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1 - Chris Jericho - The top heel in the business today, especially now that Edge has been temporarily written off. One of the most charismatic stickmen, and best in-ring workers in the history of professional wrestling. Period.
2 - The Big Show - Ric Flair said it best in his hall of fame speech, "The greatest big man I've ever been in the ring with." As well as the most talented big man in the history of the sport.
3 - Matt Hardy - While never being given "the ball" in WWE, Matt Hardy has always had a passion for his craft that audiences cannot help but get behind. No matter the situation he can adapt, and even thrive.
4 - Christian Cage - The only reason in my opinion to watch TNA.
5 - Raven - One of the most intriguing characters ever to set foot in the squared circle, and one of the most entertaining interviews ever, even if you can't understand what the hell he's saying.
6 - M.V.P. - Simply put... the man you love to hate.
7 - RVD - The only product of ECW to break through WWE's glass ceiling, for good reason. One of the most exciting performers alive today.
9 - Shelton Benjamin - After years of displaying unlimited potential, The Gold Standard is finally living up to that potential. I for one can't wait to see how far he is willing to let himself climb.
10 - Shannon Moore - It still bewilders me how the WWE wasted this untapped well of athletic ability and unique personality.
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Picks by Lawrence Kasmir...
Here's my top 10 draft picks for this year
1) Edge - simply the best in wrestling at the moment, must have as first draft pick.
2) Undertaker - incredibly over ring-veteran to help the rest of the wrestlers put on great matches. One of the biggest draws of the past decade and can still go in the ring.
3) Randy Orton - now that's he's married with child will be settled and be able to be the best pure heel in my company.
4) Jeff Hardy - another wrestler with behind the scenes problems but the crowd absolutely loves him and adds his unique charisma and athleticism to the mix.
5) Batista - Batista carries himself exceptionally well on his way to the ring and has improved loads over the past year. The crowds love him and he'll be a big face using his power to win matches.
6) Shawn Michaels - can't have a promotion without HBK and all his experience. Even if he is coming to the end of his career he can still tear the housedown and put over some of the younger wrestlers on the roster.
7) C.M. Punk - he's got credibility with being the WWE champion, he can work and talk and he's relatively new. Would be a good star for the future in my promotion.
8) Bryan Danielson - of all the ROH wrestlers he can connect with the fans in a way which shouts 'superstar', and is one of the best in the world today. He'll have a bigger stage to work on in my promotion to prove it.
9) Santino Marella - he's comedic brilliance and a promotion needs a good mix of comedy and seriousness. Yet to prove he can wrestle, but I hope he can. If not he can always be a manager or another non-wrestling role.
10) John Cena - is only number ten because of his neck injury and will be out for a long time. Still the top draw for children and women and merchandise seller, so he has to go on the list for any profitable organisation though its a tough call.
Close considerations: Chris Jericho (not sure whether he has any great matches left in him, but would definately be pick number 11), AJ Styles, Samoa Joe (both good, but not as good as the WWE wrestlers on the list), MVP (break out star waiting to happen) Johnny Morrison (is athletic with charisma unlike some of the other comparable athletic wrestlers out there)
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Picks by Max Meehan of Austin, Tex...
(1) Brian Danielson - While most people are bickering over TNA and WWE's roster and booking quality, a handful of wrestlers have forced me to take notice of AAA's weekend cards. Danielson has the look, skill and personality to be a top star in any promotion if given the opportunity. He also went over Lance Cade in a WWE dark match not too long ago. Is he perhaps WWE bound?
(2) Chris Jericho - One of the few things WWE has going for it right now. He's been an asset to every promotion we've seen him grace. Old enough to consider a veteran, but he certainly has a number of years ahead of him. Jericho could bridge gaps between heavyweights and high flyers.
(3) Jack Evans - Small-but-flashy high flyer that I don't think audiences would have a problem appreciating. Great on the mic and wildly entertaining to watch. His run in AAA with Teddy and Danielson as a part of Hart Foundation 2.0 has been a not-miss program.
