer where he sits atop the mid card with bedazzling aura and sinister tones… Within a year could become top of pecking order if WWE allow that vehicle to gather steam… Likely to face Sheamus and Daniel Bryan over the course off 2012...
34
SETH ROLLINS
FLORIDA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING / WWE
Superb consistency for FCW totalling 29 wins over 20 losses in gripping roles being no stranger to championship gold… March 9th planned to obtain Lucky Cannon’s FCW heavyweight title among two other men in a frivolous four way… On the 17th surpassed tag partner Richie Steamboat for the Florida 15 title… April witnessed both rejoin to claim tag titles with considerate defences over Brett DiBiase and Cannon, Conor O’Brien and Husky Harris and Hunico and Epico all on separate occasions… Dropped those titles on May 12th at tag showcase tournament to Big E. Langston and Calvin Raines in a focused forward step... Dabbled with Damien Sandow in a moderate 15 minute match, before more tag team participation… June 30th saw Florida 15 title defence over Rick Victor… Began on June 21st against his most respectable opponent Dean Ambrose where both have created capable credentials… Sept 2nd saw vengefied Sandow best Rollins for the 15 title… Fair showings afterwards towards end of the year… December 15th saw last encounter of 2011 score pinfall over Jinder Mahal...
Dec 27th dark match occurred in a loss to Skip Sheffield for the Smackdown brand, where the 25 year old Lopez may be headed… Would be instantly accepted by masses for excellent ring work and youth market… After lengthy time in FCW has no need to remain there exhausted anymore…
33
RICOCHET
DRAGON GATE
March 1st saw 23 year old’s loss to PAC, in an Open The Brave Gate championship as challenger to PAC’s title lasting over a 15 minute courageous culmination… Paired with El Generico to put on a spectacle against the Young Bucks for PWG Subject to change III in April… At All Star showings for PWG lost to Steen and Akira Tozawa in tag action, partnered with El Generico in yet another dazzling delight… June 18th saw loss to PAC in another gripping title challenge on Japanese shores…Claimed DG tag team titles with Blood Warrior CIMA…Made it third time lucky by besting PAC for his title over in Osaka lasting almost 23 minutes for the 23 year old in a matured mash up on Nov 19th…
32
BOBBY ROODE
TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION
Faithful TNA pushed its favoured homegrown flower aiming to blossom vivdly... In January, supported tag team division with James Storm lucratively all the way to April without one damaged loss… May, July and August propped up more success… June 28th and July 26th saw minimal singles tests which weren’t secured after tag team domination where TNA probably should not have booked someone aiming to ascend into… All six weekly outings became enthusiastic for Roode which catapulted him into title contention for the heavyweight gold against Kurt Angle at Bound For Glory in October, which caused a baffling ripple in TNA’s turbulent waters… Best pal and tag pard Storm would claim the title on the same night to mass confusion… October 26th finally saw Roode reclaim what was felt should be his, weeks before with Angle, when he dropped Storm for the title on Impact… Would defend in rematch instantly on same night, keeping Storm silenced… Fended off Styles on Nov 13 to retain… Played around with former TNA brass in rat race scurrying matches before December 11th arrived seeing a 30 minute Ironman draw on pinfalls against AJ Styles at Final Resolution which became a rather disjointed state in hindsight... One night later the same travesty resulted in a draw based on timing factors… Then went on to submit Styles following on from this, seeing December 12th stamped in the diary as misguided instead of clever… Lost street fight against Jeff Hardy and Sting to end the year one night later on the 14th with Bully Ray and Angle in a 6 man tag which ended in a no contest draw once more…
Irrational and illogical booking to TNA’s homegrown produce cannot contain credibility as intended… Once relieved of TNA title, may become comedy champion further on in receival of strap with yo-yo booking procedure… May have felt the Russo effect… If it isn’t one Vince, it’s the other…D-Generation X rip off with Strom didn’t captivate mass audience, only to be viewed as a poor man’s Triple H at best… May now have a mountain to prove due to being held back in October whom should have seen Bobby blossom…
