Ringwork Rating
move set - This is pretty self-explainatory, but I try to keep up with the times.
A wrestler may have displayed a great number of moves over his career, but if he does not do it
now, then it won't help him, in fact it will hurt him.
example - Perry Saturn, some one who has displayed on awesome move set over the past
five years. In ECW, Saturn was a highflyer with a junior flavor. Then in WCW, he toned down
his air attack and did a lot of submissions and suplexes. Now in the WWF, he has concentrating
on having a unique well-rounded style. Most of his matches are short and he does not display a
fraction of what he knows so he would be given a "5." The potential is there, but recently
untapped making it just average.
science - This has a lot to do with old school psychology along with a variety of
holds and possibly moves or strikes that target a body part. Creative counters and reversals
are positives as well, but I don't subtract them from people that don't have them. You can
throw a dozen names at this category: matwork, technical wrestling, counter wrestling, chain
wrestling and so on.
example - Minoru Tanaka, easily in the top five technicians today, Tanaka embodies
scientific skill to a tee. He picks a body part (usually an arm) and wears it down with a
variety of holds and some strikes. To be more specific, he will hook a Cross Armbreaker in a
match. He often will use the same hold at least one more time, usually using it as a takedown,
which is a skillful application. He sometimes transitions it into a Shortarm Scissors, which
shows variety and continuity. Tanaka will stay on the arm by kicking it and such. He doesn't
use moves like Hammerlock Slams, Fujiwara Armbar Takedowns, etc. that would make his attack
perfect, but it is still exceptional. I would give him a "10."
aerial - This is definately a case-by-case area. Someone like Bam Bam Bigelow
may not be throwing dropkicks regularly, but he uses his highflying when the situation warrants
it, which gives him an edge over other big men. Some luchadors are nothing but highspots and
lucha takedowns and can lack originality and purpose with their spots.
example - El Hijo Del Santo, a solid technico uses his lucha moves like head scissors
and suicide dives very effectively. He doesn't over do things by doing endless highspots,
though he is not particularly innovative. Age and name considered, Santo is an above average
flyer and I would give him at least a "6."
power - Another case-by-case area. This revolves around the strength a wrestler
displays in the ring. Juniors will obviously not be on the level of heavyweights, but how they
interact with both must be considered. A smaller guy who is brute among his equal or lesser
sized peers will not be credited higher. Larger guys that fail to show their power will be
penalized though. Even if past merits show they are capable, potential is not judged.
example - Chris Benoit, a perfect example of a former junior, was a monster amongst
them showing his power off wonderfully. I would have given `94 Benoit a "5" because he didn't
compete with the heavies and display his strength regularly. Since joing the WWF in `00, Benoit
became a top heavyweight and despite his size used his trademark suplexes on high 200-pounders
and even the well over 300-pound Rikishi. I would give him a "8."
strikes - This totally depends on the style. In the US, if your punches look good
they can make you. In Japan, you need more versitility (in fact punches are a detriment), so
its a lot of chops, slaps, elbows, knees, and kicks. In Mexico, brawling is unimportant to the
technicos, but key to the rudos. In all three countries and styles, brawling has a different
purpose and must be treated accordingly. Be it aesthetic and heat-drawing (US), stiff and
storytelling (Japan), or well-timed and character-building.
example - Rob Van Dam, one of the unique competitors in the US, has had the difficult
task of using his style to make his way in the WWF. Van Dam is not particularly stiff, though
he can be with his kickboxing background. In the US, he has to look good and his stuff usually
is hit, unfortunately he's potato'd many opponents, which is bad by WWF standards. They do draw
him heat in his matches to an extent, but the crowd doesn't pop for anything and it's mostly to
daze opponents for a highspot or is mounting a comeback. I would give him a "6."