411’s Wrestler of The Week: EVIL Battles Edwards

Welcome to YEAR TWELVE, WEEK 31 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…

Voting period: OCTOBER 31 – NOVEMBER 6

Larry Csonka
1) EVIL: Won the IWGP Openweight Title in a great match against Shibata.

2) Hiroshi Tanahashi: Defeated SANADA in the best match on the Power Struggle show.
3) KUSHIDA: Your new IWGP Jr Heavyweight Champion.
4) Roppngi Vice: They won the Super Jr. Tag Tournament.
5) Eddie Edwards

Chad Perry
1) EVIL:
Evil was involved in one of the best matches of Power Struggle. More than that though, EVIL had the biggest victory of his career in what I consider an upset. I thought LIG would leave with two belts Saturday morning, but I thought one would be BUSHI’s Junior Heavyweight Title. EVIL showed a new level of viciousness and I loved the chair spot wrapped around Shibata’s arm mid-way. I hope EVIL gets 4-6 months with the belt as this feels fresh.

2) Rapongi Vice: Hiroshi Tanahashi: Big Match Tanahashi was in the house again. It truly doesn’t matter who you put Hiroshi in the ring with, he will find the best of his opponent and give you a great match.
4) Eddie Edwards
5) Rey Mysterio Jr.

Kevin Pantoja
1) EVIL:
The most important show during the week was NJPW’s Power Struggle. There were two title changes but the biggest one saw EVIL dethrone Katsuyori Shibata for the NEVER Openweight Championship. It came as a surprise to many. Shibata has had a stranglehold on the title in 2016 outside of the first three days of the year and a month and a half from early May until mid-June. Many thought that Shibata was going to carry the title into Wrestle Kingdom 11, which is what I would have done with it to be honest. Regardless, EVIL bested Shibata after using chairs and his STO to win the title for the first time. That was his second win over Shibata this year, beating him during the G1 Climax also. It marks the first title victory for EVIL.

2) KUSHIDA: For the past year and a half, KUSHIDA has been the ace of the junior heavyweight division. He is, hands down, the best performer among them and consistently puts on top-notch matches. While Power Struggle didn’t see one of his best outings, he still managed to defeat BUSHI and capture his fourth IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship. He also gained revenge since BUSHI put him on the shelf (kayfabe) a few weeks back. He was then challenged by the returning Hiromu Takahashi (formerly known as Kamaitachi), setting up a fresh challenger for him at the Tokyo Dome in a few months.
3) Bobby Fish: While the show is not yet available on demand, Bobby Fish did accomplish something impressive this week. He won Ring of Honor’s annual Survival of the Fittest tournament. On night one, Fish defeated Kenny King to qualify for the main event of night two. There, he overcame Dalton Castle, Lio Rush, Punishment Martinez, Jax Dane and the Panther to win it all. Granted, I don’t know much on the last three names but still. This event has been won by the likes of Chris Hero, Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, Roderick Strong and many others, so it is a pretty cool notch in Fish’s belt.
4) Tetusya Naito
5) Eddie Edwards

Mike Chin
1) Eddie Edwards:
Edwards retained the TNA Championship in a big win over Bobby Lashley.

2) EVIL: EVIL won the Never Openweight Title at NJPW Power Struggle in a great match.
3) Rey Mysterio Jr.: Mysterio added to a catalog of surprisingly strong post-prime matches, defeating Chavo Guerrero Jr. in a Loser Leaves Lucha main event for LU.
4) Bobby Fish
5) Dean Ambrose

Rob Stewart
1) Tetsuya Naito:
The main event of New Japan’s Power Struggle saw Naito successfully defend his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Jay Lethal. It was Naito’s first defense since winning the strap in September, and defeating Lethal is no mean feat considering Jay had just recently had a lengthy run as Ring Of Honor champion.

2) Dean Ambrose: The Saga of James Ellsworth continued on Smackdown this past week where Dean had an entertaining segment where he wrestled with whether or not to forgive Ellsworth for costing him a match against AJ Styles. In the show’s main event, Ambrose defeated Styles thanks in some part to the presence of Ellsworth who was supposedly banned from ringside.
3) Rey Mysterio: The luchador legend’s feud with Chavo Guerrero Jr in Lucha Underground culminated this week with a Loser Leaves Lucha match. Rey won to finally send Chavo packing from the company.
4) Eddie Edwards
5) Bobby Fish

Dylan Diot
1) EVIL:
In a stunner, EVIL defeated Katsuyori Shibata at NJPW Power Struggle to become the NEW NEVER Openweight Champion. Most people predicted Shibata would roll through EVIL and move toward a huge championship defense at WrestleKingdom, but EVIL proved everyone wrong in a Graf match, adding more championship gold to Los Ingobernobles.

