This is a list of both active and inactive Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards created by professional wrestling journalist, Dave Meltzer, with the first fourteen awards being created in 1980 with an increasing number of awards given out every year; these were created to recognize the individual achievements of a select few wrestlers who exemplified in a specified criterion. The awards are given on a yearly basis in various categories such as Best Overall Wrestler, Most Outstanding Wrestler, Best Tag Team, Most Improved, 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 Worked Match. Currently, there are thirty-seven categories that are actively assessed every year and ten that are no longer active. The awards are voted for by the readership of the newsletter, which includes various insiders of the industry, 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.

Over the years, various institutions of mixed martial arts have become eligible to win some awards that seemed as though they were more deserving than the conventional wrestler. This led to, in 1997, the creation of Shootfighter of the Year and Fight of the Year to recognize MMA achievement specifically, but some awards remained in tact for MMA to win, due to the similar business aspect between both sports (i.e. Best Box Office Draw, 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 wrestlers only. Shootfighter of the year was renamed to Most Outstanding Fighter to match a new award 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)

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

MMA Most Valuable Fighter

Year	Fighter	Promotion(s)

Most Outstanding Wrestler

Year	Wrestler	Promotion

Best Box Office Draw

Year	Performer	Promotion(s)

Feud of the Year

Year	Feud	Promotion(s)

Tag Team of the Year

Year	Tag team	Promotion(s)

Most Improved

Year	Name	Promotion(s)

Best on Interviews

Year	Performer	Promotion(s)

Most Charismatic

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

Best Technical Wrestler

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler)

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

Best Flying Wrestler

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

Most Overrated

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

Most Underrated

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

Promotion of the Year

Year	Promotion

Best Weekly Television Show

Year	Program
1983	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1984	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1985	Mid South Wrestling
1986	Universal Wrestling Federation
1987	CWA 90 Minute Memphis Live Wrestling
1988	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1989	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1990	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1992	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1993	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1994	Extreme Championship Wrestling Hardcore TV
1995	Extreme Championship Wrestling Hardcore TV
1996	Extreme Championship Wrestling Hardcore TV
1997	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1998	World Wrestling Federation: RAW IS WAR
1999	World Wrestling Federation: RAW IS WAR
2000	World Wrestling Federation: RAW IS WAR
2001	New Japan Pro Wrestling
2002	World Wrestling Entertainment: SmackDown!
2003	Pro Wrestling Noah POWER HOURS
2004	World Wrestling Entertainment: RAW
2005	Ultimate Fighting Championship: The Ultimate Fighter
2006	Ultimate Fighting Championship: The Ultimate Fighter
2007	Ultimate Fighting Championship: The Ultimate Fighter
2008	Ultimate Fighting Championship: The Ultimate Fighter

Most Outstanding Fighter (formerly Shootfighter of the Year)

Year	Fighter	Promotion(s)
1997	Maurice Smith	Ultimate Fighting Championship
1998	Frank Shamrock	Ultimate Fighting Championship
1999	Frank Shamrock	Ultimate Fighting Championship
2000	Kazushi Sakuraba	Pride Fighting Championships
2001	Wanderlei Silva	Pride Fighting Championships
2002	Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira	Pride Fighting Championships
2003	Randy Couture	Ultimate Fighting Championship
2004	Wanderlei Silva	Pride Fighting Championships
2005	Fedor Emelianenko	Pride Fighting Championships
2006	Mirko Filipović	Pride Fighting Championships Ultimate Fighting Championship
2007	Quinton Jackson	Ultimate Fighting Championship
2008	Georges St-Pierre	Ultimate Fighting Championship

