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| Your Wrestler of the Year! Photo Credit: NJPW1972.com |
- 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.
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
2018 - Becky Lynch
The Nominees
Chris Dickinson
Jon Moxley
Kris Statlander
Nick Gage
Tetsuya Naito
This year's winner is Jon Moxley! Despite beginning the year as a zombie in WWE, Moxley picked up strong in the second half of the year. He felt like a genuine star in All Elite Wrestling, elevating everyone and everything he touched. His run in New Japan was truncated due to injury and weather, but his G1 run a breath of fresh air not only for himself, but for the company overall. Watching him as Dean Ambrose was frustrating at times because folks knew what he was capable, and in the seven months he was out of WWE, he showed that he didn't forget what made him special. A few people have bristled at the notion that Mox could be the Wrestler of the Year despite spending a good four months of the year at least in WWE's purgatory. Wrestling isn't about the grind only. If you can work every day and be special like, say, Daniel Bryan in 2012 or 2013, then it's worth highlighting the sheer volume. But in a year where even wrestlers in places that allow their workers to shine individually had spotty calendar frames, it's Mox who popped the most.
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
2018 - Mustafa Ali
The Nominees
Kris Statlander
Nick Gage
Rey Feníx
Shingo Takagi
Tomohiro Ishii
This year's winner is Shingo Takagi! Honestly, as someone who wasn't a fan of his when he was coming over for Dragon Gate USA, my enjoyment of his in the ring came as a welcome surprise. I'm not sure he changed; perhaps it was me. Either way, every time he was in the ring this year, it was a treat. He had the best overall G1 Climax, throwing bombs with the big boys after storming the Best of the Super Juniors. While the other junior heavyweight who did the G1 will get applause from certain sections of wrestling media, but Takagi is the one who's the real deal.
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
2018 - Becky Lynch
The Nominees
Eddie Kingston
Eli Drake
Jon Moxley
Juice Robinson
Nick Gage
This year's winner is Eddie Kingston! NWA Powerrrrrrrrrr has filled a niche in wrestling for a few reasons, one of which being the return of the promo. Having Kingston on the roster allowed him to show his verbal skills, and that he did. Of everyone who got to talk into the microphone, it was Kingston who showed a wider audience what longtime Chikara fans knew for a long time. Few people are as good at effusive passion as the War King.
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
2018 - Orange Cassidy
The Nominees
Chris Dickinson
Danhausen
Kris Statlander
Nick Gage
Warhorse
This year's winner is Nick Gage! Even after two years, most of that time with him holding the Game Changer Wrestling World Championship, Gage still brings a buzz to any show he works on. He's not just a guy who is on the indies because no one will sign him. Every show where he wrestles feels special, because he will help make whomever he's working feel special in the process. Whether it's taking headbutts from Killer Kross at Bloodsport or slamming Mance Warner onto thumbtacks, Gage is going to give you everything he has and he will not apologize for being too MDK for the corporate companies.
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)
2018 - The Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong)
The Nominees
Bear Country (Bear Beefcake/Boulder and Bear Bronson)
The Lucha Bros. (Pentagón, Jr. and Rey Feníx)
Nerder Death Kill (Nick Gage and Thomas Santell)
Private Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen)
Proud and Powerful/LAX/EYFBO (Angel Ortiz/Ortiz and Mike Draztik/Santana)
This year's winners are Proud and Powerful! It's amazing how they jumped right into All Elite Wrestling at All Out and felt like the biggest things. The Young Bucks have made it their personal mission to get them over, but it's easy when Santana and Ortiz are as adept at taking to the spotlight as they are. AEW is going to spotlight tag teams, and when one of the top ones is Proud and Powerful, they won't have a hard time getting them to be a big part of the show.
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
2018 - Destro
The Nominees
Cam Zagami
Malcolm Bivens
Mark Sterling
Officer Magnum
Tully Blanchard
This year's winner is Officer Magnum! You mitght think this as a joke entry, but honestly, what second has amplified their charge as wrestling's goodest boy? Magnum gets people hyped for Solo Darling, and when Mark Sterling threatened to throw him off a balcony, who, whether in the White Eagle or watching at home, didn't want to tear him apart? You can't buy that kind of heat.
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 Señor Benjamin)
2017 – LOS INGOBERNABLES DE JAPON (Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA, BUSHI, and Hiromu Takahashi [w/ Daryl])
2018 - The Colony (Fire Ant, Green Ant, and Thief Ant)
The Nominees
Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, El Phantasmo, Gedo, Jado, Jay White, KENTA, Pieter, Taiji Ishimori, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Yujiro Takahashi)
The Crucible (Devantes, Lance Steel, Matt Makowski, Ophidian, The Whisper, et al.)
