We’ve reached the halfway mark in bringing you our very own top 100 wrestlers of 2008.

The concept was simple. Six of our very best writers sat down and discussed names to be put on a preliminary list for the Top 100 Wrestlers of the Year. That preliminary list totalled to around 145 names, stretching from wrestlers in the WWE to TNA to PWG. Those six writers then drew up their own personal Top 100 and from here, the scores of each wrestler were tallied based on their placement in each writers list. It was as simple as that.

If you’ve missed earlier pieces, you can find them below:

- Click here to read who we voted in places 91-100
- Click here to read who we voted in places 81-90
- Click here to read who we voted in places 71-80
- Click here to read who we voted in places 61-70

51. Chris Sabin

Dan Short: Everyone knows the Motor City Machine Guns are one of the best tag teams in the world. Everyone accept those booking TNA apparently. Sabin has tried to stride through the strange bookings with great matches in the meantime.

Phil Lowe: Decent worker who I’m more into than I was a year or two ago. Better than his tag team partner in the ring but lacks the charisma. Overall, one half of a heck of a tag team who should be treated a lot better in TNA.

Michael Campbell: Although a few years back, I wasn’t a fan of Sabin and still think that he isn’t a great singles performer, he is completely sublime as one-half of the Motor City Machine Guns. Him and Shelley have the sort of chemistry that shouldn’t be wasted like it is – these guys should be all over the place. Stood up for what he believed in by refusing to blade needlessly in a dumb situation for TNA – this cost him some points with Jarrett. Will always stay over thanks to his unique and sometimes dazzling moves, but could do with some proper storylines. Had a few Awesome matches in ROH. EL Generico and Kevin Steen’s bout with the MCMG was breathtaking.

Martin Smith: I wouldn’t mind seeing this guy a bit more in TNA. He was kind of stuck for a number years in that same old spot where he didn’t know where to go. I expect huge things from himself and Shelley next year. They kind of remind me of The Rockers but a lot more hip, street and broad. If these two get it right in TNA, they could become one of the best of all time. They just need solid backing.

Mark Bright: I don’t recall where I voted them in relation to each other, but I actually think he’s better than Alex Shelley in the ring, while Shelley is the more charismatic of the two. Of the indy spotfest style tag teams, they are the best around.

James Mustoe: Motor City Machine Guns team with Alex Shelley is one of the most talented teams in the US, as powerful bout against Briscoes in ROH at Return Engagement showed. Year in TNA has been a mixed bag to say the least, as the team has reportedly been in the doghouse since refusing to blade earlier in the year but still delivers in the ring when allowed to. Could be destined for bigger things with role in top TNA feud, and hopefully will make another appearance with ROH in 2009.

52. Adam Pearce

Mark Bright: Really good and fun to watch old-school heel, always gets his opponents over and is a solid midcard addition to any promotion. I just hope he doesn’t book himself in main events in ROH now.

Dan Short: Held on to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for a good chunk of the year in the hopes of helping restore some sense of prestige and is now the new head booker of ROH. Quite an eventful year for the Scrap Daddy.

Martin Smith: This guy has huge potential. I’m very surprised TNA have never reached out for this guy and put him in a stable. He cuts some awesome promos and has some great matches. Should have a bright 2009 if he books himself correctly in ROH.

James Mustoe: Reminds me of Shane Douglas on the mic (a good thing!) and has been a decent old-school alternative to the cutting edge product normally showcased in ROH. Has also been NWA Champion for most of the year, and had good-to-great matches with Nigel Mcguinness and Brent Albright for his strap. Will probably remembered more in 2009 for his role as ROH booker than anything else.

Phil Lowe: I’ve never been overly keen on him. Hopefully in his new ROH role he won’t push himself to the top. He’s already got a tough enough job on his plate without doing stupid things like that.

Michael Campbell: Pearce’s status has increased ten-fold this year. If it isn’t enough that he won, lost, then won back the NWA title, had a heated classic aginst Brent Albright in the process, enjoyed a good rivalry with Delirious, stopped being used by Ring of Honor, then took the job of booking that very company, he certainly has improved his visibility. It’s almost impossible to see where he’ll go next, because booking is going to be his priority. But we can’t forget that in-ring wise, this was one of his best years yet.

