List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

This is a list of both active and inactive Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards created by professional wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) journalist Dave Meltzer. The first fourteen awards were created in 1980 as an informal poll between Meltzer and his friends and others he corresponded with on the subject of professional wrestling at the time. After starting the Wrestling Observer in 1982, the awards took on a greater life, with an increasing number of awards given out every year.[1]

The awards were created to recognize the individual achievements of a select few wrestlers who exemplified a specified criterion. The awards are given every year in various categories such as Wrestler of the Year,[2] Most Outstanding Wrestler, Tag Team of the Year, Most Improved, Pro Wrestling Match of the Year, etc.; there are also a handful of awards to recognize the dubious distinctions in the business during that year such as Most Overrated and Worst Match. There are currently forty-five categories that are actively assessed every year and twenty that are no longer active. The awards are voted for by the newsletter's paying readership, primarily wrestling fans, although it is claimed that some industry workers also vote.

The awards are organized into two categories. For "Category A" awards, voters indicate their top three choices. First choices are awarded five points, second places three points, and third places two points. The choice with the most points overall wins. For "Category B" awards, voters simply indicate their top choice. For the "Category B" Shad Gaspard/Jon Huber Memorial Award, the recipients are chosen by a committee headed by Meltzer.

Over the years, various MMA promotions or individual mixed martial artists were deemed eligible to win some awards when it seemed as though they were more deserving to win than the conventional wrestler or wrestling promotion. This led to, in 1997, the creation of Shootfighter of the Year and Shoot Match of the Year to recognize MMA achievement specifically. Still, some primarily professional wrestling-focused awards remained intact for MMA promotions/fighters to win, due to the similar business aspect between both sports (i.e. Best Box Office Draw and Promotion of the Year). In the December 3, 2007 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was announced that from that year onwards, mixed martial artists are no longer eligible for the Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award, thus reserving it for professional wrestlers only. Shootfighter of the Year was renamed to Most Outstanding Fighter and Shoot Match of the Year was renamed to MMA Match of the Year to match a new award called Mixed Martial Arts Most Valuable, which is similar to the Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award except it is for mixed martial artists.

## Current awards

[edit]

### "Category A" awards

[edit]

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

[edit]

Cody Rhodes is the most recent winner, winning for his 2024 work in WWE. Ric Flair is an eight-time winner and co-namesake of the category. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Harley Race | National Wrestling Alliance
1981
1982  | Ric Flair
1983
1984
1985  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1986
1987  | Riki Choshu | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
1988  | Akira Maeda | Universal Wrestling Federation
1989  | Ric Flair  | World Championship Wrestling
1990
1991  | Jumbo Tsuruta | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1992  | Ric Flair  | World Wrestling Federation
1993  | Big Van Vader | World Championship Wrestling
1994  | Toshiaki Kawada | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1995  | Mitsuharu Misawa
1996  | Kenta Kobashi
1997  | Mitsuharu Misawa
1998  | Stone Cold Steve Austin | World Wrestling Federation
1999  | Mitsuharu Misawa  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
2000  | Triple H | World Wrestling Federation
2001  | Keiji Muto | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2002  | Kurt Angle | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003  | Kenta Kobashi  | Pro Wrestling Noah
2004
2005
2006  | Místico | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2007  | John Cena | World Wrestling Entertainment
2008  | Chris Jericho
2009
2010  | John Cena
2011  | Hiroshi Tanahashi | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2012
2013
2014  | Shinsuke Nakamura
2015  | A.J. Styles | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2016  | WWE
2017  | Kazuchika Okada | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2018  | Kenny Omega | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2019  | Chris Jericho  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Elite Wrestling
2020  | Jon Moxley
2021  | Kenny Omega  | All Elite Wrestling
Impact Wrestling
2022  | Jon Moxley  | All Elite Wrestling
2023  | Will Ospreay | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2024  | Cody Rhodes | WWE

#### Mixed Martial Arts Most Valuable

[edit]

Georges St-Pierre and Brock Lesnar are three-time winners of the category.

Year  | Fighter  | Promotion(s)

|
|

2007  | Randy Couture | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2008  | Brock Lesnar
2009
2010
2011  | Georges St-Pierre
2012  | Anderson Silva
2013  | Georges St-Pierre
2014  | Ronda Rousey
2015
2016  | Conor McGregor
2017  | Georges St-Pierre
2018  | Conor McGregor
2019  | Jorge Masvidal
2020  | Khabib Nurmagomedov
2021  | Kamaru Usman
2022  | Israel Adesanya
2023  | Jon Jones
2024  | Alex Pereira

#### Most Outstanding Wrestler

[edit]

Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan is a record five-time winner of the category. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion

|
|

1986  | Ric Flair  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1987
1988  | Tatsumi Fujinami | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1989  | Ric Flair  | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | Jushin Thunder Liger | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1991  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
1992
1993  | Kenta Kobashi  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1994
1995  | Manami Toyota | All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling
1996  | Rey Misterio Jr. | Extreme Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
1997  | Mitsuharu Misawa  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1998  | Koji Kanemoto | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1999  | Mitsuharu Misawa  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
2000  | Chris Benoit | World Championship Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
2001  | Kurt Angle  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2002
2003
2004  | Chris Benoit
2005  | Samoa Joe | Ring of Honor
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2006  | Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan | Ring of Honor
2007
2008
2009  | Dragon Gate USA
Ring of Honor
2010  | Chikara
Dragon Gate USA
Evolve
World Wrestling Entertainment
2011  | Davey Richards | Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Ring of Honor
2012  | Hiroshi Tanahashi  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2013
2014  | A.J. Styles  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2015
2016  | WWE
2017  | Kazuchika Okada  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2018  | Kenny Omega
2019  | Will Ospreay
2020  | Kenny Omega  | All Elite Wrestling
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2021  | Shingo Takagi | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2022  | Will Ospreay
2023
2024  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Elite Wrestling

#### Most Outstanding Fighter of the Year

[edit]

Note: Was known as "Shootfighter of the Year" until 2008.

Georges St-Pierre is a three-time winner of the category. Year  | Fighter  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1997  | Maurice Smith | Ultimate Fighting Championship
1998  | Frank Shamrock
1999
2000  | Kazushi Sakuraba | Pride Fighting Championships
2001  | Wanderlei Silva
2002  | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira
2003  | Randy Couture  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2004  | Wanderlei Silva  | Pride Fighting Championships
2005  | Fedor Emelianenko
2006  | Mirko Filipović
2007  | Quinton Jackson | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2008  | Georges St-Pierre
2009
2010
2011  | Jon Jones
2012  | Anderson Silva
2013  | Cain Velasquez
2014  | Ronda Rousey
2015  | Conor McGregor
2016
2017  | Demetrious Johnson
2018  | Daniel Cormier
2019  | Israel Adesanya
2020
2021  | Kamaru Usman
2022  | Alexander Volkanovski
2023  | Islam Makhachev
2024  | Alex Pereira

#### Tag Team of the Year

[edit]

Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane became the first tag team to win the award consecutively.

Year  | Tag Team  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | The Fabulous Freebirds
(Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts)  | Mid-South Wrestling
Georgia Championship Wrestling
1981  | Jimmy Snuka and Terry Gordy | All Japan Pro Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance
1982  | Stan Hansen and Ole Anderson | National Wrestling Alliance
1983  | Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood | Jim Crockett Promotions
1984  | The Road Warriors
(Hawk and Animal)  | American Wrestling Association
National Wrestling Alliance
1985  | The British Bulldogs
(Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith)  | World Wrestling Federation
All Japan Pro Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
1986  | The Midnight Express
(Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton)  | Universal Wrestling Federation
1987  | The Midnight Express
(Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane)  | Universal Wrestling Federation
Jim Crockett Promotions
1988  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1989  | The Rockers
(Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)  | World Wrestling Federation
1990  | The Steiner Brothers
(Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner)  | World Championship Wrestling
1991  | Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1992  | The Miracle Violence Connection
(Terry Gordy and Steve Williams)  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
1993  | The Hollywood Blonds
(Steve Austin and Brian Pillman)  | World Championship Wrestling
1994  | La Pareja del Terror
(Eddy Guerrero and Art Barr)  | Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
1995  | Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1996  | Mitsuharu Misawa and Jun Akiyama
1997
1998  | Shinjiro Otani and Tatsuhito Takaiwa | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1999  | Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
2000  | Edge and Christian | World Wrestling Federation
2001  | Tencozy (Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan)  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2002  | Los Guerreros
(Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero)  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2003  | Kenta and Naomichi Marufuji | Pro Wrestling Noah
2004
2005  | America's Most Wanted
(Chris Harris and James Storm)  | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2006  | The Latin American Exchange
(Homicide and Hernandez)
2007  | The Briscoe Brothers
(Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe)  | Ring of Honor
2008  | John Morrison and The Miz | World Wrestling Entertainment
2009  | The American Wolves
(Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards)  | Ring of Honor
2010  | The Kings of Wrestling
(Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli)
2011  | Bad Intentions
(Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson)  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2012  | Bad Influence
(Christopher Daniels and Kazarian)  | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2013  | The Shield
(Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns)  | WWE
2014  | The Young Bucks
(Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson)  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Ring of Honor

2015
2016
2017
2018
2019  | Lucha Brothers
(Pentagón Jr. and Rey Fénix)  | All Elite Wrestling
Impact Wrestling
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2020  | The Young Bucks
(Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson)  | All Elite Wrestling
2021
2022  | FTR
(Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood)  | All Elite Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2023
2024  | The Young Bucks
(Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson)  | All Elite Wrestling

#### Best on Interviews

[edit]

Jim Cornette is a record five-time winner of the category. Year  | Performer  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1981  | Lou Albano | World Wrestling Federation
Roddy Piper | National Wrestling Alliance
1982
1983
1984  | Jimmy Hart | Continental Wrestling Association
1985  | Jim Cornette | Mid-South Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
1986  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1987
1988
1989  | Terry Funk | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | Arn Anderson
1991  | Ric Flair
1992  | World Wrestling Federation
1993  | Jim Cornette  | Smoky Mountain Wrestling
1994  | Ric Flair  | World Championship Wrestling
1995  | Cactus Jack | Extreme Championship Wrestling
1996  | Stone Cold Steve Austin  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1997
1998
1999  | The Rock
2000
2001  | Stone Cold Steve Austin
2002  | Kurt Angle
2003  | Chris Jericho
2004  | Mick Foley  | World Wrestling Entertainment
Hustle
Ring of Honor
2005  | Eddie Guerrero  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2006  | Mick Foley
2007  | John Cena
2008  | Chris Jericho
2009
2010  | Chael Sonnen | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2011  | CM Punk | WWE
2012
2013  | Paul Heyman
2014
2015  | Conor McGregor  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2016
2017
2018  | Daniel Bryan  | WWE
2019  | Chris Jericho  | All Elite Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2020  | Eddie Kingston | All Elite Wrestling
2021  | MJF
2022
2023  | Eddie Kingston
2024  | Drew McIntyre | WWE

#### Promotion of the Year

[edit]