2) KUSHIDA: KUSHIDA regained the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship by defeated BUSHI at NJPW Power Struggle. KUSHIDA takes his place back at the top of the Jr. heavyweight division and now has a date with the returning Hiromu Takahashi at WrestleKindom.
3) Eddie Edwards: Eddie Edwards continues to build his impressive resume as TNA Champion, defeated Bobby Lashley in his rematch for the championship on Impact. Edwards continues to roll and continues to produce quality matches at champ.
4) Dean Ambrose
5) Braun Strowman

JUSTIN WATRY
1) Bill Goldberg:
Just because I may never have the chance to vote for him again. The fact is Bill Goldberg ruled in his return segment and came across great in his October 31st appearance as well. Two for two so far. He looked as strong as can be against a recently very entertaining Rusev and is moving forward with a Survivor Series showdown against Brock Lesnar. As much as I scoffed at the rumor months ago, the hype has been more than solid with the few in-ring promos and sit down interviews. Love it.

2) Roman Reigns: Another great showing. Another main event on RAW. Even as United States Champion, I can’t help but wonder where Roman Reigns fits into the Road to WrestleMania 33. A rematch with Triple H before The Game goes after Seth Rollins? Remember HHH also cost him the Universal Title back in August. Maybe the long awaited Brock Lesnar/WM rematch? I think Finn Balor is returning to go after the Universal Title (against Kevin Owens?), so I really have no idea. Either way, Reigns continues to impress.
3) Nia Jax: I was wondering what happened to her. Jax came up from NXT and has been needing a good showing since her victory over Alicia Fox way back when. Her domination over Bayley was just what she needed. Cry and whine all you want over Bayley; she will be just fine. Nobody will care or even remember her loss when she wins the Raw Women’s Title and is the top face on the show. Mania can’t come soon enough.
4) Braun Strowman
5) Dean Ambrose

Wyatt Beougher
1) Eddie Edwards:
Edwards retained his TNA Championship over former champion Lashley, and honestly, that’s exactly what TNA needs. After the way Lashley was built up over the past year, having the guy who finally beat him for the championship actually look like more than a transitional champion is important if TNA wants to continue to build a credible main event. My only concern is that with Corgan forcibly outed, TNA is going to go back to the largely directionless quagmire it suffered through post-Bischoff/Hogan, but I’m not going to let those fears denigrate what Edwards is doing right now.

2) Bobby Fish: The 2016 version of Survival of the Fittest (and Ring of Honor in general) might have been missing a some RoH staples thanks to recent talent raids, but Fish beat Kenny King in the first round and then outlasted Lio Rush, Punishment Martinez, Jax Dane, Dalton Castle, and the Panther in night two to claim the tournament. That’s good enough for second place in my book.
3) EVIL: EVIL won his first championship at Power Struggle, unseating Katsuyori Shibata to claim the NEVER Openweight Championship in a solid match.
4) Rey Mysterio Jr
5) Dean Ambrose

JACK STEVENSON
1. TETSUYA NAITO: It wasn’t a classic, but Naito was able to eke out a victory over Jay Lethal in the main event of NJPW Power Struggle and retain his grasp on the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. It was probably the most prestigious belt defended that week, and coupled with EVIL winning the NEVER Openweight Title, Los Ingernobles de Japon have strengthened their position as one of the most dominant factions in all of wrestling.

2. EDDIE EDWARDS: Lashley was such a dominant, intimidating TNA Champion that you couldn’t be blamed for suspecting that Eddie Edwards’ defeat of him to win the belt was just a fluke. The fact that he’s managed to do it a second time absolutely proves that Edwards is a worthy champion. Not many people can boast of having beaten Lashley on consecutive occasions…
3. EVIL: Toppled Katsuyori Shibata to capture the NEVER Openweight Title for Los Ingobernables de Japon. It would have been a much less impressive night for the faction without his victory.
4. BOBBY FISH
5. DEAN AMBROSE

THE WINNERS~!
* Special Mention…Rey Mysterio – 9 Votes

* Fifth Place…Dean Ambrose – 10 Votes

* Fourth Place…KUSHIDA – 11 Votes

* Third Place…Bobby Fish & Naito – 12 Votes

Fish won Survival of The Fittest and Naito retained his IWGP IC Title.

* Second Place…Eddie Edwards – 24 Votes

Still the TNA Champion.

* And 411’s Wrestler of the Week is…

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EVIL – 30 Votes

Your NEW IWGP NEVER Champion!

