The 2010 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Annual Awards

[X]

Were just released/announced earlier today. Here's the full list, with runner-ups and votes included:

Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)

1. John Cena (1,451)
2. Takashi Sugiura (802)
3. Masato Yoshino (754)
4. Prince Devitt (634)
5. Chris Jericho (551)
6. Davey Richards (473)
7. Shinsuke Nakamura (394)
8. The Miz (383)
9. Kurt Angle (340)
10. Mistico (322)

Honorable Mentions: Daniel Bryan (281), Rey Mysterio (278), Satoshi Kojima (268), Randy Orton (266), Daisuke Sekimoto (240), Naomichi Marufuji (178), Dr. Wagner Jr (164), Naruki Doi (142), L.A. Park (115), Tyler Black (113), Chris Hero (101), Shawn Michaels (100), Sheamus (96), Hiroshi Tanahashi (95), YAMATO (86), BxB Hulk (72)

MMA Most Valuable

1. Brock Lesnar (2,951)
2. Georges St. Pierre (2,609)
3. Cain Velasquez (543)
4. Quinton Jackson (274)
5. Anderson Silva (242)
6. Jose Aldo Jr (196)
7. Alistair Overeem (134)
8. Chael Sonnen (119)
-. Urijah Faber (119)
10. Frankie Edgar (90)

Most Outstanding Wrestler

1. Daniel Bryan (2,037)
2. Davey Richards (1,835)
3. Prince Devitt (1,525)
4. Naomichi Marufuji (758)
5. Shingo Takagi (515)
6. Chris Hero (509)
7. Kurt Angle (448)
8. YAMATO (209)
9. Chris Jericho (190)
10. AJ Styles (158)

Honorable Mentions: Shinsuke Nakamura (125), Daisuke Sekimoto (115), Rey Mysterio (87)

Most Outstanding Fighter of the Year

1. George St. Pierre (1,789)
2. Jose Aldo Jr (1,736)
3. Cain Velasquez (1,428)
4. Frankie Edgar (514)
5. Anderson Silva (411)
6. Alistair Overeem (244)
7. Ben Henderson (90)
8. Nick Diaz (72)
9. Dominick Cruz (57)
10. Urijah Faber (48)

Best Box Office Draw

1. Brock Lesnar (3,813)
2. Georges St. Pierre (1,667)
3. John Cena (1,542)
4. Mistico (348)
5. Quinton Jackson (199)
6. Chael Sonnen (155)
7. BJ Penn (151)
8. Rey Mysterio (136)
9. Josh Koscheck (35)
10. Urijah Faber (30)

Feud of the Year

1. Kevin Steen vs. El Generico (2,004)
2. Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen (1,036)
3. Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans (972)
4. Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck (713)
5. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (681)
6. John Cena vs. Nexus (643)
7. BxB Hulk vs. Shingo Takagi (402)
8. Beer Money vs. Motor City Machine Guns (373)
9. Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk (309)
10. L.A. Park vs. La Parka (255)

Honorable Mentions: Prince Devitt vs. Naomichi Marufuji (210), Mistico vs. Volador Jr (187), New Japan vs. NOAH (127), Chris Hero/Claudio Castagnoli vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe (116), Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz (87), John Cena vs. Batista (86)

Tag Team of the Year

1. Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli (2,506)
2. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley (1,948)
3. Robert Roode & James Storm (780)
4. Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (733)
5. Mark & Jay Briscoe (396)
6. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (375)
7. Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi (343)
8. Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards (214)
9. Shingo Takagi & YAMATO (153)
10. David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd (86)

Honorable Mention: Generation Me/Young Bucks (75)

Most Improved

1. Sheamus (1,053)
2. The Miz (976)
3. Dolph Ziggler (822)
4. Eddie Edwards (520)
5. Bobby Fish (432)
6. Alberto Del Rio (404)
7. Akira Tozawa (279)
8. Wade Barrett (277)
9. Ricochet (242)
10. Jack Swagger (207)

Honorable Mentions: Rhett Titus (150), Magnus (147), Cody Rhodes (118), Hiroshi Yamato (90), Claudio Castagnoli (81), Kenny Omega (74)

Best on Interviews

1. Chael Sonnen (2,783)
2. The Miz (1,036)
3. CM Punk (920)
4. Chris Jericho (690)
5. Kevin Steen (614)
6. Ric Flair (478)
7. Jon Moxley (454)
8. Wade Barrett (275)
9. Josh Koscheck (215)
10. John Cena (164)

Honorable Mentions: Batista (96), Alberto Del Rio (90), Frank Mir (72)

Most Charismatic

1. John Cena (1,959)
2. Brock Lesnar (1,162)
3. The Miz (763)
4. Alberto Del Rio (370)
5. YAMATO (367)
6. Georges St. Pierre (319)
7. Josh Koscheck (253)
8. Hiroshi Tanahashi (245)
9. CM Punk (208)
10. Chael Sonnen (167)

Honorable Mentions: Ric Flair (159), Jeff Hardy (142), Batista (119), Wade Barrett (83)

Best Technical Wrestler

1. Daniel Bryan (2,765)
2. Davey Richards (1,719)
3. Prince Devitt (1,205)
4. Kurt Angle (874)
5. Naomichi Marufuji (148)
6. Douglas Williams (96)
7. AJ Styles (87)
8. Mike Quackenbush (84)
9. Eddie Edwards (72)
10. Chris Jericho (69)

Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler)

