iChart 100: 2011 Q1 - Year 5

#1 [650] William Ørbit - Cavalleria Rusticana (--)
#2 [620] William Ørbit - In A Landscape (--)
#3 [618] William Ørbit - Ogive Number I (--)
#4 [601] Way Out West - Pulse of Life (--)
#5 [589] 菅野よう子 [Yoko Kanno] - Bad Dog (+2)
#6 [588] William Ørbit - Piece in the Old Style 3 (-1)
#7 [588] William Ørbit - L'Inverno (-1)
#8 [575] CocoRosie - Rainbowarriors (--)
#9 [571] William Ørbit - Triple Concerto (+3)
#10 [570] William Ørbit - Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte (--)
#11 [569] William Ørbit - Xerxes (-2)
#12 [536] Thom Yorke - Analyse (-1)
#13 [525] CoLD SToRAGE - Body in Motion (+2)
#14 [522] William Ørbit - Piece in the Old Style I (-1)
#15 [514] William Ørbit - Opus I32 (-1)
#16 [512] William Ørbit - Adagio for Strings (--)
#17 [493] Björk - Mouths Cradle (--)
#18 [470] Underworld - Two Months Off (Radio Edit) (--)
#19 [461] Vangelis - Love Theme from Bladerunner (--)
#20 [454] Moby - My Weakness (+1)
#21 [438] Björk - Who Is It (Carry My Joy on the Left, Carry My Pain on the Right) (-1)
#22 [427] CoLD SToRAGE - Cold Comfort (+1)
#23 [413] Bodyrox feat. Luciana - Yeah Yeah (D. Ramirez Radio Edit) (-1)
#24 [407] Sasha - Wavy Gravy (+5)
#25 [398] Björk - Submarine (-1)
#26 [389] PNAU - Journey Agent (+6)
#27 [382] Intermix - Mantra (-2)
#28 [381] William Ørbit - Barber's Adagio for Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix) (+3)
#29 [380] Groove Terminator - Losing Ground (-3)
#30 [372] CoLD SToRAGE - Cairodrome (-3)
#31 [371] Stardust - Music Sounds Better with You (Radio Edit) (+3)
#32 [371] Madonna - Frozen (-4)
#33 [371] Gustav - Genua (-3)
#34 [362] Pendulum - Coma (+3)
#35 [356] Rob Dougan - Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino Variation) (+7)
#36 [350] Groove Zone - Eisbaer (Extended Mix) (+4)
#37 [350] Hot Chip - Over and Over (-4)
#38 [345] Cassius - Toop Toop (+8)
#39 [345] Moby - Porcelain (Clubbed to Death Version by Rob Dougan) (+6)
#40 [343] Supreme Beings of Leisure - Strangelove Addiction (+8)
#41 [342] Radiohead - Videotape (-5)
#42 [338] UNKLE - Lonely Soul (-7)
#43 [334] Einsturzende Neubauten - Blume (-4)
#44 [331] Björk - Desired Constellation (-1)
#45 [330] Faithless - We Come 1 (+6)
#46 [330] Björk - Pleasure is all Mine (+6)
#47 [330] The Future Sound of London - Papua New Guinea (-6)
#48 [329] Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out (-4)
#49 [329] Björk - Visur Vatnsenda-Rósu (-11)
