What I Think - The Eagle's Ring

Title.

Wrestling Love’s Top Ten for the Year 2008 Volume 1
Top Ten Wrestlers of the Year 2008 Edition
This list only includes wrestlers from the top three US. Wrestling Companies. Ring of Honor WWE TNA

10. Randy Orton
This 3rd Generation Superstar slithers his way on the Top Ten Wrestlers of 2008 in the number ten spot.   2008 was a huge year for Legend Killer. I would guess he would have been higher on this list if he weren’t out for those couple of months. Orton began the year continuing his reign as WWE Champion, which he won at No Mercy 2007 against Triple H. He started the year off with a major feud with Jeff Hardy. Orton lost to Hardy in a tag team match and the viper that is Orton decided to go after family. Orton kicked the recovering Matt Hardy where his appendix use to be and then proceeded to kick Hardy in the head. Orton defeated Hardy at the Royal Rumble to retain the WWE Title. He then feuded with the returning John Cena who won the Royal Rumble Match. Cena evoked his WWE title match at No Way Out instead of the usual PPV, Wrestlemania. Orton was willing to do anything to hold on to the WWE Title including being disqualified. Orton would have his biggest test to date at Wrestlemania 24 where he not only had to defend his title against one opponent but two. Orton had the “King of Kings” Triple H and John Cena. Orton odds of holding onto the WWE title were very slim. Most Heels world champions rarely leave the “Biggest Wrestling Show of the Year” with their World Title. To the surprised of many, Orton defeated both Triple H and Cena even gaining the victory cleanly. The Age of Orton continued to bull rush it’s way through Raw but Orton’s reign as champion was ending. Orton had to compete against JBL, Triple H, and   John Cena at Backlash in a Four Way Elimination Match.   Orton lasted against JBL and Cena but would fall to the feet of the “King of Kings.” Orton would receive two rematches to regain the WWE Title against Triple H at Judgment Day and One Night Stand. One Night Stand he would face Triple H in a Last Man Standing match, which was the match that Orton gained the title from Triple H to begin with. Orton would go for a RKO only to be dumped over the tope rope and have his collarbone broken. He would end the match in a losing effort. Orton would return to the WWE in a non-wrestling role a few months later. He would have a short feud with then GM,=2 0Mike Adamle. Orton threaten to leave the WWE if Adamle was not fired. Adamle would later resign as GM. WWE teased a group with Randy Orton and Priceless (Manu, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase.) They would go on to attack CM Punk costing him the World Heavyweight Title at Unforgiven. Orton would then seemly kick Ted DiBiase out of the estranged group with a punt. Rhodes and Manu would eventually agree to work with Orton helping take out Cena and Batista. Orton gained a Survivor Series win again Batista’s team and lose to Batista at Armageddon. Orton sour from the lost to Batista punted Batista in the head the next night on Raw. Batista will be out until June. Personally: Randy Orton is very believable heel and he is very over with the crowd. One of the top heels (if not the) the WWE has to offer. This has been a great year for his character and I can’t wait to see what the viper with sink his teeth into next. Randy Orton punts his way into the number ten spot

9. Triple H
Triple H started his 2008 with his eyes at the WWE Title. Trips embraced his opportunity at the Royal Rumble where he was one of the final two men only to be F-Ued by John Cena. Trips would receive one last chance to gain a title shot by Wrestlemania at No Way Out. Triple H would be an entry in the Elimination Chamber and would go on to win the match and gain a title match at Wrestlemania. Triple H would lose in a Triple Threat Match to Randy Orton.   Trips would gain the WWE Title from Orton at Backlash in a Four Way Elimination Match. This would be his 12th World Tile Reign. He would be drafted to Smackdown gained successful title defenses against Edge and The Great Khali. Trips would be the only World Champion to retain in a Championship Scramble Match at Unforgiven.   Trips would then be entangled in a three-way feud against the “Extreme Enigma” Jeff Hardy and the “Moscow Mauler” Vladimir Kozlov. He would defeat Hardy at No Mercy and Cyber Sunday. Trips would be attacked by Kozlov and Hardy various times leading to his title against both in a Triple-Threat Match at Survivor Series. He would ultimately lose that match to Edge who used Vickie Guerrero’s GM power to lobby his way into the match. This three-way feud continues. Personally: I hate Triple H. He is just annoying to me but he had to be on this list because he was successful this year. He held the WWE title for 7 long months and he did defeat some top stars. Triple H is number 9 on this list and no higher because he is not married to my daughter.

