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411’s Match of the Week 08.15.11: Year One, Week 19
Welcome to Week 19, Year ONE, of 411’s Match of the Week. A quick overview of the rules to kick things off for us …
Each writer chooses THREE matches from any promotion and each match gets a point total attached to that ranking. It looks a little like this…
1st – 5
2nd – 3
3rd – 1
Then we tally up the votes and the official 411 Match of the Week is crowned. But wait, there’s more! Each week, the TOP THREE MATCHES are eligible to make the Year-End Ranking.
The week according to this column will go from Sunday to Saturday, with the column being posted every Monday.
Upon rating matches, writers will assign them with a star rating, and the average star rating amongst writers will be what that match is listed with if it makes the Year-End Standings.
Independent shows WILL be included, but since it takes some time for the DVDs to come out, voting on them will take place retroactively, in which the writers who have seen the shows in question will have the opportunity to vote for matches from them into the Year-End Standings. For an Indy/International match to make the Year-End Standings, it must break an average rating of ****. Nothing will be added retroactively unless at least 3 staff members deem it worthy so there is a consensus.
At the end of the voting year, the match with the highest average star rating will be crowned 411 Match of the Year. In the event of a tie, 411 writers will vote in a tie-breaker.
THIS WEEK’S ELIGIBLE MATCHES
TNA Hardcore Justice
Brian Kendrick vs. Alex Shelley vs. Austin Aries
Tara & Miss Tessmacher vs. Sarita & Rosita
D’Angelo Dinero vs. Devon
Winter vs. Mickie James
Crimson vs. Rob Van Dam
AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gunner, Scott Steiner, & Abyss
Bully Ray vs. Ken Anderson
James Storm & Bobby Roode vs. Hernandez & Anarquia
Kurt Angle vs. Sting
WWE Raw
John Cena vs. Jack Swagger
The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston
CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio
Beth Phoenix vs. Eve
Alex Riley vs. Dolph Ziggler
R-Truth vs. John Morrison
WWE NXT
Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd
Darren Young vs. Matt Striker
Titus O’Neil vs. Derrick Bateman
WWE Superstars
Ted DiBiase vs. Trent Barreta
Alicia Fox vs. Tamina
Brodus Clay vs. Aaron James
Michael McGillicutty & David Otunga vs. Evan Bourne & Santino Marella
Impact Wrestling
Mickie James vs. Madison Rayne
Brian Kendrick vs. Robbie E
Bobby Roode & James Storm vs. Rob Van Dam & AJ Styles vs. Devon & D’Angelo Dinero
Miss Tessmacher & Tara vs. ODB & Jackie Moore
Crimson vs. Scott Steiner vs. Bully Ray vs. Gunner
WWE SmackDown
Sheamus vs. Christian
Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Kaitlyn & AJ
Sin Cara vs. Tyson Kidd
Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan
Cody Rhodes vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Mark Henry vs. Johnny Curtis
Randy Orton vs. The Great Khali
Michael Ornelas
1) 08/09/2011, WWE NXT – Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd (***1/2)
Tyson Kidd has really been quietly on fire this year. You’d have to watch the internet shows to know that, but he really has been delivering since this column started. Justin Gabriel is being accepted very easily as a babyface, and it was great to see him back on NXT, as it freshens the show up whenever someone who isn’t a Rookie or a Pro is in the mix. Fantastic back and forth match here that I very strongly urge you readers to check out.
2) 08/07/2011, TNA Hardcore Justice – AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gunner, Scott Steiner, & Abyss (***1/2): This was a fun little match, and the only thing I’d really say one should go out of their way to see from the Hardcore Justice show. The X-Division triple threat was fun, but there were two botched spots that just absolutely killed the continuity of the match, so I docked major points for that. I had that at **1/2. This match was really fun, and we even got a table bump! There had to be SOMETHING hardcore about the show!
3) 08/08/2011, WWE Raw – The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston (***): Wow, The Miz is really starting to break through in his matches! At this rate, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before he is a bona fide “complete package”, and that’s evidenced by this match. It’s a shame Kofi’s not higher on the card, because he is a very consistent performer and, more importantly, he’s hella over. Anyways, these two went out there and gave us a match worth watching on an otherwise underwhelming in-ring edition of Raw.