1. Kevin Steen (1,174)
2. Jon Moxley (918)
3. Togi Makabe (647)
4. Masato Tanaka (467)
5. Necro Butcher (453)
6. Samoa Joe (388)
7. Brodie Lee (334)
8. Sheamus (300)
9. Abyss (298)
10. Jimmy Jacobs (220)

Honorable Mentions: Yuji Nagata (211), Daisuke Sekimoto (188), El Generico (150), Shingo Takagi (125), Steve Corino (88)

Best Flying Wrestler

1. Kota Ibushi (1,903)
2. Ricochet (1,591)
3. Pac (1,149)
4. Mascara Dorada (1,093)
5. Evan Bourne (994)
6. Prince Devitt (767)
7. Dragon Kid (398)
8. Rey Mysterio (292)
9. Jack Evans (215)
10. La Sombra (187)

Honorable Mentions: Aero Star (184), El Generico (175), AJ Styles (147), BxB Hulk (124), Volador Jr (91), Masato Yoshino (78)


Most Overrated

1. Kane (1,596)
2. Randy Orton (677)
3. Abyss (402)
4. Rob Van Dam (338)
5. Drew McIntyre (318)
6. Matt Morgan (301)
7. Mr. Anderson (299)
8. Jeff Hardy (289)
9. Big Show (206)
10. Tommy Dreamer (205)

Honorable Mentions: David Otunga (199), Rob Terry (150), John Cena (139), Michelle McCool (99), Team 3D (81), The Miz (75), Kevin Nash (75)

Most Underrated

1. Kaval (786)
2. Christian (683)
3. Evan Bourne (607)
4. Yoshi Tatsu (542)
5. Jack Swagger (418)
6. Desmond Wolfe (306)
7. Samoa Joe (258)
8. Tyson Kidd (255)
9. Daniel Bryan (229)
10. Dolph Ziggler (186)

Honorable Mentions: Zach Ryder (159), John Morrison (145), William Regal (123), Prime (116), Katsuhiko Nakajima (115), Goldust (114), Trent Baretta (99), MVP (96)

Promotion of the Year

1. Ultimate Fighting Championships (2,713)
2. Dragon Gate (1,293)
3. New Japan Pro Wrestling (1,089)
4. Ring of Honor (1,080)
5. World Wrestling Entertainment (851)
6. World Extreme Cagefighting (766)
7. Pro Wrestling Guerilla (268)
8. Consejo Mundial Lucha Libre (161)
9. Pro Wrestling NOAH (143)
10. CHIKARA (117)

Honorable Mentions: DDT (97), Big Japan Pro Wrestling (88)

Best Weekly TV Show

1. Ring of Honor on HDNet (2,129)
2. UFC Ultimate Fighter (1,422)
3. WWE Monday Night Raw (1,119)
4. Dragon Gate Infinity (867)
5. WWE Smackdown (634)
6. Bellator Fighting (489)
7. New Japan Pro wrestling (223)
8. WWE Superstars (206)
9. AAA (162)
10. CMLL (125)

Honorable Mention: TNA Impact (108)

Worked Match of the Year

1. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels 3/28 Phoenix (1,885)
2. Tyler Black vs. Davey Richards 6/19 Toronto (1,711)
3. Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi 7/24 Philadelphia (1,099)
4. BxB Hulk vs. Shingo Takagi 7/11 Kobe (695)
5. Chris Hero vs. Akira Tozara 9/5 Reseda (566)
6. Prince Devitt vs. Naomichi Marufuji 6/19 Osaka (365)
7. Koji Kanemoto vs. Fujita Hayato 12/20/09 Tokyo (321) (Why is this included?)
8. Chris Hero/Claudio Castagnoli vs. Shelton Benjamin/Charlie Haas 9/11 New York (282)
9. Chris Sabin/Alex Shelley vs. Robert Roode/James Storm 8/12 Orlando (277)
10. Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler 10/24 Minneapolis (189)

Honorable Mentions: Prince Devitt/Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kota Ibushi/Kenny Omega 10/11 Tokyo (182), Prince Devitt vs. Naomichi Marufuji 1/20 Tokyo (178), Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson 4/18 St. Charles (165), Naomichi Marufuji vs. Koji Kanemoto 3/5 Tokyo (145), Volador Jr vs. La Sombra 8/30 Mexico City (122), LA Park vs. La Parka 6/6 Mexico City (94), BxB Hulk/Masato Yoshino/Naruki Doi vs. GAMMA/CIMA/Dragon Kid 3/27 Phoenix (87), Prince Devitt vs. Kota Ibushi 6/13 Sapporo (83), Naruki Doi vs. Masato Yoshino 3/22 Tokyo (70)

SHOOT MATCH OF THE YEAR

1. LEONARD GARCIA VS. CHAN SUNG JUNG 4/24 SACRAMENTO (1,834)
2. Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen 8/7 Oakland (1,794)
3. Chris Leben vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama 7/3 Las Vegas (1,302)
4. Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin 7/3 Las Vegas (847)
5. Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez 12/19/09 San Jose (736)
6. Jorge Santiago vs. Kazuo Misaki 8/22 Tokyo (463)
7. Michael Zambidis vs. Chahid 10/3 Seoul (365)
8. Yves Jabouin vs. Mark Hominick 6/20 Edmonton (205)
9. Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez 10/23 Anaheim (182)
10. Shane Roller vs. Anthony Pettis 8/18 Las Vegas (91)

HONORABLE MENTION: Jose Aldo Jr. vs. Urijah Faber 4/24 Sacramento (72)

Rookie of the Year

1. Adam Cole (2,189)
2. Green Ant (989)
3. Rich Swann (805)
4. Kazuki Hashimoto (703)
5. Tama Tonga (694)
6. Percy Watson (388)
7. The Usos (271)
8. Naomi (173)
9. King Fale (149)
10. Christina Von Eerie (139)