53. Fit Finlay

Phil Lowe: Solid and reliable in the ring although once the Hornswoggle popularity (with some anyway) dies down, you’d have to assume his own in-ring career will be drawing to a close. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have a role behind the scenes in WWE for a long, long time.

James Mustoe: Finlay started the year in a disappointing fashion, where just as it looked as if he could be elevated to the main event level with a feud with Vince McMahon, Vinny Mac lost interest and switched his opponent to JBL, who then beat him in a good match at WrestleMania. Relegated to the midcard ever since, Finlay is now performing in the role originally earmarked for Chris Benoit last year, as the veteran backbone of ECW. Still delivers solid matches in the ring and has just had his probable MOTY with an excellent scrap with Matt Hardy.

Mark Bright: Solid performer who has decent matches, but I’ve never been the huge fan of his that some people online are. Still a valuable guy for the WWE to have around.

Michael Campbell: They’ve been doing as much as they can with Finlay, and he responds by working hard, and being dependable in delivering a quality match. Still enjoys the odd title match, was in a great opener at Mania, and has had a few minor storylines. His role though, is definitely more to look after the younger guys on ECW. I can’t see him remaining an in-ring competitor past 2010 though.

Dan Short: Being the top veteran on the ECW roster has landed Finlay in a good role in that he’s one of the key guys for that brand. He can still put on some really fine matches, but storywise he’s been in and out a lot.

Martin Smith: I’m not a fan. I think he’s a good midcard guy and that’s about it. I’ve seen nothing from him to suggest that he should be going for gold, so he’s simply a midcard wrestler. Only two or three more years and we’ll see this guy retire. To be fair, he is a brilliant road agent.

54. Booker T

James Mustoe: Hasn’t really done anything much in TNA and top feud with Samoa Joe disappointed on every level. Really needs to shake his game up as latest series with Christian was notihng more than a boring rehash of an already dull series from 2003.

Dan Short: It’s been a mixed bag for Booker T this year. Outside of being in the Main Event Mafia and creating the TNA Legends Championship, there really wasn’t anything else special that happened for him.

Mark Bright: He’s mentally shot and by far the worst offender of the “do as little as possible just mail your matches in like you’re working basic house show matches while in PPV main events” thing that established main eventers can get away with. But at least other offenders can or have drawn money in the past.

Martin Smith: A first gear worker. I haven’t seen nothing from him in TNA that makes me think “wow I have to watch this guy.” Given the ridiculously named ‘Legends’ title, but its nothing more than a way to keep him on television. He’s a great heel but next year could very well be his last at the top.

Michael Campbell: Booker’s been involved in some big storylines and had some high-profile matches. But it’s added up to little. I find it hard to care about the ‘Legends’ title and I’m not keen on his formulaic matches. He rarely steps out of second gear, and has taken to going through the motions. Still an entertainining performer, I could see Booker go back to the WWE if he could get a reduced schedule.

Phil Lowe: I loved his WWE gimmick but he’s taken it too far with the stupid accent in TNA. His workrate compared to a few years has gone way downhill as well, which is a shame as he’s more than capable in the ring. I’d expect another WWE run before he retires, although TNA should be doing all they can to work with Booker’s school in Texas and create some new stars.

55. Hiroshi Tanahashi

James Mustoe: Former IWGP Champion is currently doing very little in TNA. Is a top class performer but given that Vince Russo is currently a major part of TNA’s creative process, don’t expect him to do much else while he’s with the company. Do expect him to get a big push from NJPW on his return though.

Martin Smith: Very surprised he decided to go to TNA. No doubt he’ll be used a handful of times. I actually wouldn’t mind him up there with Styles or Joe. With a mouthpiece, he could become a very interesting part of TNA. That’s until Russo gets hold of him and makes him a laughing stock.

Phil Lowe: Very good wrestler who like many ‘imports’ go to TNA and end up being totally misused. He’ll be back in Japan full-time shortly.

Mark Bright: An excellent wrestler, being horribly misused in TNA right now. From an in-ring perspective he may be top 10 in the world judging on his peak work but I just don’t see enough of him to have voted him much higher than I did.

