wrestling / Columns

411’s Wrestler of the Week – Ambrose Battles Strong

December 1, 2015 | Posted by Larry Csonka

Welcome to YEAR ELEVEN, WEEK 35 of 411’s Wrestler of the Week. A quick overview of the rules to kick things off for us as a reminder…

Each writer chooses FIVE wrestlers (although ties and tag teams are allowed, and more on a special occasion) 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 around WrestleMania. This will be posted every Tuesday (the voting week runs Monday through Sunday). Let’s see who wins this week…

Larry Csonka
1) Roderick Strong:
Roderick Strong defeated Jay Lethal in a great match on ROH TV to win the ROH TV Title. Strong closes out this chapter of their rivalry with the big win, ending Lethal’s 567-day run with the title (with 36 defenses). Strong also becomes only the second man to win the title a second time, behind Lethal.

2) Dean Ambrose: Defeated both Tyler Breeze and Dolph Ziggler on Smackdown (in a damn fine little match) to earn a shot at the WWE IC Title. Ambrose will move on to face Kevin Owens at TLC, in what should be another great outing from the two.
3) Tetsuya Naito & EVIL: Having a strong run in the NJPW World Tag League, defeating ROH Tag Champs The Kingdom and five-time IWGP Tag Team Champions Tencozy to prove that they are the real deal right now.
4) Santana Garrett
5) Lashley

Kevin Pantoja
1) Roderick Strong:
This was an easy choice for number one. Roderick Strong has been in a rivalry with ROH World and Television Champion Jay Lethal for most of the second half of the year. They first had an hour draw at Death Before Dishonor, which I didn’t love. They bested it in a World Title match in September where Lethal retained. They had the final match of their trilogy this week on ROH TV, for the Television Title. I honestly feel like this was the best match of their series this year and Strong was able to capture the gold. Doing so not only makes him the second two time TV Champion (with Lethal), but he ended Lethal’s record 567 day reign as champion. That included a ridiculous 36 successful defenses. I won’t imagine Roderick’s reign will be anything like that, but I hope for one full of great matches, which seems to be all that Roderick Strong can have these days.

2) Dean Ambrose: After coming up short in the finals of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament at Survivor Series, Dean Ambrose set his sights elsewhere. He competed in a tag team match on Raw where he pinned Tyler Breeze following Dirty Deeds. His main reason for coming in second this week happened on Smackdown, so maybe a lot of people missed it. In a really good main event, he defeated Breeze and Dolph Ziggler to become the number one contender to Kevin Owens’ WWE Intercontinental Title. Their match at Survivor Series was good and I’m betting there is something better coming down the line.
3) Santana Garrett: So, 2015 has been quite the year for Santana Garrett. Coming into this week, she not only held the NWA Women’s Championship, but she was also the reigning SHINE Champion. Those are the two biggest but she actually also holds many other titles for various independent promotions. This week, she beat Shirai to win the Wonder of Stardom Title, adding to the ridiculous amount of gold that she already holds. That’s the top title for Stardom and continues the big 2015 for her. She’s one of the top female talents not currently signed to the WWE, where I’d like to see her soon.
4) Bayley
5) Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson

Mike Chin
1) Roderick Strong:
Jay Lethal has been dominant in ROH this year, so it’s a big deal that Strong relieved him of double title duty by capturing the TV Championship.

2) Roman Reigns: Reigns has shored up his spot as the screwed-over hero, and delivered this week in the ring opposite Rusev, and on reasonably well on the mic.
3) Santana Garrett: Garrett continues to collect women’s gold, winning the Wonder of Stardom Championship to pair with her NWA Women’s Championship, as she solidifies her spot as quite arguably the top female performer not working under a WWE/NXT contract.
4) Bayley
5) Lashley

Ryan Byers
1) Rod Strong:
In a slow week for WWE, probably the best thing that happened was the Television Title match for Ring of Honor, which saw Strong go head-to-head with Jay Lethal. Believe it or not, these two have been familiar with one another for a decade now, and it showed, as they had an excellent battle. Strong came out on top, not only capturing the championship but also pinning the company’s World Heavyweight Champion and snapping a long unbeaten streak by Lethal. (Yes, Virginia, some wrestling companies still book their champions as the strongest guys in the promotion.)