Match of the Year

Year	Match	Promotion	Venue Information
1980	Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera Texas Death Match	World Wrestling Federation	New York, New York May 19
1981	Pat Patterson vs. Sgt. Slaughter Alley Fight	World Wrestling Federation	New York, New York April 21
1982	Tiger Mask vs. Dynamite Kid	New Japan Pro Wrestling	Tokyo, Japan August 5
1983	Ric Flair vs. Harley Race Steel cage match	National Wrestling Alliance	Starrcade Greensboro, North Carolina
1984	The Freebirds vs. The Von Erichs Anything Goes Match	World Class Championship Wrestling	Fort Worth, Texas July 4
1985	Tiger Mask II vs. Kuniaki Kobayashi	All Japan Pro Wrestling	Tokyo, Japan June 12
1986	Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham	Jim Crockett Promotions	Battle of the Belts Orlando, Florida February 14
1987	Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage	World Wrestling Federation	WrestleMania III Pontiac, Michigan
1988	Sting vs. Ric Flair	Jim Crockett Promotions	Clash of the Champions I Greensboro, North Carolina
1989	Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair Two out of three falls match	World Championship Wrestling	Clash of the Champions VI New Orleans, Louisiana
1990	Jushin Liger vs. Naoki Sano	New Japan Pro Wrestling	Osaka, Japan January 31
1991	Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki vs. Steiner Brothers	New Japan Pro Wrestling	WCW/New Japan Supershow Tokyo, Japan
1992	Kenta Kobashi and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs. Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat	All Japan Pro Wrestling	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 21
1994	Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels Ladder match	World Wrestling Federation	WrestleMania X New York, New York
1995	Manami Toyota vs. Kyoko Inoue	All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling	Tokyo, Japan May 7
1996	Mitsuharu Misawa and Jun Akiyama vs. Steve Williams and Johnny Ace	All Japan Pro Wrestling	Tokyo, Japan June 7
1997	Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin Submission match	World Wrestling Federation	WrestleMania 13 Rosemont, Illinois
1998	Kenta Kobashi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa	All Japan Pro Wrestling	Tokyo, Japan October 31
1999	Kenta Kobashi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa	All Japan Pro Wrestling	Tokyo, Japan June 11
2000	Atlantis vs. Villano III	Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre	Mexico City, Mexico March 17
2001	Keiji Mutoh vs. Genichiro Tenryu	All Japan Pro Wrestling	Tokyo, Japan June 8
2002	Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit vs. Edge & Rey Mysterio	World Wrestling Entertainment	WWE No Mercy North Little Rock, Arkansas October 20
2003	Kenta Kobashi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa	Pro Wrestling Noah	Tokyo, Japan March 1
2004	Kenta Kobashi vs. Jun Akiyama	Pro Wrestling Noah	Tokyo, Japan July 10
2005	Kenta Kobashi vs. Samoa Joe	Ring of Honor	Manhattan, New York October 1
2006	Dragon Kid, Ryo Saito & Genki Horiguchi vs. Cima, Masato Yoshino & Naruki Doi	Ring of Honor	ROH Supercard of Honor Chicago Ridge, Illinois March 31
2007	Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson	Ring of Honor	ROH 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

Fight of the Year

Year	Fight	Promotion	Venue Information
1997	Maurice Smith vs. Mark Coleman	Ultimate Fighting Championship	Birmingham, Alabama July 27
1998	Jerry Bohlander vs. Kevin Jackson	Ultimate Fighting Championship	New Orleans, Louisiana March 13
1999	Frank Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz	Ultimate Fighting Championship	Lake Charles, Louisiana September 23
2000	Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Royce Gracie	Pride Fighting Championships	Saitama, Japan June 23
2001	Randy Couture vs. Pedro Rizzo	Ultimate Fighting Championship	Atlantic City, New Jersey May 4
2002	Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama	Pride Fighting Championships	Tokyo, Japan June 23
2003	Wanderlei Silva vs. Hidehiko Yoshida	Pride Fighting Championships	Tokyo, Japan November 9
2004	Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva	Pride Fighting Championships	Saitama, Japan October 31
2005	Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar	Ultimate Fighting Championship	Las Vegas, Nevada April 9
2006	Diego Sanchez vs. Karo Parisyan	Ultimate Fighting Championship	Las Vegas, Nevada August 17
2007	Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia	Ultimate Fighting Championship	Columbus, Ohio March 3
2008	Forrest Griffin vs. Quinton Jackson	Ultimate Fighting Championship	Las Vegas, Nevada July 5

Rookie of the Year

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)
1980	Barry Windham	National Wrestling Alliance
1981	Brad Armstrong and Brad Rheingans	National Wrestling Alliance
1982	Steve Williams	National Wrestling Alliance
1983	Road Warriors	National Wrestling Alliance
1984	Tom Zenk and Keiichi Yamada	World Wrestling Federation New Japan Pro Wrestling
1985	Jack Victory	National Wrestling Alliance
1986	Bam Bam Bigelow	World Wrestling Federation
1987	Brian Pillman	Stampede Wrestling
1988	Gary Albright	Stampede Wrestling
1989	Dustin Rhodes	World Championship Wrestling
1990	Steve Austin	World Championship Wrestling
1991	Johnny B. Badd	World Championship Wrestling
1992	Rey Misterio, Jr.	Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
1993	Jun Akiyama	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1994	Mikey Whipwreck	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1995	Perro Aguayo, Jr.	Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
1996	The Giant	World Championship Wrestling
1997	Mr. Águila	Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
1998	Goldberg	World Championship Wrestling
1999	Blitzkrieg	World Championship Wrestling
2000	Sean O'Haire	World Championship Wrestling
2001	El Hombre Sin Nombre	Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2002	Bob Sapp	K-1
2003	Chris Sabin	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling Ring of Honor Pro Wrestling Zero-One Max
2004	Petey Williams	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2005	Shingo Takagi	Dragon Gate
2006	Atsushi Aoki	Pro Wrestling Noah
2007	Erick Stevens	Ring of Honor
2008	KAI	All Japan Pro Wrestling