Honorable Mentions: Kyosuke Mikami (120), Hiromu Takahashi (108), Tamina (77)

Best Non-Wrestler

1. Vickie Guerrero (1,935)
2. Jim Cornette (1,072)
3. Ricardo Rodriguez (698)
4. Michael Cole (679)
5. Mike Briscoe (342)
6. Ric Flair (285)
7. Eric Bischoff (273)
8. Paul Bearer (198)
9. Truth Martini (16)
10. Teddy Long (156)

Honorable Mentions: Hulk Hogan (147), Dana White (135), Vince McMahon (84)

Best TV Announcer

1. Joe Rogan (1,912)
2. Michael Schiavello (784)
3. CM Punk (525)
4. Mike Goldberg (480)
5. Josh Matthews (477)
6. Mike Hogewood (442)
7. Taz (313)
8. Michael Cole (302)
9. Dave Prazak (279)
10. Stephan Bonnar (270)

Honorable Mentions: Mike Tenay (217), Jimmy Smith (158), Kevin Kelly (142), Dr. Alfonso Morales (120), Mauro Ranallo (115), Matt Striker (100), Jim Cornette (96), Jerry Lawler (75)

Worst TV Announcer

1. Michael Cole (2,167)
2. Matt Striker (1,645)
3. Todd Grisham (726)
4. Jerry Lawler (448)
5. Mike Tenay (313)
6. Mike Hogewood (292)
7. Taz (185)
8. Dave Prazak (157)
9. Josh Matthews (106)
10. Maruo Ranailo (99)

Best Major Wrestling Show

1. UFC 116 7/3 Las Vegas (1,312)
2. ROH Death Before Dishonor 6/19 Toronto (1,264)
3. WWE Wrestlemania 3/28 Phoenix (762)
4. PWG 7 7/30 Reseda (626)
5. New Japan 10/11 Yokyo (624)
6. Dragon Gate USA: Enter the Dragon 7/24 Philadelphia (536)
7. WEC 48 4/24 Sacramento (533)
8. Strikeforce 12/19/09 San Jose (294)
9. New Japan 1/4 Tokyo Dome (291)
10. WWE Money in the Bank 7/18 Kansas City (267)

Honorable Mentions: Dragon Gate Uprising 5/8 Mississauga (255), K-1 World Grand Prix 12/5/09 Tokyo (235), CMLL Dos Leyenadas 3/19 Mexico City (175), Dragon Gate 7/11 Kobe (163), UFC 117 8/7 Oakland (163), ROH Big Bang 4/3 Charlotte (158), ROH Glory By Honor 9/11 New York (114), Dragon Gate USA Mercury Rising 3/27 Phoenix (81)



Okay I'm just going to copy and paste the rest instead of typing it out neatly, my fingers are tired.

WORST MAJOR WRESTLING SHOW

1. TNA HARDCORE JUSTICE 8/8 ORLANDO172

2. TNA Turning Point 11/7 Orlando126

3. WWE Bragging Rights 10/24 Minneapolis72

4. WWE Survivor Series 11/21 Miami37

5. TNA Destination X 3/21 Orlando33

6. WWE Over the Limit 5/23 Detroit18

7. TNA Bound for Glory 10/10 Daytona Beach17

Strikeforce on CBS 4/17 Nashville17

9. TNA Sacrifice 5/16 Orlando15

10. Impact Fighting Championships 7/18 Sydney14


BEST WRESTLING MANEUVER

1. RICOCHET DOUBLE ROTATION MOONSAULT178

2. Daniel Bryan LeBell lock117

3. Justin Gabriel 450 splash57

4. Prince Devitt Bloody Sunday DDT56

5. Kota Ibushi Golden star press40

6. Shinsuke Nakamura bom a ye39

7. Randy Orton DDT37

8. Naomichi Marufuji Tiger frosien27

9. Evan Bourne shooting star press24

10. Pac 360 shooting star press20

HONORABLE MENTION: Generation Me More Bang for Your Buck 19, Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli KRS-1 17,
Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley Skull & Bones 15

