Grimmas

91 - Too Cold Scorpio 2006 Ranking: honourable mention (145) Points: 2521 #1 Votes: 1 #2 Votes: 0 #3 Votes: 0 Top 10 Votes: 0 # of Ballots: 74 Average Vote: 67.27 High Vote: 1 (Mando>Eddie) Low Vote: 100 Discussion Thread "To be honest I think he was one of the only guys in ECW who tried to work logic into matches and often times had to cover the for sloppiness of grossly inferior opponents. He was Sabu's best opponent ever, the only guy in ECW to get really inspired performance of Doug Furnas, had great stuff with RVD of all people in 98 when RVD was already trending into Carrot Top territory at a rapid rate, had a legitimately great match with a green as grass Bubba Dudley at a house show, and generally had good-to-great matches in pretty much any situation Heyman put him in. On top of that he was very good any time he got a chance in WCW (Windham, Benoit matches, some tag matches teaming with Bagwell v. Blondes, Eaton/Arn, et.), his NOAH stuff that I've seen is good and the few times he's shown up on tape in recent years he's delivered high end matches v. guys like Low Ki, Mike Cruz and others on the indies. He's also my favorite high flyer of all time because his big spots not only look pretty but also brutal as fuck, which is something very few people can say. He will easily make my ballot." Dylan Waco Recommended Matches: Too Cold Scorpio vs Barry Windham (WCW, 1/23/1993) Too Cold Scorpio vs Shane Douglas (ECW, 5/11/1996) Too Cold Scorpio vs Claudio Castognali (IWA-MS, 5/3/2008)

That's not what he was saying at all. What he was saying is that he is making the show for a specific audience. If it doesn't grow outside that target audience, he is cool with that.

Sorry Kelly!

92 - "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes 2006 Ranking: honourable mention (110) Points: 2503 #1 Votes: 0 #2 Votes: 0 #3 Votes: 0 Top 10 Votes: 1 # of Ballots: 62 Average Vote: 60.66 High Vote: 7 (Kelly Nelson) Low Vote: 100 Discussion Thread "Dusty Rhodes got more response from rolling his hands and doing an elbow than guys killing themselves with headdrops." Moonsault Marvin "He is known for his charisma but his in-ring work was great as well." Dave Musgrave "Underrated worker who could get any angle over and, without a doubt, one of the greatest characters ever. " Jon Burr "Not sure I could point to many Dusty classics, but do think the Flair match at Starrcade and perhaps a couple others are in that range. But I also enjoy just about every Dusty match I come across. His charisma kicks just about everything he touches north of watchable and is an underrated part of a slew of multi-man matches and brawls in Crockett and Midsouth. Absolute lock on my list. One of the few wrestlers, fair or unfair, where its near impossible to separate the in-ring from the out of ring because of sheer force of personality." WingedEagle Recommended Matches: Dusty Rhodes vs Billy Graham (WWF, 10/24/1977) Dusty Rhodes vs Ric Flair (Cage, NWA, 7/26/1986) Dusty Rhodes vs Steve Corino (ECW, 3/12/2000)

93 - Bob Backlund 2006 Ranking: 76 Points: 2495 #1 Votes: 0 #2 Votes: 0 #3 Votes: 0 Top 10 Votes: 4 # of Ballots: 57 Average Vote: 57.40 High Vote: 5 (Scott Bernard) Low Vote: 99 Discussion Thread "He succeeds in putting across a wrestling version of the winning athlete." Moonsault Marvin "He has a resume of some of the best WWF matches ever. Honestly he's up there with Bret, Mysterio, Cena, Benoit, Valentine, Tito, Cesaro as having the most impressive WWF list of matches to watch from a singles worker. But unlike those guys, he often seems to have that list due to his great, diverse set of opponents moreso than due to what he's achieving. To call him carried would be overstating it, but he's too weird a worker in some ways to make the cut. On paper he's a strong candidate, yet he doesn't feel like a good choice for this list. The Takada and Funaki matches are great, but they aren't enough to put him over the top." Parties Recommended Matches: Bob Backlund vs Ken Patera (WWF 5/19/1980) Bob Backlund vs Adrian Adonis (WWF, 1/18/1982) Bob Backlund & Owen Hart vs Bret Hart & Davey Boy Smith (WWF Action Zone, 2/26/1995)

I like Nakamura more, but I can easily see the rationale in putting Tanahashi ahead of him if you've liked that company and style for a significant period of time. I can see why, I just don't personally think Tanahashi is great.

