2005 Wrestler of the Year

[Dangerous A 0]

Who is the 2005 Wrestler of the Year? Yeah, there's still 2 months left in the year, but that doesn't mean people can't start making cases right now.

 

And right now, I'd have to say Samoa Joe. He's just having killer matches right now. Behind him would probrably be Kenta Kobashi or Jamie Knoble. Kurt Angle will almost always be mentioned since he hasn't missed any significant time.

 

I have to give a shout out to Mistico since Lucha doesn't get any play here. He not only has great matches, but is THE draw right now in Mexico.

 

 

Make a case.

[Special K 0]

From the little I've seen, Joe and Christopher Daniels would head my list.

[Guest SavageRulz]

It's tough to look beyond the guys DA already mentioned to be honest. If you look beyond in ring performance, there's nobody over the course of the past year who's really broken out in that sense, like when Rock, or Austin did, so for me it would have to be judged on quality of matches this time around and when you're talking about that then you're really looking at Angle, Joe and Kobashi.

 

I've not seen much recent lucha so can't really comment on Mistico. I'll be perfectly honest though, I tend to not really enjoy lucha very much so I doubt that I personally would throw Mistico in there whether he's been an ace performer or not.

 

So, breaking it down to Angle, Joe and Kobashi. I'd similarly probably go with Joe. All year long he's been putting on some outstanding matches and I can't really think of any time that he's let anyone down. Admittedly he gets more in ring quality to work with, than for instance Kurt Angle, but if you were to look at perhaps the top 10 US matches of the year I'd say Joe's been in more of them than anyone else I can think of, and definitely more than Angle has this year.

 

It's always easier to compare a TNA guy to a WWE guy, than it is to compare workers who are in the US to those in Japan. The style's different and they never get the same sort of talent to wrestle. Kobashi has been great this year but I'd still go with Joe. I just think that if you break it down to genuine match of the year contenders then who can compete with Joe in 2005?

 

Nobody

[Dangerous A 0]

I heard a recent convo with Meltz and Bryan Alvarez where they said that this year seems similar to 2002 where Kurt Angle won Wrestler of the Year not so much because his matches were **** or better caliber, but the field was so incredibly weak and Angle's matches were usually the best of the night for WWE's big shows that he kind of just got the sympathy vote more than anything. That is sort of how this year seems except Joe is putting on **** caliber matches, but he isn't a household name or real draw right now.

[Guest Real F'n Show]

hmm...

 

1. Chris Benoit

2. Kenta Kobashi

3. Eddie Guerrero

4. Samoa Joe

5. Bryan Danielson

 

Just missing the cut would be Liger and Mysterio...

[Guest SavageRulz]

I heard a recent convo with Meltz and Bryan Alvarez where they said that this year seems similar to 2002 where Kurt Angle won Wrestler of the Year not so much because his matches were **** or better caliber, but the field was so incredibly weak and Angle's matches were usually the best of the night for WWE's big shows that he kind of just got the sympathy vote more than anything. That is sort of how this year seems except Joe is putting on **** caliber matches, but he isn't a household name or real draw right now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Yeah very much so. Joe's far from being a big star yet, but with the majority of the WWE matches being weak, Joe's in ring performance has far outweighed anyone I can think of on their roster. Then you look at the TNA one and similarly I can't really see anyone who's consistently put out the quality that he has all year.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

I'd love for Joe to win WotY 2005 if only to see a whole lot of people throw fits over it.

[World's Worst Man 0]

Depends what the criteria are. Is it the best worker? Or a combo of drawing, success and ability? If we're talking the latter, I'd take Kojima. Kojima put on some good performances and he was the first guy to hold the IWGP and Triple Crown titles at the same time.