Best Non-Wrestler

Year	Performer	Promotion(s)
1999	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
2000	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
2001	Paul Heyman	World Wrestling Entertainment
2002	Paul Heyman	World Wrestling Entertainment
2003	Steve Austin	World Wrestling Entertainment
2004	Paul Heyman	World Wrestling Entertainment
2005	Eric Bischoff	World Wrestling Entertainment
2006	Jim Cornette	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling Ring of Honor
2007	Larry Sweeney	Ring of Honor
2008	Larry Sweeney	Ring of Honor

Best Television Announcer

Year	Announcer	Promotion(s)
1981	Gordon Solie	National Wrestling Alliance
1982	Gordon Solie	National Wrestling Alliance
1983	Gordon Solie	National Wrestling Alliance
1984	Lance Russell	Continental Wrestling Association
1985	Lance Russell	Continental Wrestling Association
1986	Lance Russell	Continental Wrestling Association
1987	Lance Russell	Continental Wrestling Association
1988	Jim Ross	World Championship Wrestling
1989	Jim Ross	World Championship Wrestling
1990	Jim Ross	World Championship Wrestling
1991	Jim Ross	World Championship Wrestling
1992	Jim Ross	World Championship Wrestling
1993	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Federation
1994	Joey Styles	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1995	Joey Styles	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1996	Joey Styles	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1997	Mike Tenay	World Championship Wrestling
1998	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Federation
1999	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Federation
2000	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Federation
2001	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Federation
2002	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Entertainment
2003	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Entertainment
2004	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Entertainment
2005	Mike Tenay	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2006	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Entertainment
2007	Jim Ross	World Wrestling Entertainment
2008	Matt Striker	World Wrestling Entertainment

Worst Television Announcer

Year	Announcer	Promotion(s)
1984	Angelo Mosca	World Wrestling Federation
1985	Gorilla Monsoon	World Wrestling Federation
1986	David Crockett	Jim Crockett Promotions
1987	David Crockett	Jim Crockett Promotions
1988	David Crockett	Jim Crockett Promotions
1989	Ed Whalen	Stampede Wrestling
1990	Herb Abrams	Universal Wrestling Federation
1991	Gorilla Monsoon	World Wrestling Federation
1992	Gorilla Monsoon	World Wrestling Federation
1993	Gorilla Monsoon	World Wrestling Federation
1994	Gorilla Monsoon	World Wrestling Federation
1995	Gorilla Monsoon	World Wrestling Federation
1996	Steve McMichael	World Championship Wrestling
1997	Dusty Rhodes	World Championship Wrestling
1998	Lee Marshall	World Championship Wrestling
1999	Tony Schiavone	World Championship Wrestling
2000	Tony Schiavone	World Championship Wrestling
2001	Michael Cole	World Wrestling Federation
2002	Jerry Lawler	World Wrestling Entertainment
2003	Jonathan Coachman	World Wrestling Entertainment
2004	Todd Grisham	World Wrestling Entertainment
2005	Jonathan Coachman	World Wrestling Entertainment
2006	Todd Grisham	World Wrestling Entertainment
2007	Don West	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2008	Mike Adamle	World Wrestling Entertainment

Best Major Show

Year	Program	Promotion
1989	The Great American Bash	World Championship Wrestling
1990	Wrestling Summit	World Wrestling Federation-New Japan Pro Wrestling-All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991	WrestleWar	World Championship Wrestling
1992	Wrestlemarinpiad IV	All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling
1993	Dream Slam I	All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling
1994	Super J Cup	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1995	Weekly Pro Wrestling Show	Multi-Promotional
1996	Super J Cup- Second Stage	Wrestle Association R
1997	In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede	World Wrestling Federation
1998	Heat Wave	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1999	Anarchy Rulz	Extreme Championship Wrestling
2000	First Pay Per View	Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
2001	WrestleMania X-Seven	World Wrestling Federation
2002	SummerSlam	World Wrestling Entertainment
2003	Final Conflict	Pride Fighting Championships
2004	Departure	Pro Wrestling Noah
2005	Destiny	Pro Wrestling Noah
2006	Glory By Honor V: Night 2	Ring of Honor
2007	Man Up	Ring of Honor
2008	WrestleMania XXIV	World Wrestling Entertainment

