Wrestleview.com Mid-Year Awards for 2010
August 30, 2010
By: Anthony J. Valvo of Wrestleview.com
Introduction
Hello everyone. First off, let me apologize that this was not up last week. I had a lot of work to do in getting my applications set to be a daily substitute teacher at some of the local schools here (when they get a hold of Mr. V, I will be a commodity no matter where I go).
But anyways, welcome to the Mid-Year Awards for 2010. I am the writer that gathered up the Wrestleview staff’s choices and what they typed back to me will be shown below. Last Year, I broke it down to five parts. However, with time constraints I decided to just make it one enormous piece to be shared by the entire Wrestleview community.
So, why are they “Mid-Year” and we are in August? Well, in the Wrestleview year, most of the writers were hired and started in February (the 2nd month). So I added six months and it equaled out to August.
Here are the Wrestleview Staff Members that took part of this piece. I thank each one of them for taking part of this.
Adam Martin (Editor-in-Chief of Wrestleview.com, Host of many WV Radio Programs)
David Stephens (Raw Recapper, Columnist of That’s a Wrap, and Co-Host of “The Teacher’s Lounge”.
Josh Boutwell (TNA Impact/Lucha Libre USA Recapper and Columnist of Viva La Raza)
Jose Marrero (Columnist of Wrestling Rumblings and Recapper of all the live events he attends)
Matt O’Brien (Columnist of Notes from the Nosebleeds and Manager of the WV Poll)
Doug Lackey (Columnist of Reality from Ringside, Host of 3R Radio and Co-Host on WrestleView Radio)
Anthony Valvo (Columnist of From the Desk of Mr. V, ROH on HDNet Recapper, and Co-Host of “The Teacher’s Lounge”)
And remember, the moment this is posted you can make your selections for the Best and Worst of Wrestling for the middle of the year by e-mailing me at mistervwv@hotmail.com. You can send them to me now, or you could wait until the official ballot come out later this week (hoping before Wednesday). Last year, it was very successful and I am hoping to be real busy with this project.
Anyways, here are our choices of whom and what were the best (and worst) during the first half of the year. Grab some coffee. It may be awhile.
Best of…
Best Weekly TV Show of the Half-Year
Dave S. – RAW, but I’m biased.
Josh B. – WWE SMACKDOWN.
Jose M. – I am definitely going to be alone with this but my pick is WWC’s SUPER ESTRELLAS DE LA LUCHE LIBRE SHOW on WAPA America. This show is such a throwback to the old school that it is my absolute favorite show to watch every week.
Matt O. – SMACKDOWN.
Anthony V. – I thought most the shows this year was hit or miss throughout the year. However, the only show that I think do the best with the least amount of talent is WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN. They may not have the stars, but they have excellent writers.
Doug L. – SMACKDOWN. Without a doubt, the most basic and entertaining professional wrestling program you can find. Simple angles, simple characters, easy-to-follow action in the ring… what more could you ask for?
Adam Martin – WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW.
Best Gimmick
Dave S. – CM PUNK and his Straight Edge Society.
Josh B. – MR. ANDERSON’S “A**hole” Gimmick.
Jose M. – KEVIN STEEN’S new gimmick has been my favorite gimmick in wrestling this year.
Matt O. – THE MIZ.
Anthony V. – This one so far is pretty tough because I can think of a few that I found very entertaining. I am going to go with CM PUNK’S gimmick as the Leader of the Straight Edge Society. It has not resulted in many wins recently, but the gimmick is brilliant.
Doug L. – CODY RHODES. Two words… Digital Mirror!
Adam Martin – CM PUNK.
Most Underrated
Dave S. – GAIL KIM, she is not being used to her potential. While complete jokes like Alicia Fox are given Title runs, Kim is forced to job to crappy scissors kicks. I don’t get it.
Josh B. – “THE POPE” D’ANGELO DINERO.
Jose M. – CHRISTIAN he is the best wrestler in WWE right now and doing nothing.