 

If we're talking strictly wrestling ability, I guess you can't argue with Joe. No one else has really been lighting it up this year. Maybe KENTA, as he was involved in my MOTY, as well as some other good-very good matches, plus a supposedly excellent match I haven't seen yet (vs. SUWA in September). And I suppose Kobashi could get the nod, not so much for a ton of high-end stuff, but he's racked up a ton of good-very good matches tagging with Shiozaki. I'll have to catch up on my ROH watching and watch the last ~4 months of NOAH stuff to make a good decision.

[The Niggardly King 0]

Joe

Mistico

James Gibson

[Placebo Effect 0]

Snitsky.

[Guest *KNK*]

hmm...

 

1. Chris Benoit

2. Kenta Kobashi

3. Eddie Guerrero

4. Samoa Joe

5. Bryan Danielson

 

Just missing the cut would be Liger and Mysterio...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Where do you come up with Benoit? This has been a down year even for Benoit. Hasn't had much quality this year, in fact, hasn't touched anything near ****.

 

Samoa Joe is the clear cut winner for another excellent year of quality, including a ***** for the second year in a row. An amazing feat for a NA worker.

 

Joe is hands down the NA wrestler of the year and he's made a pretty strong case for best wrestler in the world for 2005.

[ZGangsta 0]

Yeah it's gotta be Joe.

 

And I echo the confusion with someone picking Benoit. I mean, he's still great and all, but I havn't seen any really good stuff from him at all in 2005.

[Guest cosbywasmurdered]

I'd have to give the nod to Samoa Joe, he's had an outstanding year.

 

Kobashi 's had a solid year but I can't see him as wrestler of the year, I could change my mind on that because I haven't seen his two matches in ROH yet.

[Guest *KNK*]

If I was hard pressed to issue a top ten NA only list this would be it

 

1. Samoa Joe

2. Jamie Gibson

3. Eddy Guerrero

4. Kurt Angle

5. CM Punk

6. Christopher Daniels

7. Austin Aries

8. AJ Styles

9. Shawn Michaels

10. Shelton Benjamin

[Kardo 0]

Easy, Mistico for me. Amazing draw, great matches. What more could you ask for?

[Guest Real F'n Show]

hmm...

 

1. Chris Benoit

2. Kenta Kobashi

3. Eddie Guerrero

4. Samoa Joe

5. Bryan Danielson

 

Just missing the cut would be Liger and Mysterio...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Where do you come up with Benoit? This has been a down year even for Benoit. Hasn't had much quality this year, in fact, hasn't touched anything near ****.

 

Samoa Joe is the clear cut winner for another excellent year of quality, including a ***** for the second year in a row. An amazing feat for a NA worker.

 

Joe is hands down the NA wrestler of the year and he's made a pretty strong case for best wrestler in the world for 2005.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Valid points, the list was in no order, Joe or Kobashi would probably be at the top if that were the case.

 

I guess Benoit would fit more into a best in the world category, than WOTY.

[Guest *KNK*]

hmm...

 

1. Chris Benoit

2. Kenta Kobashi

3. Eddie Guerrero

4. Samoa Joe

5. Bryan Danielson

 

Just missing the cut would be Liger and Mysterio...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Where do you come up with Benoit? This has been a down year even for Benoit. Hasn't had much quality this year, in fact, hasn't touched anything near ****.

 

Samoa Joe is the clear cut winner for another excellent year of quality, including a ***** for the second year in a row. An amazing feat for a NA worker.

 

Joe is hands down the NA wrestler of the year and he's made a pretty strong case for best wrestler in the world for 2005.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Valid points, the list was in no order, Joe or Kobashi would probably be at the top if that were the case.

 

I guess Benoit would fit more into a best in the world category, than WOTY.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Good because otherwise, I'd be concerned. Honestly, it's scary to imagine this but Benoit, if I sat down and looked it over, may not even make my top 15 list and that I'd actually place Flair above Benoit, just because Flair had more standout matches(not neccesarily "better" but stand out). A really ho-hum year for the Crippler.

