Welcome to the second-ever 1053 Ridge Year-End Awards, based off of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter year-end awards.
I should note before you spend any time reading these that there is a clear tilt towards WWE as that is most of what we consume. Okada is great, Omega is cool. Check out all the sweet NJPW awards and reviews on this site for coverage of those two fellers.
We also didn’t do any awards we wouldn’t know much about or care much about… no box office, no bookers, no MMA, no DVDs ore books.
With that being said, participating in this year’s awards are I, Dum Dum Daniels, alongside The Joshening, The King, and………… that’s it, because “Craig” used to participate in these but is now (and always has been) confirmed trash.
Each of us listed a top 3 of the year in each category. A first place ranking got 3 points, second place got 2, and third place got 1. All the points combined get us our overall rankings. Keep in mind, even if a match is just an Honorable Mention, that meant at least one of us thought it deserved placement in our top 3 of the year.
Without further ado…
LOU THESZ/RIC FLAIR AWARD (Overall Wrestler of the Year)
1. Roman Reigns (5)
Roman Reigns wasn’t quite the clear Top (or Big) Dog this year, but eked out a first place finish. With wins over The Undertaker and John Cena and main event matches almost weekly, 2017 was the year he firmly cemented himself as The Face of the WWE. It didn’t hurt that almost all his matches were really good and had that infamous Big Fight Feel. Give a big OOOOOWWAAAAAA for Roman Reigns.
2. The Miz (4)
Whether he was on SmackDown talking so much shit about John Cena that Cena ended up proposing to Nikki Bella, or RAW talking so much shit about The Shield that they ended up getting back together, The Miz was the absolute man this year. He might not have gotten the top title, but everybody knows Miz was a top guy in 2017.
2. Braun Strowman (4)
The ascent of Braun Strowman was possibly the best thing about WWE in 2017 – they strapped a rocket to his back and he delivered every single time. Great brawls, great wrestling, great angles, great stories – BRRAAAAAUUUUUNNNN!!!!
3. AJ Styles (3)
AJ Styles rounds out the top 3, as even in the darkest times of SmackDown Live he was right there carrying it on his back. A couple epics with Big Time WWE Stars like Brock Lesnar and Shane McMahon on WWE’s biggest stages didn’t hurt.
Honorable Mentions: Chris Jericho (1), Neville (1)
MOST OUTSTANDING WRESTLER
1. Roman Reigns (5)
Not a surprise that there is a tie for #1 here. Big Match Roman and Johnny Wrestling both bought the goods this year. Roman’s consistency was incredible – great TV match after great TV match, having so many guys’ best singles matches in 2017. The brawls with Braun Strowman were awesome too.
1. Johnny Gargano (5)
Johnny Gargano meanwhile followed up his epic 2016 tag run with an epic 2017 singles run, after that son of a bitch Tommaso Ciampa viciously assaulted him. The matches with Almas and Ohno were incredible, but even random stuff like his match with Riddick Moss was good too.
2. AJ Styles (4)
Despite a slow middle of the year, AJ was always consistent and always able to remind you he’s an all-time great. And his first few months and last few months of 2017 featured some of the highest quality pro wrestling there is.
3. Pete Dunne (2)
With a few more matches, maybe the Bruiserweight is #1. As it is, he introduced himself to The WWE Universe with like ten of the best matches of the year – awesome matwork, great character, and completely insane finishes. The series with Tyler Bate is an all-timer.
Honorable Mentions: Neville (1), Samoa Joe (1)
FEUD OF THE YEAR
1. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman (February – October) (6)
Roman and Braun feuded basically all year and both came out way better for it – Braun ascended to the very tip top of WWE, while Roman showed he could put a new star over and also eventually took a backseat to said new star. All the awesome matches and angles didn’t hurt, too. I mean this thing saw one fella put another fella in an ambulance and tip that ambulance over.
2. The New Day vs. The Usos (June – October) (4)
These two teams had countless great matches and pretty much single-handedly made tag team wrestling on the WWE main roster relevant again. Pretty much every time they locked up it was incredible.
3. Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream (October – November) (3)
One of the lone highlights of NXT’s sleepy 2017, a couple months of intriguing angles capped off by an awesome match that cemented both guys as future stars.
3. Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho (February – May) (3)
The Best Friendship of All-Time led to the Greatest Turn of All-Time. Tremendous work by both guys.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne (1), Samoa Joe vs. Brock Lesnar (1)
TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR
1. The Usos (8)
In 2017, The Usos showed everybody that they might just be the greatest WWE tag team of all-time. They take the tag formula and adapted it to 2017 brilliantly – any time they got to do their thing it was a beautiful wonderful rollercoaster ride of pro wrestling fun.
2. The New Day (5)
The New Day was essentially tied at the hip with The Usos all year and it made for some incredible tag team wrestling. Big E brings the power and charisma, Woods the selling and creativity, and Kofi the 10 years of consistency. AWWWWWWWWWW….
3. Cesaro & Sheamus (3)
Rounding out the top 3 is THE BAR, who became a real unit (with matching entrance gear!) in 2017 and totally held the RAW tag division and midcard together. These guys might not have the highest peaks as others might, but they are such consistent great professional wrestlers.
