Ode to yesterday in today's WWE

[chicagokmc]

Remember the old Pro Wrestling Illustration wrestling mags where every month we were given a ranking of all the wrestlers across the federations? I understand they had no validity at all but they were fun to see. I believe (maybe WCW) some of the federations also used to have their own rankings and would even show them during shows.

If you had to come up with a top 10 for the current WWE roster for the year 2014, thru tonight's Raw, who would be your top 10 and why?

 

[SmattyG]

Great topic. I had to put a lot of thought into this one.

10. BROCK LESNAR - Just for ending the Streak - he hasn't really done anything else except beat up Big Show with chairs.

9. ADRIAN NEVILLE - Became NXT Champion and has put on some quality matches with Bo Dallas and Brodus Clay.

8. DEAN AMBROSE - Yes yes we all thought he was going to be the big deal out of The Shield, but it seems he has been surpassed. In saying that, his lunatic fringe gimmick still works well, and he was the US Champ for nearly a year.

7. LUKE HARPER - Speaking of lunatics...Harper is GOLD. From his vacant eyes to his (albeit, limited opportunity) mic work, Harper is so impressive before he even gets in the ring. He is the perfect foil for Bray Wyatt. I see big things ahead.

6. ROMAN REIGNS - He broke the elimination record at Royal Rumble and is apparently being groomed for the top. Would love to see some improvement in mic work though.

5. JOHN CENA - I'm very happy to see Cena in a feud that doesn't involve the title. As great as Bray Wyatt is on the mic, Cena's work has been under rated. He is selling Wyatt's message very well. I do look forward to seeing him eventually snap.

4. CESARO - I've been high on Cesaro for a long time now. I was very happy to see him win the Andre Battle Royal - his elimination of Big Show was amazing. I love old school workers, and Cesaro is one of the best. I wish Heyman would let him talk more though. He needs to practice mic skills to get to the very top.

3. SETH ROLLINS - This guy continues to amaze me. Probably the most under rated guy on the roster. He can adapt his style to suit anyone in the ring. He is the best talker in The Shield (although they don't give Ambrose the opportunity to be his best). Future Champ and Hall of Famer.

2. BRAY WYATT - Wow. Three years ago if you told me Husky Harris would be the most entertaining part of every WWE show, I would have laughed in your face. But the Blackjack is shining through. Every single promo is amazing. I think he's overplaying the singing now, but tonight with his martyrdom for girls who aren't prom queens etc, he adds something every tie he opens his mouth. He's lost weight too and can go for a good 30 mins. His match against Daniel Bryan at Royal Rumble is still my Match Of The Year.

1. DANIEL BRYAN - OK It's kinda obvious that Daniel would be #1. But remember back in January it was rumoured he'd be facing Sheamus at WM? The Occupy RAW segment was the most captivating TV since the Attitude era. He had the perfect build to WM. And he got to drive a forklift lol.

Honourable mentions - Kane, Erick Rowan, Jack Swagger, Sami Zayn...and Paige has at least made we watch Women's wrestling again.

 

[pyrusane]

Wow, I like this topic a whole lot, actually. In the spirit of the OP, I'm going to create my list based on the criteria that they followed in the old PWI issues from the 80s, where midcard titles automatically moved you up the ranking and being the previous champion did the same. My rankings will look rather odd...

1) Daniel Bryan - He stands at the top of the mountain right now, and as the WWE WHC he is the automatic number one in this format...and probably in any other format as well.

2) Bad News Barret - He just won the IC Title, and in the old PWI format that would make him the #1 contender and rank him number two on the list

3) Sheamus - Fresh off of winning the US Title, he would be the #2 contender

4) Randy Orton - The previous WWE WHC, he is the first non-titleholder on the list and has a rematch clause that hasn't been cashed in yet

5) Big E - Same deal as Orton, except he just lost his rematch, so he would be interchangeable with Ambrose.

6) Dean Ambrose - Just lost the US Title tonight, should get a rematch against Sheamus at some point (I doubt he'll ever cash it in) and he is in a high profile program as part of the Shield

7) Cesaro - This is where the list gets interesting, as there are a lot of guys that should be here, and ranking them would really require an algorithm I don't feel like writing right now. Cesaro is on a winning streak and getting a huge push

8) Bray Wyatt - Just beat Cena in a cage, and is the most entertaining thing on Raw right now. Could honestly jump up to 7 easily.

9) Roman Reigns - Can't leave him off the list, even though including him meant bumping Rollins

10) John Cena - Feels like he should be higher on the list, but in his current storyline there just isn't a realistic way to move him up.

Honorable mentions:

Brock Lesnar - Beat the streak, then disappeared (maybe this should be Paul Heyman by proxy)

Seth Rolllins - Deserves to be on the list, lost the coin toss to Reigns

There's my list. I'd like to see this become a recurring thread actually, as my list would change quickly once rematches are out of the way. Well done...

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

Solid thread..

1. Daniel Bryan. He's the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion and the face of the company at the moment.
2. Bad News Barrett. Current Intercontinental Champion gets the nod as the top contender for the WWE WHC.
3. Sheamus. Now, the current US Champion, would be in the #2 contender category.
4. Randy Orton. Due for a title shot, and hasn't exercised his rematch clause.
5. Roman Reigns. Top guy in the top stable in the company at the moment.
6. Cesaro. Most over single's competitor on the roster. Needs a bigger push to move up the list though.
7. Bray Wyatt. Beat John Cena and owns a win over Daniel Bryan. Could easily be ahead of Reigns here, but I chose Reigns instead.
8. Batista. Hate to put him on here, but he's in the same boat as Orton, minus the rematch clause. He's due for some sort of rematch down the line.
9. Dean Ambrose. Lost the US title and could move up with a few good single's match victories or two.
10. Big E. Lost the IC title and lost his rematch. He's fading, but should be off the list next week.

This is a decent idea.

 

[MCMG]

1) Brock Lesnar - The conqueror.

2) Daniel Bryan - Now the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and put on two classic matches at WM30 plus he retained against Kane.

3) The Shield - Dominant and always high performing. Defeated Evolution and are cementing their legacy as one of the best stables of this era.

4) Bad News Barrett - His promos this year have been wonderful. He has been able to gain heat with ease everywhere he goes and is now IC champ. He also defeated Ziggler, Sheamus and RVD (three former World Champions) and warrants a high ranking.

5) Randy Orton - Only recently lost his title where he wasn't pinned and is yet to have is rematch. Defeated Cena and retained inside the Elimination Chamber.

6) Bray Wyatt - Defeated John Cena; an incredible performance at WM30 and his promos are of the highest quality.

7) Sheamus - New US champ which is somewhat an accomplishment. He has the potential to save the title.

8) Cesaro - Won the Battle Royal at WM and the triple threat at Extreme Rules.

9) Batista - He was victorious in the Rumble and has been looking pretty good with Evolution; however, is on a bit of a losing streak.

10) John Cena - Lost to Bray but that was due to three different people interfering. He defeated him at Wrestlemania and is always putting on good showings.

 

[chicagokmc]

Funny no one had Kane on their lists...

I like the lists, still thinking of mine. Most people had the same people on their lists, ordered a bit differently. We can definitely revisit this later in the year if there is interest.