WWE is the most recent winner, having won the award in consecutive years (2023, 2024).  Year  | Promotion

|

1983  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1984  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1985  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1986  | Mid-South Wrestling/Universal Wrestling Federation
1987  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1988
1989  | Universal Wrestling Federation
1990  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991
1992  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1993  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1994  | Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
1995  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1996
1997
1998
1999  | World Wrestling Federation
2000
2001  | Pride Fighting Championships
2002
2003
2004  | Pro Wrestling Noah
2005
2006  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020  | All Elite Wrestling
2021
2022
2023  | WWE
2024

#### Best Weekly TV Show

[edit]

The Ultimate Fighter is the only non-wrestling TV show to win the category. Year  | Program  | Promotion

|
|

1983  | World Pro-Wrestling | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1984
1985  | Mid-South Wrestling | Mid-South Wrestling
1986  | Universal Wrestling Federation | Universal Wrestling Federation
1987  | 90 Minute Memphis Live Wrestling | Continental Wrestling Association
1988  | World Pro-Wrestling | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1989  | All Japan Pro Wrestling | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994  | Hardcore TV | Extreme Championship Wrestling
1995
1996
1997  | World Pro-Wrestling | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1998  | Raw is War | World Wrestling Federation
1999
2000
2001  | World Pro-Wrestling | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2002  | SmackDown! | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003  | Power Hours | Pro Wrestling Noah
2004  | Monday Night Raw | World Wrestling Entertainment
2005  | The Ultimate Fighter | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2006
2007
2008
2009  | Friday Night SmackDown | World Wrestling Entertainment
2010  | Ring of Honor Wrestling | Ring of Honor
2011  | Friday Night SmackDown | WWE
2012  | Impact Wrestling | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2013  | NXT | WWE
2014
2015
2016  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2017
2018  | NXT | WWE
2019  | Dynamite | All Elite Wrestling
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

#### Pro Wrestling Match of the Year

[edit]

Bob Backlund and Ken Patera were the inaugural winners of the category, for their 1980 Texas Death Match in WWF.

Year  | Match  | Promotion  | Show and venue

|
|
|

1980  | Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera
Texas Death Match | World Wrestling Federation  | WWF on MSG Network
New York, New York
May 19
1981  | Pat Patterson vs. Sgt. Slaughter
Alley Fight | WWF on MSG Network
New York, New York
May 4
1982  | Tiger Mask vs. Dynamite Kid  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling  | Summer Fight Series II Night 19
Tokyo, Japan
August 5
1983  | Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood vs. Sgt. Slaughter and Don Kernodle
Steel Cage match | Jim Crockett Promotions  | The Final Conflict
Greensboro, North Carolina
March 12
1984  | The Freebirds vs. The Von Erichs
Anything Goes match | World Class Championship Wrestling  | Independence Day Star Wars
Fort Worth, Texas
July 4
1985  | Tiger Mask II vs. Kuniaki Kobayashi | All Japan Pro Wrestling  | AJPW Special Wars in Budokan
Tokyo, Japan
June 21
1986  | Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham | Championship Wrestling from Florida  | Battle of the Belts II
Orlando, Florida
February 14
1987  | Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs. Randy "Macho Man" Savage | World Wrestling Federation  | WrestleMania III
Pontiac, Michigan
March 29
1988  | Sting vs. Ric Flair  | Jim Crockett Promotions  | Clash of the Champions I
Greensboro, North Carolina
March 27
1989  | Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair
Two out of three falls match | World Championship Wrestling  | Clash of the Champions VI
New Orleans, Louisiana
April 2
1990  | Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Naoki Sano | New Japan Pro-Wrestling  | New Spring Gold Series
Osaka, Japan
January 31
1991  | Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki vs. Steiner Brothers  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling

World Championship Wrestling

| Starrcade in Tokyo Dome
Tokyo, Japan
March 21
1992  | Kenta Kobashi and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs. Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat | All Japan Pro Wrestling  | Super Power Series Night 8
Sendai, Japan
May 25
1993  | Manami Toyota and Toshiyo Yamada vs. Dynamite Kansai and Mayumi Ozaki | All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling  | Dream Slam II
Osaka, Japan
April 11
1994  | Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels
Ladder match | World Wrestling Federation  | WrestleMania X
New York, New York
March 20
1995  | Manami Toyota vs. Kyoko Inoue | All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling  | G*Top 2nd
Tokyo, Japan
May 7
1996  | Mitsuharu Misawa and Jun Akiyama vs. Steve Williams and Johnny Ace | All Japan Pro Wrestling  | Super Power Series Night 15
Tokyo, Japan
June 7
1997  | Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Submission match | World Wrestling Federation  | WrestleMania 13
Rosemont, Illinois
March 23
1998  | Kenta Kobashi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa  | All Japan Pro Wrestling  | October Giant Series Night 18
Tokyo, Japan
October 31
1999  | Super Power Series Night 14
Tokyo, Japan
June 11
2000  | Atlantis vs. Villano III | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre | Juicio Final
Mexico City, Mexico
March 17
2001  | Keiji Mutoh vs. Genichiro Tenryu | All Japan Pro Wrestling  | Super Power in Budokan
Tokyo, Japan
June 8
2002  | Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio  | World Wrestling Entertainment  | No Mercy
North Little Rock, Arkansas
October 20
2003  | Kenta Kobashi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa  | Pro Wrestling Noah  | Navigate for Evolution Night 9
Tokyo, Japan
March 1
2004  | Kenta Kobashi vs. Jun Akiyama  | Departure
Tokyo, Japan
July 10
2005  | Kenta Kobashi vs. Samoa Joe  | Ring of Honor  | Joe vs. Kobashi
Manhattan, New York
October 1
2006  | Dragon Kid, Ryo Saito and Genki Horiguchi vs. Cima, Masato Yoshino and Naruki Doi | Supercard of Honor
Chicago Ridge, Illinois
March 31
2007  | Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson  | Manhattan Mayhem II
Manhattan, New York
August 25
2008  | Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
Ladder match | World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE  | No Mercy
Portland, Oregon
October 5
2009  | The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels  | WrestleMania XXV
Houston, Texas
April 5
2010  | WrestleMania XXVI
Glendale, Arizona
March 28
2011  | CM Punk vs. John Cena  | Money in the Bank
Rosemont, Illinois
July 17
2012  | Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki | New Japan Pro-Wrestling  | King of Pro-Wrestling
Tokyo, Japan
October 8
2013  | Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada  | Invasion Attack
Tokyo, Japan
April 7
2014  | A.J. Styles vs. Minoru Suzuki  | G1 Climax 24 Night 7
Tokyo, Japan
August 1
2015  | Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi | Wrestle Kingdom 9
Tokyo, Japan
January 4
2016  | Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi  | Wrestle Kingdom 10
Tokyo, Japan
January 4
2017  | Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega  | Wrestle Kingdom 11
Tokyo, Japan
January 4
2018  | Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada
Two out of three falls match | Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
Osaka, Japan
June 9
2019  | Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi | Best of the Super Juniors 26 Final
Tokyo, Japan
June 5
2020  | Kenny Omega and Adam Page vs. The Young Bucks  | All Elite Wrestling  | Revolution
Chicago, Illinois
February 29
2021  | The Young Bucks vs. Lucha Brothers
Steel Cage match | All Out
Chicago, Illinois
September 5
2022  | Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling  | G1 Climax 32 Final
Tokyo, Japan
August 18
2023  | Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay  | Wrestle Kingdom 17
Tokyo, Japan
January 4
2024  | Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson  | All Elite Wrestling  | Dynasty
St. Louis, Missouri
April 21

#### MMA Match of the Year

[edit]

Note: Was previously known as the "Shoot Match of the Year" and is sometimes referred to as "Fight of the Year".

Robbie Lawler is a three-time winner of the category. Year  | Fight  | Promotion  | Show and venue

|
|
|

1997  | Maurice Smith vs. Mark Coleman | Ultimate Fighting Championship  | UFC 14
Birmingham, Alabama
July 27
1998  | Jerry Bohlander vs. Kevin Jackson | UFC 16
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 13
1999  | Frank Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz | UFC 22
Lake Charles, Louisiana
September 24
2000  | Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Royce Gracie | Pride Fighting Championships  | Grand Prix 2000 Finals
Tokyo Dome
May 1
2001  | Randy Couture vs. Pedro Rizzo | Ultimate Fighting Championship  | UFC 31
Atlantic City, New Jersey
May 4
2002  | Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama  | Pride Fighting Championships  | Pride 21
Saitama, Japan
June 23
2003  | Wanderlei Silva vs. Hidehiko Yoshida | Final Conflict
Tokyo, Japan
November 9
2004  | Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson | Pride 28
Saitama, Japan
October 31
2005  | Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar | Ultimate Fighting Championship  | The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 9
2006  | Diego Sanchez vs. Karo Parisyan | Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Parisyan
Las Vegas, Nevada
August 17
2007  | Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia | UFC 68
Columbus, Ohio
March 3
2008  | Forrest Griffin vs. Quinton Jackson  | UFC 86
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 5
2009  | Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida | The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom Finale
Las Vegas, Nevada
June 20
2010  | Leonard Garcia vs. Chan Sung Jung | World Extreme Cagefighting | WEC 48
Sacramento, California
April 24
2011  | Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua | Ultimate Fighting Championship  | UFC 139
San Jose, California
November 19
2012  | Chan Sung Jung vs. Dustin Poirier | UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier
Fairfax, Virginia
May 15
2013  | Gilbert Melendez vs. Diego Sanchez | UFC 166
Houston, Texas
October 19
2014  | Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler | UFC 171
Dallas, Texas
March 15
2015  | Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald | UFC 189
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 11
2016  | Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit | UFC 195
Las Vegas, Nevada
January 2
2017  | Cub Swanson vs. Doo Ho Choi | UFC 206
Toronto, Ontario
December 10, 2016
2018  | Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje | UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje
Glendale, Arizona
April 14
2019  | Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum | UFC 236
Atlanta, Georgia
April 13
2020  | Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk | UFC 248
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 7
2021  | Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler | UFC 268
New York City, New York
November 6
2022  | Jiří Procházka vs. Glover Teixeira | UFC 275
Kallang, Singapore
June 11
2023  | Alexander Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev  | UFC 284
Perth, Australia
February 12
2024  | Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje | UFC 300
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 13

### "Category B" awards

[edit]

#### United States/Canada MVP

[edit]

Cody Rhodes is a two-time and the most recent winner of the US/Canada MVP award, winning for his 2024 work in WWE. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

2018  | AJ Styles | WWE
2019  | Chris Jericho | All Elite Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2020  | Jon Moxley
2021  | Kenny Omega | All Elite Wrestling
2022  | Jon Moxley | All Elite Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2023  | Cody Rhodes | WWE
2024

#### Koichi Yoshizawa Award (Japan MVP)

[edit]

Tetsuya Naito is one of seven New Japan Pro Wrestling wrestlers to be named Japan MVP. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

2018  | Kenny Omega | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2019  | Kazuchika Okada
2020  | Tetsuya Naito
2021  | Shingo Takagi
2022  | Kazuchika Okada
2023  | Will Ospreay
2024  | Zack Sabre Jr.

