Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards – 2014
They’re out again and as usual here are my thoughts on each one of them. After reading these, I’m very glad I watched Wrestle Kingdom.
Wrestler of the Year – Shinsuke Nakamura
I have a feeling it’s another year of the Japan. I haven’t seen much of Nakamura, but I still go with Seth Rollins over everyone else.
MMA Most Valuable Fighter – Ronda Rousey
I ask this every year and I’ll ask it again: why is a wrestling newsletter giving out MMA awards?
Most Outstanding Wrestling – AJ Styles
I’ve heard a lot of good things about his work, but I’m still not clear how this is different than Wrestler of the Year. And no I’m not asking for an explanation.
Best Box Office Draw – Ronda Rousey
See all my other MMA responses. For actual wrestlers, probably Cena.
Feud of the Year – Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier
Good grief we get it already. For a wrestling feud, eh probably Rollins vs. Ambrose or whatever I picked for my award.
Tag Team of the Year – Young Bucks
I can go with this as it’s not like the Usos were really all that great. It’s a down period for tag teams but there’s some hope on the horizon in the Ascension. Yes I still like them.
Most Improved – Rusev
I believe he means Lana but I’m fine with this one, though again I’d pick Rollins. From the guy considered the weakest of the Shield to top heel in the company? That’s pretty improving.
Best on Interviews – Paul Heyman.
Next.
Most Charismatic – Shinsuke Nakamura
Based on Wrestle Kingdom, I have no issue with this one.
Best Technical Wrestler – Zac Sabre Jr.
I haven’t seen anything of his either.
Best Brawler – Tomohiro Ishii
Yep WWE doesn’t exist this year. Ishii is one of those guys who don’t sell anything and fans write it off as tradition or fighting spirit or whatever else they can come up with as excuse.
Best Flying Wrestler – Ricochet
You might know him better as Prince Puma. No one really springs to my mind to beat him so I can live with this again.
Most Overrated – Kane
How can you be overrated when people think you’re one of the worst wrestlers in the world?
Most Underrated – Cesaro
You mean the guy that everyone raves about? How is that underrated? This award usually comes off like “Most Underutilized” as opposed to the previous one being “Most overused.” I get the idea but the award name is kind of misleading.
Promotion of the Year – New Japan
Yeah probably. WWE had a really, really bad year, at least in the second half.
Best Weekly TV Show – NXT
Now we’re getting the hang of this. I think I’ve made my stance clear on this over the year.
Most Outstanding Fighter – Ronda Rousey
Just stop already. Or go post about it on an MMA site.
Match of the Year – AJ Styles vs. Minoru Suzuki
A Japanese guy who wrestles like an MMA fighter? You know Meltzer is all over that. I’ll still take Zayn vs. Neville for the pure emotion though.
Fight of the Year – Johnny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
Good grief. Next.
Rookie of the Year – Dragon Lee II
This would likely be another guy that only Meltzer has ever seen/heard of unless you watch a bunch of obscure wrestling.
Best Non-Wrestler – Paul Heyman
Just name the award after him already. That’s not meant as an insult.
Best Television Announcer – William Regal
I’d go with Renee Young but Regal is a very close second so I have no complaints.
Worst Television Announcer – JBL
Really? With Cole and Lawler around? Or Matt Striker and Vampiro? JBL is annoying but he’s funny when he gets annoyed about the Bunny.
Best Major Show – G1 Climax 24:Day 7
Wrestlemania just means nothing nowadays does it?
Worst Major Wrestling Show – Battleground
I was going to say Bound For Glory, but there was nothing major about that show. Besides, Battleground was actually a good show with the fourway title match and the awesome Usos vs. Wyatts 2/3 falls match. I don’t see why that show gets so much hatred.
Best Wrestling Maneuver – Meltzer Driver
Ok I totally get why he went with this one.
Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic – WWE Insulting Fans Who Bought PPV
Yep. That made me roll my eyes harder than I have in a long time.
Worst Television Show – Monday Night Raw
Oh come on. Raw was bad but Impact could be unwatchable at times and Smackdown was a waste of air time more often than not.
Worst Worked Match of the Year – Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena – Extreme Rules
CAMERON DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO COVER SOMEONE! My goodness really? I know it was a stretch but the Divas should win this every year.
Worst Feud of the Year – Nikki Bella vs. Brie Bella
I think people are sick of me complaining about this feud so I’ll just quickly agree and move on.
Worst Promotion of the Year – TNA
But Impact is still better than Raw or Smackdown? That’s a bit of a stretch.
Best Booker – Gedo and Jado – New Japan
Sure why not.
Promoter of the Year – Dana White – UFC
NEXT.
Best Gimmick – Rusev and Lana
……really? The best gimmick is something that was tired thirty years ago? Ambrose being insane or Mizdow didn’t win here?
Worst Gimmick – Adam Rose
Disagree again. Rose was fine for what he was but then they turned him and killed the potential he had. As for a worst gimmick, probably Cameron’s stuck up girl character, just because she’s so horrible at everything.
Best Pro Wrestling Book – The Death of WCW
I’m going to need an explanation here because this won ten years ago. Revised edition I’m guessing?
Best Pro Wrestling DVD – Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name Is Paul Heyman
I’ve heard great things about this and need to watch it.
Overall, it’s about what I expected: MMA and New Japan dominating everything. Now in this case I’m a bit more understanding as WWE had a very bad year and New Japan is clearly the second biggest promotion in the world. I know Meltzer is very biased towards New Japan and it’s hard to complain about that as it’s going to show up no matter where you go. And yes, I’m aware that Meltzer’s readers do the voting, and if you believe the majority of them aren’t just repeating his views on things, you’re more delusional than Eva Marie about why she has a job. Just get rid of the MMA stuff and these are far more tolerable.