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Alberto Del Rio is one of the best wrestlers in the world.
He's always in superb shape. He features a credible brand of offense that mixes acrobatic strikes, sound mat work, and devastating submissions. His signature maneuver, the Cross Armbreaker, is a thing of beauty when applied from a standing position and is remarkably versatile for a submission hold. He is the possessor of great wealth and influence in his home country of Mexico. Most importantly, he's a solid #10 on the Wrestler Wrankings so far this year.
All this praise is well earned, but Señor Del Rio perplexed me this week on Smackdown when he stated that the WWE Intercontinental Title had "eluded [him] for a very long time."
What?!?
Don't misunderstand me. The Intercontinental Title is a prestigious championship that has been proudly defended by many of the greatest wrestlers ever. But for a guy like Alberto Del Rio, who has been a world's champion many times over, still very much in his prime, it's nothing more than a means to an end that should no longer be necessary.
Yes, Del Rio's statement is factually correct, but the motivation behind the words is completely asinine. Do you know who else the IC strap has "eluded?"
How about Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Undertaker, and John Cena? The belt found Stone Cold Steve Austin, but no sooner did the "Bionic Redneck" get his hands on it was it tossed into a river!
I understand that Del Rio has a large following in his homeland and around the world and a hefty ego to match his bank account, but next time he should choose his words a bit more carefully. If he wants the title for the prestige, money, or Wrankings points, that's perfectly fine. But to ignore his retreat from the WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture is delusional, bordering on untruth.
No bueno, Alberto. No bueno.
ANY WIN = 2 POINTS
US OR INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE BOUT = 1 POINT
WWE 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 30 and culminates with WrestleMania 31. The wrestler who accumulates the most points over the course of the season, wins the coveted Wrankings Championship!
Monday Night Raw -- 7/14/14
Main Event -- 7/16/14
Smackdown -- 7/18/14
-----------------------------------
WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 15 *TOP TEN*
1. SHEAMUS -- 49 points
2. Rusev -- 45 points
3. Bad News Barrett -- 37 points
4. Cesaro -- 32 points
5. Bo Dallas -- 28
T6. Big E-- 22.5
T6. John Cena -- 22.5
8. Rob Van Dam -- 19.5
9. Dolph Ziggler -- 18
10. Alberto Del Rio -- 17.5
Thanks for reading, Cagesiders. We'll see you back here next week!