MOST DISGUSTING PROMOTIONAL TACTIC

1. STAND UP FOR WWE CAMPAIGN168

2. Rob Terry chair shot75

3. Tommy Dreamer bloodbath in front of his young daughters57

4. John Cena firing angle46

5. Vickie Guerrero constantly promoted as fat and ugly39

6. Eric Young concussion angle comedy19

7. TNA making Jeff Hardy world champion while indicted17

WORST TELEVISION SHOW

1. TNA IMPACT402

2. WWE NXT184

3. WWE Smackdown25

4. WWE Raw22

5. AAA18

WORST MATCH OF THE YEAR

1. KAITLYN VS. MAXINE 10/19 EDMONTON223

2. Vince McMahon vs. Bret Hart 3/28 Phoenix197

3. Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia 4/10 Abu Dhabi53

4. Undertaker vs. Kane Hell in a Cell 10/3 Dallas51

5. Andre Winner vs. Nik Lentz 8/28 Boston32

6. Frank Mir vs. Mirko Cro Cop 9/25 Indianapolis26

7. Konnan vs. Cibernetico 3/12 Aguascalientes10

WORST FEUD OF THE YEAR

1. EDGE VS. KANE296

2. Undertaker vs. Kane113

3. Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff vs. Dixie Carter62

4. EV 2 vs. Fortune55

5. John Cena vs. Nexus41

6. Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase vs. Cody Rhodes25

7. Team 3-D vs. Nasty Boys19

WORST PROMOTION OF THE YEAR

1. TNA562

2. IWA Mid South38

3. WWE25

4. AAA18

5. Strikeforce11

BEST BOOKER

1. JOE SILVA298

2. Gedo & Jado161

3. Mike Quackenbush119

4. Gabe Sapolsky67

5. Adam Pearce58

6. Sean Shelby49

7. Konnan36

8. Hunter Johnston31

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

1. DANA WHITE709

2. Sanshiro Takagi49

3. Cary Silkin27

4. Vince McMahon12

BEST GIMMICK

1. ALBERTO DEL RIO259

2. Nexus79

3. C.M. Punk Straight Edge Society47

4. Santino Marella29

5. Batista25

6. Dashing Cody Rhodes21

7. Pope D’Angelo Dinero18

8. Chael Sonnen12

WORST GIMMICK

1. ORLANDO JORDAN148

2. Mystery General Manager55

3. Eric Young concussion angle52

4. Robbie E51

5. Abyss49

6. Michael Cole32

7. Winter30

8. Hornswoggle26

9. Jeff Hardy heel16

10. EV 215

BEST PRO WRESTLING BOOK

1. COUNTDOWN TO LOCKDOWN BY MICK FOLEY286

2. The World According to Dutch by Dutch Mantel23

3. Heart for the fight by Brian Stann19

4. 101 Strangest matches by Oliver Hurley16

BEST PRO WRESTLING DVD

1. CHRIS JERICHO BREAKING THE CODE274

2. Ricky Steamboat Life Story of the Dragon75

3. Hart Family Anthology62

4. Shawn Michaels My Journey43

5. Best of Raw 1993 & 199432



PHEW. That's all of them. Posted this in the spam section so everyone can discuss them in a spam-friendly zone. Some surprises, but most of these awards look about right. Thrilled to see Prince Devitt getting the respect he deserves for an excellent 2010, was shocked that Davey Richards didn't takeover Most Oustanding and Best Techincal wrestler, figured he'd overtake Danielson in those awards because of Bryan joining the WWE. Guess not.

Thoughts?

 

[klunderbunker]

Sorry if the font is weird, typed this in Word.

Only commenting on awards that need commenting on:

Miz being 8th in wrestler of the year is bullshit to the extreme. He should have been second or third at worst. Jericho is gone part of the year and still gets fifth? Bullshit. Plain bullshit and there is no way Miz is that low on any realistic list. He had one of the best years of all time and is 8th best this year? Bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit.

Feud of the Year: Cena vs. Nexus being sixth is BULLSHIT! Steen vs. Generico….eh maybe, but Cena vs. Nexus at 6? No. No no no no no no no NO! Shawn vs. Taker was four months of the year. Four months. Also STOP PUTTING FUCKING UFC IN WITH FUCKING WRESTLING! It’s the WRESTLING Observer Newsletter. If Meltzer wants to jack off to MMA let him open a new fucking site. Stop fucking putting MMA in with wrestling. Some people don’t like MMA. Shocking but true. I wouldn’t read a WRESTLING newsletter to hear about MMA. Total crap.

Sheamus as most improved? Ehhhhhh…..yeah I can live with that I think.

Interviews: Again, STOP MIXING THE SPORTS FUCKING DAMN IT!

Kane as most overrated? No. Having him on the list is understandable but on top? No I’m sorry that’s Orton or Abyss, period.

Kaval as most underrated? That strikes me as odd but it’s the IWC so what are you going to do?

WWE the fifth best promotion of the year? I thought we were in business to make money, not be some indy group with 500 people a show. UFC at #1 is fine.

Oh look: another chance to put down WWE by having some show that 5 people watch get #1.

Angle vs. Anderson isn’t in the top ten. This list has lost any and all credibility for me. Shawn vs. Taker was going to win this but to not have Angle vs. Anderson in the top ten is a joke beyond all jokes.

Vickie winning non-wrestler helps a bit as that was 1000% right.

Punk as 3rd best commentator? He did commentary for what, a month? Also Cole was a god on the mic this year. Miz is where he is because of Cole.

Cole is worst announcer while Taz is seventh. Yeah someone explain to me how LET THE PIGEONS LOOSE is better than making Miz hated.

1. Death Before Dishonor was good, but not as good as Mania.
2. UFC IS NOT A MOTHER FUCKING WRESTLING SHOW SO GET IT OFF THIS DAMN LIST!!!!!

Hardcore Justice wasn’t a terrible show in one sense. Turning Point was miles worse but I can live with this.

And look: a flip is #1. Naturally. And people wonder where these IWC stereotypes come from.

Stand Up for WWE….eh it had its moments. Also, the Cena Firing Angle? Give it a break with the WWE hatred Meltzer. It was fine. Stupid, but fine.

Saying Bret vs. Vince was bad makes me think he knows nothing about wrestling. Vince is in his 60s and Bret is a stroke victim. What the fuck was he expecting? That match was supposed to be Bret destroying Vince and making him quit to the Sharpshooter and that’s what it was. What the fuck did people expect it to be?

Del Rio as best gimmick? Uh….yeah I think I can live with that.

The mystery GM is a good gimmick. It’s buying them time.

Countdown to Lockdown is great. I got to meet Foley because of it and tell him I’ve been a fan for over 15 years so I was happy with it.

 

[Mr. Artistic guy]

Pretty much agree with most of them, better I just pick out the ones I don't agree with.

