We’re bringing you our very own top 100 wrestlers of 2008 here at iFight365.com and we’re closing in on revealing who we chose as our top wrestler of last year.

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.

In this edition we’ll be revealing who we voted in places 6-10 before counting down from five down to one every day this week.

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
- Click here to read who we voted in places 51-60
- Click here to read who we voted in places 41-50
- Click here to read who we voted in places 31-40
- Click here to read who we voted in places 11-30

6. CM Punk

Phil Lowe: Punk had a great 2008 with a WrestleMania appearance that saw him win Money in the Bank and a run (albeit a badly booked one) as World Champion. But after losing the title he found himself back towards the midcard which was disappointing. I see him as WWE’s new Rob Van Dam in the sense that he’ll always be over with the fans but will never have the full backing of WWE’s creative team. But even though some in the company for whatever reason aren’t keen on Punk, I think he’ll be ok and at some point back in the main event picture. While I don’t think there’s a risk of him becoming stale anytime soon, I do think WWE could do more with his character in the form of video packages and some promo time.

Mark Bright: Err, ok. I have no idea why he’s this high. He has cut one good promo all year and that was a backstage WWE.com exclusive after his match with JBL where he was getting stitched up. His best moment of the year was a 30-second match with Edge where all the heat was because of Edge. His run as ECW Champion was pretty dull, his run as World Heavyweight Champion was fine but didn’t really have that many great matches or great moments. I am a fan of Punk, I think he’s good in the ring, I think WWE should definitely give him more promo time, I think he’s a guy that has the RVD/Jeff Hardy type connection with the fans that WWE doesn’t really ever know what to do with because it wasn’t manufactured by them, but they should definitely take advantage of it, and I hope he gets another chance in main events. His cage match with Chris Jericho was very good, and Money In The Bank was great but a Money In The Bank match being great is generally a collective effort rather than being down to the guy who wins. He’s good but he was nowhere near the 6th best wrestler in the world in 2008.

Martin Smith: I don’t think anyone could have predicted the sort of year Punk would go on to have. His victory in the Money in the Bank ladder match and his following win for the World Heavyweight Championship brought a nice refreshing change at the top of the WWE mountain. His year may have fizzled out, but it would be rude not to have him up there with the best of them this year. His tag team with Kingston has also been a nice change and he’s clearly an important part of the WWE roster. One has to wonder however if he would’ve had the same success if Paul Heyman hadn’t been booking WWE’s version of ECW two years ago.

Dan Short: A rather stunning year for CM Punk. Stunning in that he overcame a lot of odds, as well as the reports of his being out of favour with those in WWE that had stroke, to not only win the Money in the Bank ladder match, but to also win the World Heavyweight Championship for an even more shocking three-month run. And he didn’t even actually lose the belt. Punk is on his way to reaching triple-crown status, having had a recent run with the World Tag Team Championship and is now the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship. Coupled with some good matches against the likes of Rey Mysterio, Edge, Chris Jericho, and others, Punk appears to have cemented a spot as one of the future main event stars of the company.

James Mustoe: I did not vote CM Punk into the top ten (he was 14 on my ballot). While he has come along tremendously in 2008, he really hasn’t gained anything from his Summer ‘elevation’ as he is now back in the same upper midcard spot that he occupied at the end of 2007. Spent the early part of the year bogged down in an ok feud with Chavo Guerrero over the ECW Title which delivered inconsistently in the ring. Shockingly won the Money in the Bank Match at WrestleMania following Jeff Hardy’s suspension and after dragging a good match out of Kane post WrestleMania, shockingly won the World Title off Edge in a mark out moment that nevertheless was not the way for a babyface champion to start a major title reign. The reign itself, while featuring bizarrely good matches against Batista and especially JBL of all people, did little to solidify Punk’s main event status, and this was aided by everyone constantly questioning the Punk’s on-screen credentials, and confirmed by Punk not being part of the match where he lost the belt. Look for Punk’s feud with Regal in 2009 to be a cracker though, as their 2 short matches on RAW in 2008 were some of WWE’s best televised material.

Michael Campbell: An unbelievable year for “The Straight Edge Superstar”. Nothing epitomes the term “rollercoaster ride” as Mr Punk’s last 12 months do. Was out of favour at the beginning, lost the ECW title to perennial mid-carder Chavo Guerrero, and was also indignantly dumped out of the Royal Rumble by the same man. Lost clean to Chavo the following month on PPV, following a disappointing effort, where the crowd booed him.

