The last time I was out of Next Generation Wrestling (for reasons that were all business and were understood and made clear by all parties involved), I decided to see how I compared to everyone in 2004.
To motivate me to out perform. That was the goal. Of course, I realized that actual wrestling ability was not the promoter's concern since I was suppose to be in a comic angle and jobbing to those who the crowd thought were cool.
You cannot improve if no one wants to believe you can.
I guess I had my moments, in 2005 with the Kyle Rich feud, my return match against Brett Gakiya, and the "Star Wars" gimmick, but refusing to play the roles NGW wanted me to forced them to put me in a position of just putting me in meaningless matches. The win loss ratio made it so statistically that I was a push over, but when you are not in the premiership, how many limeys give a shit about what you do?
With the realization of this and my best friend trying to kill me, I admit, despite the great matches I had, it was not my best year. But when I look at why certain people got to where they are in my rankings, it was not much of a year in Peoria Wrestling.
2. Kyle Rich (Two-time NGW Triple Threat Champion) - The most athletically gifted performer the promotion had seen. He lacks some of the dramatic elements like a Bret Hart prior to the Hart Foundation, but his bringing the strong style to NGW made him the person to watch. After his 20 minute draw with Chris Hazard, everyone knew he was going to be the star to watch. Too bad the Triple Threat Championship is downplayed to the Heavyweight Championship like the X-Division is the side show to Jarrett's title reign.
3. Ryan Phoenix (Former Triple Threat and Tag Team Champion) - Phoenix was the ultimate utility player of 2005. With coming from the fan base, people would not mind seeing him in big matches. Unfortunately, he never got to win those matches. But he was there and that should count for something.
4. Sinnister (Former People's Choice Champion) - I am not a fan of saying the little guys cannot win, but Sinnister was the only People Choice Champion you wanted to see the belt come off of. Unfortunately, wanting to stick to hardcore-style matches meant the division was not about great wrestling. On the flip side, Sinnister was given the chance to show how he could carry any opponent into having an entertaining match. This probably did a lot to help Axis, someone who had a look, but lacks storytelling ability.
5. Axis (Former People's Choice Champion) - He was able to break open the PC division as being the most heel like of it's first three stars (the other being Brett Gakiya and Ray Hez). Not being a great (as in hate-able heel) made the division the most sports like which probably ended up keeping it buried in the eyes of the NGW fans, but his likability eventually gave the fans a face in the division when he faced Sinnister.
6. Brett Gakiya (Former People's Choice Champion) - With his non offensive appearance he should be the top face. He did not get a lot of chances to shine being in the gimmick division, but when he did, he excelled. Who wasn't talking about the Asian Deathmatch at Luck o' the Draw? His ladder match with Ryan Phoenix and Kyle Rich may have led to the dumbest move in NGW (making it so the Triple Threat Title a one-on-one belt), but his chance to take Rich on head-to-head can only help him climb to the top. That is if, the heavyweight title stops headlining.
7. Big Pappa (Former Heavyweight Champion) - For him being one of the original IAWF (International Apartment Wrestling Federation) guys, I thought it was nice to see him get a title reign. Not to sound cynical, but he put the time in to wear the belt, but I did not mind it only being on his resume and that's all. Pappa ended up being the ultimate supporting figure. He was the guy who gave Kyle Rich a purpose to debut in NGW and he was a great contender against Hazard. Too bad NGW kept relying on him as the top contender. The repetitive use of his presence eventually over killed the concept of him playing the role.
8. Jester (Former NGW Heavyweight Champion) - With the poor writing at the beginning of the year, until he lost to Hazard at the Ace of Spades, he seemed like he was the champion. Too bad being put into a feud with the CCC kept him from ever getting a chance to regain that aura. He's a good storyteller, but no one want to see a CCC story. It's also sad that personal commitments prevented him from achieving this status as PC champ.
9. Ray Hez - His personality allowed him to get placed in some big matches, but he was never able to score the wins. He never got the chance to show his ability to wrestle because the personality did not require it. So, it was not expected.
10. CCC - (Ace of Spades contestant, former PC Champ) - In all honesty this should be my spot, or CJ Esparza's, or Kody Kash's, or Stumpy's, or even Doug Devore's. But he showed in 2005 that the show is about what he wants, so he gets to make his appearance here.
Oh, hear my 2004 list:
1. Jester --- 2. Chris Hazard --- 3. Ryan Phoenix --- 4. Axis ---
5. Brett Gakiya --- 6. Kyle Rich --- 7. Apocalypse --- 8. RC Stevens
9. Sinnister
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