- I really don't think the worst TV announcer can go to Cole, I don't like him or that he knows relatively little about the in-ring manoevres but he is still good at what he does with regards to pumping up the viewers at home and getting heat for the Miz and Vickie etc.. I don't see why Todd Grisham didn't win.

- Kane as the most overrated? I really don't think so. He did well in his undertaker feud and the build-up except for obviously the matches were lack-lustre. And he can't be blamed for that terrible terrible Edge feud, shame how he was handled during that, and both guys for that matter.

- The last one is Sheamus as most improved. The's been good but not significantly good enough over the last year in my eyes to suggest he's significantly improved from last year. For me this award goes to Ziggler. He was quite frankly boring at the start of the year, but since he has produced a series of good standard matches with just about every top guy there is bar taker and hascome into his part well with Vickie. Sheamus is great in himself, but I don't feel he has improved much at all from last year.

Also to not, Taz came seventh best and worst commentator, suggests he appeals strongly to some and not others I suppose.
It was interesting to see that all worst things associated with quality of show and product pretty much went to TNA, expected but interesting nonetheless.
Not sure about Orlando Jordan as worst gimmick, I feel that Robbie E has to win this just based on crowd reaction, nobody gets it or wants it. Jersey Shore and pro wrestling don't mix.
CM Punk understandably earned himself a 3rd best announer award despite his 3/4 weeks only on commentary but Josh Matthews got a very impressive 5th, shows he deserves his permanent smackdown spot.
Also, not a single TNA wrestler earned a spot in the best gimmick section.
And on Kaval scoring most underrated. He won season 2 of NXT which his more sucessful indy legend counter-part daniel bryan didn't have the pleasure of, far more underrated guys than him around.

Alright I think that's it.......

btw I loved this: MOST DISGUSTING PROMOTIONAL TACTIC = 2. Rob Terry chair shot75
Not sure why, just made me laugh.

 

[X]

First things first KB, these awards aren't solely picked by Meltzer. They're voted on by as you can, thousands of people. So you should stop blaming Meltzer for any awards you disagree with, he wasn't the only one voting here.

Miz being 8th in wrestler of the year is bullshit to the extreme. He should have been second or third at worst. Jericho is gone part of the year and still gets fifth? Bullshit. Plain bullshit and there is no way Miz is that low on any realistic list. He had one of the best years of all time and is 8th best this year? Bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit.

I think it's understandable, Miz didn't do jackshit for the first 8-odd months of the year and only really made his impact in the fall after losing the US title and eventually winning the WWE title. I would have had him higher, but probably not Top 5.

Feud of the Year: Cena vs. Nexus being sixth is BULLSHIT! Steen vs. Generico….eh maybe, but Cena vs. Nexus at 6? No. No no no no no no no NO! Shawn vs. Taker was four months of the year. Four months. Also STOP PUTTING FUCKING UFC IN WITH FUCKING WRESTLING! It’s the WRESTLING Observer Newsletter. If Meltzer wants to jack off to MMA let him open a new fucking site. Stop fucking putting MMA in with wrestling. Some people don’t like MMA. Shocking but true. I wouldn’t read a WRESTLING newsletter to hear about MMA. Total crap.

I agree he should separate MMA and wrestling, but technically MMA IS a form of wrestling.

Cena vs. Nexus at 6 is being generous IMO, that angle was good all of one month before it turned to total shit. The entire feud was meaningless and dead after Summerslam.

Steen vs. Generico is the rightful winner for Feud of the Year. Good, old school fashioned feud that built and built over the entire year and was blown off in rightfully proper fashion at the final show of 2010 in a match that saw Generico avoiding mistakes he made in previous matches to Steen and telling a brilliant story. Glad that won feud of the year.

Kane as most overrated? No. Having him on the list is understandable but on top? No I’m sorry that’s Orton or Abyss, period.

The reason Kane won the award mostly is because he was the World champion for several months and everyone realizes he's well past his prime.

Kaval as most underrated? That strikes me as odd but it’s the IWC so what are you going to do?

Totally disagree with this award as well, Kaval had a mediocre year and is only going to get older and worse as time goes on, there are many more underrated wrestlers than him. Maybe he won it though because he was supposed to get this big push and then was totally squashed for several months.

WWE the fifth best promotion of the year? I thought we were in business to make money, not be some indy group with 500 people a show. UFC at #1 is fine.

"Best Promotion" does not indicate the promotion that made the most money. It indicates the promotion with the best perceived product. So I have no problem with this list. Especially since Dragon Gate and New Japan routinely run shows with thousands in attendance, not 500 people like you say. Shit ROH draws more than that at every single show.

Angle vs. Anderson isn’t in the top ten. This list has lost any and all credibility for me. Shawn vs. Taker was going to win this but to not have Angle vs. Anderson in the top ten is a joke beyond all jokes.

It was in the honorable mentions. I agree it should have been in the top ten, top 5 for me, but it wasn't completely shunned, it did recieve 165 votes.

Punk as 3rd best commentator? He did commentary for what, a month? Also Cole was a god on the mic this year. Miz is where he is because of Cole.

Cole is worst announcer while Taz is seventh. Yeah someone explain to me how LET THE PIGEONS LOOSE is better than making Miz hated.

Being a good personality //=// being a good commentator. Cole is a great personality. He's an atrocious commentator who has officially forgotten his role is to be the play-by-play man. He rightfully deserves that award.

1. Death Before Dishonor was good, but not as good as Mania.
2. UFC IS NOT A MOTHER FUCKING WRESTLING SHOW SO GET IT OFF THIS DAMN LIST!!!!!

