Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

This is a list of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards, current and defunct. The awards are given on a yearly basis in various categories such as Wrestler of the Year, Most Outstanding Wrestler, Best Tag Team, Most Improved, etc. Currently, there are 37 active categories and 10 that are inactive. The awards are voted for by the readership of the newsletter, which includes various professional wrestling insiders, such as promoters, agents, and performers, as well as journalists, historians, and fans.

The awards are organized into two classes. For Class 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 Class B awards, voters simply indicate their top choice.

It was announced in the December 3rd 2007 Observer, that from 2007 onwards Mixed Martial Artists are not eligible for the Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award and will be for wrestlers only. Shootfighter of the year will be renamed to Most Outstanding Fighter. A new award has been created called MMA Most Valuable Fighter which is similar to the Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award except it is for Mixed Martial Artists.

Current Awards

Class A Awards

"'Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)

This award is given to the professional wrestlers who have the ability to carry an entire promotion by themselves. Before 2007, mixed martial artists were eligible for this award.

Best Box Office Draw

This is given to the wrestler who can make the most money for a promotion by being entertaining.

Most Improved

This is given to the wrestler who had shown the greatest improvement over previous years.

Best Technical Wrestler

This is given to the wrestler who has displayed the best technical and mat wrestling skills.

Most Overrated

This is given to the wrestler that is considered to be the most over-hyped when their overall performance is taken into consideration.

Best Weekly Television Show

This is awarded for the best Wrestling/MMA show on TV.

Fight of the Year

This is given to the best MMA match each year.

Best Television Announcer

This is given to the best television announcer at calling a match clearly and concisely.

Class B Awards

Worst Major Wrestling Show

This is given to the least enthralling event of the year.

Worst Television Show

This is given to the least enthralling weekly television broadcast.

Worst Promotion of the Year

This is given to the promotion that needs lots of improvement.

Best Gimmick

This is given to the most entertaining wrestling personality.

Best Heel

This wrestler has the greatest ability to cause hatred and anger.

Readers' Least Favorite Wrestler

This wrestler is not well liked by readers at all.

Worst Manager

This is given to the manager, which has no real managing ability.

References