#50 [323] Moby - Bodyrock (Hybrid's Bodyshock Remix) (+4)
#51 [319] Luke Slater - Stars and Heroes (-4)
#52 [318] b(if)tek feat. Julee Cruise - Wired for Sound (+1)
#53 [317] Console - 14 Zero Zero (-4)
#54 [314] Moby - Memory Gospel (+10)
#55 [310] Madonna - Drowned World/Substitute for Love (+3)
#56 [309] Björk - Vokuro (--)
#57 [306] Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks (+2)
#58 [305] 808 State - Pacific (808:98) (+14)
#59 [305] DJ Krush - Dig This Vibe (-9)
#60 [303] Pet Shop Boys - Miracles (Radio Edit) (--)
#61 [300] The Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be (-4)
#62 [299] Gerling - Enter, Space Capsule (Radio Disko Edit) (+11)
#63 [297] Sash! - Chill Out No. 1 (+12)
#64 [296] Pet Shop Boys - I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give it Anymore (-9)
#65 [294] William Ørbit - Water From a Vine Leaf (+3)
#66 [288] Orbital - Petrol (+12)
#67 [286] Björk - Triumph of a Heart (-6)
#68 [286] Moby - Natural Blues (-6)
#69 [284] Orbital - Halcyon (7" Version) (+14)
#70 [278] CoLD SToRAGE - Messij Received (+7)
#71 [276] UNKLE - Rabbit in your Headlights (-8)
#72 [275] Faithless - Drifting Away [Paradiso Mix] (+9)
#73 [274] Moby - ARP (-2)
#74 [273] Rui Da Silva feat. Cassandra - Touch Me (-9)
#75 [273] Moby - Flying Foxes (-9)
#76 [269] Hybrid - Finished Symphony (+13)
#77 [269] Hot Chip - Grubbs (-8)
#78 [266] Björk - Oceania (-11)
#79 [263] 菅野よう子 [Yoko Kanno] - Pulse (+15)
#80 [261] Ratt - Sunrise (Here I Am) (-10)
#81 [260] Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money) (+1)
#82 [258] CoLD SToRAGE - Onyx (-2)
#83 [258] Radiohead - 15 Step (-7)
#84 [257] b(if)tek - 3 Seconds of Her (+12)
#85 [256] Underworld - Born Slipp (Nuxx) (+14)
#86 [256] Faithless - Salva Mea (Way Out West Remix) (-12)
#87 [255] Groove Armada - Dusk, You & Me (+11)
#88 [251] The Beta Band - Space Beatle (-9)
#89 [248] The Prodigy - Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix) (+1)
#90 [247] Smash N Grab - Drive Me Crazy (new)
#91 [246] Nine Inch Nails - Just Like You Imagined (-6)
#92 [245] Hot Chip - Boy From School (-8)
#93 [244] Daft Punk - Veridis Quo (+2)
#94 [242] Pet Shop Boys - Can You Forgive Her? (RE)
#95 [242] Sash! feat. Tina Cousins - Mysterious Times (new)
#96 [242] Luke Slater - Grace (RE)
#97 [241] Joy Division - Atmosphere (new)
#98 [240] Hybrid - If I Survive (-11)
#99 [239] MA - Light Summer Dress (new)
#100 [239] The Chemical Brothers - The Test (new)

