wrestling / Columns
411’s Match of the Week 08.22.11: Year One, Week 20
Welcome to Week 20, 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
WWE SummerSlam
Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, & John Morrison vs. The Miz, Alberto Del Rio, & R-Truth
Mark Henry vs. Sheamus
Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix
Wade Barrett vs. Daniel Bryan
No Holds Barred: Randy Orton vs. Christian
CM Punk vs. John Cena
Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk
WWE Raw
John Morrison vs. R-Truth
Kelly Kelly & Eve vs. Brie Bella & Nikki Bella
Jack Swagger vs. Alex Riley
Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston vs. David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty
Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio
WWE NXT
Tyson Kidd vs. JTG
Darren Young vs. Matt Striker
Derrick Bateman vs. Titus O’Neil
WWE Superstars
Wade Barrett vs. Trent Barreta
Brodus Clay vs. Jose Vargas
Santino Marella vs. Primo
Zack Ryder vs. Drew McIntyre
Impact Wrestling
Scott Steiner vs. Devon
Gauntlet: Austin Aries vs. Jesse Sorensen vs. Kid Kash vs. Tony Nese vs. Zema Ion vs. Mark Haskins vs. Robbie E vs. Alex Shelley
Mickie James vs. ODB
AJ Styles vs. Rob Van Dam
Mexican America vs. Beer Money
WWE SmackDown
Cody Rhodes vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd
Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan
Kelly Kelly & AJ vs. Natalya & Alicia Fox
Battle Royal: Mark Henry, Sin Cara, Sheamus, Wade Barrett, William Regal, The Great Khali, Jinder Mahal, Heath Slater, Yoshi Tatsu, Trent Barreta, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Tyson Kidd, Zack Ryder, Justin Gabriel, Ezekiel Jackson, & Johnny Curtis
Michael Ornelas
1) 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – No Holds Barred: Randy Orton vs. Christian (****1/4)
I don’t think this was the best match that these two have had, but it was a great way to end the feud. The use of the weapons and the all-around chaos that they provided here was a very refreshing change of pace, and the lack of weekly hardcore matches in WWE, like they used to do 10 years ago gave everything in this match that much more meaning. I’d argue that Christian is Randy Orton’s best opponent ever, and maybe even vice verse as well. Great stuff. I just wish Christian would have won, but he’s still a two time World Heavyweight Champion now.
2) 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – CM Punk vs. John Cena (****): Definitely a worthy successor to their ***** match last month, this match continued the story that their last match told. This wasn’t about Punk trying to leave with the Championship, but rather proving that he was the true champion. John Cena was still trying to prove that he can in fact wrestle, and he succeeded there as well. This took awhile to pick up, but once it did it was fantastic. The only thing that really hurt this match was the foot-on-the-rope ending, but it keeps Cena in immediate contention while Punk still has a rematch clause, even though he’s moved on to Kevin Nash.
3) 08/19/2011, WWE SmackDown – Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan (***3/4): This was an EXCELLENT match and is definitely a top contender for Free TV MotY. Bryan got to look resilient as hell and control a portion of the match again the WWE Champion. Del Rio was on point tonight as well and this was much better than their match last week. They also got a lot of time to tell a great story, and Bryan’s selling of the arm as the match went on was brilliant. Check this out if you haven’t seen it yet.
Colin Rinehart
1) 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – No Holds Barred: Randy Orton vs. Christian (****1/4)
This was an outstanding way to blow off their great feud and this match ranks right up there with the stellar match they had at Over the Limit. There were all kinds of subtle bits of psychology thrown in too to show us how well each man knows the other after so many matches together, and some of the spots were pretty brutal as well. A great match to (seemingly) end a great feud.
2) 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – CM Punk vs. John Cena (***3/4): There was no way these guys were going to top their match from last month, so luckily they didn’t try to work the same kind of match, instead relying on solid psychology and an old-school approach of working and milking holds on one another. This reminded me alot of an old Destroyer match from the 70s in that regard, and while it’s probably not for everyone, I enjoyed it immensely and so should anyone with an appreciation for this kind of old-school style of wrestling.
