wrestling / Columns

411’s Wrestler of the Week – Did Angle Take #1?

March 24, 2015 | Posted by Larry Csonka

Welcome to YEAR TEN, WEEK 50 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) 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) Kurt Angle:
Kurt Angle defeated Lashley on Friday’s Impact to win the TNA World Title. I have been a critic of Angle recently as he’s appeared to be off his game, but the guy stepped it up and delivered an excellent match with Lashley. They worked to their strengths; they had a hot crowd and Angle once again become the TNA champion. Angle has repeatedly said that this is likely his last year, and if TNA can use him properly and keep his matches limited, he proved here that he can still provide the goods in a big time match.

2) Fenix & Mil Muertes: Fenix defeated Mil Muertes in the main event of this week’s Lucha Underground show in a Grave Consequences match. Overall this was a great match with an awesome fight feel that served as a tremendous conclusion to the feud. Quite honestly, this was one of the best matches that I have seen this year.
3) Rockstar Spud: Rockstar Spud cashed in his feast or fired briefcase to win the X-Division Title, his first major title run with the company.
4) Aerostar
5) Taryn Terrell

Kevin Pantoja
1) Rockstar Spud:
Yes, I know that someone else probably had the biggest win of the week but I had to go with Rockstar Spud. He made my list last week with what I called a star making performance against EC3, but he tops it here by capitalizing on that performance. A while back, he won an X Division title shot in the Feast or Fired match and cashed it in Money in the Bank style this week on Impact. Everything about it was done brilliantly. From the fact that it came after his showing last week, to it being in his home country, to the shock factor, it was all beautifully done and a feel good moment I won’t soon forget.

2) Kurt Angle: Kurt had the biggest win of the week, as he captured the TNA Heavyweight Title from Lashley in a great main event on another strong episode of Impact. Angle once again showed that he still can go with the best of them, though I’m not a fan of the decision. I think that TNA needs to move away from putting the belt on Kurt, like they’ve done so often. Still though, it was an impressive feat and deserving of a spot on this list.
3) Fenix: Lucha Underground is something you should be watching. I found it a bit late but binge watched it to catch up and have loved it. Fenix is probably my second or third favorite guy there right now (behind Prince Puma and Alberto El Patron). He met Mil Mascaras in a “Grave Consequences” match in the main event and they delivered. It was the best match in a week full of them. Hell, it’s one of the very best matches I’ve seen in Lucha Underground period.
4) The Wolves
5) Taryn Terrell

Mike Hammerlock
1) Fenix:
Bled buckets and had his mask ripped to shreds, but managed to beat Mil Muertes in a casket match. The storytelling during this match was superb. Fenix basically was trying to survive Muertes and find an opening. Ate a lung blower off the top rope and bumped like a maniac along the way. Both guys looked great. On top of that, the look of the match with Dia de los Muertos entrance for the casket and the build to the match was fantastic. Best U.S. television match of 2015 so far.

2) Kurt Angle: I’m ambivalent about Angle winning another title. TNA has a lot of worthies on the roster and I’m hoping he turns out to be a transitional champ. Yet there’s no arguing with the quality of the match he had against Lashley. The man can operate in that ring as well as just about anyone in history. They made a point out of noting this was his 14th world title, so don’t be surprised if he makes a push for 17.
3) Aerostar: Dynamite opening match on Lucha Underground against Drago. They’ve got some great ring chemistry and Aerostar has become one of my favorites on LU. He always puts on a hot match.
4) Mil Muertes
5) Taryn Terrell

Jack McGee
1) Kurt Angle:
On Friday’s edition of Impact, Kurt Angle defeated Lashley to win the TNA World Title. They had a damn fine match, and on a limited scale Angle can still weave some magic. As a long-term solution Angle is not the guy to focus on, but if this leads to an EC3 title program and win, it could end up as a great plan. Angle adds another title to his résumé, late in his career.

2) Fenix: Defeated Mil Muertes in a “Grave Consequences” match in this week’s Lucha Underground main event. It was an awesome match, easily the best TV match I have seen this year, and up there for MOTY consideration.
3) Taryn Terrell : Defeated Gail Kim and Awesome Kong in a really good match on Impact to retain her Knockouts Title.
4) Rockstar Spud
5) The Wolves

Ryan Byers
1) Sting:
The Stinger looked great in this week’s main event angle on Monday Night Raw and, honestly, his physicality there has done more to get me excited about his match with HHH than anything else that the promotion has done.

2) Roman Reigns: Came out on top in the handicap match main event of Smackdown. OOOOOOOO.
3) Kota Ibushi: Ibushi retained his KO-D Openweight Title by wrestling almost twenty minutes with an inanimate opponent. He’s done it before, but it’s still damn impressive.
4) Akebono & Yutaka Yoshie
5) Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Andrew Shillinglaw
1) Kurt Angle:
The rule of thumb has to be that if a wrestler wins a world title, they get the top of the Wrestler of the Week nod. Kurt won the Impact Wrestling World Championship this week, and although it’s not his first time at the top, it’s deserved. Kurt does consistently good work so it’s nice to see him still getting recognition.