I understand mental illness extremely well for reasons both professional and personal. I understand what you are saying Grimmas, and I respect the compassion that motivates your opinion, however I do not agree with you for two reasons. Firstly, Nancy Benoit filed for divorce three years before the murders due to alleged domestic abuse. There is ample evidence to suggest that Chris Benoit was a domestic abuser before these murders occurred, based on things Nancy Benoit told friends and family members in the years prior to the murders. In other words, he was predisposed to domestic violence. Secondly, Chris Benoit knew he was suffering from depression, since he was taking medication for it. However, he was also willingly and knowingly taking Testosterone at the same time. Anybody with even a fleeting familiarity with Testosterone will tell you that it causes increased aggression. Chris Benoit had to know this, yet he continued to take it. Not every person with CTE is predisposed towards aggression and murder. I feel these two facts make him morally responsible for the murder of his wife and child. There has been an interesting debate in psychiatric circles over the past couple of decades regarding people who are suffering from schizophrenia. It has been proven that people who are schizophrenic, even those who are severely paranoid, can be aware of the fact that they are suffering from an illness. The debate is regarding the responsibility the individual should bear for insuring they take their prescribed medication that would eliminate or lessen their symptoms. And if a person who is suffering from schizophrenia knowingly and willingly refuses to take their medication, are they then legally responsible for their behavior and any crimes they might commit in an alleged psychotic episode? I believe people with mental illnesses have every right to lead normal lives in society just like everybody else. I think that claiming they have no moral responsibility for their actions is insulting them, not protecting them. Just because a person is mentally ill, it doesn't mean they can't differentiate between right and wrong. Just as you are morally responsible if you drink alcohol and drive a car, you are morally responsible if you know you suffer from a mental illness, but then refuse to get that illness treated or ingest substances which will exacerbate the symptoms of your illness. I concede that Chris Benoit was mentally ill when he killed his wife and son. However, I feel that he was a domestic abuser prior to his psychotic episode, and that he is also morally responsible for his behavior leading up to that episode. I am not willing to absolve him of all responsibility for his actions. I understand the opinion of those who do, but I respectfully disagree. See, I think it is possible to agree with both of you, because I don't think Steven absolves Benoit of any responsibility for his actions just because he, like you, seek to explain them. You didn't call him a cold blooded killer either, which I think was part of Steven's point. But your post is very well written, very true and very interesting and I completely agree with you. I just think Steven might too. EDIT: And ofcourse Steven beat me to it and for the record I still think it's possible to agree with both of you. Because I do. Completely, from what I can read from both your posts... Thanks. You are right. My whole point is calling him a cold blooded killer is really missing a lot of things.

The saddest result of this whole project is that Tanahashi is going to be higher than Nakamura.