8. Austin Aries
Austin Aries would begin his 2008 at full force for the ROH Title. Aries had his eyes on being the first two-time ROH Champion is ROH history. He ended his 2007 in an incredible match against Nige McGuinness at Rising Above. He would face Nigel McGuinness at SuperCard of Honor III in a losing effort and that would be his last shot at the ROH in the year 2008. He would begin a violent, physical, mentally enriched feud with Jimmy Jacobs and “his revolution” The Age of the Fall. Jacobs would ask Aries several times to join the Age of the Fall. Jacobs would send his girlfriend, Lacey, to seal the deal. Austin Aries would looked to be on the verge of joining the Age of the Fall holding hands with Lacey and kissing. Austin Aries would reveal that he did not join the Age of the Fall and declared that Lacey has now sided with him. This would be the spark that set the Jacobs/Aries feud into full swing. The two would have matches against each other all throughout the year. The two used violence and mind games to one up each other in their human game of chess. Jacobs would attack Lacey with his infamous Spike and Aries turned Necro Butcher on the AOTF, which was explained by Aries as “Jacobs’ Worst Fear.” The feud would come full circle in a best of three series. The first match was at Ring of Homicide 2 (October 25) Jacobs would defeat Aries in an Anything Goes Match. The second match was at Bound for Hate where they faced in a bloody Dog Collar Match that Aries won. The final match of the series took place at Rising Above 2 in an “I Quit” Match. Lacey would make her return stopping Tyler Black from throwing in the towel for Jacobs forcing Jacobs to say “I Quit.” The feud continues but it’s not to the extent that it was. Some Key Wins: ROH Tag Team Titles Match - A New Level Aries (subbing for Mark Briscoe) and Jay Briscoe defeated Jacobs and Black - Vendetta II Aries defeated Jacobs -Death Before Dishonor VI Aries defeated Necro Butcher and Jacobs-Triple Threat Match -Age of Insanity Aries defeated Tyler Black AOTF Rules -Toyko Summit Aries defeated Black -Driven Aries defeated Delirious -Glory by Honor VII Aries and the Briscoe Brothers defeated The Age of the Fall (Jacobs, Black and Delirious) and Nerco Butcher (alone) in Steel Cage Warfare. - Escalation Aries defeated Black and McGuinness-non-title Triple Threat Match Personally: The feud between Aries and Jacobs was excellent. To me it was the feud of the year. Austin Aries is an awesome wrestler who gives a 110 % every time he goes out there. This guy can tell a beautiful story, both storyline wise and match wise (Bryan Danielson vs. Austin Aries-Take No Prisoners). Austin Aries heat seeking missiles his way at number 8.

7. Shawn Michaels

The Heartbreak Kid continued his amazing wrestling career in the year 2008. Michaels put his focus on a WWE title shot in the early part of the year. His will was tested when the legendary Ric Flair asked to face Michaels at Wrestlemania. Michaels refused to face his hero at Wrestlemania and end his career. Flair kept coming at Michaels until finally he gave in and faced Ric Flair in his final match. The match was full of emotions and was not only a “Wrestlemania Moment” but also a “Wrestling Moment”. Michaels would find himself in an interesting feud with Batista and then a lengthy feud with Chris Jericho. The Jericho/Michaels feud was in many eyes feud of the year. Jericho first tried to prove that Michaels faked a knee injury. Michaels revealed that he indeed did fake the injury and Jericho who became frustrated with the fans for cheering “hypercritic” instead of an “honest man”. Jericho would attack Michaels physically and mentally. Jericho would throw Michaels eye first into the flat screen television. Michaels would go on to face Jericho at the Great American Bash. The remorseless Jericho beat Michaels into a pool of his20own blood causing the referee to stop the match. After this match, Michaels would decide to retire from wrestling. Michaels came out to address the audience at Summerslam. With his wife at his side, Michaels explained why he had to leave. Jericho not satisfied by Michaels’ reasons behind his retirement, came to the ring and demanded Michaels to admit that it was Jericho who put Michaels out of wrestling. Michaels told Jericho that as much as he speaks down on Michaels, he would never be Shawn Michaels. Jericho tried taking a cheap shot at Michaels for his comment, instead of nailing Michaels, he hit Michaels’ wife in the jaw.   A month later Michaels would return to face Jericho at Unforgiven. This time Michaels won via referee stoppage. The two would have two more matches for the World Heavyweight Title that Jericho won at Unforgiven in a Scramble Match.   A Ladder Match at No Mercy and a Falls Count Anywhere match at a special edition of Raw from England. Michaels is now embroiled in a feud with JBL, which has to do with the current recession of the United States Economy. Personally: It seems like Shawn Michaels is like a f ine wine. The older he gets the better work he does.   I’m very interested in seeing this JBL/ Michaels feud in 2009. Shawn Michaels superkicks his way at Number 7.

