Top 10 Wrestling Moments of 2011

Merry Christmas to all!  Much like receiving gifts during the holidays, great moments in wrestling feel like gifts from WWE, TNA, ROH or any other wrestling organization.  They are moments when we the fans think up in our heads, but quickly dismiss because we do not think said wrestling would put together something that their bookers could not think of, only to jump with joy and excitement when it actually happens in real life.  These are the times when we start screaming at the top of our lungs in shear joy at our TV or computer even though we know only ourselves and perturbed family members or roommates can hear us.  These joyous moments are why we are all wrestling fans.  Why we painstakingly watch half-naked grown men and women beat each other within an inch of their lives.  Why we care about every little thing that goes on in the insane World of Wrestling and finally why wrestling is our collective passion.  So here is this writer’s personal list of the Top 10 Wrestling Moments of 2011.

10.  Destination X

Yes, Destination X was an entire PPV, but it is still stands as one of the only good moments for TNA Wrestling this year.  For the last few years, TNA has dragged their fans and former fans like yours truly through the mud with the complete and utter nonsense they call wrestling.  So Destination X was refreshingly good taste of oh so fresh air.  The X Division was in the spotlight, the iconic six-sided ring was back and even though there were a few iffy moments on the show, for one night wrestling mattered in TNA.  Something many of us have waited a long time to see again.

9.  The “Undashing One” Is Born

During one Smackdown leading up to the Royal Rumble, Rey Mysterio fought “Dashing” Cody Rhodes in a one-on-one match.  Throughout said match, Rhodes targeted Mysterio’s knee thus exposing the knee brace he was wearing.  Mysterio would turn things around when he smashed Rhodes’ face with a devastating knee brace-to-face 619.  The move affected the “Dashing One” more than on a physical level, his psyche was shattered.  This trauma caused Cody Rhodes to miss over a month of in-ring competition.  He reemerged with a plastic mask and new creepy demeanor and with the help of his father Dusty Rhodes viciously assaulted Rey Mysterio.  With that assault, Cody Rhodes started an arc for his character that now has launched the young star to the cusp of the main event.  Just watching how Cody Rhodes’ character has evolved over the past 12 months has been an amazing moment in itself, but this assault stands out as the moment when everything changed for Cody Rhodes.

8.  John Morrison AKA Spider-Man

Every wrestling fan knows deep down in their heart that John Morrison was one of WWE’s most underutilized superstars.  So to the delight of many, the WWE shone a bright light on him earlier this year with a big WWE Championship match against the Miz and allowing him to steal the show with some of the best spots of the night.  One spot that I vividly remember was from the Royal Rumble.  A few minutes after entering the huge 40-Man Royal Rumble, it looked like Morrison was eliminated by William Regal.  Instead John Morrison would grab onto the barricade thus keeping his feet from touching the arena floor and saving him from elimination.  That was not all as Morrison would walk across the thin top of the barrier and made one big leap onto the steel steps and reenters the ring to continue the match.  Describing it does not do the spot justice; you have to see it for yourself in order to fully understand why it is one of the best moments of 2011 and of the Royal Rumble itself.

7.  Daniel Bryan Wins the World Heavyweight Championship… Not!

The weeks leading up to this moment, Mark Henry had been making an example of Daniel Bryan as to show the Big Show why he is the World Heavyweight Champion.  After denying the Big Show a rematch for the World Title at TLC due to Henry getting disqualified at Survivor Series, Show would knock out the World’s Strongest Man with one impactful fist to the face.  With all that Henry had done to him in the last month, Daniel Bryan saw it as the best time to exact some revenge on Henry and cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on the downed giant.  The American Dragon would us all his strength to turn over Mark Henry for the pin and the World Heavyweight Championship.  The crowd was going nuts; I was going nuts as Daniel Bryan actually was the World Heavyweight Champion.  That was until Teddy Long came out and reversed the decision because Henry was not cleared to compete.  Even if it was a fake-out, it was one amazing moment that did a lot to build towards an eventual match between Bryan and Henry in the near future.