I understand mental illness extremely well for reasons both professional and personal. I understand what you are saying Grimmas, and I respect the compassion that motivates your opinion, however I do not agree with you for two reasons. Firstly, Nancy Benoit filed for divorce three years before the murders due to alleged domestic abuse. There is ample evidence to suggest that Chris Benoit was a domestic abuser before these murders occurred, based on things Nancy Benoit told friends and family members in the years prior to the murders. In other words, he was predisposed to domestic violence. Secondly, Chris Benoit knew he was suffering from depression, since he was taking medication for it. However, he was also willingly and knowingly taking Testosterone at the same time. Anybody with even a fleeting familiarity with Testosterone will tell you that it causes increased aggression. Chris Benoit had to know this, yet he continued to take it. Not every person with CTE is predisposed towards aggression and murder. I feel these two facts make him morally responsible for the murder of his wife and child. There has been an interesting debate in psychiatric circles over the past couple of decades regarding people who are suffering from schizophrenia. It has been proven that people who are schizophrenic, even those who are severely paranoid, can be aware of the fact that they are suffering from an illness. The debate is regarding the responsibility the individual should bear for insuring they take their prescribed medication that would eliminate or lessen their symptoms. And if a person who is suffering from schizophrenia knowingly and willingly refuses to take their medication, are they then legally responsible for their behavior and any crimes they might commit in an alleged psychotic episode? I believe people with mental illnesses have every right to lead normal lives in society just like everybody else. I think that claiming they have no moral responsibility for their actions is insulting them, not protecting them. Just because a person is mentally ill, it doesn't mean they can't differentiate between right and wrong. Just as you are morally responsible if you drink alcohol and drive a car, you are morally responsible if you know you suffer from a mental illness, but then refuse to get that illness treated or ingest substances which will exacerbate the symptoms of your illness. I concede that Chris Benoit was mentally ill when he killed his wife and son. However, I feel that he was a domestic abuser prior to his psychotic episode, and that he is also morally responsible for his behavior leading up to that episode. I am not willing to absolve him of all responsibility for his actions. I understand the opinion of those who do, but I respectfully disagree. That is a really great post. Yeah, forgot about the abuse leading up to it. However, I would argue Benoit was ill probably his whole life. Stories about him working out so hard as a child to an obsessive amount. My question is, if he wasn't in the wrestling business and had gotten proper treatment, would this murder/suicide had happened? Of course we can't know that... but I wonder. With proper treatment in terms of drugs, therapy and working in a different environment, you never know. I've dealt with a lot of family issues with mental illness the last year and it really has changed how I look at Benoit. Benoit obviously committed murder, but if he lived and didn't commit suicide I would want him getting treatment, not just thrown in jail to rot.

94 - Shinsuke Nakamura 2006 Ranking: unranked Points: 2424 #1 Votes: 0 #2 Votes: 0 #3 Votes: 0 Top 10 Votes: 0 # of Ballots: 64 Average Vote: 63.13 High Vote: 14 (BackToBionic) Low Vote: 99 Discussion Thread "Nakamura has the best shot at my list of the current NJ guys. He might not do the 30-minute epics as often (or as well) as Tanahashi, but he has been compelling in a wide range of contexts over the years. The guy is just interesting to watch, with the unusual way he moves around the ring and his offbeat intensity. The Sakuraba and Ibushi matches were two of my favorites from last year, and I've enjoyed him in what I've seen of the 2014 G-1. His ultimate placement will depend on how much I like his early career stuff and how many more great performances he reels off off over the next 18 months." Childs Recommended Matches: Shinsuke Nakamura vs Yoshihiro Takayama (NJPW, 1/4/2004) Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi (NJPW, 1/4/2015) Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn (NXT, 4/1/2016)

Ok, I just assumed LU had more viewers, because its a better show.

Thanks to Tim again for reminded me that I forgot Chicana. Glad to see not too many others forgot about him, like I did. Shocking to see such a short discussion thread on him, though.