#### Mexico MVP

[edit]

L. A. Park was the inaugural Mexico MVP. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

2018  | L.A. Park | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2019  | Rey Fénix | All Elite Wrestling
Impact Wrestling
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2020  | All Elite Wrestling
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2021  | El Hijo del Vikingo | Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2022
2023  | Místico | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2024

#### Europe MVP

[edit]

Walter, better known as Gunther, was the inaugural Europe MVP, and overall is a record three-time winner. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

2018  | Walter | Over the Top Wrestling
Progress Wrestling
Westside Xtreme Wrestling
2019  | WWE
2020
2021  | Will Ospreay | Revolution Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2022
2023
2024  | Michael Oku | Revolution Pro Wrestling

####  Danny Hodge Memorial Award (Non-Heavyweight MVP)

[edit]

Danny Hodge was the namesake for the award, a multi-time amateur and professional champion. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

2018  | Will Ospreay | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Progress Wrestling
Revolution Pro Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2019
2020  | Hiromu Takahashi | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2021  | Darby Allin | All Elite Wrestling
2022  | El Hijo del Vikingo | Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2023
2024  | Darby Allin  | All Elite Wrestling

#### Women's Wrestling MVP

[edit]

Becky Lynch was the inaugural winner of the award, and is a record two-time winner. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

2018  | Becky Lynch | WWE
2019
2020  | Bayley
2021  | Utami Hayashishita | World Wonder Ring Stardom
2022  | Syuri
2023  | Rhea Ripley | WWE
2024  | Sareee | Sareee-ISM
Sukeban

#### Women's MMA MVP

[edit]

Amanda Nunes is a record three-time winner. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

2018  | Amanda Nunes | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2019
2020
2021  | Rose Namajunas
2022  | Zhang Weili
2023  | Alexa Grasso
2024  | Zhang Weili

#### Best Box Office Draw

[edit]

Roman Reigns won the award in 2022 and 2023. Year  | Performer  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1997  | Hollywood Hogan | World Championship Wrestling
1998  | Stone Cold Steve Austin  | World Wrestling Federation
1999
2000  | The Rock
2001  | Kazushi Sakuraba  | Pride Fighting Championships
2002  | Bob Sapp | K-1
Pride Fighting Championships
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2003
2004  | Kenta Kobashi  | Pro Wrestling Noah
2005
2006  | Místico  | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2007  | John Cena  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2008  | Brock Lesnar  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2009
2010
2011  | The Rock  | WWE
2012
2013  | Georges St-Pierre  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2014  | Ronda Rousey
2015
2016  | Conor McGregor
2017
2018
2019  | Chris Jericho  | All Elite Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2020  | Conor McGregor  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2021  | MMA: Conor McGregor
Pro Wrestling: CM Punk  | All Elite Wrestling
2022  | MMA: Israel Adesanya  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
Pro Wrestling: Roman Reigns  | WWE
2023  | MMA: Jon Jones  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
Pro Wrestling: Roman Reigns  | WWE
2024  | MMA: Alex Pereira  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
Pro Wrestling: Cody Rhodes | WWE

#### Feud of the Year

[edit]

Drew McIntyre & CM Punk are the most recent winners of the award.

Jerry Lawler was the first wrestler to win the category three different times. Year  | Feud  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko | World Wrestling Federation
1981  | André the Giant vs. Killer Khan
1982  | Ted DiBiase vs. Junkyard Dog | Mid-South Wrestling
1983  | The Freebirds vs. The Von Erichs | World Class Championship Wrestling
1984  | World Class Championship Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance
1985  | Ted DiBiase vs. Jim Duggan | Mid-South Wrestling
1986  | Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff | World Wrestling Federation
1987  | Austin Idol & Tommy Rich vs. Jerry Lawler | Continental Wrestling Association
1988  | The Fantastics vs. The Midnight Express | Jim Crockett Promotions
1989  | Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Jumbo Tsuruta | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991  | Mitsuharu Misawa and company vs. Jumbo Tsuruta and company
1992  | Jeff Jarrett & Jerry Lawler vs. The Moondogs | United States Wrestling Association
1993  | Bret Hart vs. Jerry Lawler | World Wrestling Federation
1994  | Los Gringos Locos vs. Asistencia Asesoría y Administración | Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
1995  | Eddie Guerrero vs. Dean Malenko | Extreme Championship Wrestling
1996  | New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling | World Championship Wrestling
1997  | Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Hart Foundation | World Wrestling Federation
1998  | Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon
1999
2000  | Mick Foley vs. Triple H
2001  | Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Wanderlei Silva | Pride Fighting Championships
2002  | Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2003  | Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar | World Wrestling Entertainment
2004  | Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
2005  | Batista vs. Triple H
2006  | Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2007  | Batista vs. The Undertaker | World Wrestling Entertainment
2008  | Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
2009  | Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk
2010  | El Generico vs. Kevin Steen | Ring of Honor
2011  | John Cena vs. CM Punk | World Wrestling Entertainment
2012  | Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2013
2014  | Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2015  | José Aldo vs. Conor McGregor
2016  | Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
2017  | Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2018  | Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa | WWE
2019  | Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano
2020  | Jon Moxley vs. Eddie Kingston | All Elite Wrestling
2021  | Kenny Omega vs. Adam Page
2022  | FTR vs. The Briscoes | Ring of Honor
2023  | Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. The Bloodline | WWE
2024  | CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre

#### Most Improved

[edit]

Brock Lesnar and The Miz are record two-time winners of the category.

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Larry Zbyszko  | World Wrestling Federation
1981  | Adrian Adonis | American Wrestling Association
1982  | Jim Duggan  | Mid-South Wrestling
1983  | Curt Hennig | American Wrestling Association
Pacific Northwest Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
1984  | The Cobra | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
1985  | Steve Williams  | Mid-South Wrestling
1986  | Rick Steiner
1987  | Big Bubba Rogers | Universal Wrestling Federation
1988  | Sting  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1989  | Lex Luger | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | Kenta Kobashi  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991  | Dustin Rhodes | World Championship Wrestling
1992  | El Samurai | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1993  | Tracy Smothers | Smoky Mountain Wrestling
1994  | Diesel | World Wrestling Federation
1995  | Johnny B. Badd | World Championship Wrestling
1996  | Diamond Dallas Page
1997  | Tatsuhito Takaiwa  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1998  | The Rock  | World Wrestling Federation
1999  | Vader  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
2000  | Kurt Angle  | World Wrestling Federation
2001  | Keiji Mutoh  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
2002  | Brock Lesnar  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003
2004  | Randy Orton
2005  | Roderick Strong | Ring of Honor
2006  | Takeshi Morishima  | Pro Wrestling Noah
2007  | Montel Vontavious Porter | World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
2008  | The Miz
2009
2010  | Sheamus
2011  | Dolph Ziggler
2012  | Kazuchika Okada  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2013  | Roman Reigns  | WWE
2014  | Rusev
2015  | Bayley
2016  | Matt Riddle | Evolve
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
2017  | Braun Strowman | WWE
2018  | Adam Page | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2019  | Lance Archer | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2020  | Britt Baker | All Elite Wrestling
2021  | Tay Conti
2022  | The Acclaimed
2023  | Julia Hart
2024  | Kyle Fletcher

#### Most Charismatic

[edit]

The Rock is a seven-time winner of the category. Year  | Performer  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Ric Flair  | National Wrestling Alliance
1981  | Michael Hayes | World Class Championship Wrestling
1982  | Ric Flair  | National Wrestling Alliance
Dusty Rhodes
1983  | Ric Flair
1984
1985  | Hulk Hogan  | World Wrestling Federation
1986
1987
1988  | Sting  | World Championship Wrestling
1989  | Hulk Hogan  | World Wrestling Federation
1990
1991
1992  | Sting  | World Championship Wrestling
1993  | Ric Flair  | World Wrestling Federation
World Championship Wrestling
1994  | Atsushi Onita | Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling
1995  | Shawn Michaels  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1996
1997  | Stone Cold Steve Austin
1998
1999  | The Rock
2000
2001
2002
2003  | Bob Sapp  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
K-1
2004  | Eddie Guerrero  | World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
2005
2006  | John Cena
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011  | The Rock
2012
2013  | Hiroshi Tanahashi  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2014  | Shinsuke Nakamura
2015
2016  | Conor McGregor  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2017  | Tetsuya Naito | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2018
2019  | Chris Jericho  | All Elite Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2020  | MJF | All Elite Wrestling
2021  | CM Punk
2022  | MJF
2023
2024  | The Rock  | WWE

#### Bryan Danielson Award (Best Technical Wrestler)

[edit]

Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan is a 12-time winner and namesake of this category. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Bob Backlund  | World Wrestling Federation
1981  | Ted DiBiase  | Mid-South Wrestling
1982  | Tiger Mask  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
1983
1984  | Dynamite Kid  | Stampede Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
Masa Saito | American Wrestling Association
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1985  | Tatsumi Fujinami  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
1986
1987  | Nobuhiko Takada | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1988  | Tatsumi Fujinami
1989  | Jushin Liger/Jushin Thunder Liger
1990
1991  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
1992
1993  | Hiroshi Hase  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1994  | Chris Benoit  | Extreme Championship Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1995  | Extreme Championship Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
1996  | Dean Malenko  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
1997
1998  | Kiyoshi Tamura | Fighting Network Rings
1999  | Shinjiro Otani  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2000  | Chris Benoit  | World Championship Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
2001  | Minoru Tanaka | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2002  | Kurt Angle  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003  | Chris Benoit
2004
2005  | Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan  | Ring of Honor
2006
2007
2008
2009  | Dragon Gate USA
Ring of Honor
2010  | Chikara
Dragon Gate USA
Evolve
World Wrestling Entertainment
2011  | WWE
2012
2013
2014  | Zack Sabre Jr. | Progress Wrestling
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Pro Wrestling Noah
Westside Xtreme Wrestling
2015
2016  | Progress Wrestling
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Revolution Pro Wrestling
Westside Xtreme Wrestling
2017  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Progress Wrestling
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Revolution Pro Wrestling
2018
2019  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Revolution Pro Wrestling
2020  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2021  | Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson  | WWE
All Elite Wrestling
2022  | All Elite Wrestling
2023
2024  | Zack Sabre Jr.  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling

#### Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler)

[edit]

Bruiser Brody is the inaugural recipient, seven-time winner and namesake of the category. Mick Foley is 10-time winner of the category in a 10 year streak from 1991 to 2000. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Bruiser Brody | All Japan Pro Wrestling
World Wrestling Council/Capitol Sports Promotions
National Wrestling Association
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985  | Stan Hansen  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance
1986  | Terry Gordy  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
Universal Wrestling Federation
1987  | Bruiser Brody  | World Wrestling Council
World Class Championship Wrestling
1988
1989  | Terry Funk  | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | Stan Hansen  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991  | Cactus Jack/Dude Love/Mankind/Mick Foley  | World Championship Wrestling
1992
1993  | World Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
1994  | Extreme Championship Wrestling
International Wrestling Association of Japan
1995
1996  | World Wrestling Federation
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001  | Stone Cold Steve Austin
2002  | Yoshihiro Takayama | Pro Wrestling Noah
2003  | Brock Lesnar  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2004  | Chris Benoit
2005  | Samoa Joe  | Ring of Honor
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2006
2007  | Takeshi Morishima  | Ring of Honor
Pro Wrestling Noah
2008  | Necro Butcher | Ring of Honor
Combat Zone Wrestling
2009
2010  | Kevin Steen  | Ring of Honor
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
2011  | Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
2012  | Ring of Honor
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
2013  | Katsuyori Shibata | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2014  | Tomohiro Ishii
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020  | Jon Moxley  | All Elite Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2021
2022
2023
2024  | "Hangman" Adam Page | All Elite Wrestling