6.  Zack Ryder Wins the United States Championship

This moment should be fresh in our minds as it happened just a week ago.  For the past year, we have all watched one young talented superstar from Long Island go from complete zero with zero to no TV time to one of the most popular superstars in the WWE and the new United States Champion.  It is the culmination of the best wrestling success story this year and a moment that will define Zack Ryder’s career.  Woo Woo Woo!  You Know It, Bro!

5.  CM Punks Drops a Bomb

The promo heard around the world.  The one moment that jump started one of the best summers for pro wrestling in the last 10 years.  The one moment that took CM Punk from great wrestler to wrestling god.  The one moment that made us all giddy inside while also making our collective jaws drop in utter disbelief.  The one moment this year when WWE did not feel scripted; it felt absolutely real and natural.  Something that does not happen often in wrestling.

4.  Christian Wins the World Heavyweight Championship

As a huge fan of Christian, it was just magical seeing Captain Charisma standing atop a ladder hoisting the World Heavyweight Title, something many of us never thought he would hold.  Even with his extremely short reign as champion, that image of Christian hoisting the World Title atop a ladder will stick with me for the rest of my life.  It was the feel good moment of 2011.

3.  Edge Retries

Yes, Edge’s sudden retirement from wrestling was the saddest moment of 2011, but the way WWE handled it was nothing short of phenomenal.  WWE gave Edge time on both Raw and Smackdown to say goodbye to the fans and the locker room.  Personally, it was one touching moment see Christian embrace his best friend, Edge in the ring at the end of Smackdown.  Thank you Edge for all the great memories you gave us fans.  We will never forget you.

2.  The Rock Returns

“FINALLY!!  THE ROCK HAS COME BACK… home.”  Those words sum up The Great One’s return to WWE back in February.  The biggest return of the year and one of the best promos of the year, The Rock has been gone 7 years, but he has not missed a beat.  It was a moment that completely electrified me to the point that I could not go to sleep until I wrote an entire blog post about The Rock’s return.  This moment would have topped the list if it was not for number 1.

1.  CM Punk Wins the WWE Championship in Chicago at Money in the Bank

What fans want and what actually happens are two different things.  Going into Money in the Bank, most fans wanted to see CM Punk leave with the WWE Championship, but few actually thought the WWE would go through with it.  After 30 exhausting minutes of sitting on the edge of our seats, biting our nails in nervous anticipation, CM Punk hit a glorious GTS for the 1,2,3.  In that moment the rabid crowd in Chicago and fans around the world, including myself, all jumped for joy.  The WWE finally gave us what we wanted and it made for the greatest moment of this year and one of the greatest in the company’s long illustrious history.

Tables, Ladders and Chairs… Oh My: Quick Preview of WWE TLC 2011

After all the ups and downs, the good and the bad, we have finally come to the end of the year.  This writer hoped for a dawn of a new age in wrestling this year, but the transition is happening a little slower than expected.  At the end of the day, a lot of strides have been taken to improve WWE’s product especially the pushing of young talent such as Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Zack Ryder and Dolph Ziggler to name a few.  With the strides forward, WWE has taken some steps back with certain storylines and decisions that have come about in the last few months of the year.  It is time to put that all aside as we enjoy one last PPV from the WWE before we head into the New Year.

After what was said to be a fun Survivor Series event, this writer is looking forward to TLC.  Not for the fact that WWE has done little to hype this PPV, but the fact a few superstars like Wade Barrett, Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes have used their TV time to put together some interesting feuds.  The fact that Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder have used Ryder’s Youtube show, Z! True Long Island Story to build their feud over the last three months is just genius.  Personally I just want to watch this PPV to see Ryder finally claim the U.S. Championship and see everyone in Baltimore and on Twitter explode with joy.  On paper, TLC looks very good considering that WWE gives a lot of time to the matches tonight rather than on pointless promos and last minute additions.

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett in a Tables Match

Prediction:  Wade Barrett wins

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder for the U.S. Championship

Prediction:  Zack Ryder wins the U.S. Championship

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Booker T for the Intercontinental Championship

Prediction:  Cody Rhodes retains

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash in a Sledgehammer Ladder Match

Prediction:  Triple H wins

Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show in a Chairs Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Prediction:  Mark Henry retains

CM Punk (c) vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio in a Triple Threat TLC Match for the WWE Championship

Prediction:  CM Punk retains

As the last PPV of the year, there is a lot riding on TLC.  Now matter if it is good or bad, TLC will definitely set the tone for the WWE as it heads into 2012.  For WWE, it would be good for them to end 2011 on a high note rather than a whimper.