95 - Sangre Chicana 2006 Ranking: honourable mention (194) Points: 2400 #1 Votes: 0 #2 Votes: 0 #3 Votes: 0 Top 10 Votes: 1 # of Ballots: 46 Average Vote: 48.83 High Vote: 9 (stunning_grover) Low Vote: 98 Discussion Thread "His matches are amazing to watch. Arguably the greatest brawler in Mexican wrestling history." stunning_grover "Chicana is gonna be one of the big cases on how much stock you put into a guy who has relatively little footage but often looks like a total all time great. Personally, I lean toward peak over longevitiy, how good you were at your best over consistency, how good the footage is over how much of it there is. Chicana on the 80s set was out of control great. Some of the best punches in wrestling, awesome seller, super charismatic and really knew how to milk big moments. And somehow, just about the best I've ever seen at taking a beating. I think I could watch Sangre Chicana get his ass kicked around Arena Mexico all day. I could never leave him out of a top 50." tim Recommended Matches: Sangre Chicana vs MS-1 (EMLL, 9/23/1983) Sangre Chicana vs El Satanico (EMLL, 9/24/1983) Sangre Chicana vs Perro Aguayo (EMLL, 2/28/1986)

You are welcome. I still don't see how you don't see his awesomeness.

Especially for the guys who didn't make it in 2006.

I am extremely happy that LA Park made this list. Honestly, before votes came in, I was thinking he had no shot. Luckily I was wrong. Just an all-time great brawler with out of control charisma. When you throw in his earlier work doing high spots and that fact he could get over in WCW as well as he did, he's something special. I'm glad others thought so too.

96 - L.A. Park 2006 Ranking: honourable mention (125) Points: 2358 #1 Votes: 0 #2 Votes: 0 #3 Votes: 0 Top 10 Votes: 1 # of Ballots: 72 Average Vote: 68.36 High Vote: 4 (Dean Rasmussen) Low Vote: 99 Discussion Thread "La Parka stood out as a comedic midcarder in WCW. He also had some good brawls in Mexico with luchadores such as El Hijo del Santo." Moonsault Marvin "One of the best brawlers in Mexican wrestling history." stunning_grover "A much better worker in 1993-95 than I ever would have ever expected held back only by the shittiness of the booking. His aggressive, stiff, shoot style matwork was a sight to behold, and in a promotion where work was more important he might have had a nice resume from that period. He also has the Ultimo Guerrero match from 2004, which I'm yet to review but is one of the best title matches of this century and hands down the best thing Ultimo Guerrero has ever been in. But his forte is really brawling. He may be one of the best lucha brawlers of all-time. I can't say I like the garbagy crap in a lot of his matches, but the visuals he creates are outstanding. Definitely a guy who needs to be looked at." Ohtani's Jacket "How many brawlers in history are better than Park? Yes he can absolutely stink it up, or ruin a match with over reliance on comedy, but when it comes to the essence of lucha brawls - wild, out of control spectacles, with blood, mask ripping, crazy dives, near fights with fans, guys taking lunatic bumps into chairs, et. - I don't know if anyone in history has been better. I watched a bunch of stuff this week, including the Santo brawl from Monterrey and that is right there with the Wagner, Mesias, phony Parka fights as an all time classic fight. What's amazing is that Park was also one of the most exciting/fun guys to watch in WCW (where he actually got over to a degree), was better than I expected in early AAA, and has matches like the Dandy, Ultimo Guerrero and Lizmark ones that are also absolutely excellent matches, without being brawls at all. His inconsistency will hurt him, but his versatility, dynamism, and peak performances have now moved him into the "lock" category for my top 100." Dylan Waco Recommended Matches: L.A. Park vs El Hijo del Santo (Juster Promotions, 4/28/2004) L.A. Park vs El Mesias (AAA, 12/11/2010) L.A. Park vs Dr. Wagner Jr. (TXT, 5/11/2013)

Today I will lose 4 people...

Parv reviewing Virus matches is a good thing. I'm not sure what he will make of him, but what a great worker.

Part of the slow down is anticipation and part of it is how much longer this top 100 posts take to put together.