Wes Kirk
1) 08/07/2011, TNA Hardcore Justice – Brian Kendrick vs. Alex Shelley vs. Austin Aries (***1/2)
The X-Division impressed as usual at Hardcore Justice, and Brian Kendrick retained his championship but luckily the match was structured so that Austin Aries wouldn’t be pinned or involved in the fall in any way so he can continue to challenge Kendrick because he’d never beaten him. The match itself wasn’t quite the X-Division usual but it was a great way to open the show.
2) 08/07/2011, TNA Hardcore Justice – AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gunner, Scott Steiner, & Abyss (***1/4): I wasn’t expecting a very good outing here because of the members of Immortal chosen for the match, but I was pleasantly surprised by the action. Not only was the match good, but AJ and Fortune got a much-needed victory and Abyss took the fall to continue his storyline of constantly disappointing Immortal. Add in Gunner putting Daniels through a table after he sacrificed himself for his best friend and you had a nice encounter.
3) 08/04/2011, WWE Raw – The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston (***): At first, Rey Mysterio was the opponent but Miz sidelined him with a brutal attack. HHH responded by having another competitor sent out to face Miz, namely Kofi Kingston! Kingston and Miz had a good match although in the end, Miz found a way to put Kofi’s lights out with the Skull Crushing Finale. I’m digging the more heartless, vicious side to the Miz they are adding to his character.
Colin Rinehart
1) 08/09/2011, WWE NXT – Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd (***1/2)
This was all kinds of awesome and is just the kind of match that has made the WWE’s internet-only shows like NXT and Superstars still worth checking out every week, because we often times get gems like this one. These guys got almost 15 minutes to do their thing and by the time they hit the finishing stretch the crowd was RED HOT and just dying for Gabriel to hit the 450. He teased the move perfectly so that by the time he finally did hit it at the end, the entire place was on their feet in anticipation. One hell of a TV match and hopefully more people will start to realize the incredible potential that Gabriel has to succeed in this company. Kidd was no slouch either.
2) 08/07/2011, TNA Hardcore Justice – AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gunner, Scott Steiner, & Abyss (***1/2): This looked like a sleeper match of the night on paper and I think it delivered on just that. This was just a flat out fun little six man tag with all three members of Fortune bouncing and bumping around off of the big Immortal guys to very entertaining results. Probably the best six man tag I’ve seen in TNA in years.
3) 08/07/2011, TNA Hardcore Justice – Bully Ray vs. Ken Anderson (***1/4): This was so much better than I could have expected, I thought these two were capable of having a decent hardcore brawl or something along those lines, but instead they actually had a really fun and well worked, hard-hitting match with a minimal of brawling. Ray’s match with AJ last month was better, but this was probably a better showcase of Ray’s improvement as an in-ring performer who seems to be capable of more than just brawling at this point. Alot of people seem to be sleeping on this one and that’s a shame, because this is easily one of Ray’s best singles matches ever alongside the LMS from two months back.
Nick Bazar
1) 08/09/2011, WWE NXT – Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd (***1/2)
I really don’t care much for NXT, but matches like this are a reason to watch. Two great wrestlers putting on a great match- pretty simple formula. This match also showed just how good a babyface Justin Gabriel can be for the WWE.
2) 08/07/2011, TNA Hardcore Justice – AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gunner, Scott Steiner, & Abyss (***1/4): Six-man tags are always fun. Good match on an otherwise dull PPV.
3) 08/08/2011, WWE Raw – The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston (***1/4): Wasn’t expecting much going in, but they really won me over in the end. Miz is slowly being turned by the crowd as evidenced by the “Miz” chants during the match. Could work, but I still hate the pre-Skull Crushing Finale flared out arms.
Tony Acero
1) 08/09/2011, WWE NXT – Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd (***1/4): This was a pleasant surprise. I really didn’t get the reasoning behind it, but it doesn’t matter because it was a great match. Tons of near falls and plenty of action. On more than one occasion, I thought that the match was over only for Gabriel or Kidd to kick out and keep it going. Again, this was a pleasant surprise this week and my match of the week.