Matt O. – DESMOND WOLFE.
Anthony V. – Is it possible to say that CHRISTIAN is underrated? I am still sticking with that because he has done everything well this year on ECW and Smackdown and all that he got in the last six months was the ECW Title.
Doug L. – DOLPH ZIGGLER. Fantastic selling, a somewhat-contrived offense, and finally has gotten a hold of a pretty decent angle getting Vickie Guerrero into the mix. The only question: Will Vickie steal Dolph’s thunder like she did to Edge?
Adam Martin – CHRISTIAN.
Most Underutilized (New Category)
Idea provided by Allison Ross. This is for the wrestlers that show a lot of potential and could really shine if they were given the right push.
Dave S. – CHRISTIAN.
Josh B. – GENERATION ME.
Jose M. – CHRISTIAN.
Matt O. – PRIMO.
Anthony V. – I would have went with Dolph Ziggler, but I think he is getting the right push at this time. I’ll probably be wrong, but I am going to say there is a ton of potential in YOSHI TATSU that the WWE has not tapped into on Raw.
Doug L. – MARK HENRY. It is so difficult to find a big man (over 275 lbs.) who can actually act as one of those gateway mid-card performers (see Christian, Regal, Goldust, Matt Hardy). Luke Gallows could fall in this also, but Henry has over 12 years of in-ring experience and is a physical specimen that is a rarity to find nowadays.
Adam Martin – ROBERT ROODE.
Best Finishing Move
Dave S. – JUSTIN GABRIEL’S 450 SPLASH.
Josh B. – AJ SYTLES’ SPRINGBOARD 450.
Jose M. – RANDY ORTON’S RKO.
Matt O. – WRESTLEVIEW RADIO’S SONG OF THE NIGHT.
Anthony V. – With this type I don’t care if it is submission, power, or done in the air. I want a finisher to look simply spectacular. And every time I see EVAN BOURNE’S SHOOTING STAR PRESS I am still amazed of how well Bourne executes it.
Doug L. – THE ENDING TO ANY ULTIMATE X MATCH… the pain is finally over…
Adam Martin – RANDY ORTON’S RKO.
Best on the Mic
Dave S. – CM PUNK, seriously they gave him promo time in the middle of the Royal Rumble & Elimination Chamber. Just think about that for a second.
Josh B. – “THE POPE” D’ANGELO DINERO.
Jose M. – RIC FLAIR.
Matt O. – JAY LETHAL.
Anthony V. – THE MIZ is by far the winner so far in 2010. He can rile up any crowd with his ignorance when the lights are on. His emotions while talking have improved drastically.
Doug L. – THE MIZ. I have never heard so much animosity, determination, and conviction behind the microphone… from a heel no less! Look up his post-match ‘victory speech’ from last month’s Money in the Bank PPV… no debate…
Adam Martin – THE MIZ.
Best TV Announcer or Commentator of the Half-Year
Dave S. – MICHAEL COLE, he gets the nod for his character on NXT. He isn’t as strong on RAW, but he was really great with Mathews in his role on NXT.
Josh B. – TODD GRISHAM.
Jose M. – JOSH MATHEWS.
Matt O. – JERRY LAWLER.
Anthony V. – This one is very difficult because no one stood out to me. I will say so far it is a split between Striker (he calls wrestling moves), Grisham (he is getting much better), and Mathews (he calls NXT very genuinely). If I had to pick someone it would be TODD GRISHAM, but it is really close.
Doug L. – TODD GRISHAM. He is the only human being on this planet that apparently can keep Striker in check. It is really amazing to look through this guy’s resume and see how long it has taken him to get behind that table… and be the best!
Adam Martin – JOSH MATHEWS.
Best PPV of the Half-Year
Dave S. – WRESTLEMANIA XXVI.
Josh B. – TNA LOCKDOWN.
Jose M. – WRESTLEMANIA XXVI.
Matt O. – ELIMINATION CHAMBER.