As with all things in life, connections can be made through the natural turn of events, and through the perception of the individual. Today, I choose to perceive my periodic account of music played through the concept of competitive sport.

Afterall, from a certain perspective, this is the fifth annual season of songs competing for my attention. Like any sport you might be familiar with, this entails the upper echelon of competition that shuffles within a tier above the others, while in the lower ranks, stars yet to rise begin to present themselves. I spend a lot of time thinking about competitive fighting, so I suppose there's a professional wrestling bent to all of this.

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 03/27

#1 Edge [--] (15-1-1) (WWE)
[World Heavyweight Champion]















#2 [+2] Rey Mysterio (10-4-0) (WWE)
#3 [-1] Alberto Del Rio (9-5-2) (WWE) [Royal Rumble]
#4 [-1] Randy Orton (9-5-0) (WWE)
#5 [+2] Eve Torres (8-3-0) (WWE) [Divas Champion]
#6 [+2] Chris Masters (8-3-0) (WWE)
#7 [+3] Justin Gabriel (8-4-0) (WWE) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [new] Layla (8-5-0) (WWE)
#9 [-4] Robert Roode (7-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champion]
#10 [-4] James Storm (7-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champion]

#1 [--] Robert Roode & James Storm (7-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [+1] Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater (6-3-0) (WWE) [Tag Team Champions]
#3 [-1] Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov (6-6-0) (WWE)
#4 [+1] Layla & Michelle McCool (5-1-0) (WWE)
#5 [-1] Sarita & Rosita (3-1-0) (TNA) [Knockouts Tag Team Champions]
#6 [--] Angelina Love & Winter (3-2-0) (TNA)
#7 [--] Edge & Randy Orton (2-0-0) (WWE)
#8 [--] John Morrison & R-Truth (2-0-0) (WWE)
#9 [--] Rey Mysterio & R-Truth (2-0-0) (WWE)
#10 [--] Edge & Kelly Kelly (2-0-0) (WWE)

Superstar Spotlight:
#29 Christian (4-0-0) (WWE)
The World Heavyweight Championship situation continues to develop in unforseen ways as Christian enjoys another big start to a year. In 2010 Christian kicked things off with a lot of momentum coming off of his ECW Championship reign, and the same sort of thing has come from his return from injury. I'm not sure if it's a positive or a negative, right now, but I'm enjoying the possibilities.

The elephant in the room (not to be confused with Brodus Clay) is the prospect of Christian turning on fictional-brother Edge at some point, possibly at Wrestlemania. It wouldn't be the first time the "Instant Classic" made a sudden turn against one of his partners, not even the first at Wrestlemania. Personally, I would consider it a disappointment if it was a situation reprised. I've got a taste for the sport side of things and right now I can't think of a better situation than Alberto Del Rio rising to the challenge of Edge -- not necessarily at Wrestlemania XVII, but at some point -- giving Christian the chance to then challenge legitimately, without the wacky antics of a "shock" heel turn and feud with Edge. Granted, that kind of set-up requires at least one round of disappointments before I could accept a switch -- it would be a shame to have Del Rio serve as nothing more than a transition champ -- but with a year ahead of us, it's the kind of earning that I'd love to see behind Christian's first reign as the top WWE Champion.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records, based on televised matches from WWE and TNA 2010 broadcasts. At present, they includes TNA: Impact!, WWE: RAW, WWE: Superstars, WWE: Smackdown, and monthly Pay-Per-View events. Blogger errors delayed the publication of this post. 

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 03/20

#1 Edge [--] (14-1-1) (WWE)
[World Heavyweight Champion]
Edge continues to maintain a surprisingly high win percentage as Alberto Del Rio's campaign for a Wrestlemania miracle starts to look ever so slightly dubious. The Rated-R superstar won't win my support by being a dominant title holder, but if Del Rio pulls off the win of the year, then I suppose it makes it all the sweeter when history painted it such an impossible task!

Other stuff happened this week, but I'll be damned if I have much to say about it.




#2 [--] Alberto Del Rio (9-4-2) (WWE) [Royal Rumble]
#3 [--] Randy Orton (9-4-0) (WWE)
#4 [+4] Rey Mysterio (8-4-0) (WWE)
#5 [-1] Robert Roode (7-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champion]
#6 [-1] James Storm (7-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champion]
#7 [+3] Eve Torres (7-3-0) (WWE) [Divas Champion]
#8 [-2] Chris Masters (7-3-0) (WWE)
#9 [RE] Madison Rayne (7-3-0) (TNA) [Knockouts Champion]
#10 [-3] Justin Gabriel (7-3-0) (WWE) [Tag Team Champion]

#1 [--] Robert Roode & James Storm (7-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [+1] Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov (6-5-0) (WWE)
#3 [-1] Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater (5-3-0) (WWE) [Tag Team Champions]
#4 [--] Sarita & Rosita (3-1-0) (TNA) [Knockouts Tag Team Champions]
#5 [--] Layla & Michelle McCool (3-1-0) (WWE)
#6 [RE] Angelina Love & Winter (3-2-0) (TNA)
#7 [-1] Edge & Randy Orton (2-0-0) (WWE)
#8 [-1] John Morrison & R-Truth (2-0-0) (WWE)
#9 [-1] Rey Mysterio & R-Truth (2-0-0) (WWE)
#10 [-1] Edge & Kelly Kelly (2-0-0) (WWE)

Superstar Spotlight:
#65 Cody Rhodes
(2-3-0) (WWE)
For the life of me, I never imagined I could have a reason to want to spotlight Cody Rhodes... lo and behold, there's a first time for everything!