Things turned around when he was booked to win Money in the Bank at WrestleMania. Made the most of it, by being the hardest working guy in the bout, and the crowd response was tremendous. WWE booked him like a loser in the following months, which made it seem likely he’d be the first person to waste his title shot. Suddenly he cashed the briefcase in against a battered Edge, following his draft to Raw, and amazingly, won the World heavyweight title. His near three-month run was not a success though, because the WWE never allowed him to look worthy of his luck. Looked like a complete twat at Unforgiven, when he was unable to defend his title because Orton kicked him in the head. Also was booked like a fool in the months following, and barely got a chance on the mic, where he could have regained his momentum. Had a decent run with the tag title, and his fantastic performance against Rey Mysterio at Armageddon, sends him into 2009 likely to raise the Intercontinental title. WWE need to allow this guy to talk more often, when he delivers in the ring, he’s fantastic, and they’re sitting on a gold-mine with a heel turn later in the year.

7. The Undertaker

James Mustoe: Part-timer miraculously remained on the top of his game and relatively injury free throughout 2008, providing some of the best WWE matches and consistently performing in top PPV matches. Started the year with strong performances at the Royal Rumble and particularly against Batista in the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out. WrestleMania to Summerslam feud with Edge elevated both men, and their non-gimmick matches are right up there with the Batista feud in being Undertaker’s best work in his career to date. Has been slightly hobbled by a hip problem following Undertaker’s Hell in a Cell finale match with Edge at Summerslam, and following feud with Big Show did not really deliver bar their first match at No Mercy. I would say that it’ll be difficult to follow up on this in 2009, but I’d probably be wrong. Hopefully next year will see the long awaited match with Shawn Michaels (at WrestleMania) before both men become to broken down to deliver the classic that we still know is in them at this point.

Dan Short: It’s been almost twenty years since The Undertaker first appeared in the WWE at the Survivor Series in 1990. Since then, he has been one of the faces of the company and managed to keep himself relevant over the years despite the ever changing roster of competition. In addition, he has also managed to overcome age and put on some of the finest performances when he is needed most to do so. His WrestleMania main event encounter with Edge was definitely one of the year’s best matches and it further cemented his legacy in professional wrestling. Sure it’s becoming more apparent that age and years of injuries are starting to get to him, but he can still turn it on like the best of them and continue to be the big dog in the squared circle.

Michael Campbell: Continues to defy expectations, and his crumbling body. No matter who comes up through the ranks, Taker manages to remain a constant at the top of the card. Was a standout in his Elimination Chamber bout in February, and worked his finest ever WrestleMania match, topping the card in Orlando. Feud with Edge yielded a series of superb PPV matches, while the Dead Man also brought the best out of The Big Show towards the end of the year. On TV entered wonderful performances against Triple H (which should have been saved for PPV), and put over Jeff Hardy. Initially, we all hoped for a big WM 25 clash with Shawn Michaels, but that seems unlikely now. His schedule surely has to decrease further in 2009.

Phil Lowe: The Undertaker had another very good year in 2008. Sure, he’s getting on and injuries are taking their toll. But the feud with Edge was one of the highlights of the year. I said earlier that I wouldn’t be too disappointed now if WWE choose to go with Shawn Michaels vs. JBL instead of Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker at WrestleMania this April, but I’d be gutted if we don’t see HBK and Taker in a major PPV match again at some point before either calls it a day. Another year used in a part-time yet important role on the horizon for ‘Taker, me thinks, which is exactly how he should be used at this point in his career.

Martin Smith: I think the time has come for The Undertaker to retire. It was an interesting year, but is almost certainly one of his last. I’m just not sold on the guy anymore. Let’s get this straight, he had a very decent year, but how long can see continue to put up with his two month stints on television and then two month breaks? 2010 might be a perfect time for The Undertaker to retire. He could do with starting the feud very shortly and lasting it for a year. After all, a year in The Undertaker’s wrestling timetable only lasts about five months.