 

Danielson, I don't think should be on that list mainly because he missed a good chunk of time (4 months). I should mention, I've yet to see GBHIV with Gibson. From what I hear, it's a legit ****+ match, as I would expect from them. Once I see that and the reportedly strong work with...Strong, Danielson should quickly jump into my list and even snake his way into the top 3.

 

I'm really concerned Jamie Gibson's tremendous first half will disappear by his relative disapearence this last 1/2 of the year. Same goes for Punk as both are stuck in ovw...where it's not exactly a beacon for quality work in the ring.

 

He had a really good year and needs to get the proper respect for it.

[razazteca 0]

Easy, Mistico for me. Amazing draw, great matches. What more could you ask for?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This guy to make top 10.

[Dangerous A 0]

Danielson, I don't think should be on that list mainly because he missed a good chunk of time (4 months). I should mention, I've yet to see GBHIV with Gibson. From what I hear, it's a legit ****+ match, as I would expect from them. Once I see that and the reportedly strong work with...Strong, Danielson should quickly jump into my list and even snake his way into the top 3.

 

 

While Danielson did miss a chunk of summer to work in Europe, don't forget he had a killer best of five series against Homicide from January to May that kicked all kinds of ass. Danielson isn't my pick, but he's a top 5-10, easy.

 

And raz, I don't think Ultimo Guerrero gets enough respect or run here (or anywhere for that matter) so I salute you for bringing him up. He's a top 10 worker for me as well.

 

Los Guerreros del Infierno Rule the Muthafuckin World!!

[Guest *KNK*]

Danielson, I don't think should be on that list mainly because he missed a good chunk of time (4 months). I should mention, I've yet to see GBHIV with Gibson. From what I hear, it's a legit ****+ match, as I would expect from them. Once I see that and the reportedly strong work with...Strong, Danielson should quickly jump into my list and even snake his way into the top 3.

 

 

While Danielson did miss a chunk of summer to work in Europe, don't forget he had a killer best of five series against Homicide from January to May that kicked all kinds of ass. Danielson isn't my pick, but he's a top 5-10, easy.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I was there for the blow off and I think that match was a disapointment to the crowd and to an extent, myself. which might because it followed a really, really good Gibson/Aries match and a long intermission in a hot building.

 

I felt it was the weakest match of the bunch, but I havent Pt. 2 and 3, so who knows.

[King Cucaracha 0]

If we're going by Meltzer, only one guy should be in the running and that's Joe. He's had two ***** matches by Meltzer's reckoning (vs. Punk, vs. Kobashi), not to mention the Triple Threat Match at Unbreakable. He's been consistant in both ROH and TNA for the whole year. I can't see as there's many more candidates.

 

I don't see enough of Kobashi (some, but not enough) or Mistico (none at all) to comment on them. Angle hasn't really had any stand-out matches besides the matches with HBK, so I certainly wouldn't consider him. Punk and Gibson had great half years but then disappeared. Spanky the same, except he's on Velocity, which sadly seems like a good thing compared to the other two. And to be honest, the Gibson/Spanky matches just aren't the same when the entire build was "Hey, we don't have to worry about road agents, we want to wrestle without limitations, Smackdown sucks" and then a few months later, they both saw the money signs again and went back on pretty much everything that was said.

 

As for Danielson, it's hard to nominate him when he had so much time out. The Homicide series was good, but I don't think it was worthy of either being WOTY. The Taped Fist Match was such a goofy stipulation, seeing as about half the roster had come out with taped fist for their matches before Danielson and Homicide even came out. The FCA Match was great. The Lumberjack Match was odd because of who the lumberjacks were (or rather, weren't). And the Cage Match was a little disappointing, apparantly.

 

I'd place Austin Aries higher than Danielson. I can't remember him having a bad match in ROH.

Edited November 9, 2005 by King Cucaracha

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

The WWE Wrestler of the Year is EASILY Chris Benoit. Any other argument is silly.