2) 08/12/2011, WWE SmackDown – Sheamus vs. Christian (***): Sheamus is no slouch in the ring and seeing him go toe to toe with the champ was a nice thing to see. The countout fell in line with Christian’s heelism and Sheamus is getting over more and more as a face while keeping the same tenacity that he had while a heel.
3) 08/12/2011, WWE SmackDown – Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan (**): I HATED that this match was so short, but I loved what we got. To see these two go at it in a longer match is something I would LOVE and if these 4 minutes were any sign of what could happen, I’m all for it.
THIS WEEK’S WINNERS
In an interesting turn of events, a match that only one person voted for ends up in third place because it got 5 points for the vote. This was a fun little X Division showcase to open TNA’s PPV last week.
A somewhat surprising show-stealer saw Fortune take it to Immortal in a very good 6 man tag.
Tyson Kidd keeps his showing on this list strong as he shares an excellent match with Justin Gabriel on NXT, of all places.
YEAR END STANDINGS
The top 50 matches will be displayed in order of average star rating until they are knocked out. Come back next week as we get one week closer to figuring out the 411 Match of the Year! In the case of a match with more votes getting a lower star rating, it will go down as Match of the Week, but will be lower in the Year-End Standings.
1. 07/17/2011, WWE Money in the Bank – CM Punk vs. John Cena (4.83/5.00)color=blue>
1. 06/26/2011, Ring of Honor Best in the World 2011 – Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards (4.83/5.00)color=red>
3. 05/06/2011, Ring of Honor Revolution: USA – The Kings of Wrestling vs. The American Wolves (4.33/5.00)color=red>
4. 05/22/2011, WWE Over the Limit – Randy Orton vs. Christian (4.29/5.00)color=blue>
5. 04/03/2011, WrestleMania XXVII – No Holds Barred: The Undertaker vs. Triple H (4.28/5.00)color=blue>
6. 04/17/2011, CHIKARA King of Trios: Night Three – El Generico vs. 1-2-3 Kid (4.25/5.00)color=maroon>
7. 04/05/2011, CMLL en Cadena Tres – 2 out of 3 Falls: Valiente vs. Pólvora (4.17/5.00)
7. 04/03/2011, NJPW New Dimension Tour 2011 – Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yuji Nagata (4.17/5.00)
9. 07/17/2011, WWE Money in the Bank – SmackDown Money in the Bank: Daniel Bryan vs. Sin Cara vs. Justin Gabriel vs. Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Heath Slater vs. Kane vs. Wade Barrett (4.14/5.00)color=blue>
10. 05/03/2011, NJPW Wrestling Dontaku – Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (4.13/5.00)
11. 05/06/2011, RoH Revolution: Canada – Eddie Edwards vs. Chris Hero (4.08/5.00)color=red>
11. 06/18/2011, AAA Triplemania XIX – Mask vs. Hair: LA Park vs. Mesias (4.08/5.00)
11. 05/05/2011, Dragon Gate Dead or Alive 2011 – Captain’s Fall Elimination: Dragon Kid (Captain), CIMA, Gamma, & Ricochet vs. Shingo Takagi (Captain), Cyber Kong, Taku Iwasa & KAGETORA (4.08/5.00)
11. 04/16/2011, CHIKARA King of Trios: Night Two – Team Osaka Pro vs. F.I.S.T. (4.08/5.00)color=maroon>
15. 05/27/2011, CMLL Forjando un Idolo – 2 out of 3 Falls: Angel de Oro vs. Pólvora (4.06/5.00)
16. 06/26/2011, Ring of Honor Best in the World 2011 – Four Team Elimination: Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team vs. The Kings of Wrestling vs. The All Night Express vs. The Briscoes (4.05/5.00)color=red>
17. 06/12/2011, TNA Slammiversary IX – Last Man Standing: Bully Ray vs. AJ Styles (3.96/5.00)color=green>
17. 04/17/2011, TNA Lockdown – “Ultra Male Rules” (2 out of 3 Falls): Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle (3.96/5.00)color=green>
