Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 07/28
#1 Randy Orton [--] (41-17-4)[Money in the Bank Contract]
With a guaranteed title shot under his arm, it stands to reason Randy Orton might lighten his fighting load. He appeared in one bout, this week, competing against fellow MITB winner, Damien Sandow. He's beaten Sandow several times this year and the 7/26 Smackdown match was no exception. Meanwhile, over on RAW; official #1 contender Bryan Danielson was proving his worth in three back-to-back matches that included victories over Jack Swagger, Antonio Cesaro & Ryback! It sucks to be Ryback, but Danielson continues to prove his worth, and in doing so, carves a line toward the top of the Kayfabe Countdown!
#2 [--] Sheamus (36-14-2)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (35-10-5) [World Champion]
#4 [--] Bryan Danielson (31-22-1)
#5 [--] Kane (26-19-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-11-1)
#7 [--] Roman Reigns (19-4-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [RE] Mark Henry (19-7-0)
#9 [-1] Seth Rollins (19-8-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#10 [-1] The Miz (19-9-1)
#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (18-4-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (13-3-0)
#4 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (13-3-0)
#5 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (13-6-1)
#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:#26 Damien Sandow (10-30-1)
[Money in the Bank Contract]
It was the image of Damien Sandow strolling with a brief case that led me to believe he might actually have a shot at claiming the World Heavyweight Championship MITB contract. Of the heel competitors in the bout, he wasn't the most compelling contender (none of them were great), he was just the most likely to make a meal of that simple accessory. I was glad he won it. I was glad he pulled his partner Cody Rhodes off a ladder to win it. I was glad it all went so wrong between the Rhodes Scholars partners.
The vision of Damien Sandow screaming for help before diving into the ocean will go down in history. He was chasing the MITB case Cody Rhodes had spitefully hurled into the sea. It was a scene reminiscent of The Rock & Steve Austin's tryst with hurling title belts off bridges with one vital exception -- in this segment from Smackdown (7/26), the two wrestlers were at waterside.
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.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 07/21
#1 Randy Orton [--] (40-17-4)[Money in the Bank Contract]
There's something distasteful about a WWE Champion choosing his next contender from a roster lined up like boys and girls waiting to be picked for a dance. I don't disagree with John Cena's choice -- the white hot man of the moment: Bryan Danielson. I just don't like that he's gone from wanting to prove himself as more than a mere weak link -- to not competing in a good old fashioned contenders match! It makes it all the more unpalatable when there are Money in the Bank contracts looming, as well. Randy Orton could very well spoil Bryan Danielson's party, even if he manages to shock the world with a title win over John Cena. I hope not, but he could.
#2 [--] Sheamus (35-13-2)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (33-10-5) [World Champion]
#4 [--] Bryan Danielson (28-22-1)
#5 [--] Kane (26-19-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-10-1)
#7 [--] Roman Reigns (19-4-2) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [--] Seth Rollins (19-8-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [+1] The Miz (19-9-1)
#10 [-1] Jack Swagger (19-11-2)
#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (18-4-1) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (13-3-0)
#4 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (13-3-0)
#5 [+1] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (12-6-1)
#6 [-1] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-7-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#9 [--] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)
#10 [--] Naomi & Cameron (4-3-0)
Superstar Spotlight:#50 Rob Van Dam (2-1-0)
He's "one of a kind" and I think I probably never expected to see him competing in WWE again. Rob Van Dam made his return at Money in the Bank, where Randy Orton got the better of everyone to claim the WWE Championship contract. It's a shame. It might've been nice to see RVD face-off with Cena in a scene reminiscent of his 2006 cash-in, playing up his success, which resulted in the resurrection of the ECW Championship. There aren't many obstacles Cena hasn't overcome, and Rob Van Dam could've very easily been pitched as another demon coming back to haunt him in the same way The Rock did at Wrestlemania [04/07/2013].
In the absence of immediate title aspirations, RVD got back down to business as usual. I'm not really sure I expected him to slide back into things so quickly, but he did, earning solid wins over Chris Jericho (RAW; 7/15) and Alberto Del Rio (Smackdown; 7/19). It'll be interesting to see if he can keep the momentum going, or if it's all for naught, as is so often the case.
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.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 07/14
#1 Randy Orton [--] (38-17-4)[Money in the Bank Contract]
On the one hand, it comes as somewhat of a shock that Randy Orton leaps into the WWE Championship picture with his win at Money in the Bank. On the other hand, if you consider his 10 weeks as the #1 wrestler in the Kayfabe Countdown, maybe it isn't such a surprise, after all. Sure, win/loss doesn't mean the world, but success en masse does reflect a certain amount of support for a talent -- and he's been at the top throughout 2013!
Orton's tenure on Smackdown was a hot talking point when it first came about as a result of the WWE Draft. Now that the brand split is effectively ended and Orton's served his penance, it seems more than reasonable to think a return to the title picture is on the cards. The only question is -- will it come at the cost of another rising star in Bryan Danielson?