Honorable Mentions: Rollins & Ambrose (1), #DIY (1)
MOST IMPROVED
1. Braun Strowman (9)
It really says it all that Braun Strowman was not only the clear #1 Most Improved this year, but the clear #1 Most Improved LAST YEAR. The rise of this guy has been a sight to behold and he somehow became an even better wrestler, promo, and presence in 2017. Amazing.
2. Elias (4)
Elias went from OK NXT gimmick guy to consistent highlight of Monday Night RAW. Great promos, catchphrase, command of an audience… plus he got to show his stuff as a rassler more and he’s actually pretty good. The Balor and Reigns matches are the good stuff.
3. Andrade “Cien” Almas (3)
After the initial hype around his signing died down, the former La Sombra had a pretty awkward start in NXT – an awkward babyface run followed by a heel gimmick that wasn’t really defined. But pretty early this year, Almas brought it all together – he upped the stiffness and intensity, clarified his style to the masses, and found his character voice with Zelina Vega at his side. Now he’s the NXT Champ and has a bunch of great matches under his belt. The future is bright.
Honorable Mentions: Nia Jax (1), Velveteen Dream (1)
BEST ON INTERVIEWS
1. The Miz (8)
Last year The Miz was second place after Enzo Amore, who came in to WWE like a ball of fire. Now that the Enzo buzz has died down, we let the true king back on his throne. Whether he’s mocking John Cena, inciting a Shield reunion, or trading shots with LaVar Ball – The Miz just does not do anything less than a GREAT promo. Nobody brings the intensity and REAL feel that he does, and he always manages to bring it all back to the fact that he’s a total prick. #GOAT
2. The Usos (4)
The Usos promos in 2017 weren’t just wrestling promos, they were out-of-body experiences. Amazing timing, delivery, and intensity. These guys should go to Hollywood.
3. Samoa Joe (2)
Samoa Joe got a chance to shine on the mic this year and completely delivered. At one point he had everybody believing he could destroy Brock freakin’ Lesnar. Scary, intense, and creepily well-spoken… Joe is the man.
3. Paul Heyman (2)
The Maestro is here again – it might get repetitive, but nobody gives off that greasy sniveling heel promoter vibe like Paul E.
Honorable Mentions: Drew Gulak (1), Elias (1)
MOST CHARISMATIC
1. The Miz (4)
Once again, The Miz rules an award based on all the things it takes to be a true superstar in wrestling. The guy just oozes superstardom and we are all better for it.
2. Braun Strowman (3)
Braun Strowman was an absolute force of nature in 2017 and was able to re-capture that OH SHIT HERE COMES THIS MONSTER feel that hasn’t been felt since maybe Kane.
2. The Usos (3)
Much like The Miz, The Usos incredible promos this year carried over into this award. Check out these guys on Talking Smack, check out these guys walking down the ramp spitting truth to their opponents, check out these guys bringing the people to their feet as they head towards a finish – absolute STARS.
3. Shinsuke Nakamura (2)
THE ARTIST and his undeniable It Factor strike again. He won this category last year, so the SmackDown run clearly hurt him a bit, but he remains completely utterly electric.
3. Montez Ford (2)
Montez Ford burst onto the scene as the more charismatic half of the Street Profits and after like four squash matches he already looks like a can’t-miss major superstar. This guy is an absolute force and it is a blast to watch.
3. Paul Heyman (2)
I don’t know. The King called this one. I think it’s because he says “Ladies and gentleman…” and the crowd sings along.
Honorable Mentions: Samoa Joe (1), Kevin Owens (1)
BRYAN DANIELSON AWARD (BEST TECHNICAL WRESTLER)
1. Pete Dunne (3)
This was a wild category as it was COMPLETELY split, with a FOUR-WAY TIE for #1 and two-way ties for #2 and #3. No real bad choices though, even if this category has essentially become “best former indy guy.” Dunne’s finishing stretches with Bate and Andrews and everyone else had people going nuts, but it was his early intense matwork and tight holds that made all his matches true epics.
1. Johnny Gargano (3)
Johnny Wrestling is a lot like Dunne in that the finishes to his matches, along with his unmatched babyface charisma, bring crowds to their feet – but it’s the cool hold-trading early on that make his matches complete.
1. AJ Styles (3)
AJ Styles has brought the excellent technical professional wrestling for years, along with the flying and the striking and all the other stuff that makes him the Best in the World. Despite like seven turds with Kevin Owens, 2017 was no different.
1. Cesaro (3)
Cesaro continues to be The Man – if the promos and charisma won’t light the world on fire, the wrestling sure will.
2. Neville (2)
Neville was an absolute freak this year – the guy’s flying is what made his name, but his ability to just wreck guys’ limbs is why he’s way beyond just any old high-flyer. There’s a squash he did with Lince Dorado on RAW that was SO good – blocked a flying move, went after his arm, snarled as he did it, and just tapped his ass in 90 seconds.