#### Best Flying Wrestler

[edit]

Rey Mysterio (aka Rey Misterio Jr.) is a six-time winner of the category. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1981  | Jimmy Snuka  | World Wrestling Federation
1982  | Tiger Mask  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance
World Wrestling Federation
1983
1984  | Dynamite Kid
1985  | Tiger Mask II  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1986
1987  | Owen Hart | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
1988
1989  | Jushin Liger/Jushin Thunder Liger | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Star Wrestling
BWF
1990
1991
1992  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
1993
1994  | The Great Sasuke | Michinoku Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1995  | Rey Misterio Jr. | Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
Extreme Championship Wrestling
1996  | Extreme Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
1997  | World Championship Wrestling
1998  | Juventud Guerrera | World Championship Wrestling
AAA
1999
2000  | Jeff Hardy | World Wrestling Federation
2001  | Dragon Kid  | Toryumon Japan
2002  | Rey Mysterio | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003
2004
2005  | A.J. Styles | Ring of Honor
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2006  | Místico  | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2007
2008  | Evan Bourne | World Wrestling Entertainment
2009  | Kota Ibushi  | DDT Pro-Wrestling
2010
2011  | Ricochet | Dragon Gate
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
2012  | Kota Ibushi  | DDT Pro-Wrestling
2013  | DDT Pro-Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2014  | Ricochet  | Dragon Gate
Lucha Underground
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
2015
2016  | Will Ospreay  | Progress Wrestling
Revolution Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2017
2018
2019  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2020  | Rey Fénix  | All Elite Wrestling
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2021  | All Elite Wrestling
2022  | El Hijo del Vikingo  | Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2023
2024  | Will Ospreay  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Elite Wrestling

#### Most Overrated

[edit]

Hulk Hogan is a seven-time winner of the category. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Mr. Wrestling II | National Wrestling Alliance
1981  | Pedro Morales | World Wrestling Federation
1982
1983  | Bob Backlund
1984  | Big John Studd
1985  | Hulk Hogan
1986
1987  | Dusty Rhodes  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1988
1989  | The Ultimate Warrior | World Wrestling Federation
1990
1991
1992  | Erik Watts | World Championship Wrestling
1993  | Sid Vicious
1994  | Hulk/Hollywood Hogan
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999  | Kevin Nash
2000
2001  | The Undertaker  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2002  | Triple H
2003
2004
2005  | Jeff Jarrett  | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2006  | Batista  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2007  | The Great Khali
2008  | Vladimir Kozlov
2009  | Triple H
2010  | Kane
2011  | Crimson | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2012  | Ryback | WWE
2013  | Randy Orton
2014  | Kane
2015
2016  | Roman Reigns
2017  | Jinder Mahal
2018  | Baron Corbin/King Corbin
2019
2020  | Bray Wyatt
2021  | Evil | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2022  | Ronda Rousey  | WWE
2023  | Sanada | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2024  | Nia Jax | WWE

#### Most Underrated

[edit]

Bobby Eaton and Cesaro, the latter now known as Claudio Castagnoli, are four-time winners each of the category consecutively.

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Hossein Arab | National Wrestling Alliance
World Wrestling Federation
1981  | Buzz Sawyer | National Wrestling Alliance
1982  | Adrian Adonis  | American Wrestling Association
1983  | Dynamite Kid  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
1984  | B. Brian Blair | World Wrestling Federation
1985  | Bobby Eaton  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1986
1987  | Brad Armstrong
1988  | Tiger Mask II  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1989  | Dan Kroffat
1990  | Bobby Eaton  | World Championship Wrestling
1991  | Terry Taylor
1992
1993  | Bobby Eaton
1994  | Brian Pillman
1995  | Skip | World Wrestling Federation
1996  | Leif Cassidy
1997  | Flash Funk
1998  | Chris Benoit  | World Championship Wrestling
1999  | Chris Jericho  | World Championship Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
2000  | World Wrestling Federation
2001  | Lance Storm | World Wrestling Federation
World Championship Wrestling
2002  | Booker T | World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
2003  | Último Dragón
2004  | Paul London
2005  | Shelton Benjamin
2006
2007
2008  | Montel Vontavious Porter
2009  | Evan Bourne
2010  | Kaval
2011  | Dolph Ziggler
2012  | Tyson Kidd
2013  | (Antonio) Cesaro
2014
2015
2016
2017  | Rusev
2018  | Finn Bálor
2019  | Shorty G
2020  | Ricochet
2021
2022  | Konosuke Takeshita | All Elite Wrestling
DDT Pro Wrestling
2023  | Chad Gable  | WWE
2024  | Konosuke Takeshita  | All Elite Wrestling
DDT Pro Wrestling

#### Rookie of the Year

[edit]

Barry Windham was the inaugural winner of the award in 1980. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Barry Windham  | National Wrestling Alliance
1981  | Brad Armstrong
Brad Rheingans
1982  | Steve Williams
1983  | The Road Warriors
1984  | Tom Zenk | AWA
Keiichi Yamada | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1985  | Jack Victory | National Wrestling Alliance
1986  | Bam Bam Bigelow | Continental Wrestling Association
1987  | Brian Pillman  | Stampede Wrestling
1988  | Gary Albright
1989  | Dustin Rhodes  | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | Steve Austin  | United States Wrestling Association
1991  | Johnny B. Badd  | World Championship Wrestling
1992  | Rey Misterio Jr.  | Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
1993  | Jun Akiyama  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1994  | Mikey Whipwreck | Extreme Championship Wrestling
1995  | Perro Aguayo Jr. | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
1996  | The Giant | World Championship Wrestling
1997  | Mr. Águila | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
1998  | Goldberg | World Championship Wrestling
1999  | Blitzkrieg
2000  | Sean O'Haire
2001  | El Hombre Sin Nombre  | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2002  | Bob Sapp  | K-1
2003  | Chris Sabin | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Ring of Honor
Pro Wrestling Zero-One Max
2004  | Petey Williams | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2005  | Shingo Takagi  | Dragon Gate
2006  | Atsushi Aoki | Pro Wrestling Noah
2007  | Erick Stevens | Ring of Honor
2008  | Kai | All Japan Pro Wrestling
2009  | Frightmare | Chikara
2010  | Adam Cole  | Ring of Honor
Combat Zone Wrestling
2011  | Daichi Hashimoto | Pro Wrestling Zero1
2012  | Dinastía | Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2013  | Yohei Komatsu | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2014  | Dragon Lee | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2015  | Chad Gable | WWE
2016  | Matt Riddle  | Evolve
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
2017  | Katsuya Kitamura | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2018  | Ronda Rousey  | WWE
2019  | Jungle Boy | All Elite Wrestling
2020  | Pat McAfee | WWE
2021  | Jade Cargill | All Elite Wrestling
2022  | Bron Breakker | WWE
2023  | Yuma Anzai | All Japan Pro Wrestling
2024  | Je'Von Evans | WWE

#### Best Non-Wrestler

[edit]

Paul Heyman is an eleven-time winner of the category. Year  | Performer  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1999  | Vince McMahon  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2000
2001  | Paul Heyman
2002
2003  | Stone Cold Steve Austin
2004  | Paul Heyman
2005  | Eric Bischoff
2006  | Jim Cornette  | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2007  | Larry Sweeney | Ring of Honor
2008
2009  | Vickie Guerrero | World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
2010
2011  | Ricardo Rodriguez
2012  | Paul Heyman
2013
2014
2015  | Dario Cueto | Lucha Underground
2016
2017  | Daniel Bryan  | WWE
2018  | Paul Heyman
2019
2020  | Taz | All Elite Wrestling
2021  | Paul Heyman  | WWE
2022
2023  | Don Callis | All Elite Wrestling
2024  | Paul Heyman  | WWE

#### Jim Ross Award (Best Television Announcer)

[edit]

Jim Ross, namesake of this category, is a 14-time winner of the category. Year  | Announcer  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1981  | Gordon Solie | National Wrestling Alliance
1982
1983
1984  | Lance Russell | Continental Wrestling Association
1985
1986
1987
1988  | Jim Ross | World Championship Wrestling
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993  | World Championship Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
1994  | Joey Styles | Extreme Championship Wrestling
1995
1996
1997  | Mike Tenay | World Championship Wrestling
1998  | Jim Ross  | World Wrestling Federation
1999
2000
2001
2002  | Mike Tenay  | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2003
2004
2005
2006  | Jim Ross  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2007
2008  | Matt Striker
2009  | Jim Ross
2010  | Joe Rogan | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2011
2012  | Jim Ross  | WWE
2013  | William Regal
2014
2015  | Mauro Ranallo | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2016  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
WWE
2017  | WWE
Bellator MMA
2018  | Kevin Kelly | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2019
2020  | Excalibur | All Elite Wrestling
2021
2022  | Kevin Kelly  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2023  | Excalibur  | All Elite Wrestling
2024  | Nigel McGuinness | All Elite Wrestling
Ring of Honor

#### Worst Television Announcer

[edit]

Gorilla Monsoon won the award in five straight years and is a record-tying six-time winner of the category. Year  | Announcer  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1984  | Angelo Mosca | World Wrestling Federation
1985  | Gorilla Monsoon
1986  | David Crockett | Jim Crockett Promotions
1987
1988
1989  | Ed Whalen | Stampede Wrestling
1990  | Herb Abrams | Universal Wrestling Federation
1991  | Gorilla Monsoon  | World Wrestling Federation
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996  | Steve McMichael | World Championship Wrestling
1997  | Dusty Rhodes
1998  | Lee Marshall
1999  | Tony Schiavone
2000
2001  | Michael Cole | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2002  | Jerry Lawler
2003  | Jonathan Coachman
2004  | Todd Grisham
2005  | Jonathan Coachman
2006  | Todd Grisham
2007  | Don West | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2008  | Mike Adamle | World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
2009  | Michael Cole
2010
2011
2012
2013  | Taz | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2014  | John "Bradshaw" Layfield | WWE
2015
2016  | David Otunga
2017  | Booker T
2018  | Jonathan Coachman
2019  | Corey Graves
2020  | Michael Cole
2021  | Corey Graves
2022
2023  | Booker T
2024

#### Best Major Wrestling Show

[edit]