2) Roman Reigns: I thought that Reigns rebounded well after a lousy week last week, putting on a fairly strong performance against Rusev in the main event of Monday Night Raw and them moving on to show some good fire in a promo on Smackdown. I get the impression that, slowly but surely, Roman is clicking with fans more and more . . . now let’s just see if he can start to deliver some ratings.
3) Isami Kodaka: Kodaka is the NEW KO-D Openweight Champion, the top honor in Japan’s DDT promotion. Kodaka, who beat former MMA fighter Yokio Sakaguchi, has had some fun title runs throughout his career, but this is his first time holding the key championship in any promotion. I’m interested in seeing what he can do in this role.
4) Dory Funk, Jr.
5) Santana Garrett

Justin Watry
1) Sheamus:
You have to assume this has been Sheamus’ best week in WWE since, what? Late 2009? Middle of 2010 when he was WWE Champion a second time? Maaaaybe 2012 as World Champion? Regardless, it has been years since The Celtic Warrior has been on top of the company, and it is good to see him get another chance. While most think Roman Reigns will simply win the WWE World Title back at TLC, a part of me hopes that is delayed until the 2016 Royal Rumble. Let Sheamus get a little something out of this. Believe it or not folks, he IS very talented.

2) Eva Marie: Back in June, I wrote a column about giving Eva Marie time to improve, and when she does, it will make for great NXT programming. Here we are in late November, and lo and behold – the girl delivered in a MAIN EVENT championship bout. The paranoia of the fans and the entire ‘corporate’ story line was played to perfection. In the end, Bayley retained the NXT Womens Title. It may not last forever, but for one night – Eva Marie lived up to her potential. Kudos!
3) Santana Garrett: Interviewed her last year for 411mania – happy to see her succeed after leaving TNA Impact Wrestling. Seems to be a trend, huh?
4) Dean Ambrose
5) Sami Zayn

Chad Perry
1) Roderick Strong:
This week had a very clear number one. Strong has put together one of the best years that any wrestler has ever had. While our voting does not show it, he truly has been Mr. ROH this year; the struggle is that so many of his great performances were on the house show circuit. Along with the incredible year in ROH Roddy has matched that at PWG and is certainly a strong candidate for WOTY. Lethal had a great run with the belt and while I would have loved to see a young star (ACH had been where my money was at) be the one to take the strap, Roddy is certainly a worthy follow-up.

2) Dean Ambrose: For the first time in about a year Roman and Dean actually appear to be doing their own things, and it is refreshing. Now after I write this we will probably see the two team up to take on members of the Foreign Kingdom, but for now it has been refreshing. While I do not agree with Breeze being the one taking the fall on Thursday night, it was still the right and logical call to have Ambrose win. Ambrose and Owens have had two good matches in the last month and given enough time at TLC they could certainly produce a great match.
3) The New Day: Raw & SmackDown were both very pedestrian this week. However two segments that were highly entertaining both featured The New Day. On Raw they celebrated their one year anniversary and had plenty of fun at the Nashville crowd’s expense. Thursday night featured Xavier Woods as the Goobledy Gooker, I mean really what more needs to be said. The trio continues to be the most entertaining act in WWE, and just released a new t-shirt today on WWEShop!
4) Austin Aries
5) The Addiction

Wyatt Beougher
1) Roderick Strong:
Detractors will chalk it up to a slow week for WWE, but Roderick Strong had an awesome match with Jay Lethal and defeated Ring of Honor’s (now formerly) dual champion to relieve him of his Television Championship. Lethal is having as dominant a year as anyone in the United States, so for him to not only lose, but to lose one of his championships, is a huge deal, and Strong deserves the top spot this week.