3) 08/19/2011, WWE SmackDown – Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan (***1/2): Wow, that was one hell of a match and a big step up from their already solid match last week. Both guys looked great in the match, Del Rio’s psychology was perfect, Bryan’s selling was perfect, and they threw in a few creative spots of their own. One of the better Smackdown matches I’ve seen in months.
Nick Bazar
1) 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – No Holds Barred: Randy Orton vs. Christian (****1/2)
Best match of the long series, and a fantastic way to end one of the greatest feuds of the year. It felt epic, and rightfully so because they had months and months of storytelling to play off of. The ending was sick.
2) 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – CM Punk vs. John Cena (****): While this was a little crisper and more fluid than their match from Money in the Bank, it never reached that “Wow, I’m watching something special right now” peak for me. Still, a very good match and worthy SummerSlam main event.
3) 08/19/2011, WWE SmackDown – Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan (***1/2): They gave this about 15 minutes and I’m happy about that because both guys were able to let things develop instead of having to rush. Del Rio is the brand new WWE Champion, so you had to know he was going over. Great match.
Seán Reid
1) 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – CM Punk vs. John Cena (****1/2)
Honestly I thought that this was a better match than their encounter at MITB, but the crowd reaction at the last show is what made it a five star classic. Thankfully it was a very different match and HHH didn’t bring it down like so many of us feared.
2) 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – No Holds Barred: Randy Orton vs. Christian (****): Best match of their set and a great way to end the feud. Yes this will be remembered for Orton killsing Christian for the whole match but it was exactly what the feud was building towards.
3) 08/19/2011, WWE SmackDown – Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan (***1/2): Our new WWE Champion gets his reign off to a great start with a man who can get a classic match out of a broomstick.
THIS WEEK’S WINNERS
D. Bryan fares better against WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio than he did last week against Money in the Bank holder Alberto Del Rio. Looks like someone’s a fast learner!
In a great rematch from their Money in the Bank encounter, the Undisputed WWE Champion was crown.
Orton and Christian blew off their feud in a chaotic battle to become your twentieth Match of the Week.
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. 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – No Holds Barred: Randy Orton vs. Christian (4.25/5.00)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>
8. 04/05/2011, CMLL en Cadena Tres – 2 out of 3 Falls: Valiente vs. Pólvora (4.17/5.00)
8. 04/03/2011, NJPW New Dimension Tour 2011 – Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yuji Nagata (4.17/5.00)
10. 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>
11. 05/03/2011, NJPW Wrestling Dontaku – Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (4.13/5.00)
12. 05/06/2011, RoH Revolution: Canada – Eddie Edwards vs. Chris Hero (4.08/5.00)color=red>
12. 06/18/2011, AAA Triplemania XIX – Mask vs. Hair: LA Park vs. Mesias (4.08/5.00)
12. 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)
12. 04/16/2011, CHIKARA King of Trios: Night Two – Team Osaka Pro vs. F.I.S.T. (4.08/5.00)color=maroon>
16. 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – CM Punk vs. John Cena (4.06/5.00)color=blue>
16. 05/27/2011, CMLL Forjando un Idolo – 2 out of 3 Falls: Angel de Oro vs. Pólvora (4.06/5.00)
18. 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>
19. 06/12/2011, TNA Slammiversary IX – Last Man Standing: Bully Ray vs. AJ Styles (3.96/5.00)color=green>
19. 04/17/2011, TNA Lockdown – “Ultra Male Rules” (2 out of 3 Falls): Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle (3.96/5.00)color=green>