Despite his pedigree, which includes the sometimes underrated Dustin Rhodes (Goldust); Cody struck me as the least inspiring of the long lived Legacy trio combination, which included running budy Ted Dibiase Jr (#70) and ringleader, Randy Orton (#3). When Legacy finally made their long awaited split, I had my money on Dibiase being the more successful of the goon duo, based largely on his more immediately impressive physique and what I thought was potential. Instead, Ted embarked on a string of disappointments, which has produced only one memorable highlight, an awful rendition of the immortal Frank Sinatra's "My Way" on RAW.

While Ted2 languishes through a lack of direction, Cody at least found himself a gimmick. Wrestling in shockingly unflattering attire (that looked awfully like underwear and socks); the skinny ankled Rhodes played the dandy card, claiming "Dashing" as his moniker amidst a series of vanity promos. This gained traction with some fans, I personally found it increasingly easy to dislike Rhodes and the time he took from other stars on Smackdown. That is, until he broke his nose in an angle against Rey Mysterio (#4)!

Granted, my first thoughts went to how long Smackdown could have a break from Rhodes' tired gimmick. When it became apparent he'd be involved in the action sooner than later, it didn't take a genius to start thinking about the classic archetype of vanity gone mad. If Dusty Rhodes was the "American Dream", it got me very excited to consider the possibility of a suited and clear masked Cody as the "American Psycho". I'm pleased to say that seems to be exactly where they're going, complete with a Rhodes who wrestles in-ring in suit pants and jacket, something I support whole heartedly! The suit improves the silhouette, the mask gives Rhodes a bit of character, and the attitude finally makes him a wrestler with something resembling credibility!

I'm not sure his feud with Rey Mysterio, which took a shock turn when he ripped the luchadore's iconic mask off, has the makings of classic, but... win, lose, or draw, Cody Rhodes has direction that finally makes him an interesting contributor, who reinjects a sense of character that seems to have been gradually lost as the the "Attitude Era" was committed to the history books.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records, based on televised matches from WWE and TNA 2010 broadcasts. At present, they includes TNA: Impact!, WWE: RAW, WWE: Superstars, WWE: Smackdown, and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 03/13

#1 Edge [--] (13-1-1) (WWE)
[World Heavyweight Champion]
Edge moves four wins clear of his Wrestlemania XVII rival and nearest challenger, Alberto Del Rio (#2), as the WWE television advantage starts to show itself from top to bottom! Frankie Kazarian's (#9) X-Division Championship win over the weekend is all that's keeping a third TNA wrestler in the top ten, while WWE's hefty network of television hours stuffs the win/loss spread in the favour of some of it's top stars -- and some not quite so prominent. Chris Masters (#6) is the surprise package of WWE Superstars, the programme that looks more like an FCW show at times, but clearly packs a seperatist punch. He continues to feud with Tyler Reks (#28) in the show's main event in a good old fashioned weekly serialized rivalry.

Edge remains something of a bane to my self-imposed weekly obligation, failing to capture my imagination as his championship defense against the Royal Rumble winner draws nearer. I still can't get much of a feel for what to expect from the World Heavyweight Championship bout, as Wrestlemania moves forward, still flickering between the good and bad. I don't know if this is going to be the show to reinvigorate a lacklustre "showcase of the immortals," but I do know that for all but one or two weeks of the year, WWE have had a hook that has had me interested. They are making up for the mistakes of the past few years and I'm grateful for that!