Michael Campbell: Continues to be a very exciting prospect. His main events at the start of the year particularly tickled my fancy, though his excursions to TNA have been somewhat lacking. Is benefiting from the talent sharing occurring in Japan.

Dan Short: Despite losing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to start the year, Tanahashi has been looking to improve himself competing in other promotions like All Japan and TNA. We’ll see how much he has grown since.

56. Low Ki

James Mustoe: Low-Ki had a much better year this year, despite being injured for a large part of it. Won a thrilling Battle of Los Angeles Tournament with PWG and is also current IWGP Junior Champion. I don’t see his recent dark match with WWE going anywhere, but with Gabe Sapolsky gone from ROH, expect a possible return there next year. Definitely always one to watch.

Martin Smith: I’m afraid this guy is never going to get over in either WWE or TNA. He?s a good worker but I feel for him. He’s almost too good to fit into the wrestling style of both companies. I can see him back in TNA at some point.

Michael Campbell: Good year for the enigmatic superstar, whose output in the states is somewhat limited, thanks to his absence from both ROH and TNA. I’d like to see that remedied.

Phil Lowe: Hard to see what 2009 will bring for Low Ki. A WWE deal would have ultimately been a failure I think, as he would have been badly booked. Solid enough worker who I expect to see back in TNA at some point.

Dan Short: After a quick start with winning the PWG World Heavyweight Championship, Low Ki suffered an injury that had him on the shelf for until mid-summer. Picked himself up and was back in form, nabbing the IWGP World Junior Heavyweight Championship and winning the 2008 Battle of Los Angeles tournament. Really hard to put this warrior down.

Mark Bright: If you like kicks and stiffness for no reason he’s great. He is a guy I’m surprised TNA never capitalised on especially given the MMA boom of recent years.

57. Mickie James

James Mustoe: Another WWE diva who could accomplish so much more if booked sensibly. Has good matches when allowed to but is more often relegated to short filler matches that do nothing for her. Still a highlight of an admittedly lacklustre RAW Women’s division.

Martin Smith: I’m surprised she’s not left the WWE yet. There is very little for her to achieve there and she could probably earn more credit in the TNA Knockout division. I would love to see her feud with Awesome Kong. I can’t imagine her being happy doing bikini contests and diva stuff every month but let’s face it, this woman is hot as hell.

Dan Short: One of the better girls in wrestling in the country right now. She had a decent run with the women’s championship. Aside from that, nothing really much else happening for her this year.

Mark Bright: I like her. And judging by how she always manages to get title matches and pushes that you KNOW the WWE originally intend for others I’m not alone. Could be argued that she should be higher on the list, but if you watch her work Beth Phoenix, then watch Gail Kim work Awesome Kong, and take note of which matchup does more for their company’s TV ratings, it’s clear that Kim is a league above James. Which probably means she falls yet further back down WWE’s women’s pecking order, whcih is a shame.

Phil Lowe: The most over Diva in the WWE and the crowd reactions are likely a large part in why she’s still got a job in the company.

Michael Campbell: What’s left for Mickie to do in the WWE? She’s won the Women’s title at WrestleMnia, she’s been the number one female baby face – and heel – and battled almost all the girls on the roster. With Gail Kim set to come back, there’s even more competition for this lady, whom Vince isn’t overly keen on, because she’s not in the Michelle McCool mould. Fans continue to love her though, and rightly so, she’s a great talent.

58. GO Shiozaki

Martin Smith: He’s been impressing all the right people at the top and I’m sure we’ll see even more of him next year.

Dan Short: The latest NOAH wrestler taking an extensive tour of the US, Shiozaki has certainly been impressing fans here. His winning the FIP Championship and being a member of Sweet N’ Sour Inc. have expanded his ability for future stardom.

Phil Lowe: Solid worker yet unspectacular. Lacks charisma which will prevent him from achieving more in the U.S…if that’s his goal.