WrestleMania X-Seven, the first of two editions of WrestleMania to win this award. Year  | Show  | Promotion

|
|

1989  | The Great American Bash | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | Wrestling Summit | World Wrestling Federation/New Japan Pro-Wrestling/All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991  | WrestleWar | World Championship Wrestling
1992  | Wrestlemarinpiad  | All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling
1993  | Dream Slam I
1994  | Super J-Cup | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1995  | Bridge of Dreams[3] | Weekly Pro Wrestling
1996  | Super J-Cup: 2nd Stage | Wrestle Association R
1997  | In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede | World Wrestling Federation
1998  | Heat Wave | Extreme Championship Wrestling
1999  | Anarchy Rulz
2000  | Juicio Final | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2001  | WrestleMania X-Seven | World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment
2002  | SummerSlam
2003  | Final Conflict | Pride Fighting Championships
2004  | Departure | Pro Wrestling Noah
2005  | Destiny
2006  | Glory By Honor V: Night 2 | Ring of Honor
2007  | Man Up
2008  | WrestleMania XXIV | World Wrestling Entertainment
2009  | Open the Historic Gate | Dragon Gate USA
2010  | UFC 116 | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2011  | Money in the Bank | WWE
2012  | King of Pro-Wrestling | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2013  | G1 Climax 23: Day 4
2014  | G1 Climax 24: Day 7
2015  | Wrestle Kingdom 9
2016  | Wrestle Kingdom 10
2017  | Wrestle Kingdom 11
2018  | Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
2019  | Double or Nothing | All Elite Wrestling
2020  | Revolution
2021  | All Out
2022  | Forbidden Door | All Elite Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2023  | Revolution | All Elite Wrestling
2024  | Revolution

#### Worst Major Wrestling Show

[edit]

Year  | Show  | Promotion

|
|

1989  | WrestleMania V | World Wrestling Federation
1990  | Clash of the Champions XII | World Championship Wrestling
1991  | The Great American Bash
1992  | Halloween Havoc
1993  | Fall Brawl
1994  | Blackjack Brawl | Universal Wrestling Federation
1995  | Uncensored | World Championship Wrestling
1996  | Uncensored
1997  | nWo Souled Out
1998  | Fall Brawl
1999  | Heroes of Wrestling | Heroes of Wrestling
2000  | Halloween Havoc | World Championship Wrestling
2001  | Unleashed | Women of Wrestling
2002  | King of the Ring | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003  | Backlash
2004  | The Great American Bash
2005  | The Great American Bash
2006  | UFC 61 | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2007  | December to Dismember | World Wrestling Entertainment
2008  | Survivor Series
2009  | Victory Road | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2010  | Hardcore Justice
2011  | Victory Road
2012  | UFC 149 | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2013  | Battleground | WWE
2014  | Battleground
2015  | Triplemanía XXIII | Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2016  | WrestleMania 32 | WWE
2017  | Battleground
2018  | Crown Jewel
2019  | Super Showdown
2020  | Super Showdown
2021  | Survivor Series
2022  | Royal Rumble
2023  | Crown Jewel
2024  | Triplemanía XXXII: Monterrey | Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide

#### Best Wrestling Maneuver

[edit]

Jimmy Snuka was the first winner of the award, winning in 1981 Year  | Wrestler  | Maneuver  | Promotion(s)

|
|
|

1981  | Jimmy Snuka  | Superfly splash
Diving splash | World Wrestling Federation
1982  | Super Destroyer | Superplex
Suplex from ring ropes | National Wrestling Alliance
1983  | Jimmy Snuka  | Superfly splash  | World Wrestling Federation
1984  | British Bulldogs  | Military press followed by a missile dropkick
1985  | Tiger Mask II  | Topé con giro
Suicide dive through the ropes into senton | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1986  | Chavo Guerrero | Moonsault block | World Wrestling Association
1987  | Keiichi Yamada  | Shooting star press | Stampede Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Star Promotions
1988
1989  | Scott Steiner  | Frankensteiner
Headscissors takedown | World Championship Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1990
1991  | Masao Orihara | Top-rope moonsault to the outside of the ring  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1992  | 2 Cold Scorpio | 450° splash | World Championship Wrestling
1993  | Vader  | Moonsault
1994  | The Great Sasuke  | Sasuke Special
Cartwheel moonsault over the top rope | Michinoku Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1995  | Rey Misterio Jr.  | Flip dive into a frankensteiner on the floor  | Extreme Championship Wrestling
1996  | Último Dragón  | Running Liger bomb
Running sitout powerbomb | World Championship Wrestling
Wrestle Association R
1997  | Diamond Dallas Page  | Diamond Cutter
Jumping cutter | World Championship Wrestling
1998  | Kenta Kobashi  | Burning Hammer
Inverted Death Valley driver | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1999  | Dragon Kid  | Dragonrana
Somersault into hurricanrana | Toryumon Japan
2000
2001  | Keiji Mutoh/The Great Muta  | Shining Wizard
Knee strike onto kneeling opponent | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
2002  | Brock Lesnar  | F-5
Fireman's carry facebuster | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003  | A.J. Styles  | Styles Clash
Belly-to-back inverted mat slam | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2004  | Petey Williams  | Canadian Destroyer
Flip piledriver | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2005
2006  | Kenta  | Go 2 Sleep
Fireman's carry drop into knee strike | Pro Wrestling Noah
Ring of Honor
2007
2008  | Evan Bourne  | Air Bourne
Shooting star press | World Wrestling Entertainment
2009  | The Young Bucks  | More Bang for Your Buck
Rolling fireman's carry slam, followed by 450° splash, followed by moonsault | Chikara
Dragon Gate USA
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Ring of Honor
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2010  | Ricochet  | Double rotation moonsault | Dragon Gate USA
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
2011
2012  | Kazuchika Okada  | Rainmaker
Short-arm lariat | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2013
2014  | The Young Bucks  | Meltzer Driver
Springboard somersault senton spike into kneeling belly-to-belly piledriver | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Ring of Honor
2015  | A.J. Styles  | Styles Clash  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Ring of Honor
2016  | Kenny Omega  | One-Winged Angel
One-handed electric chair driver | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2017
2018
2019  | Will Ospreay  | Storm Breaker
Double underhook Canadian backbreaker rack into a modified corkscrew neckbreaker
2020  | Kenny Omega  | One Winged Angel  | All Elite Wrestling
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
2021  | "Hangman" Adam Page  | Buckshot Lariat
Slingshot flipping lariat | All Elite Wrestling
2022  | Will Ospreay  | Hidden Blade
Running elbow strike to the back of a kneeling opponent's head | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Elite Wrestling
2023
2024

#### Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic

[edit]

Year  | Promotional Tactic  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1981  | Monster character (Tony Hernandez)  | LeBelle Promotions
1982  | Bob Backlund as WWF Champion  | World Wrestling Federation
1983  | Eddie Gilbert re-breaking his neck in an angle after having done so legitimately
1984  | Blackjack Mulligan fake heart attack  | Championship Wrestling from Florida
1985  | Usage of Mike Von Erich's near-death to sell tickets  | World Class Championship Wrestling
1986  | Comparing Chris Adams' blindness angle with the death of Gino Hernandez
1987  | Exploitation of the death of Mike Von Erich at 4th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions
1988  | Fritz Von Erich's fake heart attack
1989  | José González's babyface push one year after Bruiser Brody stabbing case  | World Wrestling Council/Capitol Sports Promotions
1990  | Atsushi Onita stabbing José González, two years after Bruiser Brody stabbing case  | Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling
1991  | Exploiting the Persian Gulf War (Sgt. Slaughter Iraqi sympathizer angle)  | World Wrestling Federation
1992  | Pushing Erik Watts | World Championship Wrestling
1993  | Cactus Jack gets amnesia
1994  | Ric Flair retirement angle
1995  | Gene Okerlund's 900 hotline announcement of the death of Jerry Blackwell
1996  | Fake Diesel and Razor Ramon | World Wrestling Federation
1997  | Melanie Pillman interview on Raw the day after Brian Pillman's death
1998  | Exploiting Scott Hall's alcoholism | World Championship Wrestling
1999  | Over the Edge pay-per-view continuing after the death of Owen Hart  | World Wrestling Federation
2000  | David Arquette wins the WCW World Heavyweight Championship | World Championship Wrestling
2001  | Stephanie McMahon comparing her father's indictment to September 11 attacks | World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment
2002  | Triple H accusing Kane of murder and necrophilia (Katie Vick)
2003  | McMahons all over the product
2004  | Kane and Lita pregnancy/wedding/miscarriage angle
2005  | Not editing out a terrorist angle (Muhammad Hassan attacking The Undertaker) for air on day of London bombings
2006  | Exploitation of the death of Eddie Guerrero
2007  | Signing of Adam "Pacman" Jones and having him "Make It Rain" on television, when his doing so in a strip club led to the paralysis of a wrestler  | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2008  | Teasing a Jeff Hardy drug overdose to garner late interest in a PPV show | World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
2009  | Mickie James' "Piggy James" angle making fun of her weight
2010  | Stand Up For WWE campaign, launched in conjunction with Linda McMahon's US Senate run
2011  | Promoting an anti-bullying campaign despite blatant mistreatment of Jim Ross
2012  | CM Punk and Paul Heyman exploiting Jerry Lawler's real-life heart attack, playing footage of him near death
2013  | Exploitation of the death of Bill Moody
2014  | Insulting fans who purchased PPVs
2015  | Using Reid Fliehr's death in an angle
2016  | Kimbo vs. Dada 5000 fight | Bellator MMA
2017  | Promoting Jimmy Snuka as a hero in death not long after his trial over the death of Nancy Argentino  | WWE
2018  | Relationship with Saudi Arabia
2019
2020  | Firing people during a global pandemic while setting profit records
2021
2022  | Vince McMahon appearing on television for a crowd pop after sexual misconduct allegations came out
2023  | WWE enabling Vince McMahon and him being back in power, and TKO keeping him in a position of power
2024  | Continued relationship with Saudi Arabia

#### Worst Television Show

[edit]

Year  | Program  | Promotion

|
|

1984  | All-Star Wrestling | World Wrestling Federation
1985  | Championship Wrestling from Florida | Championship Wrestling from Florida
1986  | California Championship Wrestling | California Championship Wrestling
1987  | World Class Championship Wrestling | World Class Championship Wrestling
1988  | Championship Wrestling | American Wrestling Association
1989  | ICW Wrestling | International Championship Wrestling
1990  | Championship Wrestling | American Wrestling Association
1991  | Fury Hour | Universal Wrestling Federation
1992  | Global Wrestling Federation on ESPN | Global Wrestling Federation
1993
1994  | Saturday Night | World Championship Wrestling
1995
1996  | Warriors of Wrestling | American Wrestling Federation
1997  | United States Wrestling Association | United States Wrestling Association
1998  | Monday Nitro | World Championship Wrestling
1999  | Thunder
2000
2001  | Excess | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2002  | Monday Night Raw
2003
2004  | Friday Night SmackDown!
2005
2006  | Monday Night Raw
2007  | Impact!/Impact Wrestling | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012  | Monday Night Raw | WWE
2013  | Impact Wrestling | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2014  | Monday Night Raw | WWE
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023  | NWA Powerrr | National Wrestling Alliance
2024  | Rampage | All Elite Wrestling

#### Worst Match of the Year

[edit]

Note: Named "Worst Worked Match of the Year" until 2018.

