Tuesday, March 19, 2019

The 2018 Bloggie Awards

The Man is the Wrestler of the Year
Photo Credit: WWE.com
So, one thing about shuttering for like four or five months is that I actually missed the end of the year, and since I'm back, and that means I'm back-back all the way back, it means I should probably clean up a few things, namely, the Bloggie Awards. If you think that it's a little late, well, I agree to a point. Conversely though, Dave Meltzer waited to reveal his goddamn awards, and he not only was active (much to the chagrin of a lot of folks) all this time, he's a weirdo who starts his new year on December 1, as if every wrestling worth a damn with the exception of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla doesn't have everything it ever shoots and produces ready for wide consumption somewhere between one millisecond and 24 hours after the final bell rings. If his ass can give his voters a too-long time to get ballots in and take his damn sweet time revealing them, well, I can make up for lost time here, okay?

Anyway, unlike in prior years, since I'm just making up for lost time, I won't write a big long entry for every award or even name nominees. That will all come back for 2019, provided I don't flake out and do another hiatus at that time, but for now, it'll just be the winners. If you don't agree with the winners, pretend the wrestler you thought should have won was one of the nominees, okay? Second, the following are all the things the Bloggie Awards ARE and AREN'T, as is tradition:
  • The Bloggies are NOT a measure of who drew money or drove business. Look to the Observer for that scope.
  • The Bloggies are NOT a measure of kayfabe accomplishment. Pro Wrestling Illustrated has that covered like a boss.
  • The Bloggies are NOT crowd-sourced or openly voted upon. They're chosen by me and me alone, so if anyone has a problem, take it up with me.
  • The Bloggies ARE a measure of who did the most to advance the ART of wrestling. Who told the best stories? Who talked with the silverest of tongues? Who wrestled the best matches? Who had the biggest emotional impact? These are the questions that these awards have set out to answer.
And now, the 2018 Bloggie Awards!

Wrestler of the Year - This is the award for the wrestler who excelled highest critically inside and out of the ring.
Previous Winners:
2009 – Chris Jericho
2010 – The Miz
2011 – CM Punk
2012 – Daniel Bryan
2013 – The Shield
2014 – Sami Zayn
2015 – Sasha Banks
2016 – Broken Matt Hardy
2017 – Drew Gulak

This year's winner is Becky Lynch, who did what few people thought anyone could do and create an organic, dynamic force of nature within WWE, none since seen since YES! Movement Daniel Bryan, and none seen with the kind of edge she showed since "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. The shot of her with the busted face at the top of the staircase in the crowd laughing at the RAW superstars will forever be one of the most iconic in history.

Ricky Steamboat Award - Named for one of the most universally respected and beloved professional wrestlers of all-time, this award is for the wrestler who excelled the most between the ropes during matches to tell stories and build characters through the physical art of professional wrestling.
Previous Winners:
2009 – Christian
2010 – Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson
2011 – Dolph Ziggler
2012 – ACH
2013 – Daniel Bryan
2014 – Sami Zayn
2015 – Sasha Banks
2016 – Fred Yehi
2017 – Johnny Gargano

This year's winner is Mustafa Ali! 205 Live was WWE's best week-to-week show, and Ali, its "beating heart" was a big reason. Every match he had felt big, from the early-year encounter with Cedric Alexander to the title shots he got against Buddy Murphy. He was an authentic babyface who hit big spots when he needed to, and was one of the most satisfying workers on the roster.

Talker of the Year - For the wrestler who showed the most prowess at inciting a crowd, building a story, or entertaining the audience via the spoken word.
Previous winners:
2009 – CM Punk
2010 – The Miz
2011 – CM Punk
2012 – Damien Sandow
2013 – Zeb Colter
2014 – Stephanie McMahon
2015 – Enzo Amore
2016 – The Miz
2017 – Drew Gulak

This year's winner is Becky Lynch! Kevin Dunn once was rumored to have put the kibosh on Becky Lynch's pushes because he couldn't understand what she was saying. Well, Lynch repudiated Dunn's bucktoothed, sexist ass bigtime this year, as her words became fire as they exited her mouth.