19. 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>
22. 04/03/2011, WWE WrestleMania XXVII – Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (3.95/5.00)color=blue>
22. 07/10/2011, TNA Destination X – Austin Aries vs. Zema Ion vs. Jack Evans vs. Low Ki (3.95/5.00)color=green>
24. 05/01/2011, WWE Extreme Rules – Ladder Match: Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio (3.92/5.00)color=blue>
25. 05/01/2011, WWE Extreme Rules – Last Man Standing: Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (3.88/5.00)color=blue>
26. 07/25/2011, WWE Raw – John Cena vs. Rey Mysterio (3.85/5.00)color=blue>
27. 07/10/2011, TNA Destination X – AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels (3.83/5.00)color=green>
27. 06/26/2011, Ring of Honor Best in the World 2011 – El Generico vs. Christopher Daniels (3.83/5.00)color=red>
29. 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>
29. 05/06/2011, WWE SmackDown – Randy Orton vs. Christian (3.75/5.00)color=blue>
29. 04/17/2011, TNA Lockdown – Lethal Lockdown: Fortune vs. Immortal (3.75/5.00)color=green>
32. 06/19/2011, WWE Capitol Punishment – CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (3.65/5.00)color=blue>
33. 07/10/2011, TNA Destination X – Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn (3.63/5.00)color=green>
34. 06/12/2011, TNA Slammiversary IX – Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett (3.60/5.00)color=green>
35. 08/19/2011, WWE SmackDown – Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan (3.56/5.00)color=blue>
36. 06/19/2011, WWE Capitol Punishment – Randy Orton vs. Christian (3.50/5.00)color=blue>
36. 04/28/2011, WWE Superstars – Trent Barreta vs. Tyson Kidd (3.50/5.00)color=blue>
38. 08/09/2011, WWE NXT – Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd (3.44/5.00)color=blue>
38. 05/26/2011, WWE Superstars – Tyson Kidd vs. Trent Barreta (3.44/5.00)color=blue>
40. 05/15/2011, TNA Sacrifice – Kazarian vs. Max Buck (3.40/5.00)color=green>
41. TNA Hardcore Justice – AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, & Kazarian vs. Gunner, Scott Steiner, & Abyss (3.38/5.00)color=green>
41. 06/03/2011, WWE SmackDown – Randy Orton vs. Sheamus (3.38/5.00)color=blue>
43. 08/05/2011, WWE SmackDown – Daniel Bryan vs. Tyson Kidd (3.36/5.00)color=blue>
44. 06/20/2011, WWE Raw – CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio (3.35/5.00)color=blue>
44. 05/12/2011, WWE Superstars – Tyson Kidd vs. Trent Barreta (3.35/5.00) color=blue>
46. 06/10/2011, WWE SmackDown – No Disqualification: Sheamus vs. Randy Orton (3.33/5.00)color=blue>
47. 04/18/2011, WWE Raw – Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (3.30/5.00)color=blue>
48. 07/26/2011, WWE NXT – Leg on a Pole: Yoshi Tatsu vs. Tyson Kidd (3.19/5.00)color=blue>
49. 05/13/2011, WWE SmackDown – Sin Cara vs. Daniel Bryan (3.17/5.00)color=blue>
50. 05/30/2011, WWE Raw – CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (3.13/5.00)color=blue>
50. 05/09/2011, WWE Raw – The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio (3.13/5.00)color=blue>
50. 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>
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>
Week 20: 08/14/2011, WWE SummerSlam – No Holds Barred: Randy Orton vs. Christian (4.25/5.00)color=blue>
OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS – RETOOLED!
1. Randy Ortoncolor=blue> – 9 (3.74)
2. CM Punkcolor=blue> – 8 (3.77)
3. Rey Mysteriocolor=blue> – 7 (3.43)
4. Christiancolor=blue> – 6 (3.81)
5. Tyson Kiddcolor=blue> – 6 (3.38)
6. Alberto Del Riocolor=blue> – 5 (3.54)
7. Chris Herocolor=red> – 4 (4.11)
8. Christopher Danielscolor=green> – 4 (3.70)
9. Daniel Bryancolor=blue> – 4 (3.56)
10. Trent Barretacolor=blue> – 4 (3.36)
Christian grabs back his number 4 slot while AJ Styles falls off the list and Daniels loses his footing. Meanwhile John Cena is getting closer and closer to the top 10 (he’s 13th right now). Punk and Orton are neck and neck
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.