31
DEAN AMBROSE (JON MOXLEY)
FLORIDA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING / WWE
Then Jon Moxley, held victories over Brodie Lee, and submission of Jigsaw at CZW & DGUSA in January, which became standard filler match in roughly six minutes… Lost grudge match to BxB Hulk in a No DQ four minutes short of 8 (7:56) after costing Hulk the championship previous night before… Beat Homicide in a street fight on Jan 30th… Dropped CZW title to Robert Anthony in an intense bout… Battled Austin Aries at Evolve #7 resulting in a loss in an aggressive encounter… Joined FCW in May… Since May 26 until July 8th won every consecutive match showing… First title match on Sept 1st unsuccessful… Contained showing in 6 man tag supremacy above Antonio Cesaro & Damien Sandow… Sept 18th saw 30 minute time limit draw and loss to Seth Rollins in a structured mat based battle… Fodder to CM Punk 8 days later saw a loss at FCW after having Punk down for a 3 fall with no ref to count… Participated in the dark match battle royal on Dec 5th (Dolph Ziggler won)… Fertile match up with Daniel Bryan on December 16th house shows for WWE, gaining notoriety… Challenged Ted DiBiase on Dec 19th and 20th in dark matches…
30
BLUE DEMON JR
LUCHA FUTURE
Started New Year’s day with a bang winning a 2 out of 3 falls tag match via DQ… Fell to El Hijo del Santo on the 14th… End of March saw redeeming return to tag action in 6 man tag 2 of 3 falls in another exciting deliverance… April saw more tag action intuitively… 15th May witnessed arousing retention of PWR championship… Teamed with Cassandro to best Dr.Cerebro and Magno at Lucha Future at the roundhouse in Camden, London, in a fulfilling frenzy on 24th June… Won and lost over the following two nights in still entertaining encounters… On 30th July, Demon defended PWG title once more against Oliver John to remain victorious… 24th July entered a No Contest with teamates L.A Park and Cassandro in a progressive posture... End of October saw him claim Carlito, Colt Cabana and Rikishi in another good 6 man tag 2 of 3 falls battle… November ended with three consecutive wins, the last in December defending the PWG title once again to success…
29
KEVIN STEEN
RING OF HONOR
Returned from Final Battle for a showing with PWG in January… Re-appeared in March with Akira Towaza for PWG’s all star weekend which was fruitful… July and August claimed back to back victories over many including Pac and Eddie Edwards, however couldn’t topple Bobby Fish on July 26th at Evolve #9 which saw an unsanctioned street fight 3 way along with Jon Davis… Saw off competition from Richards as champion at PWG: Perils of Rock n Roll Decadence… Lost over a month later on Oct 22nd in a smashing ladder match with El Generico… Fought Harry Smith on Nov 25th for RPW‘s debut show… Then relieved the Jackson’s (Matt and Nick) with Super Dragon to lift the PWG tag titles on December 10th… Resurfaced at ROH Final Battle on the 23rd one year on from expulsion in another interesting match with Steve Corino…
28
CHRIS HERO
FREELANCE / RING OF HONOR
Entered a string of matches in 2011, slow start in January before foxing Kevin Steen at the end of the month for PWG… Regained solstice with former pal Claudio Castagnoli (Anthony Cesaro) seeing title win on Feb 26th before March saw them fight off Homicide and Hernandez to lose the ROH tag titles the next night on April 1st to Haas and Benjamin… Showed potential in Japan for the NOAH organisation in April, and again in May over the pond in the UK, May 6th saw the Kings of Wrestling gain victory over Edwards and Richards in an almost perfect match… Hero then jobbed for Edwards expertly… May - August and October (where he adopted the Chris Hyde name) weren’t kind to the 32 year old aiming for higher prospects, left Final Battle with a loss to Roderick Strong on the 23rd December…
Spradlin’s options are still open with WWE, and has the chance to develop a sound structured basis with continuity among dominance in order to impress… At 32, the time bomb is ticking, but is available to him should he press forward with signings…
27
ANTONIO CESARO (CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI)
FLORIDA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING / WWE