6. Kurt Angle
Angle started off his 2008 as the TNA World Heavyweight Champion and feuded with Christian Cage.   Both fought over power of both Tomko and AJ Styles.   Ultimately Tomko and AJ Styles would stab Christian in the back in two separate TNA World Title Matches on PPV. Kurt Angle would then lose the World Title to Samoa Joe at Lockdown in a “Title vs. Career” match. This was very unique to wrestling because it was treated as a MMA match or a shoot fight. Angle would form a friendship with Frank Trigg (MMA fighter), Tomko, and AJ Styles forming the Angle Alliance. Angle would turn on AJ Styles after Angle’s marriage to Karen crumbled. Angle believed that Karen was cheating with Styles on him.   The two would have a series of matches through out the summer with Styles gaining the majority of match under his belt. These matches were all grea t and a dream to see. Angle would then turn his attention towards all of the younger talent and Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett would cost Angle many matches and titles including his gold medal. Jarrett defeated Angle at Bound for Glory. Angle would request again and again to Mick Foley (new executed shareholder) and Jeff himself a rematch. He would be denied each time. Angle would go on a rampage using the newly formed Main Event Mafia (Nash, Sting, Booker, and Stenier) at his disposal. He continues to feud with both the Front Line and Jarrett and even gained victories over Abyss and Rhino on PPV. Personally: I believe Kurt Angle is the hardest worker in wrestling. He works every match at 200%. He was TNA Champion and his matches alone with Styles are reasons enough he should be on this list. He has been at the head of this MEM/ Front Line feud. To me TNA stands for Total Non-Stop Angle in 2008. I do think he should take some time off because he over works himself at times. Kurt Angle is number 6 on the list. It’s Real, It’s Damn Real!

5. John Cena
Almost all the competitors were entered into the Royal Rumble. Triple H just came in at 29th spot and it was now time for number 30. The countdown went all the way down to 1. There was a belief second of anticipation and then the music hit. It was the returning John Cena. No one saw Cena coming back so early from a serious neck injury but, he did. He came in and won the Royal Rumble becoming the second in history to win the Royal Rumble at the number 30 spot.   Cena would then face Orton at No Way Out for the WWE Title. Cena won but not in typical Cena fashion. Orton purposely got himself D-Qed.   Cena won the match but not the title. Cena would headline his 4 consecutive Wrestlemania in a Triple Threat Match against Orton and Triple H. Orton some how got past both heavy hitters to retain. Cena then received his third title shot at Backlash and was eliminated second in an elimination four-way match. Cena would then rekindle his rivalry with JBL. Cena would come out on top in most of the matches but would lose a20very important New York City Parking Lot Brawl at the Great American Bash. At Summerslam it was a dream match between Batista and Cena.   The two careers paralleled each other for 3 years without once crossing as opponents. Arguably the two biggest stars of this generation locked it up in a stellar match. Batista would injury Cena with a Batista Bomb during the match. Cena would miss several months and return infront of his hometown of Boston to win the World HeavyWeight title from Chris Jericho at Survivor Series. Personally: Even though I’m not a fan of his, he does work very hard and he has had a good year ending it with a world title around his waist. “The Champ is Here” at the number 5 spot.

