YEAR-END DECEMBER 2000 P4P RANKINGS

HEADLINE: RYU ASCENDS TO THE MOUNTAIN; THE STREET FIGHTER THREAT IS REAL

The Microsoft Gonzaga Ratings Software has finalized the numbers for the final month of the millennium. While Hulk Hogan remains the “Immortal” anchor at the top, the Japanese qualifiers have sent a shockwave through the Top 5. For the first time in WWF history, a “Street Fighter” has leapfrogged the Boxing Syndicate and the Professional Wrestling elite to claim the #2 spot.

[[ THE DECEMBER POUND-FOR-POUND TOP 11 ]]

[[ THE ANALYSIS: THE JAPANESE TAKEOVER ]]

THE ROCKET: RYU (RANK #2)

The story of December is undoubtedly Ryu. Entering the month at #10 with a modest 2-0 record, Ryu’s December was a masterclass in activity and “Strength of Opponent” metrics. By defeating the veteran Retsu in a technical war and then dismantling the 500-pound Yokozuna in the Japan Finals, Ryu’s index surged from 2.50 to 5.25.

The Gonzaga software heavily weights the “Difficulty of Victory.” Because Ryu defeated a larger, former champion (Yokozuna) using high-risk aerial maneuvers rather than a safe decision, his “Style Points” multiplier was maxed out. He is now the official #1 Contender for Hogan’s world title based on pure rankings.

THE LOGJAM: THE ROCK & KIMBO SLICE

• The Rock (#3): Through no fault of his own, “The Great One” drops to #3. His inactivity during the December qualifying window allowed Ryu’s active points to overwhelm his “Legacy” score.

• Kimbo Slice (#4): Like The Rock, Kimbo falls victim to the “Active Fighter” bonus awarded to those fighting in the international brackets.

THE “ZANGIEF EFFECT”

Zangief (#5) drops one spot simply due to Ryu’s meteoric rise. However, his index remains steady at 3.06. The software still recognizes him as the most dangerous heavyweight in the cage, but until he secures a one-on-one win against a Top 3 opponent, he remains capped below the “Big Three.”

THE VETERAN SLIDE: ANGLE, SAPP, & TRIPLE H

The middle of the pack (Ranks 6 through 9) all shifted down one slot to accommodate the Ryu surge.

• Kurt Angle (#6) and Bob Sapp (#7) are now sitting on the outside looking in.

• Triple H (#8) remains the highest-ranked wrestler not currently holding a belt, but his lack of an international qualifying win is starting to hurt his “Global Multiplier.”

[[ THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR ]]

• STAYING ALIVE: Undertaker and Stone Cold hold onto the #10 and #11 spots. Despite no televised matches in December, their previous wins over high-tier opponents keep them just inside the Gonzaga bubble.

• FALLING SHORT: Sagat despite his WarGames performance, failed to break into the Top 11. The software cited his “slow” movement in the second half of the month as a detractor from his P4P efficiency.

• INACTIVE: Ted DiBiase remains unranked following his crushing loss to Hogan at Survivor Series.

[[ ADMIN_NEIL NOTE: Ryu is now officially the “Target” for the rest of the world. With a 5.25 Index, he is the only man within striking distance of Hogan’s 6.50. The Royal Rumble in January will be the final chance for the wrestlers to reclaim the top of the board before the World Cup begins. ]]