The Silverdome Match of the Week: Woo Woo Woo My Time Is Now

After the okay week the WWE had last week, they bounced back with two solid shows in Raw and Smackdown.  They advanced many of the big storylines leading into next Sunday’s TLC PPV, which I am personally looking forward to coming what was said to be a very good Survivor Series.  Six matches have been set for TLC with one or two that could be possibly added next week.  These six matches announced are Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T for the IC Title, Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder for the U.S. Title, Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton in a Tables Match, Triple H vs. Kevin Nash in a Sledgehammer Ladder Match, Mark Henry vs. the Big Show in a Chairs Match for the World Title and CM Punk vs. the Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio in a Triple Threat TLC Match for the WWE Title.  Also this week saw the return of Lillian Garcia.  She has taken over as the ring announcer for Smackdown from Tony Chimel and it has been nice to hear her announce each match again.  While Raw and Smackdown were solid shows, there were not a lot of outstanding matches, but there were quite a good number of fun enjoyable matches this week.  In the end, John Cena vs. Zack Ryder from Raw just beat out Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes both from Smackdown to win the Silverdome Match of the Week.

Last week on Raw, Executive VP of Talent Relations and Interim General Manager John Laurinaitus put together four qualifying matches for the WWE Championship Match at TLC.  One of those qualifying matches, he touted as a social experiment as he had John Cena face-off against Zack Ryder, but there was one twist.  If Cena won, he would qualify for the WWE Title Match at TLC, but if Ryder won, he would get a U.S. Title Match at TLC.  So the stakes were high going into this one as two friends were fighting for a title match at TLC.  Out of the gate, Zack Ryder took control of the Leader of the Cenation with a headlock and an armdrag.  Cena did not give up that easy though as he then took control of the Woo Woo Woo Kid with a headlock, shoulder tackle and a hip toss.  The action was relentless as Cena and Ryder go hold-for-hold.  Zack would later take the advantage and get a 2 count on Cena followed by a headlock.  Cena would fight out of Ryder’s headlock, only for Long Island Iced Z to hit a swinging neckbreaker for another 2 count.  Cena continued to fight back Ryder, but the young superstar was relentless.  Zack caught Cena with knees in the corner followed by a missile dropkick from the top rope, which led to yet another 2 count for Ryder.  With all the momentum in his corner, Ryder went to the top rope again.  This time he was not as fortunate as Cena caught Ryder and attempted to hit the Attitude Adjustment only for Zack to reverse it into a Tornado DDT for another 2 count.  Immediately after Cena kicked out, Zack went for his Rough Ryder finisher only for Cena to dodge it and hit his signature set of moves leading to the Five Knuckle Snuffle and Attitude Adjustment.  Ryder would again fight out of the AA and then send Cena into the ropes.  Ryder would then take some time to fist pump before booting Cena in the face with his signature Broski Boot.  With everything seemingly going right for him, Zack Ryder would try to end the match with the Rough Ryder, but Cena ultimately reversed the move into the AA for the 1, 2, 3.  It was sad to see Zack lose the match, but even with a loss he looked amazing up against the biggest superstar in the WWE and that has to say something.  By the end of night, Zack Ryder would get his U.S. Title shot as John Cena would give up his place in the WWE Title Match at TLC to give Zack another chance.  With a little help from Cena himself, Zack would beat Mark Henry to become the No. 1 Contender for Dolph Ziggler’s United States Championship.  It was a great way to end one fun segment of Raw.

This coming Monday Night Raw will be the sight of the 2011 Slammy Awards.  Only one match has been announced for Monday night that match being John Cena vs. Mark Henry.  Tune into 2011 Slammy Awards starting at 8 Monday evening on the Score here in Canada or the USA Network in the US.  So until next weekend have a wonderful week.  Cheers.