4. Jimmy Jacobs
As leader of the Age of the Fall, Jacobs had a lot to deal with in the year 2008. He would lead his way into 2008 as ROH Tag Title Champion with Tyler Black.   They would lose the titles to Davey Richards and Rocky Romero in an Ultimate Endurance Match. Jacobs would continue to spread his Revolution and use the Briscoe Brothers as examples. The Briscoes would have many matches throughout the year usually ending with all the competitors wearing a crimson mask at the end of the match. Jaocbs requested many to join the Age of the Fall including Joey Matthews, Zach Gowen, Mschief, Delirious, etc but none he wanted more then Austin Aries. He would try convincing Aries to join his cause the earlier part of the year. Aries never denied the offer but he seemed to no be interested. Jacobs would then have his girlfriend Lacey leave with Aries into the night to see if her charm could sway him. The plan backfired on Jacobs. Not only did Aries deny the offer but also he turned Lacey to join Aries. The broken Jacobs fell into depression and would later attack Lacey outside of a gym with his signature spike. The Jacobs would then team with Black to face Jay Briscoe and Austin Aries for the ROH Tag Team Title at the “New Level” show. Aries and Briscoe would go on to win with the assist of Mark Briscoe. Jay would forfeit the titles because he felt that he needed his brother. Black and Jacobs would gain the vacant ROH Tag team Titles at the “Up for Grabs” show. They won an 8-team tournament defeating Delirious and Pelle Primeau, Aries and Bryan Danielson, and Kevin Steen and El Gen erico in the finals.   Black and Jacobs would hold the titles all the way to September 20th’s Driven PPV. It was a 3-month reign. Jacobs would be entangled in many different feuds at once. Austin Aries turned Necro Butcher on the Age of the Faland Jacobs would have a feud with Necro. Jacobs would then pick up the love wounded Delirious from his depression and used his experience with Lacey and his heartbreak to draw Delirious to the Age of the Fall. (Delirious had a falling out with Daizee Haze.) This would cause Jacobs to feud with the Haze. Jacobs would continue his physical and emotional feud with Aries all the way to the end of the year even having a “best of three” series with Aries. Jacobs would gain the first victory in an Anything Goes Match but lose the next two in a Dog Collar Match and an “I Quit Match” during the month of November. Jacobs now has his sight set on holding power over Delirious and gaining the tag team titles. Personally: His words His feuds His stable His Matches That’s why he bleeds the Number 4 spot.

3. Chris Jericho
Recently returned Jericho started the year in a miserable feud with JBL and a losing effort in the Money in the Bank Match. He did win the Intercontinel title from Jeff Hardy on a March 9th edition of Raw. His year didn’t picked up until he faced Shawn Michaels at Judgment Day in a classic wrestling match. Jericho felt Michaels faked a knee injury to defeat Batista at Backlash. Jericho persisting his allegations until Michaels admitted his wrong. Jericho, who felt betrayed by fans, viciously attacked Michaels on the Highlight Reel.   Jericho felt that the fans had no good reason for cheering a liar like Michaels and boo an honest man like himself. The fans did not need saving but, Jericho had to be saved from the fans. After a series of confrontations with Michaels, Jericho would gain the World Heavyweight Title in a Scramble Match replacing the injured CM Punk. Jericho would lose the title to Batista and then regain the title a week later in a Steel Cage Match. Jericho would have the deck stacked against him against the returning John Cena in his hometown of Boston at Survivor Series. Jericho continues to feud against Cena trying to regain the World Title. Personally: Jericho has showed so much progress since his return.   The feud against Shawn Michaels was absolutely brilliant. Jericho truly reinvented himself for the better and took place of the Legend Killer while he was injured as the top heel on Raw. Jericho lectures his way into the number 3 spot.

2. Jeff Hardy
Following a huge wave of momentum with his feud against Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy would be suspended for failing a drug test in March. Hardy would return on a May 10 edition of Raw to defeat Umaga. Hardy was drafted to Smackdown and aggressively Started to pursue the WWE Title. Hardy would receive several title matches on PPV only to fail each title. At Survivor Series, WWE.com reported Jeff Hardy was unconscious in the stairs of hotel. Hardy could not compete in the Triple Threat WWE Title Match against Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov. Edge would take his place and win the WWE Title. Hardy would attack Edge during the match and blamed Edge for the attack. Hardy would take part of the Beat the Clock Sprint and defeat The Brian Kendrick at 12 minutes and 13 seconds. Triple H would also gain this time an it was announced a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Title, Edge vs. Hardy vs. Triple H at Armageddon. Hardy’s career came full circle that night as he won the WWE Title after years in the business. He dedicated his match win to all the outcast and believers in a dream. Hardy will continue to reign as champion into 2009.   Personally: Armageddon was unbelievable and a wrestling moment for a lifetime. That one night made Hardy’s entire year. Hardy Swanton Bomb’s into the number 2 spot.

Before you read who is number 1, here are some names that didn’t make the list that you probably could come up an argument why they should be. Matt Hardy-Sure Hardy returned and won the US Title and ECW Title but it’s the ECW Title. Samoa Joe-It seemed like Joe had a big year holding the TNA World Title but the title run was wrongly booked and lacked a good major feud.