2. Sami Zayn (2)
Ol’ Samuel Zayn has had himself a rough heel run lately but babyface Sami was always a highlight any time he got a little love. It is an indisputable fact that Sami Zayn got a crowd to bite on a BEARHUG in 2017 when he wrestled Baron Corbin.
3. Drew Gulak (1)
You’ve got to be a good technical wrestler if you’re gonna start a campaign for 205 Live to be a NO FLY ZONE! The story of Drew Gulak in 2017 will be that he tapped into an incredible gimmick, but his awesome wrestling ability shouldn’t take a backseat.
3. Finn Balor (1)
Balor had a weird year and his placement in a lot of these categories probably doesn’t do his work justice. He returned from injury in April and kind of hung around the midcard, but really everything he did looked great and was fun to watch.
Honorable Mentions: None
BRUISER BRODY MEMORIAL AWARD (BEST BRAWLER)
1. Braun Strowman (8)
Braun Strowman started off 2017 having an incredible Last Man Standing brawl with Sami Zayn and he really didn’t slow down – so many amazing fights with Roman, the chaotic SummerSlam main event, the cage brawls with Big Show. The guy really brought back the art of the big WWE main event brawl back to WWE and WWE is a better place for it.
2. Roman Reigns (5)
Roman Reigns was like The New Day to Braun’s Usos – tied at the hip for most of 2017 in all the best brawls. Roman’s main event matches all seem like fights and it’s awesome.
3. Pete Dunne (2)
He’s called the BRUISERWEIGHT, god damnit – what’s not to love?
Honorable Mentions: Kevin Owens (1), Samoa Joe (1), Bray Wyatt (1)
BEST FLYING WRESTLER (BEST CRUISERWEIGHT)
1. Neville (5)
All hail The King of the Cruiserweights. Neville carried the cruiserweight division on his back in 2017 and most weeks was really the only good thing about it. There is so much potential in 205 Live, but Neville was the only guy who reached that potential.
1. Gran Metalik (5)
Gran Metalik is severely underrated in the grand scheme of WWE but had a heck of a run in 2017 – every match he had he popped fans and blew minds.
2. Johnny Gargano (3)
We are so blessed that after his initial run in the CWC, Johnny Wrestling did not debut on 205 Live as planned. He had an incredible 2017 and at 199 pounds is very much a top-tier cruiserweight.
3. Brian Kendrick (2)
He might not be the most exciting flyer, but THE Brian Kendrick was the glue of the cruiserweight division. Lest we never forget his classic series with Akira Tozawa, too.
Honorable Mentions: Drew Gulak (1), Cedric Alexander (1), Noam Dar (1)
MOST OVERRATED
1. Kevin Owens (3)
Here we come to an award with three-way ties for ALL categories. As the guy writing this, let me promote my biased take that Kevin Owens is the TRUE most overrated in WWE. His run as a top guy ruined RAW in 2016, and he’s currently ruining SmackDown as a top guy in 2017. The sad thing is I like Kevin Owens. But not as a top guy in WWE. It just doesn’t work. He has his place, and when he goes OVER that place, it ends up very poorly.
1. Seth Rollins (3)
Seth Rollins is one of those guys that tends to be pointed to as a GREAT WRESTLER, despite all the contrary evidence. He found a good role later this year teaming with Ambrose, but all his singles work after his return from injury has been really weak, despite being positioned as a WWE main eventer. His matches with Samoa Joe, Triple H, Bray Wyatt… none of it worked.
1. Roman Reigns (3)
Technically, Roman Reigns is rated by WWE as The Face of WWE. And some might think that, in that role, he is overrated.
2. Bray Wyatt (2)
The buzz around Bray Wyatt died like two or three years ago but he is still here, dragging anyone down who is paired up with him. Repetitive promos, bad matches, boring angles.. nawww man.
2. Finn Balor (2)
Ya always hear that Finn Balor is THE GUY who if there was any justice in the world would be on the top of the mountain in WWE. But does he really deserve that reputation? Balor is a guy who’s legend is built on his reputation prior to WWE, but we are still waiting for him to deliver inside WWE. Plus, when he smiles he looks stupid.
2. John Cena (2)
Technically, John Cena is rated by WWE as the Greatest of All-Time. And some might think that, in that role, he is overrated.
3. Bobby Roode (1)
Bobbby Roode has been positioned as a star ever since he came to WWE, whether it was as NXT Champ or SmackDown gimmick midcarder. None of it has been very good.
3. Dean Ambrose (1)
Dean Ambrose is always around and though he’s capable of a good match here or there, the consistent mediocrity that he tends to offer up places him here.
3. Goldberg (1)
Technically, Goldberg is rated by WWE as an Unstoppable Force, a guy in his early 50s who won the Universal Championship. And some might think, in that role, he is overrated.
Honorable Mentions: None
MOST UNDERRATED
1. Luke Harper (4)
If there was any good in the run-up to Randy vs. Bray at WrestleMania once Randy turned on Bray, it was there thanks to Luke Harper. Every time this guy gets a run – Wyatt Family tags, random singles matches, the story with Randy and Bray – it RULES. But for some godforsaken reason, he always just disappears, and the buzz that surrounds him disappears. Harper is Very Good and the reluctance by WWE to not only not push him but not even really use him on TV is consistently disappointing.
