Eddy Guerrero (right) would make a quick impression within ECW, defeating Too Cold Scorpio for the TV Title on his first night in
Listen to our April 1995 podcast, reviewing WWF Wrestlemania XI and all of the WCW action. There is also a separate ECW show too!
Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes | Spotify | Google | Youtube
Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes | Spotify | Google | Youtube
MARCH 1995 <<< POWER RANKINGS >>> MAY 1995
April's Power Rankings are a little bit slow out the blocks, this month. This may or may not be due in no small part to a Wrestlemania XI-induced coma. Which goes some way to explain the lack of a WWF whitewash after their biggest and bes... Biggest show of the year. ECW was as headline-making as usual and WCW's Flairy Godmother makes waves for the pretenders to Vince McMahon's throne...
Honourable Mentions:
Lawrence Taylor - Not great expectations going into Wrestlemania, but an absolute superstar performance on the biggest stage in the business. May well have placed had buyrates impressed more.
'Rowdy' Roddy Piper - A good-as retired performer, but still captures crowds and has an unmatched knack of clinching Wrestlemania pay days. Even if he can still irritate a saint.
Vader - No big stage for WCW this month for the best superheavyweight in the world to shine, but his stock continues to rise as Atlanta's biggest heel and a potential re-run of his feud(s) with Flair still entices a fan. Also reports of great ratings with Hogan.
'Macho Man' Randy Savage - Macho still features prominently on WCW programming, but still feels like Hulk Hogan's running buddy. If Savage can get away from the Hulkster's large shadow, he can still deliver at this level.
Paul E Dangerously - Paul E continues to govern the Philly misfits with an eye to the future. Perhaps some discrepancies in the full Sabu scenario, but pulling in Rick Steiner on minimal notice and being a genuinely popular promoter, let's see how his choice of champion pans out.
Terry Funk & Cactus Jack - What will these two warriors not do for themselves and each other? Some sickeningly brutal contests this month which simply couldn't go un-noticed.
Entries new unless indicated. Worded number = months in the top ten, +/- indicates position change since last month
The Rankings:
10: Sid - After a recent return to the Federation, the now Psycho seems to have captured himself a future title shot with his presence in the WMXI championship match & turn on the Heart Break Kid.
9: Yokozuna (and Owen Hart) - A big return in more ways than one for the former WWF Champion. Some interestingly positive reactions from the Hartford crowd and a Tag Title run shows promise for both, but is it a case of a consolation prize for two performers who, on their day, can be great?
8: Diesel (Two: -2) - Big Daddy Cool retained his WWF Title in a somewhat surprising showing, but with a lacklustre match, the lowest Wrestlemania buyrate in history and a face-turn for his biggest rival, the future looks uncertain for the big man...
7: The Public Enemy - Johnny Grunge & Rocco Rock regained their place atop the mountain of what is easily America's best tag division at this time. Great build to their recent shows, but what next for the boys from the 'hood?
6: Bam Bam Bigelow (Four: -1) - A great performance on a stage many thought he ill-deserved. The Beast's promotional work leading into Wrestlemania was terrific, a wonderfully worked main event with an amateur, his face turn is well earned.
5: Hulk Hogan - The former Mr WWF continues to rule the WCW roost with his backstage influence, even going as far as to leak through onto TV in his influential on-screen role in the reinstatement of former rival Ric Flair...
4: Eddy Guerrero - One very good match, one excellent match this month in ECW. Captures the TV Title on his debut with the Company and now has a larger audience to showcase his phenomenal repertoire to.
3: Shawn Michaels (Two: +3) - Arguably the best performer on a big stage at this moment in time and one of the few highlights of Wrestlemania. A babyface turn suggests he may be soon lined-up for a championship run that many thought could have began this month...
2: Sandman - The former surfer this month de-thrones the longest reigning heavyweight champion in the country. For what he lacks in technical prowess, he more than compensates in watchability. Woman still stands by her 'man and the deadly pair could run Philadelphia.
1: Ric Flair - The most decorated world champion in history continues to flex his political muscle, but now has the power of being able to again compete in-ring. More title opportunities pending? Don't be surprised...