#2 [--] Alberto Del Rio (9-3-1) (WWE) [Royal Rumble]
#3 [+1] Randy Orton (8-4-0) (WWE)
#4 [+2] Robert Roode (7-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champion]
#5 [+2] James Storm (7-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champion]
#6 [+1] Chris Masters (7-2-0) (WWE)
#7 [-4] Justin Gabriel (7-3-0) (WWE) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [+1] Rey Mysterio (7-4-0) (WWE)
#9 [RE] Frankie Kazarian (6-1-0) (TNA) [X-Division Champion]
#10 [RE] Eve Torres (6-3-0) (WWE) [Divas Champion]

#1 [--] Robert Roode & James Storm (7-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater (5-2-0) (WWE) [Tag Team Champions]
#3 [--] Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov (5-5-0) (WWE)
#4 [+1] Sarita & Rosita (3-0-0) (TNA) [Knockouts Tag Team Champions]
#5 [-1] Layla & Michelle McCool (3-1-0) (WWE)
#6 [--] Edge & Randy Orton (2-0-0) (WWE)
#7 [--] John Morrison & R-Truth (2-0-0) (WWE)
#8 [--] Rey Mysterio & R-Truth (2-0-0) (WWE)
#9 [--] Edge & Kelly Kelly (2-0-0) (WWE)
#10 [RE] Shannon Moore & Jesse Neal (2-1-0) (TNA)

Superstar Spotlight:
#32 Jeff Hardy (4-6-0) (TNA)
Was he, or wasn't he? I'm sure most people will be assuming the latter, rather than asking the former. I'm not entirely convinced a stumbling or distracted Jeff Hardy constitutes anything hugely unusual, but owever you cut it, it was a farcical conclusion to TNA's Victory Road Pay-Per-View this weekend.

The Charismatic Enigma should've shined against boyhood idol and wrestling icon, Sting (#36), in their TNA World Heavyweight Championship rematch on PPV. Instead, the live crowd and paying home audience could only watch on in puzzlement as the main event duo exchanged a few awkward physical moments, resulting in an abrupt scorpion deathdrop and pinfall victory. All in all, a non-event of a title match that lasted barely ten percent of the time given to entrances and pre-match hype.

Jeff Hardy's demons have been well publicized, making him an easy scapegoat for a situation like this. When you have an injured arm, you sell an injured leg. There's no denying that the finish to Victory Road was unusual and disatisfying, but I've seen an angry Sting, peculiar Jeff Hardy, and phony referee gestures enough to wonder if this isn't all a great big work. Reports are TNA Impact has been receiving a bump in ratings. Wouldn't it just be like Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff to try to maintain those numbers by tapping into the transfixing self-destruction of Charlie Sheen by marrying some of Jeff Hardy's own pop cultural mythology with references to the imploding actor?

I'll be honest -- I don't really know what to think.
It doesn't help that notoriously unreliable dirtsheet accounts of TNA events jumped straight to gross exaggerations of the details. Claims that Sting man-handled Jeff to keep him from kicking out of an early pinfall is quickly undermined by a leaning Sting on his back, hooking a leg. Sure, Jeff kicked like wanted out, but let's not forget that wrestling is supposed to exist under a veil of suspended disbelief. Times are tough these days, but even in 2011 a wrestler occasionally looks like he's actually putting some effort in. Which could also explain away Hardy's preoccupation with his shirt, which was likely to be his brand of heel performance art, as it was any drug-induced stupor.

Again, I say it: I just don't know what to think! About the legitimacy of the problem, or who was to blame. All that's clear is that there's a lot about the situation that was odd and unsavory. If it was a healthy Stinger out there, why didn't he get an opponent to fill the void of time? If it was an intoxicated Jeff Hardy, why wasn't he explained away in a backstage skit or announcement?

Some dirtsheets were reporting Jeff Hardy was arrested immediately after the show. If Hardy was at all responsible for the strangeness of the show, then I think it's time for TNA to cut it's ties. I've supported his hiring, and even been an apologist for his position, at times. I've got no more patience if this is going to be the outcome, however, to say nothing of a basic human hope that talent are looked after. All of that is assuming a lot, however, and I'm really not willing to condemn someone on the basis of tonight's performance, because, I'll say it again... I just don't know what to believe.

