Wrestler Wrankings™: 2012-13 Season, Week 38

FACT: John Cena is in 7th place in the Wrestler Wrankings with less than half the points of the leader, Sheamus.

FACT: John Cena won the 2012 Slammy Award for "Superstar of the Year."

Look, Cena says and does the right things outside of the ring, along with delivering enough of the goods in big spots inside it. He clearly sells the most merchandise, donates the most time to charity, and owns the highest mainstream visibility of any full time WWE wrestler.

Is it any surprise that the guy won a popularity vote?

If nothing else, this merely underscores Cena's presence as a fierce political player. In what might be considered a down year for him athletically, Cena bested what will almost certainly be career years from both Sheamus and CM Punk, along with a promising rookie campaign for Ryback, and Big Show's pleasantly surprising return to form.

The Slammys, prestigious as they may be, are nothing more than a fan vote. The WWE Universe decided that John Cena was the best wrestler, as is their right. So let Cena have his trophy. Or should I say, let Ric Flair have Cena's trophy.

The true test will be Cena's attempt to climb back up the Wrankings. Can he do it with the likes of Brock Lesnar and The Rock due to return and Punk rapidly recovering from his knee surgery?

Now that's something that's actually worth talking about.

***

OFFICIAL WRESTLER WRANKINGS FORMULA

ANY WIN = 2 POINTS

US OR INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE BOUT = 1 POINT

WWE OR WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT = 3 POINTS

NON "BIG 4" PPV BONUS = 1.5X

SUMMERSLAM, SURVIVOR SERIES, ROYAL RUMBLE = 2X BONUS

WRESTLEMANIA = 3X BONUS

The WWE season begins on the day after WrestleMania 28 and culminates with WrestleMania 29. The wrestler who accumulates the most points over the course of the season wins the coveted Wrankings Championship!

Tables, Ladders & Chairs -- 12/16/12

• Big Show - 7.5 points (World Heavyweight Title bout, win)
• Sheamus - 4.5 points (WH Title bout, no win)
• Dolph Ziggler - 2 points
• Antonio Cesaro - 4.5 points (US title bout, win)
• R Truth - 1.5 points (US title bout, no win)
• Kofi Kingston - 4.5 points (IC title bout, win)
• Wade Barrett - 1.5 points (IC title bout, win)

Monday Night Raw -- 12/17/12

• Ryback - 2 points (win)
• Kofi Kingston - 2 points (win)
• Brodus Clay - 2 points (win)
• Cody Rhodes - 2 points (win)
• Rey Mysterio - 2 points (win)
• Great Khali - 2 points (win)

SmackDown -- 12/18/12

• Ryback - 2 points (win)
• Damien Sandow - 2 points (win)
• Santino - 2 points (win)
• Brodus Clay - 2 points (win)

Main Event -- 12/19/12

no eligible matches

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WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 38 *TOP TEN*

via upload.wikimedia.org

1. SHEAMUS -- 139.5 points

2. Ryback -- 103.5

3. CM Punk -- 95

4. Alberto Del Rio -- 80.5

5. Big Show -- 65.5

6. Antonio Cesaro -- 64.5

7. John Cena -- 58.5

8. Randy Orton -- 51.5

9. Dolph Ziggler -- 43

T10. Daniel Bryan -- 37

T10. Damien Sandow -- 37

T10. Kofi Kingston -- 37

Thanks so much for reading, Cagesiders. We'll see you next week!