#2 [--] Sheamus (35-13-2)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (32-9-5) [World Champion]
#4 [+1] Bryan Danielson (27-22-1)
#5 [-1] Kane (26-19-0)
#6 [--] Ryback (22-10-1)
#7 [+2] Roman Reigns (19-4-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#8 [new] Seth Rollins (19-8-0) [Tag Team Champion]
#9 [-1] Jack Swagger (19-9-2)
#10 [-3] The Miz (19-9-1)
#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (18-4-0) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (13-3-0)
#4 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (13-3-0)
#5 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#6 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (11-6-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (9-7-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-11-1)
#9 [--] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)
#10 [--] Naomi & Cameron (4-3-0)
Superstar Spotlight:#25 CM Punk (9-6-1)
For a staggering 434 days, CM Punk reigned as WWE Champion. It was a feat that took him through the entirety of 2012, and backed up his claim to being "The Best in the World". It's the kind of success that stands out in any age, let alone the fast and loose times of the "Entertainment Era". As Money in the Bank hands two any place, any time title shots to new challengers, it's a fitting time to acknowledge a Champion who restored a certain amount of prestige to the true top title.
Losing the belt to The Rock at the Royal Rumble cost CM Punk more than gold. In an unwinnable situation, with John Cena waiting to face Rock in the conclusion of a three-part Wrestlemania saga, Punk went from centre of the WWE Universe, to seat warming inconvenience. He was the perfect job guy to keep The Rock busy at the February PPV before 'Mania, with all the credibility so many "rematch clause" bouts lack. Even so, the demands of his success and the interruption of pre-existing, once in a life time plans cost CM Punk his direction.
With the weight of a top tier champion and no way to factor in to a WWE title match, Punk needed a big time Wrestlemania opponent. No better alternative could exist than The Undertaker's coveted undefeated streak. It was a step down from a four year run of excellence for The Undertaker, but it was still a worthy big time match at the biggest show of them all. It was, however, another unwinnable situation for the once undefeatable Champion.
A hometown crowd in Chicago brought Punk back from hiatus much sooner than anyone expected. He was booked without ever appearing. Paired with Chris Jericho; it was a throwback to their last feud in 2012. After starting slow, Jericho's credibility had been bolstered by a series of solid victories. It would be an a slightly awkward contest for two men who had fought to claim Best in the World status before -- but it would begin CM Punk's path to purpose anew.
The match was the brainchild of manager Paul Heyman. He spoke for Punk while he rested - on hiatus after losing to The Undertaker. It was an occasion CM Punk could rise to, even if it wasn't his first choice. The once nurturing Heyman would begin to show his old colours as the duplicitous businessman, harbouring interests other than Punk. Tensions would build between the stable of clients. Then the unthinkable. Heyman costs CM Punk his Money in the Bank opportunity and spills his blood after pushing a ladder into his head.
Just like that, CM Punk's purpose is restored. He has something better than a Championship match, for now. He has an enemy. Punk will hunt Heyman and his preferred clients: Curtis Axel and Brock Lesnar. With any luck he'll find his way back to the WWE Championship in due time. He does hold the distinction of having beaten Randy Orton on this week's RAW (7/1). For now, he has better things to do.
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.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Monday, July 08, 2013
Sunday, July 07, 2013
Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 07/07
#1 Randy Orton [--] (37-16-3)Ah, now there's the Christian we know to expect!
A slightly baffling run of success for the recently returned nineties star [06/30/2013] was truncated by Randy Orton on Smackdown (7/5). The Viper's keeping pace ahead of Countdown rival Sheamus, who scored a similar victory in his lone match against Fandango (RAW; 7/1). Meanwhile, Money in the Bank All-Star Bryan Danielson slipped a spot as a result of inactivity, overtaken by Kane!
#2 [--] Sheamus (35-11-1)
#3 [--] Alberto Del Rio (31-9-3) [World Champion]
#4 [+1] Kane (25-19-0)
#5 [-1] Bryan Danielson (25-21-1)
#6 [--] Ryback (20-10-1)
#7 [+1] The Miz (19-7-1)
#8 [+1] Jack Swagger (19-8-2)
#9 [+1] Roman Reigns (18-4-1) [Tag Team Champion]
#10 [-3] Mark Henry (18-6-0)
#1 [--] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (17-4-0) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [--] Kane & Bryan Danielson (14-9-0)
#3 [--] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (13-3-0)
#4 [--] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (13-3-0)
#5 [--] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#6 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (11-6-0)
#7 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (8-6-1)
#8 [--] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (5-10-1)
#9 [--] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-3-0)
#10 [--] Naomi & Cameron (4-3-0)
Superstar Spotlight:#6 Ryback (20-10-1)
Tainted would be one word to describe Ryback in the middle of 2013. A surprise rise to stardom excelled a more traditional path to success, thrusting Ryback into the main event picture when other options had dried up. This early rise meant early defeat -- premature in his arrival against CM Punk in his epic 2012 WWE Championship reign. Ice skating up hill might be one way to describe his PPV appearances ever since.
What's really damned Ryback are the little choices along the way. As we've seen on The Kayfabe Countdown, the win/loss record that made him famous hasn't been quite as battered as impressions may assume. We can lament a smarter, more gradual rise (in the mould of Bill Goldberg) till the cows come home, but Ryback's real issues come from the floundering of mish-mash ideas like the switch from food themed Feeding, to the recent Ryback Rules catch cry.
Capping all of this off was a loss to The Miz on Monday (RAW; 7/1) -- arguably the greatest embarrassment he's been forced to endure at any point. Losing to The Miz goes beyond the rock and hard place nature of his Championship losses. It's a completely unnecessary besmirching of a character who lived and died by his successes. Win/loss records don't matter much in professional wrestling, but winning and losing does. Winning took Ryback to the heights of the World Wrestling Entertainment Championship. Losing may have taken him back down.
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.
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Friday, July 05, 2013
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
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