Wrestler Wrankings™: 2012-13 Season, Week 41

The truth may set you free, but it may also be a matter of opinion.

This is why I prefer to deal in facts. My version of the truth is that #7 John Cena is a better wrestler than #9 Dolph Ziggler. I know, I know... Ziggler defeated Cena at Tables, Ladders & Chairs; however, Cena got his win back in what can only be described as a spectacular showing on a much hyped episode of Monday Night RAW.

How spectacular, you say? Let's make like Chris Warren and Break It Down! Here is all of the offense delivered by Dolph Ziggler to John Cena in chronological order, broken down by minute:

Minute 1

• side-headlock takedown
• punch x5
• kick to gut x5

Minute 2

• punch to gut x3
• irish whip into turnbuckle
• elbow to neck
• punch x2
• kick x2
• situps x2

Minute 3

• kick to head off ropes
• punch x2
• kick x2
• corner splash
• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count

Minute 4

• punch
• sexually suggestive gesture
• dropkick
• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count
• punch
• Ali Shuffle

Minute 5

• counter elbow to face
• punch (by Big E Langston)
• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count

Minute 6

• headstand/bridging headlock

Minute 7

• dropkick
• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count
• elbow drop x7
• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count
• middle rope choke
• slap to face (by AJ Lee)

Minute 8

• kick to face
• Rocker Dropper
• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count

Minute 9

• Zig Zag
• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count

Minute 10

• jumping DDT
• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count

Minute 11

• Superkick
• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count
• Punch x5
• Kick x5

Minute 12

• standing strikes x3
• sleeper hold

Minute 13

• punch (by Big E Langston)
• inverted over the shoulder sidewalk slam (by Big E Langston)

Minute 14

• PIN ATTEMPT, 2 count

That is a lot of punishment for one man to take. Now just for the sake of comparison let's look at the attacks that John Cena dished out to Dolph Ziggler:

Minute 1

• shoulder block
• hiptoss x2
• armbar

Minute 2

• PIN ATTEMPT, 0 count
• punch x2
• irish whip into turnbuckle
• bulldog
• PIN ATTEMPT, 1 count

Minute 3

• vertical hold suplex
• PIN ATTEMPT, 1 count

Minute 4 (no offense)

Minute 5

• slingshot into turnbuckle
• punch x2
• irish whip into turnbuckle

Minute 6

• slam
• belly to belly suplex

Minute 7 (no offense)

Minute 8

• shoulder tackle
• protoplex

Minute 9

• avoided corner splash
• protoplex
• 5 Knuckle Shuffle

Minute 10

• drop toe hold

Minute 11 (no offense)

Minute 12

• punch x6

Minute 13

• body drop
• drop toe hold
• STF

Minute 14

• Attitude Adjustment
• PIN ATTEMPT, 3 count

Cena certainly landed a few impressive suplexes, along with his always devastating finishing sequence, but there was nothing to match the variety or sheer volume seen in Ziggler's breakdown.

Now to be fair, Dolph did not arrive at RAW expecting to get in the ring with John Cena. But besides that one sticking point, it seems like conditions couldn't have been any more ripe for a Ziggler win. "The Show Off" was able to run through his entire repertoire and had the benefit of AJ Lee's distraction tactics and multiple run in assaults from Big E Langston. What more does he need to win?

For a guy who is getting a lot of hype as one of the greats in the game today, it seems very clear that, at least for now, John Cena is just on another level.

Be sure to share your thoughts on the matter in the comments section!

***

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!

***

Monday Night Raw -- 1/7/13

• CM Punk - 5 points (WWE title bout, win)
• Ryback - 3 points (WWE title bout, no win)
• Antonio Cesaro - 3 points (US title bout, win)
• Sheamus - 1 point (US title bout, no win)
• Wade Barrett - 2 points (win)
• Randy Orton - 2 point (win)
• John Cena - 2 points (win)

Main Event -- 1/9/13

• Sheamus - 2 points (win)
• Wade Barrett - 2 points (win)

SmackDown -- 1/11/13

• Alberto Del Rio - 5 points (WHC bout, win)
• Big Show - 3 points (WHC bout, no win)
• Sheamus - 2 points (win)
• Randy Orton - 2 points (win)

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WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 41 *TOP TEN*

via upload.wikimedia.org

1. SHEAMUS -- 151.5 points

2. Ryback -- 106.5

3. CM Punk -- 100

4. Alberto Del Rio -- 85.5

5. Big Show -- 75.5

6. Antonio Cesaro -- 72.5

7. John Cena -- 62.5

8. Randy Orton -- 55.5

9. Dolph Ziggler -- 45

10. Kofi Kingston -- 41

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