2) Santana Garrett: Already the NWA Women’s Champion, Garrett added the Wonder of Stardom Championship to her resume after defeating Io Shirai in a match that had both Garrett’s and Shirai’s respective championships on the line. Garrett has been flying under the radar this year, but PWI did have her at number four in its 2015 Female 50 list, which is based solely on kayfabe accomplishments, so she definitely deserves some recognition. Amazing that in two stints in TNA, she was used as little more than a jobber in a tired stalker gimmick.
3) Dean Ambrose: I’m still not sold on WWE believing Ambrose is anything more than Roman Reigns’ little buddy and permanent midcarder, but he did pick up two relatively high profile wins on RAW and Smackdown this week after a solid night at Survivor Series last week, so maybe I’ll be proven wrong yet.
4) Bayley
5) Dory Funk Jr

Mike Hammerlock
1) Roderick Strong:
When’s the last time somebody beat Jay Lethal in a title match? Strong’s win is a very big deal and it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving winner. Strong has been as good in the ring as anyone on the planet in 2015.

2) Dean Ambrose: A bright spot in a sea of WWE dreck.
3) Santana Garrett: Arguably became Queen of the Indies this week. In other women’s news Bayley managed to carry Eva Marie to a passable match (which was once thought impossible).
4) Bayley
5) Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma

Aaron Scott
1) Roderick Strong: Strong has been called Mr. ROH but Jay Lethal has always been one step ahead. However winning clean, when interference was banned and by submission no less to take the TV title makes him the man in Ring of Honor. This is well deserved.

2) Lashley: The Destroyer beat Austin Aries in the main event of TNA Impact and eliminated him from the World Title Series. If you can do that, you are the new favorite to become World Champion.
3) Santana Garrett: The current NWA Women’s Champion and is now also the new Wonder of Stardom Champion. She is building her career, setting records and taking titles across the world. This is what being a pro wrestler is all about.
4) Yoshikazu Yokoyama
5) Kendo Kashin

Jack McGee
1) Roderick Strong:
Roderick Strong defeated Champion Jay Lethal via submission to become the NEW ROH TV Champion. It was a great TV main event, with Strong scoring his second run as ROH TV Champion.

2) Dean Ambrose: Dean Ambrose defeated Dolph Ziggler and Tyler Breeze to become the #1 contender for the IC Title.
3) Santana Garrett: Santana Garrett defeated Io Shirai to become the NEW Wonder of Stardom Champion, adding to her insane collection of gold.
4) Lashley
5) Bayley

THE WINNERS~!
* Special Mention…Sheamus – 5 Votes

* Fifth Place…Lashley and Roman Reigns – 8 Votes

* Fourth Place…Bayley – 9 Votes

* Third Place…Santana Garrett – 24 Votes

The NEW Wonder of Stardom Champion!

* Second Place…Dean Ambrose – 25 Votes

The NEW #1 contender for the WE IC Title!

* And 411’s Wrestler of the Week is…
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Roderick Strong – 45 Votes

Your NEW ROH TV Champion!

The Standings
Here are the standings after week thirty-five…

1. John Cena – 80 pts.

2. Seth Rollins – 62 pts.
2. Kofi Kingston – 62 pts.
2. Big E – 62 pts.

5. Kevin Owens – 58 pts.

6. Roman Reigns – 57 pts.

7. Xavier Woods – 49 pts.

8. Shinsuke Nakamura – 48 pts.

9. Dean Ambrose – 45 pts.

10. Jay Lethal – 43 pts.
10. Prince Puma/Ricochet – 43 pts.

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Sasha Banks – 42 pts.

Bayley – 39 pts.
Kazuchika Okada – 39 pts.

Brock Lesnar – 33 pts.
Matt Hardy – 33 pts.

Finn Balor – 31 pts.
Mil Muertes – 31 pts.

Alberto Del Rio – 30 pts.
Cesaro – 30 pts.
Hiroshi Tanahashi – 30 pts.