17. 04/04/2011, Ring of Honor Wrestling of HDNet – Davey Richards & The Briscoes vs. Roderick Strong & The Kings of Wrestling (3.96/5.00)color=red>
20. 04/03/2011, WWE WrestleMania XXVII – Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (3.95/5.00)color=blue>
20. 07/10/2011, TNA Destination X – Austin Aries vs. Zema Ion vs. Jack Evans vs. Low Ki (3.95/5.00)color=green>
22. 05/01/2011, WWE Extreme Rules – Ladder Match: Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio (3.92/5.00)color=blue>
23. 05/01/2011, WWE Extreme Rules – Last Man Standing: Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (3.88/5.00)color=blue>
24. 07/25/2011, WWE Raw – John Cena vs. Rey Mysterio (3.85/5.00)color=blue>
25. 07/10/2011, TNA Destination X – AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels (3.83/5.00)color=green>
25. 06/26/2011, Ring of Honor Best in the World 2011 – El Generico vs. Christopher Daniels (3.83/5.00)color=red>
27. 07/17/2011, WWE Money in the Bank – Raw Money in the Bank: Alberto Del Rio vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger vs. Evan Bourne vs. R-Truth vs. Alex Riley vs. The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio (3.75/5.00)color=blue>
27. 05/06/2011, WWE SmackDown – Randy Orton vs. Christian (3.75/5.00)color=blue>
27. 04/17/2011, TNA Lockdown – Lethal Lockdown: Fortune vs. Immortal (3.75/5.00)color=green>
30 06/19/2011, WWE Capitol Punishment – CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (3.65/5.00)color=blue>
31. 07/10/2011, TNA Destination X – Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn (3.63/5.00)color=green>
32. 06/12/2011, TNA Slammiversary IX – Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett (3.60/5.00)color=green>
33. 06/19/2011, WWE Capitol Punishment – Randy Orton vs. Christian (3.50/5.00)color=blue>
33. 04/28/2011, WWE Superstars – Trent Barreta vs. Tyson Kidd (3.50/5.00)color=blue>
35. 08/09/2011, WWE NXT – Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd (3.44/5.00)color=blue>
35. 05/26/2011, WWE Superstars – Tyson Kidd vs. Trent Barreta (3.44/5.00)color=blue>
37. 05/15/2011, TNA Sacrifice – Kazarian vs. Max Buck (3.40/5.00)color=green>
38. TNA Hardcore Justice – AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gunner, Scott Steiner, & Abyss (3.38/5.00)color=green>
38. 06/03/2011, WWE SmackDown – Randy Orton vs. Sheamus (3.38/5.00)color=blue>
40. 08/05/2011, WWE SmackDown – Daniel Bryan vs. Tyson Kidd (3.36/5.00)color=blue>
41. 06/20/2011, WWE Raw – CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio (3.35/5.00)color=blue>
41. 05/12/2011, WWE Superstars – Tyson Kidd vs. Trent Barreta (3.35/5.00) color=blue>
43. 06/10/2011, WWE SmackDown – No Disqualification: Sheamus vs. Randy Orton (3.33/5.00)color=blue>
44. 04/18/2011, WWE Raw – Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (3.30/5.00)color=blue>
45. 07/26/2011, WWE NXT – Leg on a Pole: Yoshi Tatsu vs. Tyson Kidd (3.19/5.00)color=blue>
46. 05/13/2011, WWE SmackDown – Sin Cara vs. Daniel Bryan (3.17/5.00)color=blue>
47. 05/30/2011, WWE Raw – CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (3.13/5.00)color=blue>
47. 05/09/2011, WWE Raw – The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio (3.13/5.00)color=blue>
47. 04/15/2011, WWE SmackDown – 20-Man Battle Royal: Christian vs. Brodus Clay vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Kane vs. The Big Show vs. Curt Hawkins vs. Wade Barrett vs. Justin Gabriel vs. Heath Slater vs. Jack Swagger vs. Chris Masters vs. Yoshi Tatsu vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Tyler Reks vs. Trent Barreta vs. JTG vs. Ezekiel Jackson vs. Kofi Kingston (3.13/5.00) color=blue>