The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Ortiz, Sammy Guevara, and Santana)
LOS INGOBERNABLES DE JAPON (BUSHI, EVIL, Hiromu Takahashi, SANADA, Shingo Takagi, and Tetsuya Naito [w/ Daryl])
The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)
This year's winners are The Crucible! Chikara has done big set-piece invasion/other angles so much that the trap of having them feel the same would be incredibly easy to fall into. With The Crucible, they once again freshened up the concept and put the company narratives on a cutting edge.
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
2018 - Otis Dozovic
The Nominees
Bear Beefcake/Boulder
Bear Bronson
Otis (Dozovic)
Tomohiro Ishii
Trevor Murdoch
This year's winner is Tomohiro Ishii! DID YOU SEE HIS THROAT CHOPS? OR WHEN HE HIT GUYS WITH HIS HEAD AND THEN SHOOK IT OFF? THAT'S HOSS, BABY.
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
2018 - Marko Stunt
The Nominees
Bear Country (Bear Beefcake/Boulder and Bear Bronson)
Leyla Hirsch
Matt Makowski
Molly McCoy
Shota Umino
This year's winner is Leyla Hirsch! The diminutive Russian grappler stole hearts and ankles in Beyond Wrestling, showing that grapplefuck wasn't just for the men anymore. She held her own against so many varied wrestlers and did so with such pluck and spirit that she easily became a fan favorite for good reason.
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
2018 - Orange Cassidy
The Nominees
Alex Jebailey
Jocephus
Michael Nakazawa
Orange Cassidy
Toru Yano
This year's winner is Toru Yano! Jim Cornette wouldn't shut up about Colt Cabana putting comedy aside and being serious for once, and I'm like, has he ever watched a Yano match? His entire G1 was a brilliant display in tomfoolery, and honestly, it was more grounded in reality than Kazuchika Okada going a half-hour with everyone he encounters. The Moxley match was a work of art.
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
2018 - Beyond Wrestling vs. Chikara
The Nominees
Boomer Hatfield vs. Dasher Hatfield
Club Cam vs. Nerder Death Kill
Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito
Katsuyori Shibata and Friends vs. KENTA
Zack Sabre, Jr. vs. Boris Johnson
This year's winning feud is Club Cam vs. Nerder Death Kill! Santell fighting off members of Club Cam stemming from his battle with Christian Casanova was a great underdog story, but adding Nick FN Gage combined two great story archetypes into one. Santell was already a great babyface, but adding the electricity and violence of Gage made for incredible wrestling storytelling.
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
2018 - Denver Colorado
The Nominees
Dave Prazak
Kevin Kelly
Paul Crockett
Rocky Romero
Sidney Bakabella
This year's winner is Paul Crockett! Crockett was a rock for Uncharted Territory. Indie commentators can be spotty at best but Crockett, along with Bakabella, provided the viewers a great base for the action and the stories following it. Unlike certain people who work for big companies with large salaries, Crockett made sure people knew who the talent was, even if they were new.
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
2018 - Spider Nate Webb's entrance at Spring Break
The Nominees
Boomer Hatfield reacts with shock at winning his father's mask
Jon Moxley appears to attack Kenny Omega at Double or Nothing
Katsuyori Shibata runs in to save Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI after KENTA turns and joins Bullet Club
Killer Kross rocks Nick Gage with a headbutt at Bloodsport 2
Toru Yano duct tapes Jon Moxley's ankles together to ensure a countout victory in the G1 Climax
This year's winning moment is Katsuyori Shibata saving Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI from KENTA! When the arena exploded at Shibata's entrance, you knew it was something special. Even though he was beaten down at the end, his run-in showed that he was ready to come back and wrestle, and after being at the brink of death, you can't underestimate how special that was to people who loved him before his injury. It's the kind of thing wrestling is all about.
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
2018 - Game Changer Wrestling
The Nominees
All Elite Wrestling
Beyond Wrestling
Chikara Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
Pizza Party Wrestling
This year's winner is Beyond Wrestling! The sheer amount of guts it took for an indie promotion, a true, honest-to-God indie promotion, to launch a weekly, episodic television show is immense, but that has become the calling card of Beyond. That company does the things that other companies only whisper about. Uncharted Territory wasn't using established IP or backed by a billionaire, and it was by far the best serial wrestling program this past year. I can't heap enough praise on the Beyond administration, crew, and especially the wrestlers for the job they did this year.
