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 There are currently forty-five categories that are actively assessed every year and twenty that are no longer active.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
"Category A" awards
Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)
Ric Flair is an eight-time winner and co-namesake of the category.
Mixed Martial Arts Most Valuable
Most Outstanding Wrestler
Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan is a record five-time winner of the category.
Most Outstanding Fighter of the Year
Note: Was known as "Shootfighter of the Year" until 2008.
Georges St-Pierre is a three-time winner of the category.
Tag Team of the Year
Best on Interviews
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 WrestlingWorld 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 EntertainmentHustle 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
WWE is the most recent winner, receiving the award in 2023 for the first time in 23 years.
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
Best Weekly TV Show
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
Pro Wrestling Match of the Year
Bob Backlund and Ken Patera were the inaugural winners of the category, for their 1980
Texas Death Match in WWF.
Year
Match
Promotion
Venue Information
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 FlairTwo 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 MichaelsLadder 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 AustinSubmission 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 BrothersSteel 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
MMA Match of the Year
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
Venue Information
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
"Category B" awards
United States/Canada MVP
Cody Rhodes was the most recent winner of the US//Canada MVP award, winning for his 2023 work in WWE.
Japan MVP
Tetsuya Naito is one of five New Japan Pro Wrestling wrestlers to be named Japan MVP.
Mexico MVP
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 WrestlingImpact 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
Europe MVP
Walter , better known as Gunther, was the inaugural Europe MVP, and overall is a record three-time winner.
Danny Hodge Memorial Award (Non-Heavyweight MVP)
Danny Hodge was the namesake for the award, a multi-time amateur and professional champion.
Women's Wrestling MVP
Rhea Ripley was the most recent winner of the Women's Wrestling MVP award, winning for her 2023 work in WWE.
Women's MMA MVP
Alexa Grasso was the most recent winner of the Women's MMA MVP award, winning for her 2023 work in UFC.
Best Box Office Draw
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
Feud of the Year
Jerry Lawler was the first wrestler to win the category three different times.
Most Improved
Brock Lesnar and The Miz are record two-time winners of the category.
Most Charismatic
Hulk Hogan and The Rock are six-time winners 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
Bryan Danielson Award (Best Technical Wrestler)
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 WWE
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
Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler)
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 WrestlingWorld 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 WrestlingUniversal 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 WrestlingInternational 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 HonorCombat 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
Best Flying Wrestler
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-WrestlingAll 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 WrestlingAAA
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 GateLucha 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
Most Overrated
Hulk Hogan is a seven-time winner of the category.
Most Underrated
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
Rookie of the Year
Barry Windham was the inaugural winner of the award in 1980.
Best Non-Wrestler
Paul Heyman is a ten-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
Best Television Announcer
Jim Ross 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
WWEBellator 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
Worst Television Announcer
Gorilla Monsoon won the award in five straight years and is a record-tying six-time winner of the category.
Best Major Wrestling Show
WrestleMania X-Seven , the first of two editions of WrestleMania to win this award.
Worst Major Wrestling Show
Best Wrestling Maneuver
Jimmy Snuka was the first winner of the award, winning in 1981
Worst Television Show
Worst Match of the Year
Note: Named "Worst Worked Match of the Year" until 2018.
Hulk Hogan won the award for a record three straight years.
Year
Match
Promotion
Venue Information
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 AustinCapture 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 HarrisSix 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 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 WyattHell 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 PriestLumberjack 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
Worst Feud of the Year
Adam Cole/The Devil and
MJF are the most recent winners of the award, for the 2023 MJF/Devil storyline in AEW.
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
Best Booker
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 two-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 HonorFull 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
Best Gimmick
The Undertaker is a five-time winner of the category.
Worst Gimmick
Dustin Runnels is a three-time winner of the category under three different gimmicks (Goldust, The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust and Black Reign).
Best Pro Wrestling Book
Best Pro Wrestling DVD/Streaming Documentary
Note: Was previously known simply as the "Best Pro Wrestling DVD" award.
WWE has won the award a record 11 times.
Year
DVD/Streaming 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
Shad Gaspard/Jon Huber Memorial Award
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.
Defunct awards
Class A awards
Most Impressive Wrestler
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
Strongest Wrestler
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 PromotionsUniversal Wrestling Federation
1988
Jim Crockett Promotions/World Championship Wrestling
1989
1990
All Japan Pro Wrestling
Best Three-Man Team
Year
Team
Promotion(s)
1983
The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts)
World Class Championship Wrestling National Wrestling Alliance
Most Unimproved
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[ 8]
1995
Most Obnoxious
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
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
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
Harley Race has been named in two Biggest Shock of the Year.
Hardest Worker
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
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
Jesse Ventura is a four-time winner of the category.
Readers' Favorite Wrestler
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
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
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
Worst Manager
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
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
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
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
Kurt Angle , best wrestler of the 2000s
Hiroshi Tanahashi , best wrestler of the 2010s
2000s
2010s
See also
References
^ Meltzer, Dave (January 19, 1998). "Jan. 19, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 18th Annual Newsletter Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter .
^ 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 .
^ "Bridge Of Dreams ~ Dome Spring Full Bloom" . Cagematch . Retrieved February 16, 2017 .
^ Meltzer, Dave (March 15, 2021). "AEW REVOLUTION, WRESTLEMANIA 37 TICKET DETAILS" . Wrestling Observer Newsletter .
^ Meltzer, Dave (April 4, 2022). "TRIPLE H ANNOUNCES IN-RING RETIREMENT, WRESTLEMANIA WEEKEND" . Wrestling Observer Newsletter .
^ Meltzer, Dave (March 6, 2023). "MJF VS. BRYAN DANIELSON PREVIEW, WRESTLEMANIA 39 UPDATES" . Wrestling Observer Newsletter .
^ Meltzer, Dave (March 4, 2024). "LIFE AND CAREER OF OLE ANDERSON, WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER" . Wrestling Observer Newsletter .
^ "Jan 22 1996 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Results of the 1995 Observer Newsletter Awards, 1995 Record Book, tons more". The Wrestling Observer . January 22, 1996.
^ 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
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 .
Key people Publications Awards Related