Anthony V. – I will admit I did not see every PPV, but the one that I got the most satisfaction was from WRESTLEMANIA XXVI. Outside the Tag Match and Divas Tag, it was a very solid show.
Doug L. – UNDECIDED… Every time I would look through the calendar I would see a show I thought was the best but then remember what was so horrible about it.
Adam Martin – WWE’S ELIMINATION CHAMBER.
Most Popular Wrestler
Dave S. – THE UNDERTAKER, he still gets absurd reactions every time he appears.
Josh B. – JOHN CENA.
Jose M. – RANDY ORTON.
Matt O. – JOHN CENA.
Anthony V. – Jeff Hardy was my pick last year, but it is a shame that he went to TNA and a guy like Jay Lethal is more popular. It’s pretty weird, but actually one of the most hated last year happens to be a very popular guy this year. I have to go with RANDY ORTON.
Doug L. – REY MYSTERIO. His headbutt-count before entering the ring now has grown to triple digits.
Adam Martin – JOHN CENA.
Most Hated Wrestler
Dave S. – VICKIE GUERRERO, just her appearance causes the crowd to riot with boos.
Josh B. – THE MIZ.
Jose M. – CM PUNK.
Matt O. – SHEAMUS.
Anthony V. – I can vouch for The Embassy in ROH because they get toilet paper thrown at them all the time. But who gets the most heat..Vickie Guerrero? No, she is not a full-time wrestler. Cole is not a wrestler either, so I am going to have to vote for THE MIZ. He can really rile a crowd up.
Doug L. – CM PUNK. No question.
Adam Martin – THE NEXUS.
Most Improved
Dave S. – THE MIZ.
Josh B. – THE MIZ.
Jose M. – EVAN BOURNE.
Matt O. – MADISON RAYNE.
Anthony V. – Wow, this is tough. I am going to pick SHEAMUS as the most improved because he has improved pretty much across the board.
Doug L. – JACK SWAGGER. While some of us already knew he was good in the ring, we didn’t know how good he could be with a more in-depth gimmick and rigorous work behind the mic. Question answered.
Adam Martin – THE MIZ.
Best Feud of the Half-Year
Dave S. – BRET HART vs. VINCE MCMAHON, this one was 13 years in the making. Hart’s return was one of the biggest moments in recent memory for professional wrestling.
Josh B. – MOTOR CITY MACHINEGUNS vs. BEER MONEY.
Jose M. – SHAWN MICHAELS vs. THE UNDERTAKER.
Matt O. – RIC FLAIR vs. JAY LETHAL.
Anthony V. – I am going outside the WWE and TNA mold and am going with KEVIN STEEN vs. EL GENERICO from Ring of Honor. The execution is very surprising and the story has been amazing from start to finish. Adding the likes of Steve Corino and Colt Cabana to this really did wonders for this feud as well.
Doug L. – REY MYSTERIO-CM PUNK… this feud carried the Over the Limit PPV.
Adam Martin – REY MYSTERIO/CM PUNK.
Women’s Wrestler of the Half-Year
Dave S. – EVE TORRES.
Josh B. – MADISON RAYNE.
Jose M. – MARYSE.
Matt O. – MADISON RAYNE.
Anthony V. – No one really impressed me in the WWE and TNA. So again, I am going with the ROH/Indies once again and I am going to say it is SARA DEL RAY. Every time I saw her wrestle this year she has been very good.
Doug L. – EVE TORRES. Um… I think… yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s her.
Adam Martin – EVE TORRES.
Most Outstanding (Pound for Pound) Wrestler
Dave S. – DAVEY RICHARDS.
Josh B. – MISTICO.
Jose M. – CHRIS JERICHO.
Matt O. – BRYAN DANIELSON.
Anthony V. – It is hard to go against AJ STYLES from TNA. Regardless, he has put on some of the best matches for TNA this year and wrestles effectively against lightweights and heavyweights.