Independent Wrestler of the Year - For the wrestler who excelled the most outside the confines of the corporate environment, thus promoting the critical and artistic growth of wrestling.
Previous Winners:
2009 – Austin Aries
2010 – Claudio Castagnoli
2011 – Sara del Rey
2012 – Rachel Summerlyn
2013 – Chuck Taylor
2014 – Candice LeRae
2015 – Jimmy Rave
2016 – Matt Riddle
2017 – Nick Gage

This year's winner is Orange Cassidy! It's surprising how much he's broken out by doing "nothing" but it's also not surprising given how enjoyable his whole shtick is, especially live. Cassidy turned wrestling on its ear and it resulted in some of the most entertaining and vital stuff that happened in 2018.

Tag Team of the Year - For the tandem that in addition to displaying optimal entertainment value and wrestling prowess on their own, also displayed the best teamwork and cohesion as a unit both in and out of the ring.
Previous Winners:
2009 – Chris Jericho and the Big Show
2010 – The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin)
2011 – The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)
2012 – The Super Smash Brothers (Player Uno and Stupefied)
2013 – The Young Bucks
2014 – The World's Cutest Tag Team (Candice LeRae and Joey Ryan)
2015 – New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)
2016 – The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson)
2017 – The Usos (Jimmy and Jey)

This year's winners are Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong, the Undisputed Era! Forming by surprise at Takeover: New Orleans, the duo held serve in the tag division with title defense after title defense. They were a constant in NXT this year when so much other stuff was up and down.

Manager of the Year - For the character who did the best to enhance another wrestler's status and artistic value without actually being a full-time wrestler.
Previous Winners
2012 – Veronica Ticklefeather
2013 – Chris Trew
2014 – Sidney Bakabella
2015 – Catrina
2016 – Stokely Hathaway
2017 – Stokely Hathaway

This year's winner is Destro! Is he really a manager even if he only really appeared in the arena once or twice? I don't give a shit, really. PCO was a dynamo last year, but those Monday night videos he dropped where he would "train" would've been nothing without Destro's manic energy.

Group of the Year - For the group, stable, or cadre of wrestlers who best exemplified teamwork, continuity, and entertainment value.
Previous Winners:
2009 – Team FIST (Chuck Taylor, Gran Akuma, Icarus)
2010 – Bruderschaft des Kreuzes (Claudio Castagnoli, Ares, Tursas, Sara del Rey, Daizee Haze, Tim Donst, Jakob Hammermeier, Lince Dorado, Pinkie Sanchez, Dieter von Stiegerwalt)
2011 – Not Given
2012 – The Submission Squad (Davey Vega, Evan Gelistico, Gary Jay, Pierre Abernathy)
2013 – The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins)
2014 – Sidney Bakabella's Wrecking Crew (Blaster McMassive, Flex Rumblecrunch, Jaka, Max Smashmaster, Oleg the Usurper, Sidney Bakabella)
2015 – New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)
2016 – The Broken Hardys (Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, King Maxel, Reby Hardy, and SeƱor Benjamin)
2017 – LOS INGOBERNABLES DE JAPON (Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA, BUSHI, and Hiromu Takahashi [w/ Daryl])

This year's winners are Fire Ant, Thief Ant, and Green Ant, The Colony! It's funny how Chikara's answer to John Cena or Roman Reigns is a threesome comprising of dudes dressed as common household nuisances? The group rose out of the ashes with two green members, won King of Trios, and made Chikara feel a little bit more like the steady friend it has always been.

HOSS of the Year - For the wrestler who exemplified the essence of HOSS with nobility, pride, and massive feats of strength.
Previous Winner:
2014 – Rusev
2015 – Cesaro
2016 – Braun Strowman
2017 – Braun Strowman

This year's winner is Otis Dozovic! STEAKS AND WEIGHTS. STEAKS AND WEIGHTS. STEAKS AND WEIGHTS. STEAKS AND WEIGHTS. STEAKS AND WEIGHTS. STEAKS AND WEIGHTS. STEAKS AND WEIGHTS.

The New to Me Award - For the best rookie or heretofore new wrestler to major promotions known to me in the last year or so.
Previous Winners:
2009 – Sheamus
2010 – Wade Barrett
2011 – Mia Yim
2012 – Mark Angel/Angelosetti
2013 – The Estonian Thunder Frog
2014 – "Smooth Sailing" Ashley Remington
2015 – Kevin Condron
2016 – Matt Riddle
2017 – Lars Sullivan

This year's winner is Marko Stunt! His year may have been a flash, but it was an intense flash. From Scenic City through the last show he worked where he broke his leg, the pint-sized pyrotechnician made people take notice of him in a big way.