2. Neville (2)
Neville has been underrated for a long time, but it conceivably could’ve been argued that he hadn’t figured out the Entertainment part in WWE. After his run as the King of the Cruiserweights, that argument no longer stands.
2. Heath Slater (3)
HE’S GOT KIDS, BAY-BAY! GIVE ‘EM AN AWARD! Heath might be firmly cemented as undercard fodder, but no matter the role the guy always delivers.
3. Rusev (2)
If the last RUSEV DAYS of 2017 were any indication, 2018 will be a big year for Rusev. But, we have seen this before. There have been so many times where Rusev seemed prime for something big and it just never got followed up on. Hence, he continues to be underrated. But – we continue to hope.
3. Cedric Alexander (2)
Cedric Alexander rules in the ring, so it’s always disappointing to see him positioned as such a geek on WWE TV. The guy who was signed by WWE amongst so much buzz having such an underwhelming run on 205 Live has stunk. Him being caught in the 205 Live vacuum is sad. Here’s to better times.
3. Bo Dallas (2)
Bo Dallas FINALLY found a role that worked in 2017 as a member of The Miztourage, but his positioning as nothing more than enhancement talent continues to bum out the 1053 Ridge brothers.
Honorable Mentions: Aiden English (1), Chad Gable (1)
BEST WEEKLY TV SHOW
1. NXT (8)
As per usual, NXT gave a peak at the WWE’s future and it was a blast to watch. Though it struggled early in the year as nobody seemed quite sure what to do with Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura, the last half of the year has been awesome – Aleister Black, Velveteen Dream, Nikki Cross, Ember Moon, Johnny Gargano, Andrade Almas, and others came into their own as characters, while Undisputed Era gave some structure to the midcard, and new faces like Street Profits and Lars Sullivan brought the energy. NXT might just be back.
2. RAW (6)
Despite the 3-hour runtime every single week being a handicap, Monday Night RAW really brought it all together this year. They got The Miz, Roman Reigns got awesome, Braun Strowman got even more awesome, The Shield reunited, The Bar and Elias and The Miztourage and Finn Balor and Neville and Elias and Samoa Joe and a ton of others were all really good. Plus they finally seemed to figure out how to pace a 3-hour show, and Kurt Angle has been a pretty awesome GM.
3. SmackDown Live (3)
After a hot first couple of months, SmackDown Live struggled for most of 2017. Despite this, the talent roster just can’t be ignored – AJ Styles, The Usos, The New Day, even fellas like Mojo Rawley and Shinsuke Nakamura and Jinder Mahal… it didn’t always deliver, but when it did it was damn good.
Honorable Mentions: Mae Young Classic (1)
MATCH OF THE YEAR
1. Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne for the WWE U.K. Title (TakeOver: Chicago 5/20/17) (9)
It was a neck-and-neck race this year for MOTY, which speaks to the variety and quality of WWE’s in-ring product this year but also the fact that there weren’t that many clear peak matches. Regardless, this was the match that stood among all the others. A perfect blend of the madness of modern day wrestling with the restraint of old school wrestling. Jaw-dropping spots, peaks and valleys, standing ovations – awesome. Right place, right time – a special match that wasn’t just jump-out-of-your-seat awesome, but the emergence of two young superstars.
2. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe for the Universal Title (SummerSlam 8/20/17) (2)
Seriously – what else do you want out of you your wrestling? This is four giant human beasts having a totally insane brawl, total chaos from start to finish… whenever there was a lull, here’s Samoa Joe hitting a tope or something. BRAAUUUNNN somehow becomes an even bigger wrestling superstar, and there’s an incredible sympathetic performance from Brock Lesnar of all people. Just perfect sports entertainment.
2. AJ Styles vs. John Cena for the WWE Title (Royal Rumble 1/29/17) (2)
John Cena and AJ Styles’ masterpiece – Cena’s emotion sold this, AJ’s athleticism made it. This was the two best professional wrestlers in the world having themselves a professional wrestling competition, a battle of superheroes for different parts of the fanbase. Every move clicked, felt bigger than usual, had credibility. They threw it all at each other. Cena was coughing. Cena got frustrated. Cena threw one of the greatest laritats ever. AJ Styles inexplicably applied one of the best STFs ever. Counters, near falls, hot crowd – peak WWE.
2. The Usos vs. The New Day in a Hell in a Cell Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Title (Hell in a Cell 10/8/17) (2)
The coolest and most fun wrestling match. Crazy dives (a Doomsday Device tope suicida!), fun creativity (kendo stick jail!), great straight-up tag wrestling from the best tag pairing in the world, and nasty violent use of weapons. An epic performance by Xavier Woods too, who was just the best underdog and took an insane beating.
3. The Usos vs. The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Title (SummerSlam Kickoff 8/20/17) (1)
This match got all the good 1053 Ridge brothers to stop bantering and enjoy the WRESTLING. Another incredible Usos/New Day tag match.