50. 06/03/2011, WWE SmackDown – Daniel Bryan vs. Ted DiBiase (3.10/5.00)color=blue>
50. 07/07/2011, Impact Wrestling – Rob Van Dam vs. AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Christopher Daniels (3.10/5.00)color=green>
MATCHES OF THE WEEK
Week 1: 04/03/2011, WrestleMania XXVII – No Holds Barred: The Undertaker vs. Triple H (4.28/5.00)color=blue>
Week 2: 04/15/2011, WWE SmackDown – Rey Mysterio vs. Drew McIntyre (2.96/5.00)color=blue>
Week 3: 04/17/2011, TNA Lockdown – “Ultra Male Rules” (2 out of 3 Falls): Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle (3.96/5.00)color=green>
Week 4: 04/28/2011, WWE Superstars – Trent Barreta vs. Tyson Kidd (3.50/5.00)color=blue>
Week 5: 05/01/2011, WWE Extreme Rules – Ladder Match: Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio (3.92/5.00)color=blue>
Week 6: 05/12/2011, WWE Superstars – Tyson Kidd vs. Trent Barreta (3.35/5.00) color=blue>
Week 7: 05/15/2011, TNA Sacrifice – Kazarian vs. Max Buck (3.40/5.00)color=green>
Week 8: 05/22/2011, WWE Over the Limit – Randy Orton vs. Christian (4.29/5.00)color=blue>
Week 9: 06/03/2011, WWE SmackDown – Randy Orton vs. Sheamus (3.38/5.00)color=blue>
Week 10: 06/10/2011, WWE SmackDown – No Disqualification: Sheamus vs. Randy Orton (3.33/5.00)color=blue>
Week 11: 06/12/2011, TNA Slammiversary IX – Last Man Standing: Bully Ray vs. AJ Styles (3.96/5.00)color=green>
Week 12: 06/19/2011, WWE Capitol Punishment – CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (3.65/5.00)color=blue>
Week 13: 06/26/2011, Ring of Honor Best in the World 2011 – Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards (4.83/5.00)color=red>
Week 14: 07/07/2011, Impact Wrestling – Rob Van Dam vs. AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Christopher Daniels (3.10/5.00)color=green>
Week 15: 07/10/2011, TNA Destination X – Austin Aries vs. Zema Ion vs. Jack Evans vs. Low Ki (3.95/5.00)color=green>
Week 16: 07/17/2011, WWE Money in the Bank – CM Punk vs. John Cena (4.83/5.00)color=blue>
Week 17: 07/25/2011, WWE Raw – John Cena vs. Rey Mysterio (3.85/5.00)color=blue>
Week 18: 08/05/2011, WWE SmackDown – Daniel Bryan vs. Tyson Kidd (3.36/5.00)color=blue>
Week 19: 08/09/2011, WWE NXT – Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd (3.44/5.00)color=blue>
OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS – RETOOLED!
1. Randy Ortoncolor=blue> – 8 (3.67)
2. CM Punkcolor=blue> – 7 (3.73)
3. Rey Mysteriocolor=blue> – 7 (3.43)
4. Tyson Kiddcolor=blue> – 6 (3.38)
5. Christiancolor=blue> – 5 (3.72)
6. Christopher Danielscolor=green> – 5 (3.58)
7. Chris Herocolor=red> – 4 (4.11)
8. AJ Stylescolor=green> – 4 (3.57)
9. Alberto Del Riocolor=blue> – 4 (3.54)
10. Daniel Bryancolor=blue> – 4 (3.44)
Tyson Kidd surpasses Christian to take the fourth place spot, and he’s nipping at Mysterio’s heels, meanwhile Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles both keep their upward momentum as well.
Matches/Performers from WWE programming are represented in BLUE.color=blue>
Matches/Performers from TNA are represented in GREEN.color=green>
Matches/Performers from Ring of Honor are represented in RED.color=red>
Matches/Performers from any other US Independent promotion are represented in MAROONcolor=maroon>
Matches/Performers from any international promotion are represented in BLACK.
Do you watch all WWE and TNA shows every week? If so, contact Michael Ornelas at [email protected], and there’s a chance you might be included in the column next week! Please stick to the format used above. Overwhelming negativity probably won’t make the cut, so keep things positive! Submissions due every Saturday by 11PM.