The Silverdome Match of the Week: David vs. Goliath

First off, I have to say sorry for not posting this yesterday.  When I got home from work at 11 pm last night, I was not feeling up to writing.  So it was an okay week for the WWE.  Raw was really enjoyable while Smackdown was total piece of crap.  Most weeks it will be the other way around, but guess we were in Bizarro Land this week.  This week’s Raw did a great job of building storylines for TLC and the end of the year.  What had me intrigued was the Piper’s Pit with John Cena.  Whenever you place a microphone in front of Rowdy Roddy Piper, he hits it out of the park.  It did a whole lot in furthering the build for WrestleMania as Piper pointed out that The Rock and the Cena haters are getting into John Cena’s head and it could be detrimental for the Face of the WWE.  Could this Piper’s Pit have planted the seeds for a heel turn for Cena?  Maybe, maybe not, but personally I am excited to see where this storyline goes this week on Raw.  As it was an okay week for the WWE, there some good matches, mostly on Raw, but only a couple of noteworthy matches.  Out of those noteworthy matches, Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry in a Steel Cage Match from Smackdown just beats out CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio from Raw for the Silverdome Match of the Week.

Last week on Smackdown, Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on a downed Mark Henry and supposedly won the World Heavyweight Championship.  But things were not what they seemed as Teddy Long made his way out to the ring and reversed the decision because Henry was not cleared to compete due to his broken leg.  Bryan got his Money in the Bank briefcase back, but also got a chance to face Mark Henry for the World Title the following week if he won a Fatal 4 Way Match later in the night.  Daniel Bryan did just that and set the stage to face Mark Henry in a Steel Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of the special Holiday Edition of Smackdown.  Determined and unafraid, Bryan entered the steel structure ready to do anything and everything to secure the World Title around his waist, but the only man in his way was the Goliath known as Mark Henry.  Right when the bell rang to start the match, Bryan immediately tried to escape the steel cage, but Mark Henry would stop the determined superstar.  Bryan would fight off Henry and try to scale the cage again.  This time Henry would grab Bryan’s leg and yank him down between the ropes and the ring.  That would set up Henry to crush Bryan against the steel cage with a splash thus taking control of the match in the early moments.  Henry would continue his dominance over the American Dragon by flinging Bryan into the mesh of the steel cage with the help of the ropes.  Bryan tried to fight off the gargantuan Henry, but the World’s Strongest Man used his size to keep Bryan grounded.  With Bryan down for the moment, Mark Henry tried to escape the cage by exiting through the cage door.  Bryan would stop the World Heavyweight Champion from leaving the cage.  Henry pushed Bryan off of him then turned the American Dragon inside out with a devastating clothesline.  Henry went for the pin right after the clothesline, only for Bryan to kick out at the count of 2.  Henry tried to exit through the door yet again.  This time Bryan would stop the giant by going for Henry’s injured ankle.  With Henry down, Bryan started stomping on the injured ankle.  Bryan then went to climb the cage, but Henry still had some fight left in him as the World’s Strongest Man would pull down Bryan and hit another big clothesline on the challenger.  Henry would take control only for a little while as Bryan would slide out of slam attempt by Henry and target his injured ankle yet again.  With an almost crippled Henry flat on his belly, Bryan would lock in the LaBell Lock on the injured champion.  Henry would eventually fight out and try for a powerbomb, but Bryan reversed the move into a ferocious ankle lock on Henry’s injured ankle.  Henry rolled through the ankle lock and sent Bryan flying across the length of the ring.  Using his momentum, Bryan would try to climb the steel cage yet another time, but again to no avail as Henry would stop him yet again.  Henry started climbing the cage, only to be cut off on the top turnbuckle by Daniel Bryan.  Bryan and Henry start fighting on the top turnbuckle trading headbutts and punches in order to get an advantage.  Henry would eventually gain control on the top turnbuckle and hit an amazing World’s Strongest Slam from the top rope thus signaling the end of the match and another successful title defense for Mark Henry.  In the end, Henry and Bryan put on the best match on that crappy edition of Smackdown and of the week.  Also they gave us a taste of what we should expect if they face off for World Title at WrestleMania.  Personally I cannot wait to see more action between Mark Henry and Daniel Bryan in the near future.

Nothing has been announced for Raw or Smackdown this week, but it should be some more build for TLC.  We are two weeks away from TLC and one week away from Final Resolution.  So hopefully it should be an exciting week in the World of Wrestling.  Until next weekend, have a wonderful wrestling-filled week.  Cheers.