The Standings
Here are the standings after week 31

1. AJ Styles – 91pts

2. Prince Puma/Ricochet – 69pts

3. Tetsuya Naito – 54pts
3. Dean Ambrose – 54pts

4. Lashley – 51pts

5. Eddie Edwards – 45pts

6. The Monster Matanza Cueto – 42pts

7. Kevin Owens – 40pts

8. Roman Reigns – 39pts

9. Rey Mysterio Jr. – 37pts

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* Dragon Azteca Jr. – 36pts

* Will Ospreay – 33pts
* Sexy Star – 33pts

* Finn Balor – 30pts
* Sasha Banks – 30pts

* Johnny Mundo – 29pts
* Broken Matt Hardy – 28pts

* TJ Perkins – 27pts

* Dolph Ziggler – 25pts
* Kazuchika Okada – 25pts

* Kenny Omega – 24pts
* Cage – 24 pts
* Jack Evans – 24pts
* PJ Black – 24 pts

* Jay Lethal – 21pts
* Samoa Joe – 21pts
* KUSHIDA – 21pts
* Bobby Fish – 21pts

* The Miz – 20pts

* Dash – 18pts
* Dawson – 18pts

* Charlotte – 17pts

* Kota Ibushi – 16pts
* Brother Nero – 16pts
* Katsuyori Shibata – 16pts

* EVIL – 15pts
* Katsuhiko Nakajima – 15pts
* Nick Jackson – 15pts
* Matt Jackson – 15pts
* Seth Rollins – 15pts
* Drew Galloway – 15pts
* Johnny Gargano – 15pts
* Aerostar – 15pts

* Sami Zayn – 13pts
* Killshot/Shane Strickland – 13pts
* Chris Hero – 13 pts

* Brian Kendrick – 12pts
* Shinsuke Nakamura – 12pts
* Becky Lynch – 12pts
* Son of Havoc – 12pts
* Michael Elgin -12pts
* Daniels – 12pts
* Kazarian – 12pts
* Mike Bennett – 12pts
* Tomohiro Ishii – 12pts
* Marty Scurll – 12pts

* Adam Cole – 9pts
* Tommaso Ciampa – 9pts
* Heath Slater – 9pts
* Rhyno – 9pts
* Mil Muertes – 9pts
* Drago – 9pts
* Kyle O’Reilly – 9pts
* SANADA – 9pts
* Zack Sabre Jr – 9pts
* Ethan Carter III – 9pts
* Meiko Satomura – 9pts
* DASH Chisako – 9pts
* Cassandra Miyagi – 9pts
* BUSHI – 9pts

* ACH – 7pts
* Taiji Ishimori – 7pts
* Satoshi Kojima – 7pts
* Rusev – 7pts
* Gran Metalik – 7pts
* Pentagon Jr – 7pts

* Fenix – 6pts
* Mariposa – 6pts
* Yuji Nagata – 6pts
* Takashi Sugiura – 6pts
* Matt Riddle – 6pts
* David Finlay – 6pts

* Bayley – 4pts
* James Ellsworth – 4pts

* The Mack – 3pts
* Cesaro – 3pts
* Dana Brooke – 3pts
* Xavier Woods – 3pts
* Kofi Kingston – 3pts
* Big E – 3pts
* Evie – 3pts
* Heidi Lovelace – 3pts
* Dustin (Chuck Taylor) – 3pts
* Cedric Alexander – 3pts
* YAMATO – 3pts
* James Storm – 3pts
* Mark Haskins – 3pts

* Matt Sydal – 2pts

* Chavo Guerrero – 1pt
* DJ Z – 1pt
* Abyss – 1pt
* Crazy Steve – 1pt
* Zack Ryder – 1pt
* Big Cass – 1pt
* Enzo Amore – 1pt
* Karl Anderson – 1pt
* Doc Gallows – 1pt
* Rocky Romero – 1pt
* Trent Barreta – 1pt
* Timothy Thatcher – 1pt
* Jay Briscoe – 1pt
* Mark Briscoe – 1pt
* Hiroyoshi Tenzan – 1pt
* Hiroshi Tanahashi – 1pt
* David Starr – 1pt

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* Voting began the week of April 4th, 2016

* Year-End Rankings Key:

WWE Contracted Wrestlers are represented in BLUE.
TNA Contracted Wrestlers are represented in GREEN.
ROH Contracted Wrestlers are represented in RED.
US Independent Wrestlers are represented in MAROON.
Japanese Contracted Wrestlers are represented in BLACK.
Mexican/Lucha Underground Contracted Wrestlers are represented in MAGENTA.
Other International Wrestlers are represented in INDIGO.

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**PREVIOUS WINNERS**
Year One Winner: Ric Flair (2005-2006) (Shortened year, starting September 2005)
Year Two Winner: Samoa Joe (2006-2007)
Year Three Winner: John Cena (2007-2008)
Year Four Winner: Chris Jericho (2008-2009)
Year Five Winner: CM Punk (2009-2010)
Year Six Winner: The Miz (2010-2011)
Year Seven Winner: CM Punk (2011-2012)
Year Eight Winner: CM Punk (2012-2013)
Year Nine Winner: Daniel Bryan (2013-2014)
Year Ten Winner: Seth Rollins (2014-2015)

Year Eleven Winners: The New Day (2015-2016)