3. AJ Styles vs. Brock Lesnar in a Champion vs. Champion Match (Survivor Series 11/19/17) (1)
A Dream Match that completely delivered – Brock smashed, while AJ flew and bumped around and proved that even with a lackluster first half of the year he’s still one of the best in the world. This is a classic underdog story, with Brock just owning AJ early on and a lot of great cut-offs that were legitimately demoralizing. Some real epic stuff as AJ fought back too, including Brock selling the Calf Crusher like death and an awesome near fall that had actual human beings buying that Brock Lesnar might go down to a springboard jumping elbow smash. So good.
3. Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream (NXT TakeOver: WarGames 11/18/17) (1)
They did all the fun character stuff they needed to and built to an absolutely piping hot finish… a great standalone match, brought up a notch by Velveteen Dream showing everybody he can go. Oh and Dream’s Rick Rude pants were incredible.
Honorable Mentions: None
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (NEW TO WWE)
1. Pete Dunne (6)
Pete Dunne first appeared on WWE TV in mid-January and completely absolutely blew everybody’s minds. An amazing 3-match performance on Night 2 of the UK Title Tournament, along with amazing matches all year with guys like Tyler Bate, Mark Andrews and Johnny Gargano. Great character, great wrestling, and the guy is only 24-years-old.
2. Velveteen Dream (4)
Patrick Clark went and found himself a CHARACTER and it rules. It is really ballsy to take a likable Tough Enough guy with a built-in babyface story and do a complete 180 where he’s playing an effeminate douchebag, but here we are. And it’s working.
3. Bianca BelAir (2)
We’ve only had a brief look at Bianca BelAir, but it’s impressive. She’s the only person on this list who is a legitimate rookie, a Performance Center trainee with only a year or two under her belt, but wow talk about the potential. Check out her performances vs. Kairi Sane in the Mae Young Classic or the NXT Women’s Title #1 Contender Battle Royal – this one is a keeper.
3. Aleister Black (2)
It is so weird that Aleister Black only debuted this year (remember when he wrestled as Tommy End vs. Neville during the UK Tourney?), as he already feels like a major part of NXT and a guy who is main roster ready. Great strikes, presence, entrance – this guy rules.
Honorable Mentions: Killian Dain (1)
BEST NON-WRESTLER
1. Daniel Bryan (7)
The fact that Daniel Bryan is still around and a presence on WWE TV is wonderful. The wrestling fan in all of us hopes for his return to the ring, but the wrestling fan in all of us appreciates that he is still around being his goofy self and having awkward conversations with Shane McMahon. SmackDown would be even more unbearable if this guy wasn’t around.
2. Zelina Vega (3)
It cannot be understated how much Zelina Vega has completely rectified the Andrade “Cien” Almas character. Almas upped the ring work, but Vega has turned him into a legitimate act. She’s been great.
3. Kurt Angle (2)
Kurt Angle is easily WWE’s best GM since Teddy Long and before that I don’t know – maybe Mick Foley when he would joke around with Edge & Christian? He has been a pretty underrated part of making RAW awesome this year, from his early initial interactions with RAW’s crazy cast of characters to the credibility he brings to every segment he’s in. He also helped carry the initial part of the Jason Jordan angle, which could’ve very easily fallen apart.
3. Stephanie McMahon (2)
Steph McMahon has smartly taken a backseat this year, but any time she shows up for an angle she reminds you she’s an all-time great character.
3. William Regal (2)
Regal is quiet, but an excellent addition to NXT as the credible (and occasionally funny) Authority figure.
Honorable Mentions: The Singh Brothers (1), Paul Heyman (1)
BEST TELEVISION ANNOUNCER
1. Corey Graves (8)
Corey is the best in the game – well-spoken, great one-liners, knows his wrestling, knows how to adapt WWE’s weird commentary tropes so that they don’t sound completely cringe-worthy. And those SUITS. No wonder he’s on both RAW AND SmackDown.
2. Booker T (4)
Booker T has had just the weirdest renaissance as a color commentator. We might not always understand what he’s going on about, but man is it fun. His commentary adds a loose feel to the typically stiff WWE commentator’s both, and his hatred of Jason Jordan has been a wonderful late-2017 highlight.
3. Michael Cole (3)
At some point, everybody (Michael Cole included) just realized that Michael Cole is Michael Cole and he is never going to change. And somehow he got better for it. He might be the ultimate Company Guy, but Cole holds it together as the Voice of the WWE, and his behind-the-scenes work shouldn’t go overlooked.
Honorable Mentions: Mauro Ranallo (2), Nigel McGuinness (1)
WORST TELEVISION ANNOUNCER
1. Percy Watson (5)
Percy Watson once said that Hideo Itami’s kicks were “Kobayashi” style – and unless he’s some wrestling savant and referencing either Kuniaki Kobayashi or KENTA’s original wrestling name, I think that really says all you need to know. Watson isn’t terrible or anything but he doesn’t add anything to the product and just feels awkward in the role. It ain’t Showtime no more.
2. Mauro Ranallo (3)
Mauro Ranallo was a breath of fresh air to WWE commentary once he came to SmackDown, but once you get past the insanity of Hirooki Goto’s name being referenced on WWE TV, there’s not much there. It’s awesome to reference wrestling outside of WWE, but not when it’s actively taking away from the awesome wrestlers right in front of your eyes.
