Sunday, August 04, 2013

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 08/04

#1 Randy Orton [--] (41-18-4)
[Money in the Bank Contract]
Like Native Americans listening to the dirt to track stampeding buffalo; the WWE Universe is watching every move Randy Orton makes in the hopes of determining just how true his intentions are for the Money in the Bank contract. The Hardcore 24/7 title shot gives him license to take his shot any place, any time, which makes it the perfect device for false starts and false hopes. Only one man has failed to win his title of choice with the MITB: reigning WWE Champion John Cena. Will he be the one to add Randy Orton to that list? Or is it just a matter of time before The Viper strikes -- taking his title?

As support grows for Bryan Danielson, it's difficult to conceive of an undermining of his rise -- especially if Cena is to take a forced side step mere months after winning the title. With Orton jobbing out to Christian in a World Heavyweight Championship contender match (also involving Rob Van Dam - Smackdown; 8/2), the signs are unclear. The thought does occur that if Orton cashed in before Summerslam, it would do wonders to re-pair Orton and Danielson against one another -- continuing the mini-feud they've enjoyed over the past few weeks.

#2 [--] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (35-11-5) [World Champion]
#4 [--] Bryan Danielson (32-22-1)
#5 [--] Kane (26-20-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-12-1)
#7 [--] Roman Reigns (20-4-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [+1] Seth Rollins (20-8-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [-1] Mark Henry (20-8-0)
#10 [--] The Miz (19-9-1)

#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (19-4-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [+1] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (14-3-0)
#3 [+1] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (14-3-0)
#4 [+1] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (14-7-1)
#5 [-3] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#6 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-8-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#9 [--] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)
#10 [--] Naomi & Cameron (4-3-0)

Superstar Spotlight:
#4 Bryan Danielson (32-22-1)
As a long time fan of WWE, I question a good many of their choices for the modern product. When it comes to the naming of "Daniel Bryan" -- a man who wrestled extensively under his real name: Bryan Danielson -- it's a level of stupid I just can't abide by. So, if you've come upon The Kayfabe Countdown and been given pause to wonder -- now you know!

His partnership with Kane in Team Hell No started something few could've predicted. Their comedic love/hate relationship did things for the Tag Team Championships, both good and bad. It was a run approaching equivalency to that of CM Punk's 434 day WWE title boost, but grew to proportions that were arguably detrimental to the focus on the other teams necessary to make a serious go of rebuilding tag team wrestling.

While it might not have done much for the duos around them -- Team Hell No kept Bryan Danielson (and Kane) firmly in the spotlight and on a path to greatness. We finally got the long awaited match between the former partners on this week's RAW (7/29). A charitably minded affair that did take care of the construction of a new contender -- Danielson himself. He's on a roll, taking on all comers with a tenacity that eliminates any notion that he's a weak link. Can he beat John Cena? I'm conditioned to doubt, but I want to believe. A Summerslam contest in the spirit of great competitive match-ups is just what I want to see. If it includes the claiming of the WWE Championship -- so be it!

So, why couldn't Damien Sandow effortlessly retrieve the brief case once it was thrown into the ocean? Because he can't swim. He dived into the water any way, but he couldn't swim. Hilarious.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records. Tallied results only include matches broadcast during WWE 2013 programming. At present, this includes RAW (Mondays), Main Event (Wednesdays), Smackdown (Friday), and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

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