Wrestler Wrankings™: 2012-2013 Season, Week 28

Several weeks ago, I attended an early screening of The Master, the new film by talented director Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. This is hardly an appropriate forum for a review, but I will say that the movie was both riveting in it's portrayal of the interactions and struggles of its characters as well downright hypnotic in its presentation, musical score, and overall feel.

Despite this, I don't disagree with critics who accuse the film as being something of a chore to watch at times. The movie was glacially paced and it's unclear what the takeaway message is supposed to be. But the transcendent moments, when they arrived, were certainly worth waiting for.

That's exactly how I feel about wrestling.

Though it is, beyond question, the purest and greatest form of sport, it can be hard to watch at times. It's often predictable, silly, illogical, and downright embarrassing. But on occasion, the sport of pro wrestling can crescendo into true greatness.

That is what this week's RAW featured with its rarest of main events. Quite frankly, Vince McMahon stood toe-to-toe with "the best in the world" and he gave #2 CM Punk all he could handle and more. The "match" (though the bell never rang) was an absolute fracas the likes of which we seldom see anymore and I couldn't get enough of it. Vince stated earlier in the episode that what fans want most is great action. We can only pray that the rest of the industry takes notice and follows suit.

See The Master and watch wrestling. That's what you need to know.

________________________________________________________________________

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 = x1.5 BONUS
• SUMMERSLAM, SURVIVOR SERIES, ROYAL RUMBLE = x2 BONUS
• WRESTLEMANIA = x3 BONUS

The wrestler with the highest score when the season culminates at WrestleMania 29 wins the coveted Wrankings Championship!

Now, without further delay, let's get to this week's scores:

Raw, 10/8/2012:

• Sheamus -- 2 points (win)
• Ryback -- 2 points (win)
• Antonio Cesaro -- 2 points (win)

SmackDown, 10/12/2012:

• Sheamus -- 2 points (win)
• Alberto Del Rio -- 2 points (win)
• Big Show -- 2 points (win)
• Kane -- 2 points (win)
• Sin Cara -- 2 points (win)

WEEK 28 WRANKINGS TOP TEN:

1. SHEAMUS -- 100.5
2. CM Punk -- 71.5
3. Ryback -- 71
4. Alberto Del Rio -- 64.5
5. John Cena -- 42.5
6. Daniel Bryan -- 37
7. Randy Orton -- 34.5
8. Antonio Cesaro -- 32.5
9. Dolph Ziggler -- 31.5
10. Santino -- 30.5

Thanks for reading Cageside Wrankers, we'll see you next week!