KUSHIDA – 27 pts.
Kyle O’Reilly – 27 pts.

Ethan Carter III – 25 pts.
Timothy Thatcher – 25 pts.
Roderick Strong – 25 pts.

Drago – 24 pts.
Fenix – 24 pts.
Kota Ibushi – 24 pts.
AJ Styles – 24 pts.
Rocky Romero – 24 pts.
Trent Baretta – 24 pts.
Michael Elgin – 24 pts.

Sheamus – 22 pts.

Samoa Joe – 21 pts.
Nick Jackson – 21 pts.
Matt Jackson – 21 pts.
Hirooki Goto – 21 pts.

Eddie Edwards – 19 pts.
Davey Richards – 19 pts.

Matt Sydal – 18 pts.
Aerostar – 18 pts.
Bubba Ray Dudley – 18 pts.
D-Von Dudley – 18 pts.

Undertaker – 17 pts.

Zack Sabre Jr – 16 pts.

Hideo Itami – 15 pts.
Randy Orton – 15 pts.
Jeff Hardy – 15 pts.
Angelico – 15 pts.
Son of Havoc – 15 pts.
Kurt Angle – 15 pts.
Bobby Fish – 15 pts.
Togi Makabe – 15 pts.
Tomohiro Ishii – 15 pts.

Kazarian – 13 pts.
Christopher Daniels – 13 pts.
Sting – 13 pts.
Bobby Roode – 13 pts.

Rey Mysterio Jr. – 12 pts.
Naomichi Marufuji – 12 pts.
Atsushi Kotoge – 12 pts.
Daisuke Harada – 12 pts.
Katsuyori Shibata – 12 pts.
Mike Bennett – 12 pts.
Matt Taven – 12 pts.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey – 12 pts.
Rich Swann – 12 pts.
Ivelisse – 12 pts.
Drew Galloway – 12 pts.
Apollo Crews – 12 pts.
Scott Dawson – 12 pts.
Dash Wilder – 12 pts.

Becky Lynch – 10 pts.

Santana Garrett – 9 pts.
Ryback – 9 pts.
Jeff Jarrett – 9 pts.
Karl Anderson – 9 pts.
Sami Zayn – 9 pts.
Kimber Lee – 9 pts.
Cherry Bomb – 9 pts.

Kalisto – 7 pt.

Minoru Suzuki – 6 pts
Tigre Uno – 6 pts.
KAI – 6 pts.
Masato Tanaka – 6 pts.
Takashi Sugiura – 6 pts.
Charlotte – 6 pts.
King Bad News Barrett – 6 pts.
Nicole Matthews – 6 pts.
Johnny Gargano – 6 pts.
Gail Kim – 6 pts.

Neville – 5 pts.

Lashley – 3 pts.
Johnny Mundo – 3 pts.
Jack Evans – 3 pts.
Cage – 3 pts.
Madison Eagles – 3 pts.
Jay Briscoe – 3 pts.
Shingo – 3 pts.

Chris Hero – 1 pt.
PJ Black – 1 pt.
Pentagon Jr – 1 pt.
El Siniestro de la Muerte – 1 pt.
Barrio Negro – 1 pt.
Terce – 1 pt.
King Cuerno – 1 pt.
Mark Andrews – 1 pt.
Kenny King – 1 pt.
Kane – 1 pt.
Jey Uso – 1 pt.
Jimmy Uso – 1 pt.
Nikki Bella – 1 pt.
Jason Jordan – 1 pt.
Chad Gable – 1 pt.
Titus O’Neil – 1 pt.
Aiden English – 1 pt.
Simon Gotch – 1 pt.
Darren Young – 1 pt.
Kenny Omega – 1 pt.
Minoru Tanaka – 1 pt.
Tajiri – 1 pt.
Masato Yoshino – 1 pt.
Jun Kasai – 1 pt.
Manabu Soya – 1 pt.
Tetsuya Naito – 1 pt.