Hulk Hogan won the award for a record three straight years. Year  | Match  | Promotion  | Show and venue

|
|
|

1984  | Wendi Richter vs. The Fabulous Moolah | World Wrestling Federation  | The Brawl to End It All
New York, New York
July 23
1985  | Freddie Blassie vs. Lou Albano
Steel Cage match | WWF House Show
Uniondale, New York
September 20
1986  | Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper
Boxing match | WrestleMania 2
Uniondale, New York
April 7
1987  | Hulk Hogan vs. André the Giant  | WrestleMania III
Pontiac, Michigan
March 29
1988  | Hiroshi Wajima vs. Tom Magee | All Japan Pro Wrestling  | Champion Carnival
Kawasaki, Japan
April 21
1989  | André the Giant vs. The Ultimate Warrior  | World Wrestling Federation  | Saturday Night's Main Event XXIV
Topeka, Kansas
October 31
1990  | Sid Vicious vs. The Nightstalker | World Championship Wrestling  | Clash of the Champions XIII
Jacksonville, Florida
November 20
1991  | Bobby Eaton and P. N. News vs. Terrance Taylor and Steve Austin
Capture the Flag scaffold match | The Great American Bash
Baltimore, Maryland
July 14
1992  | Rick Rude vs. Masahiro Chono | Halloween Havoc
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 25
1993  | The Bushwhackers and Men on a Mission vs. Bam Bam Bigelow, Bastion Booger, and The Headshrinkers | World Wrestling Federation  | Survivor Series
Boston, Massachusetts
November 24
1994  | The Royal Court vs. Clowns R' Us  | Survivor Series
San Antonio, Texas
November 23
1995  | Sting vs. Tony Palmore  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling  | Battle 7
Tokyo, Japan
January 4
1996  | Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Meng, The Barbarian, Lex Luger, Kevin Sullivan, Z-Gangsta and The Ultimate Solution
Tower of Doom match | World Championship Wrestling  | Uncensored
Tupelo, Mississippi
March 24
1997  | Hollywood Hogan vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper  | SuperBrawl
Daly City, California
February 23
1998  | Hollywood Hogan vs. The Warrior | Halloween Havoc
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 25
1999  | Al Snow vs. The Big Boss Man
Kennel from Hell match | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment  | Unforgiven
Charlotte, North Carolina
September 26
2000  | Pat Patterson vs. Gerald Brisco
Hardcore Evening Gown match | King of the Ring
Boston, Massachusetts
June 25
2001  | The Brothers of Destruction vs. KroniK | Unforgiven
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
September 23
2002  | Bradshaw and Trish Stratus vs. Christopher Nowinski and Jackie Gayda | Monday Night Raw
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 8
2003  | Triple H vs. Scott Steiner  | Royal Rumble
Boston, Massachusetts
January 19
2004  | Tyson Tomko vs. Stevie Richards | Unforgiven
Portland, Oregon
September 12
2005  | Eric Bischoff vs. Theodore Long | Survivor Series
Detroit, Michigan
November 27
2006  | Reverse Battle Royal | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling  | Impact!
Orlando, Florida
October 26
2007  | James Storm vs. Chris Harris
Six Sides of Steel blindfold match | Lockdown
St. Louis, Missouri
April 15
2008  | Edge vs. Triple H vs. Vladimir Kozlov  | World Wrestling Entertainment  | Survivor Series
Boston, Massachusetts
November 23
2009  | Jenna Morasca vs. Sharmell | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling  | Victory Road
Orlando, Florida
July 19
2010  | Kaitlyn vs. Maxine | World Wrestling Entertainment  | NXT
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
October 19
2011  | Sting vs. Jeff Hardy  | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling  | Victory Road
Orlando, Florida
March 13
2012  | John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis
No Disqualification match | WWE  | Over the Limit
Raleigh, North Carolina
May 20
2013  | Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Natalya, Naomi, Cameron, Eva Marie, and JoJo vs. AJ Lee, Tamina Snuka, Kaitlyn, Alicia Fox, Aksana, Rosa Mendes, and Summer Rae
Survivor Series match | Survivor Series
Boston, Massachusetts
November 24
2014  | John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
Steel Cage match | Extreme Rules
East Rutherford, New Jersey
May 4
2015  | Los Psycho Circus (Monster Clown, Murder Clown and Psycho Clown) vs. Los Villanos (Villano III, Villano IV and Villano V)  | Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide  | Triplemanía XXIII
Mexico City, Mexico
August 9
2016  | Shelly Martinez vs. Rebel | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling  | One Night Only: Knockouts Knockdown
Orlando, Florida
March 17
2017  | Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton  | WWE  | WrestleMania 33
Orlando, Florida
April 2
2018  | D-Generation X vs. Brothers of Destruction  | Crown Jewel
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
November 2
2019  | Seth Rollins vs. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt
Hell in a Cell match | Hell in a Cell
Sacramento, California
October 6
2020  | Braun Strowman vs. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt
Wyatt Swamp Fight | The Horror Show at Extreme Rules
Orlando, Florida
July 19
2021  | The Miz vs. Damian Priest
Zombie lumberjack match | WrestleMania Backlash
Tampa, Florida
May 16
2022  | Pat McAfee vs. Mr. McMahon  | Wrestlemania 38 Night 2
Arlington, Texas
April 3
2023  | Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight
Mountain Dew Pitch Black match | Royal Rumble
San Antonio, Texas
January 28
2024  | Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso | WrestleMania XL Night 1
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 6

#### Worst Feud of the Year

[edit]

Adam Cole/The Devil vs. MJF won the award twice.

Year  | Feud  | Promotion

|
|

1984  | André the Giant vs. Big John Studd  | World Wrestling Federation
1985  | Sgt. Slaughter vs. Boris Zhukov | American Wrestling Association
1986  | The Machines vs. King Kong Bundy and John Studd  | World Wrestling Federation
1987  | George Steele vs. Danny Davis
1988  | The Midnight Rider vs. Tully Blanchard | Jim Crockett Promotions
1989  | André the Giant vs. The Ultimate Warrior  | World Wrestling Federation
1990  | Ric Flair vs. The Junkyard Dog  | World Championship Wrestling
1991  | Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter  | World Wrestling Federation
1992  | The Ultimate Warrior vs. Papa Shango
1993  | The Undertaker vs. Giant González
1994  | Jerry Lawler vs. Doink the Clown
1995  | Hulk Hogan vs. The Dungeon of Doom | World Championship Wrestling
1996  | Big Bubba vs. John Tenta
1997  | The D.O.A. vs. Los Boricuas | World Wrestling Federation
1998  | Hollywood Hogan vs. The Warrior  | World Championship Wrestling
1999  | Big Boss Man vs. Big Show  | World Wrestling Federation
2000  | Hulk Hogan vs. Billy Kidman | World Championship Wrestling
2001  | WWF vs. The Alliance
The Invasion storyline | World Wrestling Federation/​Entertainment/​WWE
2002  | Triple H vs. Kane
2003  | Kane vs. Shane McMahon
2004  | Kane vs. Matt Hardy and Lita
2005  | McMahon Family vs. Jim Ross
2006  | McMahon Family vs. D-Generation X
2007  | Kane vs. Big Daddy V
2008  | Kane vs. Rey Mysterio
2009  | Hornswoggle vs. Chavo Guerrero
2010  | Edge vs. Kane
2011  | Triple H vs. Kevin Nash
2012  | John Cena vs. Kane
2013  | Big Show vs. The Authority
2014  | Brie Bella vs. Nikki Bella
2015  | Team PCB vs. Team B.A.D. vs. Team Bella
2016  | Titus O'Neil vs. Darren Young
2017  | Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
2018  | Sasha Banks vs. Bayley
2019  | Seth Rollins vs. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt
2020  | Braun Strowman vs. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt
2021  | Randy Orton vs. The Fiend & Alexa Bliss
2022  | The Miz vs. Dexter Lumis
2023  | MJF vs. The Devil/Adam Cole | All Elite Wrestling
2024

#### Worst Promotion of the Year

[edit]

Impact Wrestling, formerly and currently known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, is an 11-time winner of the category, having won every year from 2007 to 2017. Year  | Promotion

|

1986  | American Wrestling Association
1987  | World Class Championship Wrestling
1988  | American Wrestling Association
1989
1990
1991  | Universal Wrestling Federation
1992  | Global Wrestling Federation
1993  | World Championship Wrestling
1994
1995
1996  | American Wrestling Federation
1997  | United States Wrestling Association
1998  | World Championship Wrestling
1999
2000
2001
2002  | Xtreme Pro Wrestling
2003  | Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
2004  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2005
2006  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2007  | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018  | WWE
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023  | National Wrestling Alliance
2024

#### Best Booker

[edit]

Jim Cornette (top) and Paul Heyman (bottom) are the only winners of the category who won the award for work in two separate promotions.

Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, is the most recent winner of the category and is a three-time winner overall. Year  | Booker  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1986  | Dusty Rhodes  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1987  | Vince McMahon  | World Wrestling Federation
1988  | Eddie Gilbert  | Continental Wrestling Federation
1989  | Shohei Baba | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1990
1991
1992  | Riki Choshu  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1993  | Jim Cornette  | Smoky Mountain Wrestling
1994  | Paul Heyman  | Extreme Championship Wrestling
1995
1996
1997
1998  | Vince McMahon  | World Wrestling Federation
1999
2000
2001  | Jim Cornette  | Ohio Valley Wrestling
2002  | Paul Heyman  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003  | Jim Cornette  | Ohio Valley Wrestling
2004  | Gabe Sapolsky | Ring of Honor
Full Impact Pro
2005
2006
2007
2008  | Joe Silva  | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2009
2010
2011  | Gedo and Jado | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2012
2013
2014
2015  | Paul Levesque and Ryan Ward  | WWE (NXT)
2016  | Gedo  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2017
2018
2019
2020  | Tony Khan | All Elite Wrestling
2021
2022
2023  | Paul Levesque  | WWE
2024

#### Promoter of the Year

[edit]

Year  | Promoter  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1988  | Vince McMahon | World Wrestling Federation
1989  | Akira Maeda  | Universal Wrestling Federation
1990  | Shohei Baba  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995  | Riki Choshu  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1996
1997
1998  | Vince McMahon | World Wrestling Federation
1999
2000
2001  | Antonio Inoki | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2002  | Kazuyoshi Ishii | K-1
2003  | Nobuyuki Sakakibara | Pride Fighting Championships
2004
2005  | Dana White | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014  | Takaaki Kidani | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2015  | Dana White | Ultimate Fighting Championship
2016
2017  | Takaaki Kidani | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2018
2019  | Tony Khan | All Elite Wrestling
2020
2021
2022
2023  | Nick Khan | WWE
2024

#### Best Gimmick

[edit]

The Undertaker is a five-time winner of the category. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1986  | Adrian Street | Continental Championship Wrestling
1987  | Ted DiBiase  | World Wrestling Federation
1988  | Rick Steiner  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1989  | Jushin Liger  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1990  | The Undertaker  | World Wrestling Federation
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995  | Disco Inferno | World Championship Wrestling
1996  | nWo
1997  | Stone Cold Steve Austin  | World Wrestling Federation/​World Wrestling Entertainment
1998
1999  | The Rock
2000  | Kurt Angle
2001  | The Hurricane
2002  | Matt Hardy
2003  | John Cena
2004  | John "Bradshaw" Layfield
2005  | Mr. Kennedy
2006  | The Latin American Xchange | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2007  | Santino Marella | World Wrestling Entertainment/​WWE
2008
2009  | CM Punk
2010  | Alberto Del Rio
2011  | CM Punk
2012  | Joseph Park | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2013  | The Wyatt Family | WWE
2014  | Rusev and Lana
2015  | The New Day
2016  | "Broken" Matt Hardy  | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2017  | Los Ingobernables de Japón | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2018  | Velveteen Dream | WWE
2019  | "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt
2020  | Orange Cassidy | All Elite Wrestling
2021  | Roman Reigns | WWE
2022  | Sami Zayn
2023  | "Timeless" Toni Storm | All Elite Wrestling
2024