DBD and Mania would be about tied in my book. Too bad TLC didn't get a mention but it was probably too late. Glad to see PWG's Seven get mentioned as that was a fan-fucking-tastic show over last summer.

And look: a flip is #1. Naturally. And people wonder where these IWC stereotypes come from.

Have you ever seen Ricochet perform that move? It's jaw-dropping shit to see a human being even capable of performing that move, it's not just a moonsault or some shit the dude does two FULL moonsault rotations. That's like Tony Hawk doing a fuckin' 900 on his skateboard, it's jaw-dropping.

Stand Up for WWE….eh it had its moments. Also, the Cena Firing Angle? Give it a break with the WWE hatred Meltzer. It was fine. Stupid, but fine.

People tend to hate "firing" angles where the guy returns a week later, which is why it got so many votes. And Stand Up for WWE deserves that award for being the most pathetic sham of a PR campaign I've ever seen the WWE attempt.

Saying Bret vs. Vince was bad makes me think he knows nothing about wrestling. Vince is in his 60s and Bret is a stroke victim. What the fuck was he expecting? That match was supposed to be Bret destroying Vince and making him quit to the Sharpshooter and that’s what it was. What the fuck did people expect it to be?

Again: thousands of voters, not just Meltzer. And clearly most people, like most people on here and most who saw the show, thought that match was terrible. Which it was. Doesn't matter that they're old and out of shape and it wasn't supposed to be a "wrestling" match, it was promoted as such and should be judged as such. Besides, it didn't win anyways.



I totally disagree with Cena getting wrestler of the year again though. This was one of his poorest years to date, he spent much of it mired in the midcard with Nexus and didn't really have many great matches to show for it. I would have went with Devitt personally, because of a mixture of his performances night in and night out and his utter domination of the junior heavyweight divisions in Japan all year long.

 

[klunderbunker]

Meltzer is the biggest brainwasher I've seen in forever. He's taught just about the entire IWC how to think and they flat out don't get wrestling more often than not anymore. What he says is gospel online which is, again, bullshit.

Cole's job is to make the matches seem important. JR did it for years. Hell Austin got over as high as he did partially due to JR and woe be unto any man that sullies the name of the king of BBQ.

I don't care if he jumps to the moon and back. Big flippy moves are impressive yes, but that doesn't make them good wrestling moves.

Also, if UFC is a form of wrestling, then I'd think Kurt is #1 wrestler every year as I don't think there's any wrestler in UFC or pro that could take him in a straight wrestling match. You can't have it both ways: it's either amateur or pro, not both.

 

[X]

Meltzer is the biggest brainwasher I've seen in forever. He's taught just about the entire IWC how to think and they flat out don't get wrestling more often than not anymore. What he says is gospel online which is, again, bullshit.

And you're basing this off of what now? I get the feeling you have never even read a single issue of the Observer, or would even recognize Meltzer's voice or what he looks like for that matter. He's like this big phantom boogeyman that the modern IWC likes to shit all over at every chance and blame for all the problems in the world. Meltzer if anything represents a generation FAR gone, the modern IWC is in the same thought as you that "flippies suck, Meltzer sucks, Cena rules, blah blah blah".

How is he brainwashing people? By forming his own opinion on wrestling? By that logic you brainwash people on WZ on a daily basis KB, people fall at your feet and reviews like you're the gospel much more than they ever would to Meltzer on here.

Stop with the Meltzer hate. It's older than fucking John Cena hate and just as undeserved.

Cole's job is to make the matches seem important. JR did it for years. Hell Austin got over as high as he did partially due to JR and woe be unto any man that sullies the name of the king of BBQ.

When does Cole ever make a match seem important? If it doesn't involve The Miz, he doesn't give a shit and it shows. He's supposed to be the play-by-play man. You CANNOT be a heel and be the play-by-play man, it doesn't work, Cole has shown us this. There's a reason he gets MASSIVE heat KB, and he was getting that same massive heat long before his heel turn, and that's because people fucking hate his commentary. It's the biggest case of X-Pac heat I've ever seen.

I don't care if he jumps to the moon and back. Big flippy moves are impressive yes, but that doesn't make them good wrestling moves.

How the fuck do you figure? What makes a wristlock or a body slam a "better" wrestling move than a moonsault or plancha? What is wrong with a high-impact finisher?

Also, if UFC is a form of wrestling, then I'd think Kurt is #1 wrestler every year as I don't think there's any wrestler in UFC or pro that could take him in a straight wrestling match. You can't have it both ways: it's either amateur or pro, not both.

There are plenty of people who would destroy Kurt in a shoot-fight. He's way past his prime (for legit sports, not working a kayfabe match). Meltzer DOES separate MMA and pro wrestling though, it's why there's a category for best WORKED match and another for best shoot match.

 

[Daniel]

My biggest problem with this is MMA and professional wrestling being put together. Two very different animals which deserve seperate awards.

 

[klunderbunker]

And you're basing this off of what now? I get the feeling you have never even read a single issue of the Observer, or would even recognize Meltzer's voice or what he looks like for that matter. He's like this big phantom boogeyman that the modern IWC likes to shit all over at every chance and blame for all the problems in the world. Meltzer if anything represents a generation FAR gone, the modern IWC is in the same thought as you that "flippies suck, Meltzer sucks, Cena rules, blah blah blah".

How is he brainwashing people? By forming his own opinion on wrestling? By that logic you brainwash people on WZ on a daily basis KB, people fall at your feet and reviews like you're the gospel much more than they ever would to Meltzer on here.

Stop with the Meltzer hate. It's older than fucking John Cena hate and just as undeserved.[/quote]

Meltzer knows his stuff. He damn sure does. But so many people that I see completely agree with him without giving it a second thought. he's the most biased writer I've ever seen and it's ridiculous.

