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Post by Gopher Mod on Jul 14, 2010 19:52:49 GMT -5
That's right, AJ Styles. The third time that a non-WWE wrestler claimed the top spot (Sting in '92, Dean Malenko in '97) in the PWI 500. Now, I realize that this list may not be exactly fair and balanced, but I thought I'd just share this with you guys. As for why this is in (W)Rest: when the full list is released, I'd like to post it here, and obviously, it involves a crazy amount of promotions beyond the Big 2/3/??.
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Post by Enrico Palazzo on Jul 14, 2010 19:56:55 GMT -5
With all due respect, and I know he's talented and probably a nice guy, how did Dean Malenko ever become the pinnace if professional wrestling?
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Paco
Hank Scorpio
Posts: 7,145
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Post by Paco on Jul 14, 2010 20:00:54 GMT -5
PWI defended the Malenko choice with the fact that, due to injuries and inconsistency in the World Title picture of both WCW and WWF, none of the Champs deserved the top spot.
The most talented in-ring wrestler rose to the top. Malenko also had a great win-loss record with U.S. and Cruiser title reigns added.
PWI never wanting to give a Japan wrestler the top spot pretty gave us Malenko at #1 while Misawa placed #2.
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Post by i.Sarita.com on Jul 14, 2010 20:08:32 GMT -5
Yay for AJ.
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ICBM
King Koopa
Didn't know we did status updates here now
Posts: 12,288
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Post by ICBM on Jul 14, 2010 20:50:01 GMT -5
Yay for AJ
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Post by DSR on Jul 14, 2010 20:54:47 GMT -5
Yay for Deano Machino!
Er, I mean AJ. He's cool, too.
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Post by BlackoutCreature on Jul 14, 2010 21:13:40 GMT -5
With all due respect, and I know he's talented and probably a nice guy, how did Dean Malenko ever become the pinnace if professional wrestling? Basically back in 1997 the WWF's top 3 guys, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin, all missed large chunks of the year due to injuries. The only other guy they really had in the main event picture was The Undertaker, and even when he was World Champ he was always looked at as an afterthought. Plus considering how RAW was tanking in the ratings against Nitro, it would've been awkward to claim the number 2 promotion in the country had the number 1 wrestler (although that didn't stop them this year it seems). Over in WCW, Hulk Hogan had been there World Champion for almost the entire year, and only actually defended the title all of a half dozen times. Pretty much everybody else in WCW wasn't allowed to look even remotely credible against the nWo. Dean Malenko though had been the US Champion (there number two title at the time) for most of the year and since he was very well respected for his workrate they gave him the nod.
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Post by Enrico Palazzo on Jul 15, 2010 15:46:58 GMT -5
PWI defended the Malenko choice with the fact that, due to injuries and inconsistency in the World Title picture of both WCW and WWF, none of the Champs deserved the top spot. The most talented in-ring wrestler rose to the top. Malenko also had a great win-loss record with U.S. and Cruiser title reigns added. PWI never wanting to give a Japan wrestler the top spot pretty gave us Malenko at #1 while Misawa placed #2. With all due respect, and I know he's talented and probably a nice guy, how did Dean Malenko ever become the pinnace if professional wrestling? Basically back in 1997 the WWF's top 3 guys, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin, all missed large chunks of the year due to injuries. The only other guy they really had in the main event picture was The Undertaker, and even when he was World Champ he was always looked at as an afterthought. Plus considering how RAW was tanking in the ratings against Nitro, it would've been awkward to claim the number 2 promotion in the country had the number 1 wrestler (although that didn't stop them this year it seems). Over in WCW, Hulk Hogan had been there World Champion for almost the entire year, and only actually defended the title all of a half dozen times. Pretty much everybody else in WCW wasn't allowed to look even remotely credible against the nWo. Dean Malenko though had been the US Champion (there number two title at the time) for most of the year and since he was very well respected for his workrate they gave him the nod. Fair enough and actually I couldn't think of anyone who had an incredible year (Austin at a push, who stayed over despite breaking his neck), but just seems perculiar that Malenko of all people won it.
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Paco
Hank Scorpio
Posts: 7,145
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Post by Paco on Jul 15, 2010 16:06:42 GMT -5
For the curious, here's the Top 10 for 1997's PWI 500:
1- Dean Malenko 2- Mitsuharu Misawa 3- Steve Austin 4- DDP 5- Lex Luger 6- Undertaker 7- Shinya Hashimoto 8- Giant 9- Jushin Liger 10- Bob Holly...just kidding, it was Benoit.