Michael Campbell: I haven’t been impressed at all by Go in Ring of Honor. In a group where almost everyone is capable of working hard-hitting, showy epics, nothing stands out about his act. Yes, he’s had a few excellent battles and works hard, but he’s shown little personality or individuality. In NOAH, he’s being groomed as the next Kobashi, although for me, while his mentor is still active, Go comes across as Kobashi-lite, without the utterly awesome facial expressions. Solid, but not as exciting as Morishima, or Marafuji, and not as likeable as Yone. Something’s missing.

James Mustoe: The most prominent Japanese wrestler to embark on a lengthy US tour this year has had the expected impact. Contested great matches right from the beginning of the year, against Brent Albright and Austin Aries, before unexpectedly turning heel and joining Sweet and Sour Inc. His winning of the FIP Championship also was a great step in the right direction for this future star, as was his standout performance in the main event of European Navigation.

Mark Bright: I can’t fucking stand him, I think he’s terrible, like a create-a-wrestler caricature of a Japanese heavyweight, with the absolute worst traits that entails and none of the charisma and personality of guys he’s aping like Jumbo and Kobashi. Even his heavily pimped matches like the Austin Aries match at ROH’s 6th Anniversary show I thought sucked.

59. Robert Roode

James Mustoe: I’d never really been all that impressed with Roode but he has really grown on me in the last couple of years. Team with James Storm is tidy combination that has been (gasp) booked well and consistently by the TNA booking team, and has always been a highlight of whatever show they’ve been on.

Phil Lowe: If WWE ever have the chance to sign the guy and don’t, they’ve made a huge mistake. I’ve rated Roode ever since he started to get a push in TNA. The team with Storm is awesome and I loved his singles work before that. I appear to be in the minority, but Roode really can be a money maker for TNA or even the WWE.

Martin Smith: I like Roode. I was dead set against his pairing with Storm, but it’s been a huge success. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in singles action more but I expect him to be a vital part of the TNA roster over the next five years.

Mark Bright: I don’t get him as much as some people apparently do. Having a similar last name and wearing a robe doesn’t make him the next Rick Rude. Beer Money are a great tag team, but to me it’s Storm that brings the charisma to the table and Roode is just a random rich guy who looks totally amateurish and crap at the gimmick when you watch JBL do it a million times better. In the ring he’s boring and has never had a match I’ve wanted to re-watch.

Dan Short: Roode has been doing very good this year with James Storm. The two have formed quite a tag team duo and have developed quite a following. Perhaps we’ll get to see him achieve some solo success down the road.

Michael Campbell: Who would have thought following Roode’s endless, hopeless feud with Eric Young, which set his character back a couple decades, he would end up in another of TNA’s superb batch of tag teams? His partnership with Storm has provided some great entertainment, and has proven that while he is a solid talent, he’s better off where he is, rather than attempting to move up an already overstuffed roster, as a singles guy. I would hope to see him add a few individual quirks in the coming year.

60. Masato Yoshino

James Mustoe: Another Japanese fly in who has been a highlight of whatever ROH and PWG shows that he’s been on, and was also able to shine in the TNA X Cup tournament, despite only having a very limited role.

Martin Smith: A small part in TNA did nothing for me. He’s got a bright few years ahead and I hope he cements his place on the TNA roster in the future.

Michael Campbell: One of the most consistently exciting and invigorating Japanese talents. Had a good year, increasing his exposure in the West. Faster and more versatile than say, Doi, but his matches do sometimes border on overkill. I would expect 2009 will be much the same for him.

Phil Lowe: Not seen a huge amount of him this year but has impressed in the few matches I’ve watched. Definitely has the potential to become a star.

Dan Short: Yoshino is one of my favorite guys this year, really stepping it up into position of being a future ace for Dragon Gate. He had a great match in challenging CIMA for Dream Gate while getting a couple more runs with Twin Gate and Brave Gate. And his trips to the United States for PWG, ROH and TNA have been excellent. Just a great year for the Speed Star.

Mark Bright: Excellent performer, great charisma, great matches, and much like Tanahashi if I’d watched more of him, and been able to see him week-in-week-out to see how his average matches hold up as well as the really pimped stuff I could see myself voting for him in the top 10. He’s the guy Dragon Gate should be building the company around, and he’s the guy TNA should be using like WCW used to use Jushin Liger, pushing him as a TOP foreign guy who can get over TNA’s current X-Division talent.