 

For the overall worker of the year, I would go with Samoa Joe and Benoit tied. Benoit because he works more dates, and Joe because with less dates he has more outstanding matches. Both have had excellent years.

[King Cucaracha 0]

The WWE Wrestler of the Year is EASILY Chris Benoit.  Any other argument is silly.

 

For the overall worker of the year, I would go with Samoa Joe and Benoit tied.  Benoit because he works more dates, and Joe because with less dates he has more outstanding matches.  Both have had excellent years.

 

 

If we're naming people as WOTY of the year on past accomplishments alone, mark me down for Ric Flair as 2005 WOTY.

 

I honestly couldn't name three, memorable Benoit matches from the entire year. To say he's on a par with Joe over the entire year is preposterous, no matter who works more dates where.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Benoit's work in the 2005 Royal Rumble (beginning to final 5 or 6...) was memorable.

 

Benoit at WM 21 was memorable.

 

Benoit over HHH via submission on Raw was memorable.

 

Benoit's Elimination Chamber work was memorable.

 

Benoit's REALLY GOOD MATCH WITH EDGE on Raw (Benoit wins, April I think) was memorable to me.

 

Benoit's match w/ Booker (US Title Change) was memorable.

 

Benoit's match w/ Batista on a January Raw was super memorable. Every TSM person marked out for it, including Batista pushed super hard, slamming Benoit's head into the turnbuckles before the clean win.

 

The #1 Contender Match for Great American Bash (6-way match was it?) on Smackdown was pretty good.

 

__________

 

 

Again, Joe's highlight matches > Benoit's highlight matches

 

But Benoit's had more than 80-100 matches you haven't heard about or seen more than Joe has had all year.

 

Plus, he's produced good stuff given WWE's horrid policies on big bumps, terribly booked angles, and such.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

It's Joe and it's not that close.

 

What Joe has done in RoH is enough to make the claim...but his joining TNA and almost immediatly becoming a focus of the company...and a guy they are building around seals the deal.

 

It's Samoa Joe.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

If we're going by Meltzer, only one guy should be in the running and that's Joe. He's had two ***** matches by Meltzer's reckoning (vs. Punk, vs. Kobashi), not to mention the Triple Threat Match at Unbreakable. He's been consistant in both ROH and TNA for the whole year. I can't see as there's many more candidates.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Actually Meltzer rated that triple threat ***** as well. Making that every match he's rated in the 2000s as *****...having involved Samoa Joe.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Meltzer is an idiot, BTW.

[Guest GoJoe]

Shawn Michaels has to be the WWE WOTY. His matches with Kurt, his match with Shelton, his match with Hogan (which love it or hate it, was the biggest WWE match of the year), the triple threat at Taboo Tuesday.

 

I can't see how how either Benoit or Flair can compare to that, even Kurt is above them.

[King Cucaracha 0]

But Benoit's had more than 80-100 matches you haven't heard about or seen more than Joe has had all year.

 

Well, if they haven't been heard about or seen, how do they warrant him being WOTY?

 

Benoit's Rumble run wasn't memorable at all. He hung around for a long time and then suddenly got dumped out with no hype or no build. Completely anticlimactic. Cameos in Elimination Chamber and multi-man Ladder Matches, a WOTY does not make.

 

To be honest, I'd have HBK high on any WWE WOTY list too, if only for making Hogan watchable. Plus, HBK/Shelton probably tops anything Angle did with anyone else during the year.

[Si82 0]

Christopher Daniels.

 

The guy has just flat out impressed me all year with his performances. He's consistanly delivered in the ring and that's good enough for me. He made me a fan of not only him but TNA as well.

 

Also, Samoa Joe has really impressed me too. I hadn't seen him wrestle until this year and he lived up to the hype. Not only that but he also seems to have that "something" about him that makes him stand out from others. It might be down to his look, I'm not sure, but he has "something". AJ Styles is another one who I've rated this year too.