2) Rockstar Spud: Back to back big weeks for Spud! He lost last week, but the hair vs. hair match was pretty great. And then he was able to win the X Division title this week. Spud may be the most consistently entertaining thing over at Impact, so I’m glad to see that they use him well.
3) Fenix: If you haven’t seen the casket match from Lucha Underground, stop reading this and go watch it. It’s easily the best casket match I’ve ever seen, and one of the best free TV matches this year. Lucha Underground is FOR REAL.
4) Roman Reigns
5) Dolph Ziggler

Alex Crowder
1) Kurt Angle:
I think this week again was somewhat uneventful which is strange this close to WrestleMania. Nevertheless, TNA and Lucha Underground stepped it up this week to keep things interesting. Kurt Angle continues to be one of the best in the world despite his advanced age. If any wrestler amazes me it is Kurt Angle. This man’s body probably should be broken to pieces by now, but it seems he never stops. I did enjoy Lashley’s reign and did not want it to end yet, but I cannot complain with Kurt winning it in a great match.

2) Fenix: Everyone else has already said it best. Lucha Underground continues to have one of the best wrestling shows on television. Fenix and Mil Muertes had a hell of a match and both men deserve credit for it. I’m happy to see a Lucha promotion thriving in America.
3) Sting: Sting finally had the kind of moment I would expect from him. Sting coming to Randy Orton’s aid was a surreal moment for me. If you’re a Sting fan, it is certainly awesome to see Sting in a WWE ring. Sting was one of the wrestlers that got me into wrestling, so my view may be biased. Still, Sting and Triple H is one of the bright spots for WrestleMania for me. Last week’s segment certainly helped.
4) Mil Muertes
5) Kota Ibushi

Jeremy Thomas
1) Kurt Angle:
Angle beat Bobby Lashley to win the TNA World Title. And say what you want about TNA, but it was a very good match and topped off a pretty solid episode of Impact to boot.

2) Roman Reigns/Sting: Reigns got some momentum heading into his WrestleMania date with Brock Lesnar and I know that he’s the whipping boy of the IWC right now, but let’s be frank…would about anyone be making this feud work without Lesnar being around? Meanwhile Sting showed up on Raw, helped Randy Orton and delivered a promo and looked good throughout. Call me nuts but I’m really looking forward to Sting vs. 3-H.
3) Fenix: Fenix was murdelated on Lucha Underground but still managed to pick up a win against Mil Muertes in a fantastic match.
4) Kota Ibushi
5) Taryn Terrell

B. Denny
1) Kurt Angle:
Last Friday’s iMPACT Kurt Angle won the TNA Heavyweight title for a 6th time by defeating Lashley, in what was a great wrestling match. If they can do a series of matches between these two, that would be great.
2) Rockstar Spud: Cashed in his briefcase to win the X division title.
3) Sting: What an amazing moment to end RAW last week. His promo on the Network was a little flat but he hit a homerun in the final segment of the show.
4) The Wolves
5)Taryn Terrell

Greg Freakin’ DeMarco
1) Kurt Angle:
Destination America seems to have gotten its wish as Kurt Angle is now the TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Angle’s returned from injury has been impressive and he completed the story by winning the world title.

2) Fenix: Fenix defeated his arch-nemesis in Mil Muertes to win the Grave Consequences match on last week’s Lucha Underground. Of everyone in the company, Fenix has had Mil’s number for months now, and now owns the biggest win of his LU career over the big man.
3) Dolph Ziggler/Daniel Bryan: Two great performances in Smackdown’s Gauntlet Match proved why these two are the class of the WWE when it comes to in-ring work.
4) Randy Orton
5) Sting

THE WINNERS~!
* Special Mention…Mil Muertes and Taryn Terrell – 8 Votes

* Fifth Place…Roman Reigns – 10 Votes

* Fourth Place…Sting – 16 Votes

* Third Place…Rockstar Spud – 18 Votes

Your NEW TNA X-Division Champion!

* Second Place…Fenix – 30 Votes

Put in a star making performance against Mil Muertes, winning the Grave Consequences match o Lucha Underground.

* And 411’s Wrestler of the Week is…
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

photo Angle TNA CHampion_zpscwb8phjn.png

Kurt Angle – 42 Votes

Your NEW TNA World Champion!