Mark Bright: Another fantastic year on a part time schedule for Taker. Spending most of the year feuding with Edge was a smart move by the WWE as it allowed Edge to carry the TV and keep Taker in the “special attraction” role that is probably best for him given his age and the fact that injuries are so clearly catching up with him now. The best illustration of how good Undertaker is would be the story of him using the Gogoplata as a finisher. The first few weeks he used the hold, it got no reaction whatsoever, and people were talking about what a failure this hold would be, and it lasted a good few months before people responded at all. Then came the main event of WrestleMania and after one of the best matches of his career, Taker locked in the Gogoplata to counter Edge’s spear and it got a gigantic reaction, and since then the move has been over. I have also enjoyed his current feud with The Big Show, especially as you could tell the WWE have wanted that feud to be something great for the past decade and now they are both at a point in their careers where they can have matches with fellow big men that aren’t lumbering shitfests but instead exciting strike-based contests full of great drama.

8. AJ Styles

James Mustoe: Again, I would not have ranked Styles in my top ten - for much of the year he was mired in a really stupid comedy redneck character gimmick as a henchman for Christian Cage or Kurt Angle, which was a total waste. Tag team with Tomko would have had potential in a promotion that booked properly but inevitably failed to achieve even a fraction of what it could have done. Face turn and resulting series with Kurt Angle provided Styles best work of 2008, including an awe inspiring Last Man Standing effort at Slammiversary. Other work was frankly inconsistent, ranging from dull (with Booker T and Christian at Bound for Glory), to good, (vs. Sting at Turning Point), to bizarre (in an odd MMA inspired effort vs. Frank Trigg at No Surrender). Styles should be left alone to deliver good matches, but unfortunately I can’t see that being allowed to happen in the Russo-rific TNA, where the new big feud with Frontline vs. Main Event Mafia is already making Styles look like a spoilt whiney bitch.

Michael Campbell: Mixed blessings the past year for Styles. He’s probably the most marketable guy they have but he needs that extra something to be pushed as the main man. Perhaps if Joe turns heel and takes the World title, a storyline that see’s a baby face Sting fail to take the belt, and Styles be the person to finally do so, could be the thing. Second half of 2008 certainly put him on the right track however, and he’s up there with Angle in terms of reliability in the ring.

Dan Short: After a long while of playing second-fiddle, AJ has finally made it back to solo showcase with quite a feud against Kurt Angle and then later being one of the leaders of the Front Line in the battle against the Main Event Mafia. AJ continues to be one of the important guys on TNA’s roster, although it’s becoming more apparent than ever that the company’s inability at booking compelling storylines and using their talents properly shows that it may be time for him to seek his fortune elsewhere despite how much sacrifice he gave in trying to get them off the ground. Even still, he has the ability and talent to make it as a star wherever he is. Even in TNA. I just think it’s time for him to leave Florida and take a shot at someplace else. Like WWE perhaps.

Mark Bright: His Texas Death Match with Kurt Angle at some TNA PPV or other is by far the best match in TNA of 2008, and that was largely down to AJ’s bumping and athleticism in the babyface role he is perfect for. OK so on weekly TV he is scripted to look like an idiot most of the time, including seemingly forgetting that he’s a three time former World Champion in favour of talking about how great washed-up losers like Rhino and The Dudleyz are, but that’s bad writing not bad performance from AJ - as when match-time comes around he’s still one of the guys (along with the next two performers rounding out the top 10) that you can almost always rely on to deliver the goods in the ring. His tag team with Tyson Tomko was brilliant, too, the best big-man small man combo in a long time, and they had the potential to really grow into that role and permanently dominate TNA’s tag team division. Who knows, maybe they can do the same in WWE sometime in the future.

Martin Smith: An awesome start to the year that fizzled out with him looking like an absolute fool. His stuff with Kurt and Karen Angle pushed him, in my opinion, to one of the best three or four workers in the world. His character was brilliant, his promo skills were some of the best around and in the ring, he continued to impress. Then Russo and crew booked him as a face - and managed to completely screw up everything that was good about Styles. I never thought I would even offer this advice, but if Styles wants to make a name for himself as a wrestler, he needs to head to the WWE. It’s quite clear he ticks all the boxes, but TNA continue to bury him to the ground. His stuff with the Front Line, quite frankly, is embarrassing.