#### Worst Gimmick

[edit]

Dustin Runnels is a three-time winner of the category under three different gimmicks (Goldust, The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust and Black Reign). Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1986  | Adrian Adonis  | World Wrestling Federation
1987
1988  | Midnight Rider | Jim Crockett Promotions
1989  | The Ding Dongs | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | The Gobbledy Gooker | World Wrestling Federation
1991  | Oz | World Championship Wrestling
1992  | Papa Shango  | World Wrestling Federation
1993  | The Shockmaster | World Championship Wrestling
1994  | Dave Sullivan
1995  | Goldust | World Wrestling Federation
1996  | Fake Diesel
Fake Razor Ramon
The Real Double J
1997  | The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust
1998  | The Oddities
1999  | The Powers That Be | World Championship Wrestling
2000  | Mike Awesome
2001  | Diamond Dallas Page | World Wrestling Federation
2002  | The Johnsons | NWA: Total Nonstop Action
2003  | Rico Constantino | World Wrestling Entertainment
2004  | Mordecai
2005  | Jillian Hall
2006  | Vito
2007  | Black Reign | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2008  | The Great Khali | World Wrestling Entertainment
2009  | Hornswoggle
2010  | Orlando Jordan | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2011  | Michael Cole | WWE
2012  | Aces & Eights | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2013
2014  | Adam Rose | WWE
2015  | Stardust
2016  | Bone Soldier | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
2017  | Bray Wyatt/Sister Abigail  | WWE
2018  | Constable Corbin
2019  | Shorty G
2020  | "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt
2021  | Alexa Bliss
2022  | Maximum Male Models
2023  | The Devil | All Elite Wrestling
2024  | The Learning Tree

#### Best Pro Wrestling Book

[edit]

Year  | Book  | Author(s)

|
|

2005  | The Death of WCW | Bryan Alvarez and R.D. Reynolds
2006  | Tangled Ropes | "Superstar" Billy Graham and Keith Elliot Greenberg
2007  | Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling | Bret Hart
2008  | Gorgeous George: The Bad Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture | John Capouya
2009  | Midnight Express 25th Anniversary Scrapbook | Jim Cornette
2010  | Countdown to Lockdown | Mick Foley
2011  | Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps | Chris Jericho
2012  | Shooters: The Toughest Men in Professional Wrestling | Jonathan Snowden
2013  | Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs: The Untold Story of How Montreal Shaped the World of Wrestling | Pat Laprade and Bertrand Hébert
2014  | The Death of WCW – 10th Anniversary Edition | Bryan Alvarez and R.D. Reynolds
2015  | Yes!: My Improbable Journey to the Main Event of WrestleMania | Daniel Bryan and Craig Tello
2016  | Ali vs. Inoki | Josh Gross
2017  | Crazy Like a Fox: The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman 20 Years Later | Liam O'Rourke
2018  | Eggshells: Pro Wrestling in the Tokyo Dome | Chris Charlton
2019  | 100 Things a WWE Fan Should Know & Do Before They Die | Bryan Alvarez
2020  | Killing the Business | The Young Bucks
2021  | Mox | Jon Moxley
2022  | Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling's Original Sheik | Brian Solomon
2023  | The Last Real World Champion: The Legacy of "Nature Boy" Ric Flair | Tim Hornbaker
2024  | Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl | Rebecca Quin

#### Best Pro Wrestling Documentary

[edit]

Note: Was previously known as the "Best Pro Wrestling DVD" and "Best Wrestling DVD/Streaming Documentary" award.

WWE has won the award a record 11 times. Year  | Documentary  | Publisher(s)

|
|

2005  | The Rise and Fall of ECW | World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
2006  | Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be
2007  | Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen
2008  | "Nature Boy" Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection
2009  | Macho Madness: The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection
2010  | Breaking the Code: Behind the Walls of Chris Jericho
2011  | Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart: WWE's Greatest Rivalries
2012  | CM Punk: Best in the World
2013  | Jim Crockett Promotions: The Good Old Days | EllBow Productions
Highspots.com
2014  | Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name Is Paul Heyman | WWE
2015  | Daniel Bryan: Just Say Yes! Yes! Yes!
2016  | WWE 24: Seth Rollins (Redesign, Rebuild, Reclaim)
2017  | 30 for 30: Nature Boy | ESPN
2018  | André the Giant | HBO
2019  | Dark Side of the Ring | Viceland
2020  | Dark Side of the Ring: Owen Hart
2021  | Dark Side of the Ring: Brian Pillman
2022  | Tales From the Territories: Lawler/Kaufman
2023  | Dark Side of the Ring: Chris and Tammy
2024  | Mr. McMahon | Netflix

#### Shad Gaspard/Jon Huber Memorial Award

[edit]

Note: This award is given to participants in professional wrestling and mixed martial arts who make contributions outside the ring for the betterment of society.

Shad Gaspard and Jon Huber are the co-namesakes of the category.

Year  | Recipient(s)  | Contribution(s)

|
|

2020[4] | Shad Gaspard | Sacrificed himself to save his son's life after being swept out to sea
Ettore Ewen
Big E | Contributed to racial justice during the Black Lives Matter movement and following the murder of George Floyd
Rami Sebei
Sami Zayn | Runs Sami for Syria, a medical relief organization assisting ill and injured people during the Syrian civil war
Tracy Smothers | Assisted young independent wrestlers
Margaret Stalvey  | Assisted the Huber family during Jon Huber's illness and after his death
Megha Parekh
2021[5] | Jon Moxley | Chose to step away from professional wrestling to enter into a rehabilitation program for alcoholism
Thaddeus Bullard
Titus O'Neil | The child of a rape victim, O'Neil went on to help underprivileged children through his charitable work, especially in his hometown of Tampa, Florida
2022[6] | Dustin Poirier | Through his Good Fight Foundation, Poirier provided assistance to underserved and vulnerable communities in South Louisiana
2023[7] | Steve McMichael | McMichael, who has been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis since 2021, has provided inspiration to those battling illnesses due to his continued determination to attend the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony after being elected to the hall
Pugh family | The family showed class and resiliency after the death of Jamin Pugh in a car accident; despite the driver of the other car being at fault for the accident, they publicly asked people to stop attacking them on social media and fundraised for the driver's family
Valerie Coleman  | The widow of late Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Famer "Superstar" Billy Graham, Coleman is credited with saving Graham's life on multiple occasions
2024[8] | Mark Coleman | Saved his parents from a house fire, at the risk of his own life
Daquan Johnson-Bey
Chris Bey | Showed resilience after suffering a career-threatening neck injury in the ring

## Defunct awards

[edit]

### Class A awards

[edit]

#### Most Impressive Wrestler

[edit]

Dynamite Kid is a three-time winner of the category. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Ken Patera  | World Wrestling Federation
1981  | Don Muraco
1982  | Tiger Mask | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre
1983  | Dynamite Kid  | Stampede Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance
1984  | Stampede Wrestling
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
1985  | World Wrestling Federation
All Japan Pro Wrestling

#### Most Washed Up Wrestler

[edit]

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Baron Scicluna | World Wrestling Federation
1981  | Peter Maivia | National Wrestling Alliance
1982  | "Superstar" Billy Graham | World Wrestling Federation
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1983  | Chief Jay Strongbow | World Wrestling Federation
1984  | Jimmy Snuka
1985  | Sgt. Slaughter  | American Wrestling Association

#### Strongest Wrestler

[edit]

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1981  | Tony Atlas | World Wrestling Federation
National Wrestling Alliance
1982  | Ken Patera  | World Wrestling Federation
1983  | Hulk Hogan  | American Wrestling Association
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1984  | Butch Reed | Mid-South Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance
1985  | Road Warrior Animal | American Wrestling Association
National Wrestling Alliance
All Japan Pro Wrestling
1986
1987  | Steve Williams  | Jim Crockett Promotions
Universal Wrestling Federation
1988  | Jim Crockett Promotions/World Championship Wrestling
1989
1990  | All Japan Pro Wrestling

#### Best Three-Man Team

[edit]

Year  | Team  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1983  | The Fabulous Freebirds
(Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts)  | World Class Championship Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance

#### Most Unimproved

[edit]

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1984  | Jimmy Snuka  | World Wrestling Federation
1985  | Sgt. Slaughter  | American Wrestling Association
1986  | Bob Orton | World Wrestling Federation
1987  | Butch Reed
1988  | Bam Bam Bigelow
1989  | Jim Duggan
1990  | Sting  | World Championship Wrestling
1991  | Davey Boy Smith  | World Wrestling Federation
1992  | Randy Savage
1993  | Rick Rude  | World Championship Wrestling
1994  | Hulk Hogan[9]
1995

#### Most Obnoxious

[edit]

Vince McMahon is a six-time winner of the category. Year  | Performer  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1981  | Gene LeBell | National Wrestling Alliance
1982  | David Crockett
1983  | Vince McMahon  | World Wrestling Federation
1984
1985
1986
1987  | David Crockett  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1988  | Dusty Rhodes
1989  | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | Vince McMahon  | World Wrestling Federation
1991  | Herb Abrams  | Universal Wrestling Federation
1992  | Bill Watts | World Championship Wrestling
1993  | Vince McMahon  | World Wrestling Federation
1994  | Hulk Hogan  | World Championship Wrestling
1995

#### Best Babyface

[edit]

Note: "Best Babyface" and "Best Heel" were combined in 1997 to create "Best Box Office Draw"

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Dusty Rhodes  | National Wrestling Alliance
1981  | Tommy Rich
1982  | Hulk Hogan  | American Wrestling Association
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1983
1984  | World Wrestling Federation
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992  | Sting  | World Championship Wrestling
1993  | Atsushi Onita  | Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling
1994
1995  | Perro Aguayo | Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
1996  | Shawn Michaels  | World Wrestling Federation

#### Best Heel

[edit]

Ted DiBiase and Roddy Piper are two-time winners of the category.