When does Cole ever make a match seem important? If it doesn't involve The Miz, he doesn't give a shit and it shows. He's supposed to be the play-by-play man. You CANNOT be a heel and be the play-by-play man, it doesn't work, Cole has shown us this. There's a reason he gets MASSIVE heat KB, and he was getting that same massive heat long before his heel turn, and that's because people fucking hate his commentary. It's the biggest case of X-Pac heat I've ever seen.

It's worked damn well this year. When he's not talking about Miz he's unbiased. It's a character and he plays it damn well. Play by play is the most overrated position in the world. I can see what's going on. I don't need someone telling me what I'm seeing. Make the matches seem big, like Cole does. Cole talks about the matches like he's supposed to. JR got praised for having all this personality and saying whatever was on his mind. Cole does it as a character and it's hated. How does that make sense?

How the fuck do you figure? What makes a wristlock or a body slam a "better" wrestling move than a moonsault or plancha? What is wrong with a high-impact finisher?

What makes a basic move better? In the words of Joe Friday in Dragnet the movie when asked why he has such a small gun, "it's always been good enough for me." Why use some big flashy move like 2 flips when a suplex can do the same thing? It's flashy overkill and annoying. Flips can be ok, but when you're looking like you're on a damn moonbounce it's too much for my taste.

There are plenty of people who would destroy Kurt in a shoot-fight. He's way past his prime (for legit sports, not working a kayfabe match). Meltzer DOES separate MMA and pro wrestling though, it's why there's a category for best WORKED match and another for best shoot match.

I didn't say a fight, although according to Meltzer fightin and wrestling are the same things nowadays. And yes he does, in some areas. Split them all or call them the wrestling/mma awards.

 

[X]

They're called the "Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards" KB. About half of every single issue of the Observer is focused entirely on MMA. So it's titled correctly, he covers MMA more than he does wrestling these days.

 

[klunderbunker]

And it shouldn't be. I can't stand it and it's the main reason I don't read/buy it. That and I'm not paying to hear about 5 guys' opinions on wrestling. Make them MMA or wrestling or just say they're MMA and wrestling.

Also, thanks for typing this up as I could copy it for my site.

 

[X]

And it shouldn't be.

Why? Meltzer can't be an MMA fan? Wrestling and MMA have always been closely linked, and they're usually covered by the same press. I don't see what's so wrong about that.

I can't stand it and it's the main reason I don't read/buy it. That and I'm not paying to hear about 5 guys' opinions on wrestling.

Huh? The only time Meltzer ever writes his own opinion on an angle or match is when he's doing quick reviews of PPVs. The rest of the newsletter is full of unbiased news, results, and readers polls. I'm starting to think you've never read an issue of the Observer.

Also, thanks for typing this up as I could copy it for my site.

Sure thing.

 

[klunderbunker]

Meltzer can be a fan of whatever he wants. If he wants to cover MMA, he can't put it somewhere else? He can't call it wrestling/mma observer newsletter? I don't go to a site called WRESTLING to find MMA. If I wanted MMA, I'd go look for MMA.

I've read some of them, albeit they were a few years old so perhaps that's changed. I'm still not paying for something where I can get the majority of the same news online for free and is largely full of MMA which I don't care about.

 

[gd]

Alberto Del Rio has a good gimmick?

 

[X]

Meltzer can be a fan of whatever he wants. If he wants to cover MMA, he can't put it somewhere else? He can't call it wrestling/mma observer newsletter? I don't go to a site called WRESTLING to find MMA. If I wanted MMA, I'd go look for MMA.

Because why would he change the name of his brand, one that was already established for over 15 years before MMA came around? You don't change an established brand name, you don't see McDonalds changing their name to McDonalds Hamburgers and Salads when they started introducing healthier foods like fruits and salads. You don't change a brand name that's already wildly successful.

Besides, most wrestling fans DO care about MMA.

I've read some of them, albeit they were a few years old so perhaps that's changed. I'm still not paying for something where I can get the majority of the same news online for free and is largely full of MMA which I don't care about.

As a loyal reader for many years I can tell you that you absolutely positively do not get to see even 10% of the same news and stories that the Observer publishes exclusively as you get for free on other sites that pick up the scraps from the Observer table. Trust me, Wrestlezone and every other wrestling news site doesn't post even close to half of the scoops and news stories that the Observer does, not even half.

 

[shattered dreams]

Miz being 8th in wrestler of the year is bullshit to the extreme. He should have been second or third at worst. Jericho is gone part of the year and still gets fifth? Bullshit. Plain bullshit and there is no way Miz is that low on any realistic list. He had one of the best years of all time and is 8th best this year? Bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit.

How did he have one of the best years of all-time yet you can see a case for a couple wrestlers being better this year alone? Mizarks say the damnedest things.

 

[X]

I'm not one to agree with Shattered Dreams, but he does have a point there, calling Miz's 2010 one of the greatest years for a wrestler EVER is ridiculous.

 

[klunderbunker]

Because why would he change the name of his brand, one that was already established for over 15 years before MMA came around? You don't change an established brand name, you don't see McDonalds changing their name to McDonalds Hamburgers and Salads when they started introducing healthier foods like fruits and salads. You don't change a brand name that's already wildly successful.

Besides, most wrestling fans DO care about MMA.

Yeah well I'm not most wrestling fans. As for the MMA jazz, fine as it's yet another thing that is passing me by yet I'll continue to know just as much as the fans that pay for this stuff month after month.