Doug L. – I have no idea how this is any different from the ‘wrestler of the half-year’ category. And last I checked… this still isn’t a sport is it?
Adam Martin – THE MIZ.
Best Tag Team of the Half-Year
Dave S. – PAUL LONDON AND EL GENERICO.
Josh B. – MOTOR CITY MACHINEGUNS.
Jose M. – SHOWMIZ because no one else really stood out.
Matt O. – BEER MONEY, INC.
Anthony V. – WWE still needs an identity in the tag team league and TNA appeared to get rid of this altogether except for three or four teams. So my pick for Tag Team of the Half-Year goes to THE KINGS OF WRESTLING (Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli). The Kings are a good blend of speed, strikes, and power.
Doug L. – SANTINO MARELLA & VLADIMIR KOZLOV. They have more charisma than The Hart Dynasty. More personality than MCMG. Need I say more? Give them the titles already!!!
Adam Martin – BEER MONEY, INC.
Wrestler of the Half-Year
Dave S. – SHEAMUS.
Josh B. – LA SOMBRA.
Jose M. – CHRIS JERICHO.
Matt O. – RANDY ORTON.
Anthony V. – The best wrestler? None really stood out ahead of everyone else so far in the promotions that I watch every week. Though it may change, I am going to say that right now it is REY MYSTERIO because he was a world champion and has been involved in some brutal feuds only to be the winner in most encounters.
Doug L. – REY MYSTERIO. Everyone’s favorite punching bag, whipping boy, face-in-peril. No question.
Adam Martin – DANIEL BRYAN (lots of potential).
Worst of…
Most Overrated of the Half-Year
Dave S. – ALICIA FOX.
Josh B. – DREW MCINTYRE.
Jose M. – RVD his title reign has meant absolutely nothing.
Matt O. – ROB VAN DAM.
Anthony V. – I am going to predict that it is MR. ANDERSON. He talks like he is a main event superstar and is very funny on the mic, but what has he truly accomplished before going to TNA?
Doug L. – SAMOA JOE. I don’t care about the amount of sh!t I get for this nomination, but I have no idea what everyone sees in him. “He was great in RoH.” “He was great between 2003 and 2007.” Welcome to 2010, kids. Joe is no longer who you thought he was or wish he could ever be for all eternity now and forever…
Adam Martin – EDGE.
Worst TV Announcer/Commentator of the Half-Year
Dave S. – MIKE HOGEWOOD.
Josh B. – MICHAEL COLE.
Jose M. – MIKE TENAY.
Matt O. – MICHAEL COLE.
Anthony V. – I am not going to pick Cole because he was done much better this year. Same goes with Mike Hogewood (listen to him now compared to 2009, big difference), so I take to go back to TNA but I am picking MIKE TENAY. When you interrogate your color commentator (i.e. Is it true Dreamer was the best man at your wedding?) as foolish as he did, it comes across as bad TV.
Doug L. – MIKE TENAY. I know most of you were thinking I was going to say Matt Striker, but at least he doesn’t blatantly ignore the action that is going on inside the ring to only trade jokes for 10 minutes with some guy who used to be a bad-a$$ but now wants to be Rodney Dangerfield.
Adam Martin – MATT STRIKER.
Purgatory Award (New Category)
Idea provided by Doug Lackey. It goes to the wrestler who has been going absolutely nowhere and seems to have fallen off the face of the earth yet is still employed.
Dave S. – SHARK BOY.
Josh B. – GOLDUST.
Jose M. – KIYOSHI.
Matt O. – HAMADA.
Anthony V. – I could pick a TNA guy, but it would be too easy. I looked at the Smackdown roster page and asked myself “Who is TYLER REKS and how is he still employed?”
Doug L. – HOMICIDE. Hulk Hogan seems to really like what he brings to TNA. He likes it so much that Homicide hasn’t been on TV since the beginning of June! Just blast Dixie Carter in some shoot on a random radio program and get the axe already. (Note: Doug sent his in 8/9. So, Doug is right on the nose with this pick.)