What I do know is that TNA isn't remotely like the company I used to enjoy.
When it dawned on me that Ken Anderson (#12) and Rob Van Dam (#45) were competing for the right to face the winner, it came with a bitter realisation about the TNA title. Something the company did quite well, for a time, was shuffle it's many prospects. It wasn't that long ago you had Desmond Wolfe taking his chances in a title shot on Impact, while the likes of Kurt Angle (#84), AJ Styles (#59), Samoa Joe (#50), and many others, were circling like sharks. Once upon a time, I would lament the difficulties posed by the company being so top heavy. Now I wonder how they've squandered so much of their potential.

With so much baggage wrapped up in the old faces from WWE and WCW, I can't help but wonder what would happen if the powers that be decided to just go for it. To book the likes of Douglas Williams (#86), Brutus Magnus (#110), Robert Roode (#4), Matt Morgan (#65), Frankie Kazarian (#8) and Samoa Joe in the main event. What would happen if TNA decided to take a chance on names they've seen through their doors? Guys like Petey Williams or Consequences Creed? Would the company really be any worse off if it followed through on the promise it seems to have abandoned? I'd love to include Jeff Hardy in that list of names, as the first in a new generation of senior leaders, but after this weekend, I don't know. Is Jeff Hardy just a new brand of laibility, or are the likes of Sting, Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, Jeff Jarrett and Vince Russo the monkey on the back of the industry and company, repeating the mistakes of the past? I really just don't know...

Special Note: The Kayfabe Countdown includes results from TNA: Victory Road, where Sarita (#27) and Rosita (#37) captured the Knockouts Tag Team Championship from now-former champions, Angelina Love (#41) and Winter (#55). No other title changed hands.

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records, based on televised matches from WWE and TNA 2010 broadcasts. At present, they includes TNA: Impact!, WWE: RAW, WWE: Superstars, WWE: Smackdown, and monthly Pay-Per-View events.

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 03/06

#1 Edge [--] (12-1-1) (WWE)
[World Heavyweight Champion]
I started these weekly accounts of wrestler stats in late 2010, so it's only anecdotally that I can talk about the variety of names that came through the top ten in the early parts of the year. By the final quarter of 2010, it was becoming a two horse race between Big Show (#26) and eventual year-ending #1, Kofi Kingston (#31). In 2011, it seems the statistical top ten has both victim and beneficiary of an even more varied approach to booking in the major promotions.

By using the entirety of their television network to showcase superstars from the less accessed Smackdown program, WWE have created a widening gap between top stars from the blue brand and the rest of the field. Where in 2010 many names came and went during the first half of the year, it seems the build to 2011's Wrestlemania XVII has put the focus squarely on Edge and Alberto Del Rio (#2; Royal Rumble winner). As Edge spends more time as the subject of this Countdown opening monologue, I find my patience for the Rated-R Superstar wearing a little bit thin.

I've been very enthusiastic about Alberto Del Rio, but I'm sure along the way I've expressed some doubt about his readiness to be World Champion, particularly on a stage as grandiose as Wrestlemania. That said, Edge's reign as an 11-time World-level champion, in only five years, has served to highlight what I believe are his many inadequacies as a top level talent. So we have two shades of a bad situation, and I find myself hoping Edge can start balancing out his record with a few losses, just to give me something else to talk about at the end of every week.

Three wins clear of his nearest rival, and with twice as many as the pack vying for #5 rank, I get a sense Edge and I will have to spend a lot of time together over the next few months. It's not a fact I'm at all at peace with, but I won't bother to labour the point this early in his reign of terror.