97 - The Destroyer 2006 Ranking: 25 Points: 2276 #1 Votes: 0 #2 Votes: 0 #3 Votes: 0 Top 10 Votes: 0 # of Ballots: 45 Average Vote: 50.42 High Vote: 20 (Yo-Yo's Roomie & Tim Cooke) Low Vote: 90 Discussion Thread "Great masked wrestler with a combination of high quality mat skills and the ability to do comedy without undermining the match." Moonsault Marvin "Lack of footage keeps him from being a top 10 contender from the looks of it. Maybe the smartest wrestler ever based on a very small sampling" Elliott "An all-time great main event wrestler. Meeting him was probably one of the coolest wrestler meetings I've had." Dave Musgrave "Probably the guy I'm ranking highest on the fewest matches. But boy is he awesome in those." djhaigh "To watch a good Dick Beyer match is to experience joy. He oozes wrestling in every regard, and his status in Japan is well-earned." Jon Burr Recommended Matches: The Destroyer vs Toyonobori (JWA, 2/26/1969) The Destroyer vs Giant Baba (JWA, 3/5/1969) The Destroyer vs Mil Mascaras (AJPW, 7/25/1974)

98 - Kerry Von Erich 2006 Ranking: honourable mention (233) Points: 2274 #1 Votes: 0 #2 Votes: 0 #3 Votes: 0 Top 10 Votes: 0 # of Ballots: 69 Average Vote: 68.04 High Vote: 21 (Chris Powell) Low Vote: 99 Discussion Thread "This seems too high now. I don't even like Kerry." djhaigh "There has been lots of talk about great matches and Kerry was absolutely a big match worker. He had the benefit of working with greats like Flair, Jumbo and Lawler but he also worked with guys like Hayes, OMG, Kamala, Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez to positive results. His WWF run absolutely hurts him but he had an amazing run of big matches. This is a list of singles matches that made (not nominated but made) the DVDVR lists so far. I didn't include any tag matches including the amazing run of matches with the Freebirds or the Dynamic Duo. Add in the pride he had in introducing Gorky park and Kerry will be on my list again. " goodhelmet Recommended Matches: Kerry Von Erich vs Terry Gordy (WCCW, 5/7/1984) Kerry Von Erich vs Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW, 5/22/1984) Kerry Von Erich vs Jerry Lawler (Cage Match, WCCW, 11/25/1988)

good idea

So glad Virus made it. He easily made my list. What a freaking talent, it's a shame he doesn't get more singles matches.

99 - Virus 2006 Ranking: honourable mention (364) Points: 2255 #1 Votes: 0 #2 Votes: 0 #3 Votes: 0 Top 10 Votes: 1 # of Ballots: 44 Average Vote: 49.75 High Vote: 10 (Matt D) Low Vote: 100 Discussuion Thread "This is the first vote I feel like I have to justify. The simple answer is versatility underpinned by footage. It's not necessarily that I'm sure Virus is more talented or greater than lucha candidates beneath him on my list, but he's much more bulletproof than any of them. We have so much footage of him, relatively late into his career, over the last seven years or so and he performs on such a high level in so many different roles (title matches, maestro matches, lightning matches, trios matches, as a focus to a match, as background or a guiding force). When you factor in his early minis work, and wrap your head around the differences and difficulties in performing in that style and then as a full-weight wrestler with such aesthetic success in both, I just couldn't find a reason for him not to be in this spot. " Matt D "His last several years are enough to get him a solid place on the list. The undisputed king of contemporary juniors-style lucha. No one even comes close to working the modern style as well, for me. That said I've seen very little of his work before the latter half of the 2000s. Other than those two incredible 1997 matches he had, the trios and vs. Cicloncito Ramirez. " tim "I want to say he's the best lucha worker of this century, but he's really only been given long singles match opportunities since the business down turn. I think he's been the best guy in Mexico for the past few years at least since we stopped getting so much IWRG stuff. What really needs to happen is an evaluation of the first decade of this century even if it's just a bunch of lightning matches." ohtani's jacket Recommended Matches: Damiancito el Guerrero vs Ciclonicot Ramirez (CMLL, 1/7/1997) Virus vs Guerrero Maya Jr. (CMLL, 6/7/2011) Virus vs Guerrero Maya Jr. (CMLL, 10/6/2013)