Phil Lowe: 2008 was a mixed bag for Styles. With Tomko he had a good tag team act going that I felt TNA could have done a lot more with. With Kurt Angle he had a very good feud and some very good matches. But in the current Main Event Mafia vs. Front Line feud he’s looked so inferior. Styles most certainly is a very good wrestler, but I don’t ever see a time when he’ll be given a lengthy main event run and pushed as champion in TNA, which should have happened by now. When his current deal is up, I’d be surprised if Styles doesn’t leave for WWE, providing there’s interest on their part as well.

9. Samoa Joe

Michael Campbell: I’m amazed Joe ended up ranked higher than Kurt Angle, because Joe suffered from some of the worst booking I’ve ever seen. People argue he should be top 5, because if nothing else, he became the World Champion in TNA. But his career has dipped since that point. He’s gone from being arguably the most popular guy in the company, to being a weak baby face who is booed against a heel faction, and now needs a heel turn to rehabilitate him. That said, if they go that route, 2009 could be fantastic, but he would need to be booked as The Main Event Mafia’s crown jewel. Along with Angle, he was the only person in TNA to make a difference to buy-rates, and in general, they slipped back to the status quo, as soon as he raised the Gold. Still a superb talent, and one of the best young guys out there when it comes to bringing the big-match atmosphere. Also deserves a high-spot on the this list because regardless of creative’s shortcomings, he’s produced some wonderful matches, none better than his Lockdown bout with Kurt Angle, one of the year’s finest.

Mark Bright: He was booked terribly and his performances seemed to suffer for it. Even when he finally won the TNA World Title (a year too late but still) - it was in a “Kurt Angle tries to live out his MMA fantasies” match rather than a pro wrestling match where Joe excels -and where Joe and Kurt have history together that could’ve been played off of. Then he was booked as the weakest, whiniest loser I’ve ever seen a World Champion portrayed as - and he was meant to be the babyface. His performance level dropped I felt, whereas people like AJ Styles and Kurt Angle (and going back a decade Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit when they were under pushed back in WCW) would still deliver the goods in the ring. I don’t know what that says about Joe really. Is he the kind of performer who will only give a shit if he’s winning and made to look invincible?

Phil Lowe: Not the best of years for Samoa Joe. In fact, I’m sure at some points he was wondering why he bothered even turning up to TV. TNA come under a lot of criticism for their booking and creative drection. Some criticism is justified, some isn’t. Criticisms of how Joe was booked, however, are completely justified as TNA turned a 300lb guy (and remember, Joe is big and I don’t mean muscular big!) into a crybaby babyface. Way to go. In the ring, Joe more often than not delivered, but overall the year has to be seen as a disappointment for Joe.

Dan Short: While it has been inevitable that Samoa Joe would win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and that he continues to put on some of the company’s better matches over the year, their misuse of him has become a real major issue. He is often made to look like a weakling during his run as champion, which has been something that the fans quickly picked up on and heavily disliked. One begins to wonder if sticking with TNA and leaving ROH was a good idea, especially after the overwhelming love and reaction he got from a one-time return he had in ROH this year. Not to mention what he is missing from not having the kind of wars he would have had against the talent in Pro Wrestling NOAH. Still, he has busted his butt in putting on the best matches possible.

Martin Smith: I’m sure Michael Campbell will agree when I say that this guy was a monster in ROH. He came to TNA, and followed it up with some fantastic performances. He impressed more and more every week. Today however, like AJ Styles, the guy is an absolute shadow of his former-self. He’s slowly become a jobber to the main event guys and even worse, his performances have become sloppy and quite boring. His promo skills are verging on average and his constant shouting has had me switching channels more than once. He will continue to have some interesting feuds in TNA this year, but you have to wonder what it could have been like if TNA would have maintained his ROH momentum.

James Mustoe: Ironically the year in which Joe finally captured the big one in TNA was also pretty much his worst year in-ring wise since he broke onto the national scene in 2002. Is another guy who would be much better in a promotion that is not being booked by Vince Russo and pals, as his once believable and realistic character was virtually castrated and turned into another supposed babyface who acted more like a shouty heel. Was still able to deliver in the ring, with an original effort in a cage against Kurt Angle where Joe originally won the belt, and giving Sting’s best match in ages at Bound for Glory. While nothing that great, Joe should also be given credit for getting the best match in ages out of Kevin Nash at Turning Point. Recent return to ROH against Tyler Black gives a glimmer of hope that Joe may be able to give good matches, at least on a part time basis, away from TNA in 2009.