2. David Otunga (3)
Otunga doesn’t do much commentary anymore since Booker T strong-armed his way onto RAW, and that’s really for the best. Regardless, Otunga might do all kinds of things for WWE’s media presence, but his contributions to Kickoff shows are never ever good.
2. Michael Cole (3)
The most controversial figure in commentary! The best and the worst! Undefeated at WrestleMania! The Cole Miner! MICHAEL COLE!!!
3. Byron Saxton (2)
Byron Saxton continues to be exactly how he was described in last year’s awards: the living embodiment of Vince McMahon’s quest to eventually replace his commentator’s with AI.
Honorable Mentions: Nigel McGuinness (1), JBL (1)
BEST MAJOR WRESTLING SHOW
1. NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III (8/19/17) (5)
WWE always brings their game up in Brooklyn. This was an awesome show, with amazing wrestling, a big time an angle, and some sweet live music to boot. Gargano and Almas had the best ever NXT opener, The Authors of Pain and SAnitY exceeded expectations, Black and Itami kicked the shit out of each other, Asuka and Ember Moon tore the house down, Drew McIntyre won the NXT Title, and it all ended with Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish crashing the party.
2. WWE Survivor Series 2017 (11/19/17) (3)
A great show on paper that totally delivered. For four freaking hours of pro wrestling, it was kind of incredible. Every match on the main show was at the very least good, and a few of them were straight-up epic (AJ/Brock, New Day/Shield). The finish to the main event was terrible, but still didn’t overwhelm what was a heck of a show.
2. WWE Great Balls of Fire (7/9/17) (3)
A show that was top-to-bottom good, which is sometimes all you can ask for. Brock vs. Joe and the Reigns/Braun ambulance angle were awesome stuff, while Alexa Bliss and Sasha Banks beat the shit out of each other. Plus, it was called GREAT BALLS OF FIRE.
3. WWE WrestleMania 33 (4/2/17) (2)
This was a LONG WrestleMania, but top-to-bottom it was an awesome show. Everything wasn’t perfect, but it all delivered. So many great Mania moments too – the Hardys return, AJ Styles and Shane McMahon blowing everybody away, Kevin Owens doing a rope break with his finger, Big John proposing to Nikki, Brock vs. Goldberg being amazing, The Undertaker’s goodbye. This was a big deal of a pro wrestling show.
3. NXT TakeOver: WarGames (11/18/17) (2)
NXT TakeOvers are, as a rule, great. And this followed that rule. Velveteen Dream vs. Aleister Black, Drew McIntyre vs. Andy Almas, and the WarGames match were all tremendous.
3. NXT TakeOver: Chicago (5/20/17) (2)
And the rule continues. A few of the matches weren’t great, but Bate vs. Dunne was a legitimate five-star classic, and the Ladder Match to end the show was a blast. Oh and Ciampa turned on Gargano and it was incredible.
Honorable Mentions: WWE Elimination Chamber (2/12/17) (1)
WORST MAJOR WRESTLING SHOW
1. WWE Battleground 2017 (7/23/17) (9)
An awful, awful night for the blue brand. New Day and Usos tore the house down, otherwise – Nakamura vs. Corbin was boring, the 5-way Women’s Title Elimination Match was terrible, AJ vs. Owens was disappointing and tarnished further by a complete fuck-up of a finish, Cena vs. Rusev in a Flag Match was dumb, and the Punjabi Prison match was a gimmicky stinker that ended with THE GREAT KHALI momentarily returning. Plus. everything just had the glaze of SmackDown summer lifelessness all over it. A terrible, boring show that one could argue SmackDown still hasn’t recovered from.
2. WWE Fastlane 2017 (3/5/17) (5)
Just a boring show with way too many weak matches. Roman vs. Braun and Neville vs. Gallagher were good, Sami vs. Joe was OK, otherwise… YIKES. I was getting sleepy by the second match on this card and it didn’t get any better. The Sasha/Nia, Cesaro/Jinder, and Show/Rusev portion was BRUTAL. Them ending Charlotte’s PPV streak AND Bayley’s buzz with a stupid finish legitimately enraged me, and they followed it up with KO’s 30-second Universal Title loss to Goldberg that everybody saw coming. BAD.
3. WWE Extreme Rules 2017 (6/4/17) (2)
A very low-end WWE PPV… even the good stuff kind of under-delivered. Neville vs. Aries and The Bar vs. The Hardys in a cage bummed me out for how average they are, while Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss with the Kendo Stick on the Pole was legitimately sad to watch. Dean vs. Miz and the 5-Way main event were good, but just that.
Honorable Mentions: WWE Clash of Champions 2017 (12/17/17) (1), WWE Money in the Bank 2017 (6/18/17) (1)
BEST WRESTLING MANEUVER
1. Johnny Gargano’s Slingshot Spear (3)
Some of the greatest moments in-ring for WWE in 2017 came from this crazy move. When it gets countered, too… oh MAN.
1. Baron Corbin’s End of Days (3)
Always impressive, always cool. A perfect “OH SHIT” finish.