Adam Martin – ZACK RYDER.
Most Disappointing (New Category)
Idea Provided by Paul Lyons. This goes to the wrestler who promised so much at the beginning of 2010, yet has so far delivered so little.
Dave S. – CHRISTIAN, he was rolling high on ECW, but hasn’t done a thing since, it’s a shame because he deserves more than they are giving him.
Josh B. – KOFI KINGSTON.
Jose M. – JEFF HARDY.
Matt O. – EDGE.
Anthony V. – This is going to be surprising to some, but I look for someone who was built as the big deal and then fell flat. That is how I feel about EDGE right now. He won the Royal Rumble, was lackluster as a face on Smackdown, and has yet to make a statement on RAW. Has he won a title yet? No. It pains me to put him in this category.
Doug L. – I have no idea what this is supposed to mean…
Adam Martin – ROB VAN DAM.
The “Kizarny” Award (New Category)
Idea Provided by Sarah Smith. It goes to the wrestler that had a huge build and then working only dark matches/getting fired.
Dave S. – ORLANDO JORDAN.
Josh B. – ORLANDO JORDAN.
Jose M. – This will be ALBERTO DEL RIO in a few weeks. (Note: Jose sent his selections on 8/7, before Del Rio’s debut.)
Matt O. – MVP.
Anthony V. – I at a loss for this award. I think of all the promos that I have seen this year building up a wrestler and I am not sure. So with this I will leave empty until the end of the year.
Doug L. – This isn’t really an award, is it? It’s more of a statement of fact, right? Just look through the TV tapings reports and gather for yourself who should get it.
Adam Martin – EVAN BOURNE.
The Worst Wrestler of the Half-Year
Dave S. – ALICIA FOX, no contest.
Josh B. – ROB TERRY.
Jose M. – ELI COTTONWOOD.
Matt O. – EDGE.
Anthony V. – ROB TERRY. He must be very intelligent, because he went from someone who could not hack it in WWE Developmental to a guy to hold a title for TNA for a very long time. That is despicable.
Doug L. – KURT ANGLE. Could you tell the differences between any of his PPV matches this year? How about his TV matches? No? Then this is a no brainer…
Adam Martin – EDGE.
Bold Prediction of 2010
David S. – Vince McMahon is revealed as a Reptilian/Alien hybrid.
Josh B. – Paul Heyman eventually (to my dismay) does agree to sign with TNA Wrestling.
Jose M. – N/A.
Matt O. – Kurt Angle vs. Rob Van Dam will headline Bound for Glory (Note: Matt sent his choices before the RVD Injury angle, but I would not bet against this happening).
Anthony V. – In ROH, Colt Cabana will be the Television Champion. In TNA, Douglas Williams keeps the TNA X Division Title until 2011. In WWE, sadly Jericho will let his contract expire (hope it does not happen).
Doug L. – N/A.
Adam Martin – The Miz will be crowned a world champion in WWE.
Closure
Well, those are our selections for the best and worst of the first half of 2010. I want to thank Dave, Josh, Jose, Matt, Doug, and Adam for taking part in this. We look forward to your choices of who were the best and worst of 2010 so far. You can do it two ways.
1) E-Mail: mistervwv@hotmail.com
2) Drop a message in my inbox on Facebook. I am Anthony J. Valvo in the Pittsburgh Network
Sometime Soon, I will send Adam a ballot of the Middle Year Awards for the WrestleView Students. It will be much shorter than this so if you want to wait, it is perfectly fine. Look for the ballot Monday.
Thanks for reading everyone and have fun with the ballot. You will have two weeks to complete this and I will have a “Student’s Choice” Awards segment that will feature the results of your choices.
So, get to it! This teacher has completed his assignment. Now it is your turn. Until the Results come out, you are…DISMISSED!!
Thanks for reading our choices. Again, look for the ballot in the near future.