Funny enough, Luger ended up winning PWI's 1997 Wrestler of the Year a few months later.
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theryno665
Grimlock
wants a title underneath the stars
Kinda Homeless
Posts: 13,571
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Post by theryno665 on Jul 15, 2010 16:11:49 GMT -5
AJ is also #1 with THE GAY COMMUNITY?!?
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Post by Ryback on a Pole! on Jul 15, 2010 17:08:48 GMT -5
I've always wondered, is the PWI list kafabe based on win-loss record, title wins etc or based on best wrestler in terms of wrestling skill, match quality etc regardless of their kayfabe record?
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Paco
Hank Scorpio
Posts: 7,145
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Post by Paco on Jul 15, 2010 17:26:56 GMT -5
I've always wondered, is the PWI list kafabe based on win-loss record, title wins etc or based on best wrestler in terms of wrestling skill, match quality etc regardless of their kayfabe record? The former. Although they do claim wrestling ability as a factor, it's basically comes down to "who's had the best year?" It's usually the guy WWE makes their main Champ but, since they went all "hot potato" this past year, AJ's 7-month TNA Title reign wins out.
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cactussam
Bubba Ho-Tep
The Greatest United States Champion of All Time! Because this building is apropos!
Posts: 572
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Post by cactussam on Jul 15, 2010 18:38:35 GMT -5
For the curious, here's the Top 10 for 1997's PWI 500: 1- Dean Malenko 2- Mitsuharu Misawa 3- Steve Austin 4- DDP 5- Lex Luger 6- Undertaker 7- Shinya Hashimoto 8- Giant 9- Jushin Liger 10- Bob Holly...just kidding, it was Benoit. Funny enough, Luger ended up winning PWI's 1997 Wrestler of the Year a few months later. The thing that everyone forgets about Luger these days was that he did have a hell of a year and was insanely over. Hell, he was booked in a great way up until they had him beat hogan for the belt on Nitro (in a pretty decent match, that had a great reaction). After that they fumbled the ball with him after he lost the belt that sunday. Plus, he was actually wrestling like the luger of early WCW when he was a hell of a wrestler.
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hassanchop
Grimlock
Who are you to doubt Belldandy?
Posts: 14,784
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Post by hassanchop on Jul 15, 2010 18:44:42 GMT -5
For the curious, here's the Top 10 for 1997's PWI 500: 1- Dean Malenko 2- Mitsuharu Misawa 3- Steve Austin 4- DDP 5- Lex Luger 6- Undertaker 7- Shinya Hashimoto 8- Giant 9- Jushin Liger 10- Bob Holly...just kidding, it was Benoit. Funny enough, Luger ended up winning PWI's 1997 Wrestler of the Year a few months later. The thing that everyone forgets about Luger these days was that he did have a hell of a year and was insanely over. Hell, he was booked in a great way up until they had him beat hogan for the belt on Nitro (in a pretty decent match, that had a great reaction). After that they fumbled the ball with him after he lost the belt that sunday. Plus, he was actually wrestling like the luger of early WCW when he was a hell of a wrestler. This, and of course, hewasinofthebiggestlengedsstarseverinthis...GAH!
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Dean-o
Grimlock
Haha we're having fun Maggle!
Posts: 13,865
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Post by Dean-o on Jul 15, 2010 18:45:22 GMT -5
I'm more amazed that PWI is STILL in print. They still haven't found a way to speed up their printing process, as the magazine is always 2-3 months out of date by the time it hits newstands, and each issue is $8-9 dollars each.
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Chainsaw
T
A very BAD man.
It is what it is
Posts: 90,480
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Post by Chainsaw on Jul 15, 2010 18:52:25 GMT -5
Yay for Deano Machino! Er, I mean AJ. He's cool, too. You were right the first time. HOORAY FOR DEAN!!!
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"Hollywood" Cactus Matt
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
You couldn't ask for a better custom title!
How do you spell "Goddess"? C-H-R-I-S-T-Y!
Posts: 15,300
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Post by "Hollywood" Cactus Matt on Jul 15, 2010 19:16:23 GMT -5
Congrats to A.J., although to be honest I've never seen what was so special about the guy. (my opinion, and I realize I'm probably in the minority.) I didn't come in here to piss on anyone's Cheerios, though, so I'll close the same way I opened: congrats, A.J.!
