2019 Mid Year Report Card

I’d like to say that I ‘waited until Slammiversary ended so I could have a better idea what the mid year will…blah blah blah’.  I forgot people.  Sorry.

This is being done in the midst of the G1 but as it’s an ongoing tournament, no results from that will be factored into overall standings.  Increased lineup this year, as I’ll be including NJPW, ROH, IMPACT, WWE, AEW and MLW into this years list.   The list is a combined grading of performances, diversity of talent (in ring, on mic, creativity etc), match bookings, championship wins, and overall presecene in not just their company but wrestling as well.  For that reason other companies may see their talent on this list when they themselves are not necessarily considered, and also why certain talent from major companies won’t even make the list.

Not every talent deserves to be graded.

So let’s get started.

They Get an ‘A’
– Let’s start with IMPACT’s LAX, dominating the tag team scene and main eventing a pay per view (which doesn’t happen anymore with tag teams) has them as the top tandem going.  Tessa Blanchard beat Gail Kim, and raised her game against Sami Callihan.   Kazuchika Okada is back at the top of the hill in NJPW.  Only a few months since he left but Jon Moxley is already at the top of his game once again.  He’s again the top of the division and trying to cross weight classes so the best bout machine in NJPW, Will Osprey, gets in.  Zach Sabre Jr is the best submission grappler in the world, and one of the names many are focusing on for the G1.   Despite a lack luster title run, you can’t take away how good of a moment Kofi Kingston‘s title win was.

 

They Get a ‘B’

The NWA signing of Eli Drake, despite not winning any major titles this year was a huge coup.  Reigning NWA World Champion Nick Aldis continues to show the world why ROH needed him and NWA’s star power so much.  CHIKARA’s in good hands with the now villainous Dasher Hatfield as Grand Champion.  The former champion Mr. Touchdown helped raise his game thanks to his feud with the aforementioned champion.  ROH’s signing light is Jeff Cobb and he’s mostly just worried about NJPW now.  As the face of WOH division in ROH, Kelly Klein continues to impress.  A stand out in CMLL, ROH and NJPW makes Dragon Lee must see t.v. – plus he wins a lot of gold.  Despite a short title reign, Hiroshi Tanahashi did in fact win the IWGP Heavyweight title this year and that ain’t nothing.  Juice Robinson is near the top of his G1 Block and is now a former 2x United States Champion for NJPW.  Despite his tag team being over, SANADA continues to impress with title reigns and top bouts.  From Dragon Gate to NJPW, Shingo Takagi is taking heads and making beds.  I don’t know what that was, but go with it.  Taiji Ishimori won the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship and has been one of NJPW’s best in the division.  We all know Tama Tonga is a future Heavyweight Champion.  Or should be.   The IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito continues to impress.  Tomohiro Ishii makes the NEVER Openweight Title a belt you have to respect.  Tom Lawlor won the MLW World title.  MJF isn’t a big title guy yet but he’s so good on the mic.  Adam Page is a good worker though his stock as a top draw is in doubt.  Cody Rhodes hasn’t won any major titles and continues to prove that wrestlers shouldn’t be running companies.  Pentagon and Fenix should be World Champs but are settling for tag team gold.  Awesome Kong came out of retirement in a big way.  Brian Cage was X-Division Champion and World Champion in the same calendar year; but he’s been too hurt to warrant an ‘A’.  Sami Callihan is a great draw for IMPACT but his attitude have made him hard to put a belt on.  The Rascalz are fun though they’re not champs yet.  The North are dominant but still fairly new.  Rich Swann was a great X-Division Champion while he lasted.  Despite being several steps slower than he was, AJ Styles still warrants a ‘B’.  The Miz continues to win titles and feud at the top of the card despite not winning another world title yet.  Ronda Rousey was a good champ and main evented WreslteMania, though it was unspectacular.  The New Day’s Big E and Xavier Woods continue to win tag gold but neither have broken out past the New Day gimmick.  Daniel Bryan won the WWE Championship but did nothing with it or his new eco-warrior gimmick.  Finn Balor won the Intercontinental Championship but no one would blame you if you already don’t remember.

To expedite the process, a singular description will be given for the rest.

They Get a ‘C’ – Bigger names who failed to deliver, or younger stars who haven’t found their identity yet.

Bandido, Rush, Brody King. Johnny Impact, Scarlett Bordeaux,  Eli Isom and Flip Gordon, Jay Lethal is, Kenny King, Marty Scurll, PCO, Shane Taylor, Mayu Iwatani, Sumie Sakai, Bushi, Davey Boy Smith, EVIL, Hirooki Gotu, Jay White, Jonathan Gresham, Jushin Liger, Lance Archer, KENTA, Kota Ibushi, Mikey Nicholls, Minorus Suzuki, Robbie Eagles, Rocky Romero, Ryusuke Taguchi, Roppongi 3k, Taichi, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu, Low Ki, Alex Hammerstone, Simon Gotch, Mance Warner,  Hijo del LA Park,  Jimmy Havoc, Gringo Loco, Flamita, Brian Pillman Jr, Myron Reed, Rey Horus, Air Wolf,  Puma King, Jimmy Yuta, Cima, Dustin Rhodes, Kip Sabian, Shawn Spears, The Best Friends,  Kenny Omega, The Bucks, Allie, Hikaru Shida, Killie Ray, Nyla Rose,  Ace Austin, oVe, Sawyer Fulton, Eddie Edwards, Killer Kross, Tommy Dreamer, Willie Mack, Jordynne Grace, Kiera Hogan, Rosemary,  Taya Valkyrie, Cedric Alexander, Cesaro, Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, The Usos, Ricochet, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Aleister Black, Buddy Murphy, Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens, R-Truth, Bayley, Charlotte Flair, Kairi Sane, PAC

 

They Get a ‘D’ – Under performed in every way but have the talent to be better, just not much better.