AJ Styles-Styles transformed from a goofy sidekick into a serious competitor having outstanding matches with Kurt Angle but his year took a downfall facing Frank Trigg in a MMA Match at No Surrender.
Awesome Kong- Yeah she is the most dominant force in Women’s wrestling but with no competition at all in TNA, it’s not too hard to do that.
Taylor Wilde- The downfall of the Knockout’s Title. John Morrison and=2 0Miz- great year for both, so much so they are featured all three WWE Brands. Narrowly missed the list.
Santino Marella- The best reason to watch Raw and a comic wrestling genius. Sadly for him he lost most of his matches this year.
CM Punk-He did won both the Money in the Bank Briefcase and World Heavyweight title but that only lead to countless losses to major players and one win against JBL just doesn’t cut it for him to become a serious threat in this list. That on top of the fact it seems like the WWE has no idea to do with him.
Undertaker- The Deadman narrowly missed the list and I hope he doesn’t send me to hell.
Edge Speaking of Hell, that storyline feud between Edge and Undertaker seemed to never end. That on top of the fact Edge seems to only have a good match in gimmick matches.
Tyler Black- The t op of the young stars, Tyler Black, showed so much potential this year to be ROH World Champion. Maybe next year? Bryan Danielson-He is the “Best Wrestler in the World” but a lack of a major feud or titles kept the “American Dragon” from taking a bit out of this list. That hurt my heart a bit.

1. Nigel McGuinness
No one had a bigger 2008 then Nigel McGuinness. Coming off one of the best ROH matches in history defeating Austin Aries at Rising Above in December 2007, McGuinness came into the year 2008 as ROH World Champion. McGuinness has virtually picked up a victory against every single serious champion challenger. McGuinness feuded with multiple wrestlers even at the same time. His major feuds of the year were Claudio Castagnoli, Tyler Black, Bryan Danielson, Austin Aries, and Kevin Steen. He remains champion to this day and is the third longest reigning champion behind Bryan Danielson by a couple days. His final championship match of 2008 will be against Naomichi Marufuji at Final Battle 2008, hoping to retain the ROH World Title. Major wins: ROH World Title Match -Breakout McGuinness def. Chris Hero in a Steel Cage Match -Without Remorse ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Roderick Strong -6th Anniversary Show ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Bryan Danielson -Take No Prisoners ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Tyler Black -SuperCard of Honor III ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Austin Aries -Injustice ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Kevin Steen -Return Engagement ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Kevin Steen -A New Level ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Claudio Castagnoli -Respect is Earned II ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Go Shiozaki -Vendetta II     Non-Title Nigel McGuinness def. Jerry Lynn -Northern Navigation ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Kevin Steen in his home country -New Horizons ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuin ness def. Claudio Castagnoli -Death Before Dishonor VI     ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Tyler Black, Bryan Danielson, and Claudio Castagnoli -Age of Insanity ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. El Generico -Tokyo Summit ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Jimmy Jacobs -Driven II ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Roderick Strong -Glory By Honor VII ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. El Generico -The French Connection ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Kevin Steen, El Generico. Go Shiozaki -Bound By Hate ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Necro Butcher -Rising Above II ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Bryan Danielson -12/6/08 ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness def. Jerry Lynn Personally: It’s hard to fight all those title wins. He has defeated every single hard hitter and multiple times as well. Nigel McGuinness walks in the year as ROH World Champion and walks out with the title (maybe) and the number 1 stop. Beat that Danielson, you clam digger.
Who to look at for in 2009:
The Brian Kendrick
Jerry Lynn
Brent Albright
Tyler Black
Motor City Machineguns
Evan Bourne
Mike Knox
Jack Swagger
Morrison and Miz
MVP
Umaga
Ted DiBiase
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year From,
Wrestling Love

A Wrestling Fans Perfect Christmas

Batista As Worlds Champ

I said to myself that i had to write in a new column after watching Cyber Sunday.

Now please wrestling marks don't start cursing Batista just yet. I know he doesn't deserve to be champion but let's look at this logically. Batista is World Heavyweight Champion but this is the question you should ask: How Long will his reign be? Now If they are going to give the World Title to Orton then I see why they would give the title to Batista. Not only that but John Cena is coming back soon and the last match he had was against Batista. Those are two options that the WWE are most likely looking at. I would say Batista will probably hold the title for one maybe two months.
He may face JBL at Survivor Series or be in a 10 man tag.

Wrestling Love