���������� It is the end of the year, so to jump on the bangwagon of every other magazine and web site, I will use my regular ranking criteria to judge the entire year for the WWF, it most successful yet. However, as this is a yearly assessment, one other set of criteria must be added- longevity. Longevity for the year 2000, that is. Things accomplished in previous years effect this list very little, and those who missed significant time (i.e. Stone Cold Steve Austin, Billy Gunn) and those who have just recently joined the WWF (William Regal) or recently have become successful (Lita) will suffer in the rankings. As always, I expect some disagreement with my decisions and encourage everyone to e-mail me to voice their opinions.
1. Triple H- This spot was probably the toughest to rank. On one hand you have the Rock, who rose to levels of popularity previously unseen in wrestling history. On the other hand, HHH had the most dominant year in the WWF in terms of titles, storylines and power. He was "the Game" that he had claimed to be last year. I guess I could have gone with a tie, but that's the wimp's way out. So which do I reward more? I'll go with actual WWF events and give the 2000 WWF MVP award to Helmsley, who proved to be the best actor and the best villian in all of wrestling.
2. The Rock- As stated earlier, the Rock rose to unmatched levels of stardom in the year 2000. Already the top man in the federation by the end of 1999, Rocky increased his popularity with appearances on Saturday Night Live, the Tonight Show and both political conventions, amongst others. This, along with his continued growth as a wrestler (adding submission moves to his repertoire, becoming 5 time WWF Champion) has made the Rock a household name the likes of which we haven't seen since the heyday of Hulkamania (if then even). Plus, his promos continue to be some of the best television on the tube.
3. Chris Jericho- Third place may be a might high for a man who was only Federation champ for 5 minutes (oh wait... that never happened), but remember: there have only been 3 different official WWF Champions since January 3rd. If you wanna talk titles though how about 3 and a half time Intercontinental Champion (he shared the title with Chyna) and 1 time European Champion? How about Jericho feuding with the WWF's best in HHH, or teaming with the likes of the Rock and Chyna? How about being the WWF's #2 Face for much of the year and getting more pop than anyone not named Dwayne Johnson? Late last year Jericho bragged (in the best introduction in the history of wrestling) that the year 2K would become the year Y2J, and you know what? It almost was.
4. Mick Foley- One might think that the #4 spot is a bit high for a non-wrestler but I generally give more recognition to pop and storyline than to in-ring ability anyway (just like the WWF does). However, for the yearly rankings in-ring achievements do matter so for all of you no-attention-span-having-johnnie-come-latelies allow me to refresh your memories. Foley retired for good after Wrestlemania, before that he remained in the title picture while helping HHH get over as the WWF's #1 heel. Since assuming the Commissionary position, Foley has been such a natural it is as though the position were made for him. He's been funny, serious and has helped put others such as Kurt Angle and Edge and Christian over.
5. Kurt Angle- Yeah, yeah we've all heard the stats on Angles meteoric rise throughout his rookie season, but I think they warrant mentioning again: European Champ, Euro-Continental Champ, 2000 King of the Ring and finally WWF Champion. That's some year, but I'm sure some of you are not impressed. You should be. Angle did not start off destined to rise, his undeniable ability at making the audience hate him made it possible. It is not easy staying a heel in the WWF because the very thing that makes fan boo you, often will make them eventually cheer you (i.e. Austin, the Dudley Boyz). Angle started the year feuding with the likes of Hardcore Holly and Tazz and wound up starring in the best storyline of the year, the Stephanie/HHH/Angle triangle. His ability to quickly adapt to the world of Sports Entertainment never ceases to amaze me and that is true.
6. Chyna- Sure she was Intercontinental Champion 1 and a half times, and she helped to propel the careers of Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero and now Billy Gunn, but Chyna gets ranked this high for her extra-curricular activities. She has become one of the most recognisable figures in the WWF and, for the most part, that all came to pass this year. From talk shows, to the MTV Movie Awards to Playboy, Chyna has become a celebrity and that is why she is ranked so high (come to think of it, that's always why she's ranked high).
7. Vince McMahon- While other figures like the Rock and Chyna can achieve high rankings because of their outside endevours, the same is not true with Vince. If so, then Vince would always be #1, because no one is more important to the WWF than him. However, his on-air personnae is so good it doesn't matter, he still ranks high. His on-air personnae is so good it doesn't matter that he was away for most of the year working on the XFL. When Vince McMahon is around we are treated to some of the best theatrics in wrestling. And while we all hate him, we love the act.
8. Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley- As the third star of the year's best storyline, Stephanie provided some of the best moments of the year. She's a bitch and she's great at it. Vince knew what he was doing when he decided to pimp his family for our amusement and while he's the master, Stephanie was his prize pupil. Her screechy voice and spoiled attitude combined with her husband's all-around evilness made the McMahon-Helmsley faction one of the most hated groups in recent memory. Oh yeah, she also held the Women's Title for most of the year, like it matters.
9. The Undertaker- It seemed as though he was in and out of the line-up all year (oh, I guess that's because he was). You have to admire the way this guy constantly updates and changes his style. He started out 10 years ago as basically a gimmick wrestler, and gimmick wrestlers just don't stay on top. But the Dead Man has, and this year he came out with what is probably his best character yet, the American Baddass. Hmmm... a tough-talking biker. I wonder where he gets his motivation?
10. Chris Benoit- This guy has been around for years, proving his ability everywhere he went but it took the WWF to make something of him. Sure, his ability was flawless, but this is Sports Entertainment, and let's face it, when he wasn't fighting Benoit was anything but entertaining. This is no longer the case. Benoit was always one of wrestling's most ferocious competitors, so the WWF simply made him ferocious. The rabid Wolverine was born and he has since ascended winning the IC title 3 times and feuding with a who's who of WWF competitors: Jericho, Kane, the Rock, HHH, Austin, etc. Look for Benoit to become one of the top heels in the WWF in 2001.