10. Kurt Angle

Dan Short: There is no denying that Kurt Angle is one of the most talented and probably one of the best athletes in professional wrestling. The only problem is that he is such a machine that it’s becoming harder and harder to turn him off. And he needs to be turned off or risk suffering a fate similar to the Dynamite Kid, pushing himself too far that he physically becomes a shell of his former self. Even still, Angle has been a driving force for most of the year in TNA during his run as TNA World Heavyweight Champion and later becoming the mouthpiece, and probably leader, for the Main Event Mafia. He even had a couple exciting appearances in New Japan, in particular against the great Yuji Nagata. So in way it’s been quite a rewarding year for Kurt Angle.

Phil Lowe: Kurt Angle pisses me off and its now to the point where the crap that he comes out with away from the ring actually takes away from what he does in the ring. And that’s a shame, as despite his injuries, he’s still a heck of a talent. But as good as he can still be in the ring, the bullshit he comes out with away from the ring (examples being TNA beating WWE in the ratings and him constantly talking about a high-profile MMA match which if it was going to happen would have done by now) just leaves me shaking my head. If the focus remains on the in-ring product, Angle will continue to deliver the goods in 2009. There’s talk of him returning to WWE when his TNA deal expires later this year and providing he’s of sound mind and healthy, he would still be a big asset to Vinny Mac.

James Mustoe: For my money the best performer in TNA (6 in my ballot), Angle delivered consistently in a year in which his in ring work was as good as his personal life was bizarre. Started the year with a business as usual good series of matches against Christian Cage, as well as a heavy hitting bout in Japan against Yuiji Nagata. Also managed better than average (especially for Impact) bouts with Kevin Nash and Tomko on free TV, before getting involved in a refreshingly serious sports build-like feud with Samoa Joe. Said match, dependent on your tastes, was Angle’s best of the year, and the rematch on Impact was also good if fought more conventionally. Following yet another neck injury in South Korea, Angle still miraculously managed to put on a decent effort, despite being barley able to walk, at Slammiversary. Their rematch, at Hard Justice, was even better, with crazy Angle taking far too many dangerous bumps on his neck. Highlight of the latter part of the year was match with Jeff Jarrett at Bound For Glory, which was really good considering Double J hadn’t wrestled for over 12 months. Providing Angle remains healthy, look for more of the same in 2009, including a possible dream match with Foley.

Michael Campbell: The MVP of TNA. He flew the flag for the company in superb showings in New Japan, put over Samoa Joe in a belting match, and continued to be the star attraction throughout the year. His match with Abyss at Turning Point was mind-blowing, and he was outstanding in his role in both tag and singles against the likes of AJ Styles, Sting, and Christian Cage.

Needs to take a step back though, and TNA should think about cutting his schedule so he more or less, only works one match on TV per taping, and the PPV because his body is knackered. The other negative, is that he was involved in some of the most downright disgusting promos of recent years, as Jeff Jarrett used his wife’s death, and the loss of her to his kids, as storyline fodder for Kurt. How he was comfortable saying those things, I’ll never know.

Martin Smith: An interesting year for Angle. The scary thing for me is, has he become obsessed with wrestling? More importantly, is his body heading for a mental breakdown? I look at the Kurt Angle today compared to the Angle just three or four years ago and it is incredible. I see problems and some of them are massive. He needs to take a year out and regenerate the body. Dan Short mentioned the Dynamite Kid, and I can only agree. Kurt Angle needs to take a year out now or he is going to suffer enormously in five or ten years. His matches may have been great in TNA, but you can’t help but feel he would benefit more taking time out. His role in the Main Event Mafia has been handled superbly and he will continue to be a lead figure in the development of TNA.

Mark Bright: Entertaining on promos, really good in the ring still despite his body clearly starting to fall apart to the point where if he does make his much rumoured WWE return I would hope it’s on an Undertaker-type part-time schedule. And hell, if Sting and Kevin Nash can get away with not working TNA house shows, how about protecting their only star that can still go? As I mentioned when talking about AJ, their Texas Death match was by far the TNA Match Of The Year, and he also had good matches with Abyss in TNA and Yuji Nagata in New Japan, but like anyone in TNA he’d be so much better if the company wasn’t booked by clueless fools.