(4) Mistico - The most popular wrestler in Mexico right now, Mistico could bring an interesting spin to the title situation. We've never gotten a foreign star that was treated as a serious contender for the gold. Mistico would be that guy, which would undoubtedly score favor with the Mexican demographic.
(5) Randy Orton - The WWE's golden boy. Great looking, good on the mic, and always capable of good matches with just about anybody, Orton is hard not to appreciate. Just prior to his departure from WWE due to injury, crowds were starting to cheer him.
(6) Samoa Joe - Joe's probably worth more than anyone in TNA right now. His agility and work ethic have been consistently high. Why settle for a cheap WWE imitation when you can have the ORIGINAL Samoan Bulldozer?
(7) Santino Marella - Perhaps the greatest comedic presence in wrestling since Andy Kaufman, Marella is a delight week in and out. He sells hard, works hard, and I only hope that one day, the WWE has the wherewithal to give this guy a push toward a Championship run. The guy is over.
(8) Shawn Michaels - Though a bit older than the rest of the roster, every successful company is going to need an icon; someone who can draw people's attention, and also help legitimize younger guys. Shawn would be the torchbearer.
(9) Teddy Hart - Considered something of a loose cannon by a lot of developmental guys, I don't think we'll be seeing the grandson of Stu Hart on TV any time soon. His style, verging on overkill, would most likely make most performers look dull by comparison, and that makes him a threat to the tamer WWE style at the very least. Great on the mic, and great in the ring, with a wrestling family name behind him, Teddy would be pure gold.
(10) William Regal - Never really treated like a serious competitor, Regal is still one of the greatest wrestlers and brawlers to ever grace the squared circle in my opinion. Good on the mic, and capable of great matches.
Commentators: Joey Styles, Jim Ross, Shane Douglas - Jim Ross is a gimme of course. No one does hyperbole like good old J.R., and psychologically, he sells people on more stars than any crumby bunch of merchandising McMahon churns out. Joey Styles is undeniably one of the greatest commentators of all time - 'nuff said. Shane, as a commentator in ECW, was always a great voice with strong insight, plus the guy is funny.
GM: Bret Hart - Bret as the 'tweener GM would be great. He wouldn't have to work, but his presence would do wonders for the atmosphere. I'd also find him an enforcer type character that would accompany him, and physically ensure his objective decisions be taken seriously.
DRAFT INFO - INVITE TO PARTICIPATE
Since 1997, Pro Wrestling Torch has conducted "Priority Fantasy Drafts" about once a year, usually around this time of year. The concept is simple. If the existing national promotions went out of business and all wrestlers became free agents, and you had the budget to sign ten wrestlers before any other competing start-up company could even compete, which ten currently active wrestlers would you choose? The goal is to make money, not make you in particular happy as a fan or viewer. This is about the wisest business move. This should not be a roster for a vanity promotion that goes out of business or unnecessarily burns through money.
You can build your roster around whatever promoting philosophy you think would draw, though. If you think wrestlers only over 6-8 would draw best, draft them. If you think cruiserweights is the best approach, choose them. Or women. Young. Old. A mix of all of the above. It's up to you.
We invite you to send in your Top 10 Draft Picks this week. We will compile the results, which will be featured on PWTorch.com next week. An expanded list of vote-getters (Top 50) will be part of next week's special Draft Edition of the Pro Wrestling Torch newsletter (#1042), which will also feature a variety of staff articles related to the draft. This week at PWTorch.com we will also look back on previous draft results, so stay tuned.
When you send your top ten draft picks to us, you are invited to include a few sentences explaining each pick, making your case for why they deserve a top ten spot. Please send your picks numbered one through ten to pwtorch@gmail.com (put "Draft Picks" in the subject line, please). Deadline is this Friday (Aug. 29). We will publish select top ten lists this week in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com.
Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.
Let your voice be heard. PWTorch.com readers are encouraged to participate in our regular polls where you can vote for the option of your choice and also see how other readers are voting. Be sure to vote in today's polls on the TNA Destination X PPV with our Best Match and 0-10 score Polls...
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