Whirlwind year for 31 year old Swiss grappler… March with CHIKARA saw designated victories in tag and singles encounters… Lost to Davey Richards on March 18th in a career enhancing spot… Following night saw defence of ROH Tag Team titles only to lose them on April 1st to Haas and Benjamin… As PWG champion defended credibly against Joey Ryan on April 9th… Joined the NOAH Global tag tournament in April which proved stand out matches… At ROH Revolution on May 6th met and defeated American Wolves Richards and Edwards, with Chris Hero… Gained successes over in the UK with NOAH’s European Invasion… May saw events at CHIKARA and PWG faithfully rewarding without one loss, having successful title defences accordingly above former partner Hero and Low Ki also… PWG Eight Tourny fended off Hero, to fall next night against Kevin Steen in a steady
… Had to take losses in July to August, proving melodic input remains translatable... Joined FCW in September where he remains, ending the year with a 7- 5 win loss record…
title match
26
A.J STYLES
TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION
Returned from hip injury in Jan… On 31st, joined babyface turn for Fortune faction members, which became squandered… February 1st with Angle took down both Jeff’s (Hardy and Jarrett) on Impact… Put Matt Hardy over on the 14th, then bested him one month later in March at awful PPV Victory Road in the only brilliant match on the card… Next night on the 14th had four way non sensical no contest… March 17th commandeered from TV, selling storyline injury at the hands of Bully Ray, where the Phenomenal one was powerbombed off the stage into a table below… Returned exactly one month later to perform crazy stunt from atop a lighting pedestal onto Bully Ray in their Last Man Standing match on June 12th which rang a loony tune in booking procedure when Styles lost… July proved anti climactic, with a jaded yet willing match at Destination X… Until back on the victorious path at beginning of August to then lose the second half of the month’s proceedings… September and October provided populous tag success… On from this, re-fought Daniels at Bound For Glory in a surreal “I Quit” match… Lost at Turning Point in a gratifying demur to Bobby Roode for the TNA World title… Continued to put Roode over in November tag matches, before December's singles action with Bobby… December 11th contested a 30 minute Ironman draw irking fans with a cheap no result. making both competitors seem weak when they should have been recognised for their aims of outstanding display… Rest of December sits with Kazarian in tag matches…
Frustrated Allen Lloyd Jones may be stuck in a tricky position with TNA… Done almost everything possible, now finding himself propped up in tag matches as his main focus without tag title thrusts… Should think on a new, raw, unseen angle to re-embody fans… Real life Action Man figure wouldn’t have space in WWE, meaning TNA is only option… Verbal skills must be strengthened rather than just getting by…Will have to prove to booking office he can provide core strength to the centre of the organisation which used to see Styles as its centrefold…
25
RODERICK STRONG
RING OF HONOR
Competed against Davey Richards, The Briscoes and El Generico at ROH: Champions V All Stars, where as champion, lost in 8 man tag kafuffle… Following night saw him defeat non entity Jay Briscoe to retain Heavyweight title…More wins than losses in January, only defeat being to Richards… Robust title defences back to back in January until meeting with an unsuspecting Eddie Edwards on March 19th at Manhattan Mayhem IV, which saw loss of World title… Lost to Richards on April 1st following title defeat, becoming sacrificial lamb to both Wolves… Joined Bobby Fish on June 11th to win in NOAH’s Navigation with Breeze tournament… Days 4, 7, 8 and 11 weren't ‘strong’ for Roddy, but the rest were… Losing streak continued till November 14th, after which losses carried on… Ends the year on Dec 10th and 23rd with victories over Amazing Red and Chris Hero at Final Battle, respectively…
28 year old rode high as champion. Now fallen, needs to reclaim main event position... Has the man power to do so... Needs to stand out again to ROH, receiving the nod to sit with Richards and Edwards again… Strong title defences back to back from January until meeting Edwards on March 19th, only showed a glint of Rod’s aura… With company preparing to evolve Richards and Edwards for grand battle, company managed to bypass dependable talent in Strong… Needs re-evaluation process positively by ROH pronto…
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