Wrestler Wrankings™: 2012-13 Season, Week 47

When the history books are written, they will tell that this weekend was a landmark in the lore of American athletics. First, Ronda Rousey defends her world championship in the first ever female Ultimate Fighting Championship bout. Then, Danica Patrick races for the biggest prize in motorsports, from the pole-position at the Daytona 500.

Impressive though these female athletes may be, I don't understand is why this is all being treated as a big deal by the national media. The prevailing message is that women are "finally" taking center stage at the biggest events in sports. How quickly they forget The Brawl to End It All in July of 1984.

Though it was a star studded event that included a World Wrestling Federation Title defense by Hulk Hogan; a WWF Women's Championship bout headlined a nationally televised primetime showcase. This match, pitting The Fabulous Moolah against Wendi Richter, pulled an enormous 9.0 rating on the MTV network, which is still one of the highest in the history of the sport.

Flat out, it's one of the biggest and most important shows in the history of wrestling and it featured women at the top of the card. Massive exposure such as this paved the way for the future stars like Alundra Blayze, Chyna, Lita, and Trish Stratus to make their mark on the world of sport and Divas, as they are now called, are prominently featured on WWE television to this day.

It's great that women are getting a shot in the spotlight this weekend, but let's take care not to forget great strides in gender equality that have come before. As usual, pro wrestling did it first and best.

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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!

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Elimination Chamber -- 2/17/13, 1.5x bonus already included)

• The Rock - 7.5 points (WWE title bout, win)
• CM Punk - 4.5 points (WWE title bout, no win)
• Alberto Del Rio 7.5 points (WHC bout, win)
• Big Show - 4.5 points (WHC bout, no win)
• Antonio Cesaro - 4.5 points (US title bout, win)
• Miz - 1.5 points (US title bout, no win)
• Jack Swagger - 3 points (win)
• Dolph Ziggler - 2 points (win)

Monday Night Raw -- 2/18/13

• Alberto Del Rio - 2 points (win)
• Randy Orton - 2 points (win)
• Miz - 2 points (win)
• Mark Henry - 2 points (win)
• Jack Swagger - 2 points (win)

Main Event -- 2/20/13

• Big Show -6 points (win, win, win)
• Justin Gabriel - 2 points (win)

SmackDown -- 2/22/13

• Sheamus - 2 points (win)
• Alberto Del Rio - 2 points (win)
• Miz - 2 points (win)
• Jack Swagger - 2 points (win)

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WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 47 *TOP TEN*

1. SHEAMUS -- 163.5 points

2. Alberto Del Rio -- 119

3. Ryback -- 116.5

4. CM Punk -- 114.5

5. Big Show -- 98

6. Antonio Cesaro -- 89

7. John Cena -- 70.5

8. Randy Orton -- 67.5

9. Miz -- 53

10. Dolph Ziggler -- 50

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