#2 [--] Alberto Del Rio (9-2-1) (WWE) [Royal Rumble]
#3 [+3] Justin Gabriel (7-3-0) (WWE) [Tag Team Champion]
#4 [+1] Randy Orton (7-4-0) (WWE)
#5 [+3] Robert Roode (6-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champion]
#6 [+3] James Storm (6-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champion]
#7 [RE] Chris Masters (6-2-0) (WWE)
#8 [-5] Ken Anderson (6-3-0) (TNA)
#9 [-3] Rey Mysterio (6-4-0) (WWE)
#10 [-3] The Miz (6-6-0) (WWE) [WWE Champion]

#1 [--] Robert Roode & James Storm (6-0-0) (TNA) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater (5-2-0) (WWE) [Tag Team Champions]
#3 [--] Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov (5-5-0) (WWE)
#4 [+5] Layla & Michelle McCool (3-1-0) (WWE)
#5 [-1] Sarita & Rosita (2-0-0) (TNA)
#6 [-1] Edge & Randy Orton (2-0-0) (WWE)
#7 [-1] John Morrison & R-Truth (2-0-0) (WWE)
#8 [-1] Rey Mysterio & R-Truth (2-0-0) (WWE)
#9 [-1] Edge & Kelly Kelly (2-0-0) (WWE)
#10 [--] Madison Rayne & Sarita (2-1-0) (TNA)

Superstar Spotlight:
#NR Mistico (0-0-0) (WWE)
To say I'm any kind of aficionado of Mexican wrestling would be a complete lie, but when I see it, I often enjoy it. I like the different logics and concepts that are at work in this world, where styles and characters have different depths to their counterparts abroad. For me, there's a lot to like about the prospect of lucha libre and the mythic history it's steeped in, which looks all the more colourful when placed beside the developing mediocrities of certain American styles. WWE, for example, has abandoned much this colour, denying it's history whilst stripping away at it's interesting characters.

With all of that in mind, it was with mixed feelings that I learned of Mistico's signing with WWE -- an eventuality that has been many years in the making. Given their recent track record, it was easy to approach the news with extreme cynicism. It was with dreaded expectation that they unveiled a new moniker for their 'big name' international acquisition, who won't be wrestling under his 'big name' when he debuts with WWE.

I'm told CMLL -- the company he remained loyal to when WWE first began courting him -- own the rights to the Mistico name, which makes the situation that has given us "Sin Cara" much more forgiveable than the name itself. A name that reminds me of the last time they picked up a wrestler with history in Mexico -- Dos Caras Jr, aka; Alberto Del Rio. If including "face" in the new name is intended as a humorous reference, it isn't appreciated.

Still, Mistico arrives in a WWE that seems to be changing...
2011 has already given us some of the best booking of the last five years, with an interesting blend of new and old coming to prominance as we head toward Wrestlemania. Linda McMahon's political aspirations were dashed late last year, and one of the leading proponents for WWE PG, Donna Goldsmith, has left the company. Alberto Del Rio won the first ever forty-man Royal Rumble and is getting a World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania XVII. In the build-up for that same show, The Rock has returned to WWE, unleashing more pseudo-profanity in a single promo than WWE has in the entirety of two years. The Rock's return has also waved the flag for an era of wrestling that many fans like myself are looking back on, regarding as a much better time in wrestling. In other words; WWE is showing signs of changing.

In 2011, Mistico might not be walking in to a company that has dashed the hopes of almost every foreign wrestler to walk through it's doors. Mistico might be walking in to a company that is ready to get back in touch with it's penchant for colourful characters, outrageous situations, and maybe even the credible wrestling it's presented at various points in it's history. Mistico -- Sin Cara -- might be walking in to WWE to be a catalyst for a new era! If that's how it works out, colour me excited!

The Kayfabe Countdown is based on the cumulative tally of wrestler win/loss records, based on televised matches from WWE and TNA 2010 broadcasts. At present, they includes TNA: Impact!, WWE: RAW, WWE: Superstars, WWE: Smackdown, and monthly Pay-Per-View events.