Comedian of the Year - For the wrestler/act that has done their best to make people laugh and master the art of wrestling comedy.
Previous Winners:
2009 – Santino Marella
2010 – Santino Marella
2011 – Colt Cabana
2012 – 3.0
2013 – Los Ice Creams
2014 – Damien Sandow
2015 – New Day
2016 – Chuck Taylor™
2017 – The Ugly Ducklings

This year's winner is Orange Cassidy! Honestly, it's incredible how far he took comedic wrestling on the indies. Even though he was working such an exaggerated style, his matches never felt less important, and everyone took notice.

Feud of the Year - For the rivalry between two or more wrestlers or groups of wrestlers that best exemplified storytelling or match quality.
Previous Winners:
2009 – CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy
2010 – Kevin Steen (and Steve Corino) vs. El Generico (and Colt Cabana)
2011 – CM Punk vs. John Cena
2012 – Daniel Bryan vs. Kane
2013 – Antonio Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn
2014 – Chikara vs. The Flood
2015 – Bayley vs. Sasha Banks
2016 – DIY vs. The Revival
2017 – Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns

This year's winner is Beyond Wrestling vs. Chikara! Interpromotional feuds can be hit or miss, but when you have two promotions that are so committed to working together with rosters that know how to bring it, you're going to have a fierce air of competition at every show. The culmination at Cibernetico should be seen by everyone.

Commentator of the Year - For the announcer who best was able to convey the action in the ring with clarity, charm, and amusement.
Previous Winners:
2009 – Matt Striker
2010 – Bryce Remsburg
2011 – Excalibur
2012 – Bryce Remsburg
2013 – Excalibur
2014 – Eamon Paton
2015 – Eamon Paton
2016 – Mike Quackenbush
2017 – Corey Graves

This year's winner is Denver Colorado (the man, not the place)! He was the glue that held GCW's Mania weekend boutique telecasts together, and his work on the Beyond calls can't be understated.

Moment of the Year - This award is for the point on a show that provided emotional impact, memorability, and contribution of overall quality to the show.
Previous Winners:
2009 – Jeff Hardy gives CM Punk a Swanton Bomb from the top of a ladder in the ring to the announce table
2010 – The Nexus debuts
2011 – CM Punk exits Chicago with the WWE Championship held hostage
2012 – Matthew Palmer leaps from the balcony at the Mohawk and takes Rachel Summerlyn with him
2013 – Mark Henry suckers John Cena into believing he'd retire and attacks him
2014 – Chikara is reborn at National Pro Wrestling Day as the promotion's faithful, led by the Submission Squad and Icarus, beat back The Flood
2015 – Sasha Banks steals Izzy's headband during the ironman match at Takeover Respect
2016 – Sendai Girls win King of Trios
2017 – Braun Strowman flips over an ambulance containing Roman Reigns

This year's winner is Spyder Nate Webb's entrance from Spring Break 2! Look, I could have gone with anything Becky Lynch did this year, but when you have a longtime indie veteran running around a bleary-eyed crowd that is singing along to "Teenage Dirtbag" in tribute to the guy, it's hard to think anything else could touch it in wrestling in any given calendar frame.

Promotion/Brand of the Year - For the company who best furthered the creative, critical, and/or qualitative boundaries of professional wrestling in the calendar year.
Previous Winners:
2009 – ECW (WWE)
2010 – Chikara
2011 – Chikara
2012 – Anarchy Championship Wrestling
2013 – Beyond Wrestling
2014 – Chikara
2015 – Lucha Underground
2016 – Chikara
2017 – WWE NXT

This year's winner is Game Changer Wrestling! Yeah, they appeal mostly to the deathmatch crowd, but they had shows for everyone at various points in the year. Spring Break and Bloodsport alone show that they had more of a finger on the pulse of what their fans wanted than any company, and for my money, Lost in New York was the best show all year.

And those are the Bloggie Awards for 2018! Hope you enjoyed them. And in case you were wondering, I ran a TWB 100 this year, and you can check out the results on my Medium page.