1. Pete Dunne’s X-Plex (3)
Such a simple but awesome, creative move – set up a suplex, and then just DROP THE FUCKER. It was a big part of many of 2017’s best matches.
2. Gran Metalik’s Springboard Backflip (2)
Really, any of Metalik’s moveset can be here – but this was a favorite. It’s SO FAST!!!
2. AJ Styles’ Styles Clash (2)
The classic reliable Styles Clash – gets ’em every time. Extra points when there’s a cool counter leading into it.
2. Seth Rollins’ Avada Kedavra (2)
It’s a god damn standing kick to the face. It rules.
3. Oney Lorcan’s Slap (1)
Oney Lorcan really should’ve gotten more love during these awards, but it’s a top 3 territory. Regardless, here’s to Oney, who’s simple SLAP had folks flipping out every time it happened.
3. Drew McIntyre’s Claymore (1)
It’s a god damn running kick to the face. It rules.
3. Bray Wyatt’s Sister Abigail (1)
The classic reliable Sister Abigail – gets ’em every time. Extra points when there’s a cool counter leading into it.
Honorable Mentions: None
MOST DISGUSTING PROMOTIONAL TACTIC
1. Impact Wrestling (9)
All for the boys in the back getting a paycheck, but man. This thing just keeps happening. oVe? OVE?
2. Bayley’s a Fucking Loser (3)
The highs of 2015 and 2016 with Bayley were completely decimated in 2017, as her big title win happened on a sleepy RAW, only to be followed up by a Mania moment that didn’t quite click (because it already happened on a sleepy RAW), followed by Alexa Bliss just completely utterly burying her ass. She hasn’t recovered. Tears.
2. John Cena’s Pandering (3)
The King did not find any hustle, loyalty, OR respect in John Cena’s frequent pandering to the masses. You’re not perfect, John! Stop acting like it!
3. Jinder Mahal is a Racist (2)
So 2017 definitely saw an angle where Jinder Mahal, the first Indian WWE Champion and supposed hero to all of India, a man who was first a heel basically simply because he was Indian, decided to make fun of Shinsuke Nakamura’s squinty Asian eyes for an entire month. And Nakamura never even got his revenge. Fuck.
Honorable Mentions: Stephanie McMahon Started the Women’s Revolution (1)
WORST MATCH OF THE YEAR
1. Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman for the Universal Title (No Mercy 9/24/17) (3)
A complete disappointing dud of a match, made all the worse by all the incredible hype surrounding it. There was no reason for this not to be awesome – these two faced off during a Royal Rumble and the SummerSlam 4-way and it was incredible. But this… this was just bad. Sloppy, heatless. A lone failure in Braun’s incredible 2017.
1. Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Title (WrestleMania 33 4/2/17) (3)
This was the match where they projected worms onto the ring mat. And honestly, that was probably the best part. This was two guys who have a tendency to mail it in completely mailing it in on the biggest stage of them all. Yuck.
1. RAW vs. SmackDown Survivor Series Elimination Match (Survivor Series 11/19/17) (3)
There really isn’t a lot terrible about the first 20 minutes of this match. But the last 10 or so… wow. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, potentially on the up-and-up with their heel run, run in and basically just get run off by Shane McMahon like complete fucking losers. And THEN. Here’s what I wrote in the Happy Thoughts:
Kevin and Sami may not be home run main eventers, but they looked like total chumps. Then SmackDown looks like absolute shit as their top champ loses to RAW’s top champs, and then their GM tried to align with TRIPLE H only to get laid out, because why wouldn’t that happen? And that young up-and-comer Triple H replaced [Jason Jordan] didn’t even show up. And this is all basically to set up Kurt Angle vs. Triple H, which already had a built-in story. PLUS, Triple H has now shoehorned himself into a feud with the ONE GUY [Braun Strowman] who DOES NOT NEED TO BE INVOLVED WITH TRIPLE H.
Triple H is gonna Triple H, man. Yes indeed.
2. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley in a Kendo Stick on a Pole Match for the RAW Women’s Title (Extreme Rules 6/4/17) (2)
Just one of the saddest matches I have ever watched. Alexa out-smarts Bayley, takes her finish, and beats her with a kendo stick until she wins. The only proper follow-up to this would have been to put Bayley in a dumpster marked NXT. There’s building somebody as an underdog and then there is just making them look like complete shit.
2. Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton in a House of Horrors Match (Payback 4/30/17) (2)
For all we know they had a Magnum TA/Tully Blanchard-esque gritty nasty brawl for the ages, but it was surrounded by so many spooky sound effects and shit that it was just kind of lame. Should we embrace the camp? Was this even camp? What the hell was this?
2. Big Show vs. Big Cass (SummerSlam 8/20/17) (2)
Just a complete bore-fest. Big Cass worked the HAND for what felt like 20 minutes. My goodness.
3. AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE U.S. Title (Battleground 7/23/17) (1)
Another disappointing AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens match, but this one had the luxury of having a completely botched finish that was SO uncomfortably awkward. We still don’t know what happened.
3. Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Title (Money in the Bank 6/18/17) (1)
Just another entry in the OK but ultimately middling Jinder/Randy series. The Backlash match at least had the weirdness of Jinder actually winning. This was just… nope.
3. Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax (RAW 4/10/17) (1)
This was the match where Nia Jax almost killed Charlotte like twelve times. Charlotte does a moonsault to the floor and Nia just STEPS BACK. Not good.
with a couple awkward spots by Nia – basically dropping Charlotte on her head with a shoulderbreaker and kind of just stepping back when Charlotte did a freaking moonsault from the top rope to the floor. The spot didn’t even look cool wrestling dangerous, just ugly and pointless. Nia is green but can be protected, but when the spots are actively scary that protection goes away. Her kicking out of the Natural Selection probably should’ve felt like a bigger deal too.
Honorable Mentions: None
WORST FEUD OF THE YEAR
1. Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (August – December) (3)
The feud that might officially kill off SmackDown once and for all. We got the Hell in a Cell match and that’s IT. Owens and Zayn are lazy in the ring and uninspired promos, while Shane comes off as if he’s had a lobotomy. Plus, Triple H made all these guys look like geeks at the Survivor Series anyways.
1. Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton (April – July) (3)
The feud that gave Jinder the WWE Title, and I’m not sure anyone ended up any better for it. Everybody tried, but nothing really worked. And it just kept going, and was blown off with an embarrassing Punjabi Prison match.
1. Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar (January – April) (3)
It might have culminated in an awesome WrestleMania match, but it’s up in the air whether this did anything for WWE as a whole, as it made a lot of folks in its’ path look like total chumps.
2. Big Cass vs. Enzo Amore (June – August) (2)
It’s the blood feud nobody wanted! And then Cass tore off a leg muscle. Not good.
2. Dolph Ziggler vs. …The Fans? (September – December) (2)
IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT!?!?! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT!?!?!?!?!!?
2. Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (August – October) (5)
This not only had the awkwardness of Jinder Mahal playing up straight racism on Nakamura, it also just KEPT GOING. And Nakamura never got his revenge. Jinder just beat him, like 3 times. ARGH.
2. Bray Wyatt vs. Finn Balor (May – September (2)
Dumb angles, dumb promos, no in-ring chemistry. And then Bray got meningitis and they called off their goofy Sister Abigail vs. Demon match at TLC and it was never spoken of again. Which is really for the best.
3. Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton (February – April (1)
The whole Randy Orton Joins The Wyatt Family was rocking SmackDown in late-2016 and early 2017, but once Randy burned Bray’s house down this whole thing became a confusing pile of shit.
Honorable Mentions: None
BEST GIMMICK
1. Who Wants to Walk With Elias? (6)
He’s a condescending bearded guitar player who wears crap on his wrists – what a DICK! The Drifter has quickly become an integral part of RAW, and his guitar segments / incredibly over catchphrase have been an awesome way to round out any show.
2. Unstoppable Braun Strowman (5)
It is almost as if Vince McMahon is giving us one last gift. This is no heel, this or no face – he’s a MONSTER AMONG MEN.
3. King of the Cruiserweights Neville (2)
Heel Neville was an absolute revelation – a bitter, unhinged, Napolean-complex asshole who will is clearly the best guy in his division. What a scary prospect! And Neville was completely dialed in all year.
3. Pete Dunne (2)
Pete Dunne has absolutely mastered how William Regal might have been if he got famous as a teenager. He’s a complete sniveling prick, a Draco Malfoy motherfucker who you just want to punch in the face if you didn’t think he’d try to break your fingers afterwards.
Honorable Mentions: Angry Samoa Joe (1), Gangster Usos (1), Noam Dar/Alicia FAAAWWWXXXXX (1)
WORST GIMMICK
1. The ‘Zo Train (3)
For the last couple months of 2017, this crew was either the main act on 205 Live’s worst stretches of shows yet or grinding generally good RAW’s to a halt. It’s led by an annoying Enzo, everyone’s reasoning for following Enzo still makes no sense, and Enzo’s crew outside of Enzo is wildly uncharismatic. Gross.
1. Dolph Ziggler (“Is this what you want!?”) (3)
Wrestling is always best when it confuses you into silence, isn’t it?
1. Goldberg (3)
Look, The King doesn’t appreciate this old asshole coming in and getting presented as a badass when he’s only capable of 5-minute and under matches, alright?
2. Face of America Kevin Owens (2)
This was so weird. Kevin Owens had won the U.S. Title, so he got a shave and put on a suit and called himself the best American ever, all the while praising Canada and dissing America. Problem was – serious KO’s delivery was boring, the matches weren’t any good, and there were like ten other foreign heels on SmackDown at the time.
2. Kassius Ohno (2)
Who even is Kassius Ohno? Some guy who wears basketball jerseys to the ring? What is going on here?
2. John Cena (2)
Then. Now. Forever.
2. Undisputed Era (2)
What even is Undisputed Era? Some skinny turds who we should buy as badasses cause they succeeded in fuckin’ Ring of Honor? Yeesh.
3. Roman Reigns (1)
ALL HAIL THE KING!
Honorable Mentions: Fuck You Craig