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1980  | Larry Zbyszko  | World Wrestling Federation
1981  | Don Muraco
1982  | Buzz Sawyer  | Georgia Championship Wrestling
1983  | Michael Hayes  | World Class Championship Wrestling
1984  | Roddy Piper  | World Wrestling Federation
1985
1986  | Michael Hayes  | World Class Championship Wrestling
1987  | Ted DiBiase  | World Wrestling Federation
1988
1989  | Terry Funk  | World Championship Wrestling
1990  | Ric Flair
1991  | The Undertaker  | World Wrestling Federation
1992  | Rick Rude  | World Championship Wrestling
1993  | Vader
1994  | Art Barr  | Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
1995  | Masahiro Chono  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
1996  | Stone Cold Steve Austin  | World Wrestling Federation

#### Biggest Shock of the Year

[edit]

Harley Race has been named in two Biggest Shock of the Year. Year  | Event

|

1981  | Tommy Rich winning the NWA World Championship from Harley Race
1982  | Otto Wanz winning the AWA World Heavyweight Championship
1983  | Ric Flair losing the NWA Championship to Harley Race
1984  | The death of David Von Erich
1985  | WWF getting on network television
1986  | Magnum T. A.'s car accident
1987  | Jim Crockett Jr. purchasing the Universal Wrestling Federation
1988  | The murder of Bruiser Brody
1989  | Dusty Rhodes joining the WWF

#### Hardest Worker

[edit]

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1982  | Ric Flair  | National Wrestling Alliance
1983  | Dynamite Kid  | Stampede Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance
1984  | Ric Flair  | National Wrestling Alliance
1985  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1986
1987
1988
1989  | Terry Funk  | World Championship Wrestling

#### Manager of the Year

[edit]

Year  | Manager  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1983  | Jimmy Hart  | Continental Wrestling Association
1984  | Jim Cornette  | Mid-South Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
1985  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1986
1987
1988
1989  | World Championship Wrestling
1990
1991  | Sherri Martel | World Wrestling Federation
1992  | Jim Cornette  | Smoky Mountain Wrestling
1993
1994
1995  | World Wrestling Federation
Smoky Mountain Wrestling
1996

### Class B awards

[edit]

#### Best Color Commentator

[edit]

Jesse Ventura is a four-time winner of the category. Year  | Commentator  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1986  | Michael Hayes  | Universal Wrestling Federation
1987  | Jesse Ventura | World Wrestling Federation
1988
1989
1990
1991  | Paul E. Dangerously | World Championship Wrestling
1992  | Bobby Heenan | World Wrestling Federation
1993
1994  | World Championship Wrestling
1995  | Jerry Lawler  | World Wrestling Federation
1996

#### Readers' Favorite Wrestler

[edit]

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1984  | Ric Flair  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989  | World Championship Wrestling
1990
1991  | World Championship Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
1992  | World Wrestling Federation
1993  | World Wrestling Federation
World Championship Wrestling
1994  | Sabu | Extreme Championship Wrestling
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling
1995  | Manami Toyota  | All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling
1996  | Ric Flair  | World Championship Wrestling
1997  | Chris Benoit
1998  | Mick Foley  | World Wrestling Federation
1999  | Chris Jericho  | World Championship Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
2000  | Chris Benoit
2001  | Keiji Mutoh  | New Japan Pro-Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
2002  | Kurt Angle  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003

#### Readers' Least Favorite Wrestler

[edit]

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1984  | Ivan Putski | World Wrestling Federation
1985  | Hulk Hogan
1986
1987  | Dusty Rhodes  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1988
1989  | Ultimate Warrior  | World Wrestling Federation
1990
1991  | Hulk Hogan
1992  | Erik Watts  | World Championship Wrestling
1993  | Sid Vicious
1994  | Hulk Hogan
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000  | Kevin Nash
2001  | The Undertaker  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2002  | Triple H
2003

#### Worst Wrestler

[edit]

André the Giant is a three-time winner of the category. Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1984  | Ivan Putski  | World Wrestling Federation
1985  | Uncle Elmer
1986  | Mike Von Erich  | World Class Championship Wrestling
1987  | Junkyard Dog  | World Wrestling Federation
1988  | Ultimate Warrior
1989  | André the Giant
1990  | Junkyard Dog  | World Championship Wrestling
1991  | André the Giant  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1992
1993  | The Equalizer | World Championship Wrestling
1994  | Dave Sullivan
1995  | The Renegade
1996  | Loch Ness
1997  | Hulk Hogan
1998  | Warrior
1999  | Kevin Nash
2000
2001  | Big Show  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2002
2003  | Nathan Jones

#### Worst Tag Team

[edit]

Year  | Tag Team  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1984  | The Crusher and Baron von Raschke | American Wrestling Association
1985  | The Hillbillies (Uncle Elmer and Cousin Junior)  | World Wrestling Federation
1986  | George Steele and Junkyard Dog
1987  | Jimmy Valiant and Bugsy McGraw | National Wrestling Alliance
1988  | The Bolsheviks (Nikolai Volkoff and Boris Zhukov)  | World Wrestling Federation
1989  | The Powers of Pain (The Barbarian and The Warlord)
1990  | Giant Baba and André the Giant  | All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991
1992  | The Bushwhackers (Luke Williams and Butch Miller)  | World Wrestling Federation
1993  | The Colossal Kongs (King Kong and Awesome Kong)  | World Championship Wrestling
1994  | The Bushwhackers  | World Wrestling Federation
1995  | Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Buck | World Championship Wrestling
1996  | The Godwinns (Henry Godwinn and Phineas Godwinn)  | World Wrestling Federation
1997
1998  | The Oddities (Golga and Kurrgan)
1999  | The Corporate Ministry (Viscera and Mideon)
2000  | KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark)  | World Championship Wrestling
2001  | World Championship Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
2002  | 3-Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal)  | World Wrestling Entertainment
2003  | La Résistance (René Duprée and Sylvain Grenier)

#### Worst Manager

[edit]

Mr. Fuji is an eleven-time winner of the category. Year  | Manager  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1984  | Mr. Fuji | World Wrestling Federation
1985
1986  | Paul Jones | Jim Crockett Promotions
1987  | Mr. Fuji  | World Wrestling Federation
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996  | Sonny Onoo | World Championship Wrestling
1997
1998
1999

#### Worst on Interviews

[edit]

The Ultimate Warrior is a five-time winner of the category. Year  | Performer  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1984  | Jimmy Snuka  | World Wrestling Federation
1985  | Thunderbolt Patterson | National Wrestling Alliance
1986  | Mike Von Erich  | World Class Championship Wrestling
1987  | Bugsy McGraw  | Jim Crockett Promotions
1988  | Steve Williams
1989  | Ultimate Warrior  | World Wrestling Federation
1990
1991
1992
1993  | Mr. Fuji
1994  | Dave Sullivan  | World Championship Wrestling
1995  | Hulk Hogan
1996  | Ahmed Johnson | World Wrestling Federation
1997
1998  | Warrior  | World Championship Wrestling
1999  | Sid Vicious
2000  | Vince Russo
2001  | Stephanie McMahon  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2002
2003

#### Most Embarrassing Wrestler

[edit]

Year  | Wrestler  | Promotion(s)

|
|

1986  | Adrian Adonis  | World Wrestling Federation
1987  | George Steele
1988
1989  | André the Giant
1990  | Dusty Rhodes
1991  | Van Hammer | World Championship Wrestling
1992  | Papa Shango  | World Wrestling Federation
1993  | Bastion Booger
1994  | Doink the Clown
1995  | Hulk Hogan  | World Championship Wrestling
1996
1997  | The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust | World Wrestling Federation
1998  | Warrior  | World Championship Wrestling
1999  | Hulk Hogan
2000
2001  | Buff Bagwell | World Championship Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation
2002  | Big Show  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2003  | Nathan Jones

#### Worst Non-Wrestling Personality

[edit]

Stephanie McMahon is a three-time winner of the category. Year  | Personality  | Promotion

|
|

2000  | Vince Russo  | World Championship Wrestling
2001  | Stephanie McMahon  | World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
2002
2003

## Wrestling Observer Decade Awards

[edit]

Kurt Angle, best wrestler of the 2000s Hiroshi Tanahashi, best wrestler of the 2010s

### 2000s

[edit]

* Best Wrestler: Kurt Angle
* Most Outstanding Wrestler: Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan
* Best Box Office Draw: Místico
* Best Tag Team: Rey Bucanero and Último Guerrero
* Best Interviews: Chris Jericho
* Most Charismatic: John Cena
* MMA Most Valuable: Randy Couture[10]

### 2010s

[edit]

* Best Wrestler: Hiroshi Tanahashi
* Most Outstanding Wrestler: Kazuchika Okada
* Best Box Office Draw: Brock Lesnar
* Best Tag Team: The Young Bucks
* Best Interviews: Paul Heyman
* Most Charismatic: Hiroshi Tanahashi
* Best Technical Wrestler: Zack Sabre Jr.
* Best Brawler: Tomohiro Ishii
* Best Flyer: Ricochet
* Best Promotion: New Japan Pro-Wrestling
* Best Matches: Kazuchika Okada
* Best Non-Wrestler: Paul Heyman
* Best Television Announcer: Kevin Kelly

## See also

[edit]

* Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
* List of professional wrestling awards
* List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards
* Slammy Award

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 19, 1998). "Jan. 19, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 18th Annual Newsletter Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
2. ^ Meltzer, Dave (February 18, 2022). "February 21, 2022 Observer Newsletter: 2021 Awards issue, Cody and Brandi Rhodes leave AEW". Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. www.f4wonline.com. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
3. ^ "Bridge Of Dreams ~ Dome Spring Full Bloom". Cagematch. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
4. ^ Meltzer, Dave (March 15, 2021). "AEW REVOLUTION, WRESTLEMANIA 37 TICKET DETAILS". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
5. ^ Meltzer, Dave (April 4, 2022). "TRIPLE H ANNOUNCES IN-RING RETIREMENT, WRESTLEMANIA WEEKEND". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
6. ^ Meltzer, Dave (March 6, 2023). "MJF VS. BRYAN DANIELSON PREVIEW, WRESTLEMANIA 39 UPDATES". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
7. ^ Meltzer, Dave (March 4, 2024). "LIFE AND CAREER OF OLE ANDERSON, WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
8. ^ "March 24, 2025 Observer Newsletter: John Cena's first heel promo, WBD interested in UFC, David Finlay wins New Japan Cup". F4W/WON. March 21, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
9. ^ "Jan 22 1996 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Results of the 1995 Observer Newsletter Awards, 1995 Record Book, tons more". The Wrestling Observer. January 22, 1996.
10. ^ Beltrán, William (August 3, 2010). "Según el Wrestling Observer… ¿Quiénes son los mejores los mejores de la década?". Superluchas (in Spanish). Retrieved October 30, 2015.

## Sources

[edit]

* Meltzer, Dave (January 26, 2011). "The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (5). Campbell, California: 1–40\. ISSN 1083-9593. "The following are the results of the 31st annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter readership awards, along with a listing of the previous winners in the various categories."
* Meltzer, Dave (January 30, 2012). "Jan 30 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Gigantic year-end awards issue, best and worst in all categories plus UFC on FX 1, death of Savannah Jack, ratings, tons and tons of news". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 1–29\. ISSN 1083-9593.
* Meltzer, Dave (January 23, 2013). "The 2012 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Annual Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 1–52\. ISSN 1083-9593.
* Meltzer, Dave (January 27, 2014). "The 2013 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Annual Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 1–36\. ISSN 1083-9593.
* Meltzer, Dave (January 26, 2015). "2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 1–35\. ISSN 1083-9593.
* Meltzer, Dave (January 25, 2016). "January 25, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Observer Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 1–49\. ISSN 1083-9593.

* v
* t
* e

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Key people|

* Dave Meltzer
* Bryan Alvarez

Publications|

* Wrestling Observer's Tributes: Remembering Some of the World's Greatest Wrestlers

Awards|

* Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
* Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards

Related|

* Live Audio Wrestling
* 5 or more stars rated matches

Category
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template