Yesterday, when Major League Baseball revealed who this year's A.L. MVP was, I couldn't help but feel that I NEEDED to take the opportunity to both pose a serious question...and brag a little.Minnesota Twins first baseman, Justin Morneau is the 2006 American League Most Valuable Player. And he's Canadian! It's also no secret that for the past two seasons, back-to-back (reminds me of the Blue Jays) MVP honours in the NBA have gone to Steve Nash. Another Canadian! And we don't even need to discuss the NHL.
Now I know we're still in November, but if I were voting for professional wrestling's 2006 MVP...the award would go to...
EDGE!
Yes...yet another Canadian!It's no wonder the official title of our great nation's national anthem is "O Canada". Ha! We get an "O" everytime we sing about our country!
With ten times LESS the population of the United States, you would think that we would have ten times LESS the talent. But this, of course, has never been the case. Not for anything. And there is no better industry to serve as evidence to this than professional wrestling.
Without getting into a diatribe that lists the countless incredible Canadian wrestlers that we all know about already, allow me to explain why Adam Copeland deserves to join his fellow countrymen Morneau and Nash as a 2006 MVP (screw Montel Vontavious Porter!).
Edge has been paying his dues in WWE since 1998. A true blue-chipper who fought and clawed his way through the ranks of the world's greatest wrestling organization for years (unlike the current WWE Champion), Edge finally became WWE Champion in 2006.
Accomplishing this feat at New Year's Revolution also placed Edge into "Triple Crown Champion" status, having been a multi-timed Intercontinental and Tag-Team Champion in the past. Immediately, Edge became one of the most interesting WWE Champions in history...literally.
He earned himself the title of "most watched champion in history" by helping "Raw" to garner a 5.2 rating during his "live sex celebration" with Lita, back in January. More importantly, his first title defence came in the form of an O-mazing TLC Match with Ric Flair on "Raw" - free TV no less! I sincerely remember thinking that I hadn't seen John Cena put on a match that good as WWE Champion - and he still hasn't.
Save, of course, for Cena's TLC Match at Unforgiven - with Edge! Another O-fest, Edge (a neck surgery recipient!) performed in one of his sickest bumping exhibitions this past September in his hometown of Toronto. Although he was on the losing end of the bout that night, Edge made clear who the real champion was in that match.
But I'm getting ahead of myself here. Who could forget WrestleMania 22? In what was heralded as "the greatest Hardcore Match in history" (okay, I know that was a bit much, but still...) Edge and Mick Foley performed in an O-stravaganza for the ages. Complete with thumb tacks, barbed wire and a burning table, the match was nothing short of insane. As well, Edge's WrestleMania record became 5-0 that night, a record that is second only to The Undertaker's 14-0 mark.
At SummerSlam, Edge became WWE Champion for the second time. And just last week, Edge started his 12th tag-team championship reign with Randy Orton in the newly-formed "Rated RKO". Although this would appear to be a 'de-push' of sorts, I believe Edge's main event status and superstardom are only in their baby stages. I expect huge things from and for Edge in 2007 and beyond.
He is still in his prime - talent and age-wise - has a ton of charisma and the wrestling ability to back up his excellent mic skills. He's at the top of his game and only time will tell just how far his star will rise.
Congratulations Edge! You are pro wrestling's 2006 MVP! You, like so many athletes before you, have done our country proud! (Now let the arguments begin).
Now, of course, if you want branch out to TNA's MVP for 2006, I'd have to go for the guy whose charismatic wit and in-ring prowess undoubtedly helped for the company to inevitably secure a prime time television slot. I'd have to vote for the dude who, like Edge, also became a world champion for the first time in '06. I'd have to lean towards the man who is entertainment-personified, match in and match out.
Yep...Christian Cage. And guess where he's from.
7 comments: on "Who Is Wrestling's 2006 MVP?"
%100 on the money with this one... Edge is the best that the WWE has to offer... and Christian is gold... they were never my absolute favorite tag team of all times... definately in the top 5 though... but they are without a doubt the best singles stars within their companies
Joe has had an incredible run, but what has he actually done for his company. Edge has equaled ratings and money for the WWE over this past year.
He was one of the only wrestlers in a long time who was willing to just be a flat out heel. Everyone else wants to be cool and be liked. Edge prided himself on being hated, and people tuned in either in hopes that he'd get his ass kicked or to hear one of his fantastic promos.
This year was a coming out year for Edge, but it lacked a lot of the impact it could have had. Edge deserved a one on one feud with Triple H, and he deserved to go over. I guess we will see if Triple H ever does the deed and puts him completely over as a main eventer.
"O" Canada...
you slay me you funny bastard!
Here's my list of how I would rank the MVP for both companies-
WWE-
1.) Edge
2.) Rey Mysterio(Yes, it was mostly around storyline that I found tasteless, but a main event win at WrestleMania is a main event win, period.)
3.) Booker T/King Booker(Finally won the World Title after 5 years...he's be ranked higher if the push came earlier than May)
4.) Rob Van Dam(Was over as hell upon returning, and even managed to finally win the WWE Championship)
5.) Big Show(he picked up his first win at WrestleMania this year, and is enjoying the longest push of his career)
TNA-
1.) Abyss (read below)
2.) Samoa Joe (over as hell, multiple X Division reigns, went undefeated for 11 months this year, and was beaten by a legitimate hall of famer in a match that was an instant classic)
3.) Christian Cage (main evented for the first 7 months of the year, was champion for 4 months, then got into one of best developed storylines in recent TNA history)
4.) Sting (over as hell, main evented several pay-per-views, including Bound For Glory, where he won the championship)
5.) Christopher Daniels (competed in two Ultimate X matches, two Six Sides of Steel matches, two runs as X Division Champion)
Edge was undoubtedly the WWE MVP in 2006. Nobody else comes even close to having the year he had.
As far as TNA, it's a slightly grayer line as to who the MVP is. I still find him out of place somewhat, but I'd have to go with Abyss over Cage or even Samoa Joe. Abyss has main evented 4 different pay per views this year, and managed to capture the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in the process. He feuded with the likes of Christian Cage, Sting, Rhino, Samoa Joe, which is some serious star power. He also stands as unquestionably the top heel in the company right now.
In addition to who would win the MVP award, I'd be interested to see what other people's rankings would look like.
oh cmon Frank... we know that isnt true... I'm one of the few to come play the devil's advocate when there's cena bashing going down... and that match was entertaining... but to call it best wwe match of the year is going to far... best that night? probably... but let's be sensible here... no Cena match can be called best of the year...
Cena still gets booed... and that will never wreck his career
Edge won the title on July 3rd on RAW in a triple threat match against Cena and RVD. RVD lost the ECW belt on the 4th to Big Show. I agree with all of what you said though, Edge is the WWE's best right now in my eyes. I dont agree with July-September being his longest reign, especially since Cena had it from April until January. The guy can't wrestle, and doesnt have nearly the fire he did when he was the freestylin heel.
My bad...Edge RETAINED his title at SummerSlam...he won it for the second time on the July 3rd edition of "Raw".
I stand corrected.
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