As a loyal reader for many years I can tell you that you absolutely positively do not get to see even 10% of the same news and stories that the Observer publishes exclusively as you get for free on other sites that pick up the scraps from the Observer table. Trust me, Wrestlezone and every other wrestling news site doesn't post even close to half of the scoops and news stories that the Observer does, not even half.

Good for them. I can find out what happens by watching the shows for free also. As for the backstage stuff, eh that may be true, but if it doesn't make it on camera, it usually isn't going to mean much to me. Same reason I pay zero attention to off season sports news and recruiting.

 

[klunderbunker]

I'm not one to agree with Shattered Dreams, but he does have a point there, calling Miz's 2010 one of the greatest years for a wrestler EVER is ridiculous.

Oh I don't know. I thought going from midcard champion to tag champion to MITB winner to world champion in a year was pretty good. I guess I'm overlooking a bunch of people that have done the same thing. Because I'm thinking of only a handful that have come farther in less time.

 

[gd]

Maybe if Miz wasn't so shit it'd be more imporessive.

 

[Stormtrooper]

OK, here's my biggest question.

How can Sheamus be named Most Improved? He entered the year WWE Champion, lost it, got a second reign, lost it again, then is back in the upper mid-card. The Miz, meanwhile, started the year with the US title, earned himself the Money In the Bank thanks to being awesome, then won the Worlds Championship, again thanks to being awesome. Miz improved from 09-10. Sheamus stayed the same. Miz should have had the award over Sheamus, hands down. Not to mention that Miz was even listed among the wrestler of the year, while Sheamus was nowhere to be seen on that list.

Oh, and MMA fighters/matches/promoters should never be mixed with scripted wrestling wrestlers/matches/promoters. Hell, even UFC shouldn't be ranked with wrestling promotions, because while the audience is similar, the idea of real vs. scripted gives UFC a clear, huge advantage. Joe Silva has an advantage with his booking because he doesn't determine the results. Real fights have more drama because the 2 combatants are legitimately competing against each other. But no, they should be mixed with wrestling, especially considering the MMA fanbase generally adores wrestling....

And if you're gonna include MMA, then where's Boxing? Surely Manny Pacquiao would be up there for fighter of the year, right?

 

[Shadowmancer]

If I'm watching wrestling now which is fairly rare with my access to a TV I am generally switching channels when Miz or Cena are on because they do not interest me in the slightest, Cena because he is a bland characterisation of blandness to me, and Miz because really I don't like him.

 

[Shadowmancer]

however about the awards I can't see any major problems with a majority of the awards. Good to see that The Kings of Wrestling are getting respect for the work that they put out. I would have thought that the side feud to Steen and Generico would have been mentioned in there but I think it may have been bundled up into it.

 

[JGlass]

I know KB and many other people have already touched on this, but HOW THE FUCK IS MIZ 8TH BEHIND SOME INDY WORKERS AND JERICHO?

I have plenty of respect for guys that work the indies, but they don't deserve to be ranked higher than a guy who held all sorts of WWE gold and basically played one of the top heels for the company for the entire year. And Jericho being higher than him? Even when he was in the WWE he wasn't THAT good, certainly not as good as Miz. He was putting EVAN BOURNE over towards the end of his run, remember? How does a guy who is busy losing to midcard talent higher on that list than a guy who was feuding with top faces and captured the WWE title? I haven't even finished reading the list yet, but that just had me so enraged that I had to skip down to vent on this.

Thanks for posting this X.

 

[Shadowmancer]

Ok first, calling Japan the indies is a major insult to the fact that for a long time Japan has had a larger following of Wrestling than the rest of the world.

There is a Joke saying that in Mexico Wrestling is a Religion, Canada a Tradition, Japan a Sport and US a Joke.

So saying that because they are not in the WWE or TNA that they are indy workers is naive at the smallest and ignorant in the extreme.

Jericho may have been losing to Evan Bourne on the way out but it was his choice to go out that way. Why would you not try and elevate people when you know that you are taking a break from wrestling especially when you are as well respected as Jericho is. Miz is actually rather boring and not worth as much time as people seem to think he is worth.

 

[X]

Oh I don't know. I thought going from midcard champion to tag champion to MITB winner to world champion in a year was pretty good. I guess I'm overlooking a bunch of people that have done the same thing. Because I'm thinking of only a handful that have come farther in less time.

It's really not that impressive KB, especially since it took him 5 years to achieve it. Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar accomplished more in their first year in wrestling than Miz has in his entire career. I could name shitloads of people who had better years than just going from the midcard to world champion, that happens quite frequently.

Besides, calling it one of the best years for a wrestler ever when he's made no impact on ratings and buyrates is a tad bit silly.

Ok first, calling Japan the indies is a major insult to the fact that for a long time Japan has had a larger following of Wrestling than the rest of the world.

There is a Joke saying that in Mexico Wrestling is a Religion, Canada a Tradition, Japan a Sport and US a Joke.

So saying that because they are not in the WWE or TNA that they are indy workers is naive at the smallest and ignorant in the extreme.

Thank you. There is a grand total of ONE indy worker in that list, and that's Davey Richards who also wrestles frequently for New Japan in front of thousands. Everyone else on that list are some of the best wrestlers on the planet, and Mistico is a bigger draw alone than Miz could ever dream to be in his wildest most extravagant fantasy imaginable.


You guys are overrating the fuck out of Miz. Sheamus had just as good if not better of a year than Miz did, he won more than one World title over the last year and got clean wins over the likes of Triple H while Miz was losing clean to Daniel Bryan only 3 months ago.