We asked our syndicated writers to help us out with this year’s Year-End-Awards Roundtable. Thanks to those who participated.
The Maverick:
TBL Awards
1. Performer of the Year
“Alpha Male” Monty Brown
2. Wrestler of the Year
AJ Styles
3. Diva of the Year
Trish Stratus
4. Tag Team of the Year
Triple X (Christopher Daniels and Elix Skipper)
5. Match of the Year
AMW vs. Triple X, Six Sides of Steel, TNA Turning Point
6. Stable of the Year
Team Canada
7. Manager/Valet of the Year
Scott D’Amore
8. Pay-Per-View Event of the Year
TNA Victory Road
9. Angle of the Year
I want to say Carmella, Joy, and Christy trash-talking each other on Raw durring the Raw Diva Search, because I honestly do feel that this segment may have been the most entertaining piece of WWE television in 2004 that didn’t involve the Rock or the Lita/Trish feud. Seeing Joy and Carmella go at one another with language that makes Stone Cold look tame in comparason while Christy Hemme does the whole “Crazy-Ass Bitch” routine and ends her speech with a split because… I don’t know. Hemme’s out of her f***ing mind, but at least she’s ENTERTAINING, which is more than I can say for half the crap WWE has produced in the past THREE years. But, if for some reason this doesn’t count, seeing as it was SUPPOSED to be a “Shoot” (yeah, like any “reality tv” is actually a shoot…), then just go ahead and mark me down for Shelton Benjamin’s two wins over Triple H on consecutive Raw’s. And if that doesn’t count… forget it. Angle-Wise, 2004 was likely the least creative year I’ve seen since I first started watchign wrestling in the early 80’s…
10. Feud of the Year
Believe it or not, Lita vs. Trish Stratus. It was the only feud that had any real build-up. Every other feud in the past year was either just thrown together (most TNA feuds), poorly executed (Guerrero/JBL, Orton/HHH), confusing as all hell (DDP/Raven), or overhyped with a horrible pay-off (Brock vs. Goldberg).
11. Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year
Petey Williams
12. Theme Song of the Year
“Walk Idiot, Walk” by The Hives – Christy Hemme’s theme. Or, at least it was the last time I watched an entire episode of RAW…
13. Most Improved Wrestler of the Year
I’d have to say Trish, simply because she plays a better heel now than she did when she first came into the WWF managing T & A. Beyond that, I haven’t seen much of a change in ANYONE in the wrestling world.
14. Commentator of the Year
Mike Tenay
15. Promotion of the Year
NWA-TNA
16. Finishing Move of the Year
Canadian Destroyer – Petey Williams
17. Favorite Wrestler of the Year
Alex Shelley. Completely underutilized in the wrestling world.
Linda Robin:
1. Performer of the Year
The winner of this award doesn’t have to be the best wrestler of 2004. What’s considered is a combination of all attributes that in one’s opinion make up a great pro wrestler. For example, the selection can be a wrestler who wasn’t the best inside the ring in 2004, however, managed to combine his skills with microphone ability, storyline telling, outside TV appearances, etc. Hence the name “performer” of the year, rather “wrestler” of the year, which we’ll get to in a bit.
Eddie Guerrero
2. Wrestler of the Year
Unlike the previous category, this award goes out to the best in-ring professional wrestler for 2004. TRIPLE H
3. Diva of the Year
If it’s believed that a woman wrestler should win one of the two awards above, she automatically wins this award. However, if not, this award goes to the best diva of 2004. Trish
4. Tag Team of the Year
This award goes to the best tag team of 2004. RVD/Rey Mysterio
5. Match of the Year
This award goes for the best match of 2004. Chris Benoit vs. HHH Iron Man Match
6. Stable of the Year
This award goes out to the best professional wrestling stable in 2004. Evolution
7. Manager/Valet of the Year
This award goes to the best manager, or valet, in 2004. Ric Flair
8. Pay-Per-View Event of the Year
This award goes to the best proffesional wrestling Pay-Per-View event of 2004.WM 20
9. Angle of the Year
This award goes to the best angle of 2004. An angle could be a specific segment (example: The Rock’s “This is Your Life” for Mick Foley), or a continuing confrontation on a short-term basis that doesn’t get on PPV (examples: Shawn Michaels vs. Christian). If you take a different understanding in consideration for your selection of a winner of the category, please explain. Not to be confused with the Feud of the Year award. Lita/Trish
10. Feud of the Year
This award goes to the best long-term feud in 2004 that at least had one match on PPV. Foley vs Evolution
11. Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year
This award goes to a professional wrestler who was able to break away from their shadow in 2004 and “turn things around” for his/her character. It should be given to someone who hasn’t had the opportunity to shine in the past, or is a rookie. A veteran selection should rather be chosen for “Most Improved Wrestler of the Year” below. Randy Orton
12. Theme Song of the Year
This award goes to the best theme song of 2004. Time To Play The Game
13. Most Improved Wrestler of the Year
This award goes to the professional wrestler, who in 2004 brought their game to the very best of their abilities, which they haven’t been able to achieve in past years. Batista
14. Commentator of the Year
This award goes to the best commentator in 2004. JR
15. Promotion of the Year
This award goes to the most notable professional wrestling promotion of 2004. WWE
16. Finishing Move of the Year
This award goes to the best finisher and the wrestler who uses it.RKO
17. Favorite Wrestler of the Year
Your personal favorite in 2004. Triple H