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Post by Hulkshi Tanahashi on Jul 15, 2010 23:08:38 GMT -5
PWI defended the Malenko choice with the fact that, due to injuries and inconsistency in the World Title picture of both WCW and WWF, none of the Champs deserved the top spot. The most talented in-ring wrestler rose to the top. Malenko also had a great win-loss record with U.S. and Cruiser title reigns added. PWI never wanting to give a Japan wrestler the top spot pretty gave us Malenko at #1 while Misawa placed #2. Basically back in 1997 the WWF's top 3 guys, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin, all missed large chunks of the year due to injuries. The only other guy they really had in the main event picture was The Undertaker, and even when he was World Champ he was always looked at as an afterthought. Plus considering how RAW was tanking in the ratings against Nitro, it would've been awkward to claim the number 2 promotion in the country had the number 1 wrestler (although that didn't stop them this year it seems). Over in WCW, Hulk Hogan had been there World Champion for almost the entire year, and only actually defended the title all of a half dozen times. Pretty much everybody else in WCW wasn't allowed to look even remotely credible against the nWo. Dean Malenko though had been the US Champion (there number two title at the time) for most of the year and since he was very well respected for his workrate they gave him the nod. Fair enough and actually I couldn't think of anyone who had an incredible year (Austin at a push, who stayed over despite breaking his neck), but just seems perculiar that Malenko of all people won it. [/quote] No offense to Malenko, who was a great wrestler and had a pretty credible case for being #1 in 1997, I think they should have given it to Misawa. And, I really don't get why PWI wouldn't want to give the top spot to a Japanese guy.
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Post by mcmahonfan85 on Jul 15, 2010 23:15:23 GMT -5
Basically back in 1997 the WWF's top 3 guys, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin, all missed large chunks of the year due to injuries. The only other guy they really had in the main event picture was The Undertaker, and even when he was World Champ he was always looked at as an afterthought. Plus considering how RAW was tanking in the ratings against Nitro, it would've been awkward to claim the number 2 promotion in the country had the number 1 wrestler (although that didn't stop them this year it seems). Over in WCW, Hulk Hogan had been there World Champion for almost the entire year, and only actually defended the title all of a half dozen times. Pretty much everybody else in WCW wasn't allowed to look even remotely credible against the nWo. Dean Malenko though had been the US Champion (there number two title at the time) for most of the year and since he was very well respected for his workrate they gave him the nod. Fair enough and actually I couldn't think of anyone who had an incredible year (Austin at a push, who stayed over despite breaking his neck), but just seems perculiar that Malenko of all people won it. No offense to Malenko, who was a great wrestler and had a pretty credible case for being #1 in 1997, I think they should have given it to Misawa. And, I really don't get why PWI wouldn't want to give the top spot to a Japanese guy.[/quote] because they're an American mark mag, and giving Misawa the #1 spot would mean America doesn't have the top wrestler in the world
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Paco
Hank Scorpio
Posts: 7,145
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Post by Paco on Jul 15, 2010 23:16:11 GMT -5
Basically back in 1997 the WWF's top 3 guys, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin, all missed large chunks of the year due to injuries. The only other guy they really had in the main event picture was The Undertaker, and even when he was World Champ he was always looked at as an afterthought. Plus considering how RAW was tanking in the ratings against Nitro, it would've been awkward to claim the number 2 promotion in the country had the number 1 wrestler (although that didn't stop them this year it seems). Over in WCW, Hulk Hogan had been there World Champion for almost the entire year, and only actually defended the title all of a half dozen times. Pretty much everybody else in WCW wasn't allowed to look even remotely credible against the nWo. Dean Malenko though had been the US Champion (there number two title at the time) for most of the year and since he was very well respected for his workrate they gave him the nod. Fair enough and actually I couldn't think of anyone who had an incredible year (Austin at a push, who stayed over despite breaking his neck), but just seems perculiar that Malenko of all people won it. No offense to Malenko, who was a great wrestler and had a pretty credible case for being #1 in 1997, I think they should have given it to Misawa. And, I really don't get why PWI wouldn't want to give the top spot to a Japanese guy.[/quote] It's a North American magazine. They were thinking about sales. I have the issue right in front of me and here's who on the cover of the PWI 1997 issue: Bret Hart, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, DDP, Dean Malenko & Taz. That's even though 3 out of their top 10 were Japanese wrestlers.
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