Colt Cabana, Dalton Castle, David Finlay, The Briscoes, Mark Haskins, Josh Woods, Silas Young, TK O’Ran, Vinny Marseglia, Will Ferrara, Tracey Williams, Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, El Desperado, Hikuleo, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Tiger Mask,  Toa Henare, Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Yuji Nagata,  LA Park, Austin Aries, Ricky Martinez, Richard Holliday, Kotto Brazil, Aneglico and Jack Evans, SCU, Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, Michael Nakazawa,  Sonny Kiss,  Bea Priestley, Brandi Rhodes, Dr. Britt Baker, Fallah Bahh, Petey Williams, The Desi Hit Squad, The Deaners, Rob Van Dam, Sabu, TJP, Alisha Edwards, Su Yung, Authors of Pain, Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, The Revival, Drew McIntyre, The Viking Experience,  Kalisto, Lince Dorado, Rey Mysterio, Samoa Joe, Alexa Bliss, Lacey Evans, Natalya, Ali, Andrade, Apollo Crews, Chad Gable, Jeff Hardy, Lars Sullivan, Heavy Machinery,  Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, The IIconics, Carmella, Ember Moon, Mandy Rose, Zelina Vega, Drew Gulak

 

They Get an ‘F’ – Resounding failure for one reason or another.  Either lack of consistency, poor in the ring or just a pain in the ass to deal with.

Beer City Bruiser,  Bully Ray, Cheeseburger, Delirious,  Matt Taven,  The Allure, Ian Riccoboni, Taka Michionoku, Toru Yano, Yosh-Hashi, Yujiro Takahashi, Sammy Guevara, Darby Alin, Joey Janela,  The Librarians, The Dark Order, Michael Elgin, Jessicka Havok, Madison Rayne, Bray Wyatt, EC3,  Eric Young, Gran Metalik, Heath Slater,  The Club, Lio Rush, Mojo Rawley, No Way Jose, Titus O’Neil, The Ascension, Alicia Fox, Dana Brooke, Naomi, Nia Jax, Nikki Cross, Sarah Logan, Sasha Banks, Tamina, The B-Team, Elias, Jinder Mahal, Shelton Benjamin, Lana, Liv Morgan, Mickie James, Sonya Deville, 205 Live’s Roster,

They Get an ‘Incomplete’ – Due to injuries or time off, did not log in enough time to warrant a grade.

Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Chris Jericho, El Phantasmo, Hiromu Takahashi,  The Von Erichos, Zenshi, Private Party, Brandon Cutler, Sadie Gibbs, Penelope Ford, Mahabali Shera, Katarina, Brock Lesnar, Fandango, Sami Zayn, Aiden English, Big Show, The Colon’s, Harper, Matt Harty,  Sheamus, Sin Cara,

 

Nominees of the Half-Year

Matches of the Mid-Years
– Tanahashi vs. Omega (c) IWGP Heavyweight Match at WK 13 (NJPW)
– Lucha Bros vs. LAX (c) IMPACT World Tag Team Match at Homecoming (IMPACT)
– Josh Barnett vs. Minorus Suzuki (Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport)
– Mr. Touchdown vs. Dasher Hatfield (Chikara’s One Upon a Beginning)
– Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes (AEW’s Double or Nothing)

 

Feuds of the Mid-Year
– Tessa Blanchard vs. Sami Callihan
– Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada
– The Lucha Bros vs. The Young Bucks
– Tessa Blanchard vs. Gail Kim

 

Tag Teams of the Mid-Year
– The Guerrilla’s of Destiny
– LAX (IMPACT name)
– The North
– The New Day

 

Break Out Star of the Mid Year
– Tessa Blanchard
– Shota Umino
– Ricochet
– Jake Crist

 

Comeback of the Mid Year
– Cass XL
– Rob Van Dam
– Roman Reings
– Alexa Bliss

 

Male Wrestler of the Mid Year
– Kofi Kingston
– Sami Callihan
– Kazuchika Okada
– Jon Moxley

 

Female Wrestler of the Mid Year
– Tessa Blanchard
– Taya Valkyrie
– Charlotte Flair
– Becky Lynch

 

News Story of the Mid Year
– Trish Stratus returns only to re-retire
– PAC Pulls out of major AEW match over refusal to lose.
– AEW Forms
– Roman Reigns returns to tv in remission.

 

Awards of the Mid-Year

Match of the Mid-Year
– Josh Barnett vs. Minorus Suzuki (Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport)

Feud of the Mid-Year
– Sami Callihan vs. Tessa Blanchard

Non-Wrestler of the Mid-Year
– Johnny Bravo

Tag Team of the Mid-Year
– LAX

Breakout Star of the Mid-Year
– Shota Umino

Comeback of the Mid-Year
– Roman Reigns

Male Wrestler of the Mid-Year
– Sami Callihan

Female Wrestler of the Mid-Year
– Tessa Blanchard

News Story of the Mid-Year
– Roman Reigns returns to wrestling in remission.