The Standings~!
Here are the standings after week fifty…

1. Seth Rollins – 178pts.

2. Dolph Ziggler – 119pts.

3. Roman Reigns – 110pts.

4. AJ Styles – 104pts.

5. Dean Ambrose – 98pts.

6. Bobby Lashley – 90pts.

7. Rusev – 82pts.

8. Brock Lesnar – 70pts.

9. John Cena – 66pts.

10. Eric Young – 58pts.
.
.
.
.
.
Kazuchika Okada – 54pts

Kyle O’Reilly – 53pts.

Daniel Bryan – 52pts.

Hiroshi Tanahashi – 45pts
Bobby Fish – 45pts.

Ricochet/Prince Puma – 40pts

BxB Hulk – 38pts

Bray Wyatt – 35pts

Kevin Owens – 27pts.
Cesaro – 27pts.

Adrian Neville – 26pts.
Davey Richards – 26pts.
Eddie Edwards – 26pts.

Jay Briscoe – 24pts.
Jey Uso – 24pts.
Jimmy Uso – 24pts.
Hideo Itami – 24pts.

Kota Ibushi – 23pts.

Minoru Suzuki – 21pts
Bobby Roode – 21pts.
Bad News Barrett – 21pts.
Sting – 21pts.

Randy Orton – 20pts.

Alberto El Patron – 19pts.

Finn Balor – 18pts.
Sami Zayn – 18pts.
Luke Harper – 18pts.
Charlotte – 18pts.
Adam Cole – 18pts.
YAMATO – 18pts
Tyson Kidd – 18pts.

AJ Lee – 16pts.
Batista – 16pts.
Jeff Hardy – 16pts.
Tomohiro Ishii – 16pts
Kurt Angle – 16pts

Akira Tozawa – 15pts
Atlantis – 15pts.
Paige – 15pts.
Takao Omori – 15pts
Sheamus – 15pts.
Johnny Gargano – 15pts.
Sasha Banks – 15pts.
Johnny Mundo – 15pts.

Samoa Joe – 14pts.

Cage – 13pts
Icarus – 13pts.
Bully Ray – 13pts.
Fenix – 13pts.

Ryback – 12pts.
The Rock – 12pts.
Chris Jericho – 12pts.
Michael Elgin – 12pts.
Austin Aries – 12pts.
Shinsuke Nakamura – 12pts.

Stardust (Cody Rhodes) – 11pts.

KUSHIDA – 10pts.
Rockstar Spud – 10pts.
Taryn Terrell – 10pts.

Bad Luck Fale – 9pts
Jay Lethal – 9pts.
CM Punk – 9pts.
Havok – 9pts.
Ultimo Guerrero – 9pts.
Triple H – 9pts.
Yuji Nagata – 9pts
Yujiro Takahashi – 9pts
Masayuki Kono – 9pts
KAI – 9pts

Goldust – 8pts.

Alicia Fox – 7pts.
Devon – 7pts.
Matt Hardy Hardy – 7pts.

Shelton Benjamin – 6pts.
Ethan Carter III – 6pts.
MVP – 6pts.
Gail Kim – 6pts.
Takao Omori – 6pts.
Jun Akiyama – 6pts.
Masato Tanaka – 6pts.
Takashi Sugiura – 6pts.
Suwama – 6pts.
Biff Busick – 6pts.
Erick Rowan – 6pts.
Damien Sandow – 6pts.
Stephanie McMahon – 6pts.
Kalisto – 6pts.
Rich Swann – 6pts.
Tomoaki Honma – 6pts
Toru Yano – 6pts

Mil Muertes – 4pts.

Shane Hatse – 3pts.
Mikey Nicolls – 3pts.
Go Shiozaki – 3pts.
King Cuerno – 3pts.
Kenny Omega – 3pts.
Cyber Kong – 3pts.
Joe Doering – 3pts.
Hirooki Goto – 3pts.
Katsuyori Shibata – 3pts
T-Hawk – 3pts.
EITA – 3pts.
Taichi – 3pts.
Mark Henry – 3pts.
Tyler Breeze – 3pts.
Adam Rose – 3pts.
Jack Swagger – 3pts.
Sin Cara – 3pts.
Mitsuya Nagai – 3pts.
Takeshi Minamino – 3pts.

The Miz – 2pt
Wesley Blake – 2pt
Bubby Murphy – 2pt
Naomichi Marufuji – 2pt
Dasher Hatfield – 2pts.
Mr. Touchdown – 2pts.

Kane – 1pt
Brie Bella – 1pt
Uhaa Nation – 1pt
Sanada – 1pt
Bram – 1pt
Alex Shelley – 1pt
Isami Kodaka – 1pt
Kazuyuki Fujita – 1pt
Vickie Guerrero – 1pt
Drew Galloway – 1pt
Caleb Konley – 1pt
Jimmy Susumu – 1pt
Jimmy Kagetora – 1pt
Kaz Hayashi – 1pt
Shuji Kondo – 1pt
HARASHIMA – 1pt
Kataro Suzuki – 1pt