A less than inspiring beginning to the second quarter of 1995, but as always, not without its potential. The usual suspects continue to deliver, will anyone challenge them for places as the year rolls on? Find out next month. Thoughts & comments below.
April's Power Rankings are a little bit slow out the blocks, this month. This may or may not be due in no small part to a Wrestlemania XI-induced coma. Which goes some way to explain the lack of a WWF whitewash after their biggest and bes... Biggest show of the year. ECW was as headline-making as usual and WCW's Flairy Godmother makes waves for the pretenders to Vince McMahon's throne...
Honourable Mentions:
Lawrence Taylor - Not great expectations going into Wrestlemania, but an absolute superstar performance on the biggest stage in the business. May well have placed had buyrates impressed more.
'Rowdy' Roddy Piper - A good-as retired performer, but still captures crowds and has an unmatched knack of clinching Wrestlemania pay days. Even if he can still irritate a saint.
Vader - No big stage for WCW this month for the best superheavyweight in the world to shine, but his stock continues to rise as Atlanta's biggest heel and a potential re-run of his feud(s) with Flair still entices a fan. Also reports of great ratings with Hogan.
'Macho Man' Randy Savage - Macho still features prominently on WCW programming, but still feels like Hulk Hogan's running buddy. If Savage can get away from the Hulkster's large shadow, he can still deliver at this level.
Paul E Dangerously - Paul E continues to govern the Philly misfits with an eye to the future. Perhaps some discrepancies in the full Sabu scenario, but pulling in Rick Steiner on minimal notice and being a genuinely popular promoter, let's see how his choice of champion pans out.
Terry Funk & Cactus Jack - What will these two warriors not do for themselves and each other? Some sickeningly brutal contests this month which simply couldn't go un-noticed.
Entries new unless indicated. Worded number = months in the top ten, +/- indicates position change since last month
The Rankings:
10: Sid - After a recent return to the Federation, the now Psycho seems to have captured himself a future title shot with his presence in the WMXI championship match & turn on the Heart Break Kid.
9: Yokozuna (and Owen Hart) - A big return in more ways than one for the former WWF Champion. Some interestingly positive reactions from the Hartford crowd and a Tag Title run shows promise for both, but is it a case of a consolation prize for two performers who, on their day, can be great?
8: Diesel (Two: -2) - Big Daddy Cool retained his WWF Title in a somewhat surprising showing, but with a lacklustre match, the lowest Wrestlemania buyrate in history and a face-turn for his biggest rival, the future looks uncertain for the big man...
7: The Public Enemy - Johnny Grunge & Rocco Rock regained their place atop the mountain of what is easily America's best tag division at this time. Great build to their recent shows, but what next for the boys from the 'hood?
6: Bam Bam Bigelow (Four: -1) - A great performance on a stage many thought he ill-deserved. The Beast's promotional work leading into Wrestlemania was terrific, a wonderfully worked main event with an amateur, his face turn is well earned.
5: Hulk Hogan - The former Mr WWF continues to rule the WCW roost with his backstage influence, even going as far as to leak through onto TV in his influential on-screen role in the reinstatement of former rival Ric Flair...
4: Eddy Guerrero - One very good match, one excellent match this month in ECW. Captures the TV Title on his debut with the Company and now has a larger audience to showcase his phenomenal repertoire to.
3: Shawn Michaels (Two: +3) - Arguably the best performer on a big stage at this moment in time and one of the few highlights of Wrestlemania. A babyface turn suggests he may be soon lined-up for a championship run that many thought could have began this month...
2: Sandman - The former surfer this month de-thrones the longest reigning heavyweight champion in the country. For what he lacks in technical prowess, he more than compensates in watchability. Woman still stands by her 'man and the deadly pair could run Philadelphia.
1: Ric Flair - The most decorated world champion in history continues to flex his political muscle, but now has the power of being able to again compete in-ring. More title opportunities pending? Don't be surprised...
A less than inspiring beginning to the second quarter of 1995, but as always, not without its potential. The usual suspects continue to deliver, will anyone challenge them for places as the year rolls on? Find out next month. Thoughts & comments below.
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