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.

Wrestling: The Kayfabe Countdown - 06/02

#1 Randy Orton [--] (32-11-1)
WWE's Apex Predator continues to rule the Kayfabe Countdown, doing so in tandem with The Celtic Warrior as his partner! The team that wasn't a team spurs Sheamus back to #2 spot, this week, as Randy Orton reigns by a four win lead! Will they be the duo to challenge for the Tag Team Championships next? I cannot believe it -- and yet, their combination persists time and again!

#2 [+1] Sheamus (28-10-1)
#3 [-1] Alberto Del Rio (27-6-1)
#4 [--] Kane (20-16-0)
#5 [--] Bryan Danielson (19-18-0)
#6 [+2] Ryback (18-6-1)
#7 [-1] Mark Henry (18-6-0)
#8 [-1] Jack Swagger (18-8-2)
#9 [--] The Miz (15-7-1)
#10 [--] Big Show (15-15-1)

#1 [+1] Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins (13-1-0) [Tag Team Champions]
#2 [-1] Kane & Bryan Danielson (13-8-0)
#3 [+2] Sheamus & Randy Orton (11-3-0)
#4 [-1] Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns (10-1-0)
#5 [-1] Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (10-1-0)
#6 [--] Brodus Clay & Sweet Tea Tensai (8-3-1)
#7 [--] Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso (5-4-0)
#8 [RE] Brie Bella & Nikki Bella (4-2-0)
#9 [-1] Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow (4-7-1)
#10 [-1] Sheamus & Big Show (3-1-0) 

Superstar Spotlight:
#24 Cody Rhodes (8-23-1)
#34 Damien Sandow (5-22-1)
With only WWE featured in this year's Kayfabe Countdown, there are certain inevitable patterns that set in, week to week. When you make a point of tracking the TV stats, you're given clear access to the hierarchy of superstars, up-and-comers and jobbers. Over the past few months, I've been sad to note that Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow are firmly entrenched in the latter.

You wouldn't necessarily think of them as jobbers. Maybe it's not even fair to equate them to that. They've played the role of "enhancement talent", to be sure, but their fleshed out characters and staying power makes them more than any mere Brooklyn Brawler. Staying power that even defied a brief break-up -- a decision that was utterly stupid, if you'd really like to know.

As someone who loathes the demeaning of Championships through short reigns, it can seem contradictory that I wish Team Rhodes Scholars could've gone all the way for the tag belts. I don't object to The Shield's need for tag team gold -- which leaves only a couple of months free, if you bridge the gap between the time Kane & Bryan Danielson probably should've called it quits, and Extreme Rules. In truth, I can be quite forgiving of short reigns when there's a good enough reason. While it might have made headaches for a face/heel preferential -- at least this truly worthy team would've had their time in the sun. Heck, maybe you even dare to consider delaying The Shield's rise via the titles. I don't know.

Damien Sandow makes me laugh out loud just about every time I see him. He's the kind of heel you can delight at. Pompous and arrogant to such an absurd degree, it's hysterical. The Elbow of Disdain rubs not only my unjustified love of a straight, conventional elbow drop as a signature move, but also the gleeful absurdity of Sandow's heel pomposity. That stands in contrast to Cody Rhodes -- a guy I've never had much belief in. A skinny quirt with no calves, a schmuck face and limited in-ring talent. Yet! Even he is elevated when, having grown a moustache, he finds a dastardly partner with a mutual distaste for the masses. You don't mess with a combination like that!

I'm enjoying their run-ins with Randy Orton & Sheamus. I'm enjoying their second chance at a Tag Team career. I just wish they could pick up a few more wins along the way, solo, or duo. Rhodes has had a few. How about Sandow? You're welcome!

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.