Class B Awards

Worst Major Wrestling Show

Year	Program	Promotion
1989	WrestleMania V	World Wrestling Federation
1990	WCW Clash of the Champions XII	World Championship Wrestling
1991	The Great American Bash	World Championship Wrestling
1992	Halloween Havoc	World Championship Wrestling
1993	Fall Brawl	World Championship Wrestling
1994	Blackjack Brawl	Universal Wrestling Federation
1995	Uncensored	World Championship Wrestling
1996	Uncensored	World Championship Wrestling
1997	nWo Souled Out	World Championship Wrestling
1998	Fall Brawl	World Championship Wrestling
1999	Heroes of Wrestling	Heroes of Wrestling
2000	Halloween Havoc	World Championship Wrestling
2001	Unleashed	Women of Wrestling
2002	King of the Ring	World Wrestling Entertainment
2003	Backlash	World Wrestling Entertainment
2004	The Great American Bash	World Wrestling Entertainment
2005	Great American Bash	World Wrestling Entertainment
2006	61	Ultimate Fighting Championship
2007	December to Dismember	World Wrestling Entertainment
2008	Survivor Series	World Wrestling Entertainment

Best Wrestling Maneuver

Year	Wrestler	Move	Promotion(s)
1981	Jimmy Snuka	Superfly splash	World Wrestling Federation
1982	Super Destroyer	Superplex	National Wrestling Alliance
1983	Jimmy Snuka	Superfly splash	World Wrestling Federation
1984	British Bulldogs	Military press followed by a flying front dropkick	World Wrestling Federation
1985	Tiger Mask II	Tope con Giro	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1986	Chavo Guerrero	Moonsault	World Wrestling Alliance
1987	Keiichi Yamada	Shooting star press	New Japan Pro Wrestling All Star Promotions
1988	Keiichi Yamada	Shooting star press	New Japan Pro Wrestling All Star Promotions
1989	Scott Steiner	Frankensteiner	World Championship Wrestling New Japan Pro Wrestling
1990	Scott Steiner	Frankensteiner	World Championship Wrestling New Japan Pro Wrestling
1991	Masao Orihara	Diving moonsault	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1992	2 Cold Scorpio	450° Splash	World Championship Wrestling
1993	Vader	Diving moonsault	World Championship Wrestling
1994	The Great Sasuke	Sasuke Special	Michinoku Pro Wrestling New Japan Pro Wrestling
1995	Rey Misterio, Jr.	West Coast Pop	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1996	Último Dragón	Dragon Bomb	World Championship Wrestling Wrestle Association R
1997	Diamond Dallas Page	Diamond Cutter	World Championship Wrestling
1998	Kenta Kobashi	Burning Hammer	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1999	Dragon Kid	Dragonrana	Toryumon
2000	Dragon Kid	Dragonrana	Toryumon
2001	Keiji Mutoh	Shining Wizard	All Japan Pro Wrestling
2002	Brock Lesnar	F-5	World Wrestling Entertainment
2003	A.J. Styles	Styles Clash	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2004	Petey Williams	Canadian Destroyer	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2005	Petey Williams	Canadian Destroyer	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2006	Kenta	Go 2 Sleep	Pro Wrestling Noah Ring of Honor
2007	Kenta	Go 2 Sleep	Pro Wrestling Noah Ring of Honor
2008	Evan Bourne	Shooting Star Press	World Wrestling Entertainment

Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic

Year	Storyline	Promotion(s)
1981	Monster character (Tony Hernandez)	LeBelle Promotions
1982	Bob Backlund as WWF Champion	World Wrestling Federation
1983	Eddie Gilbert broken neck angle	World Wrestling Federation
1984	Blackjack Mulligan fake heart attack	Continental Wrestling Federation
1985	Usage of Mike Von Erich's near death	World Class Championship Wrestling
1986	Exploitation of the death of Gino Hernandez	World Class Championship Wrestling
1987	Exploitation of the death of Mike Von Erich	World Class Championship Wrestling
1988	Fritz Von Erich	World Class Championship Wrestling
1989	José González babyface push	World Wrestling Council
1990	Atsushi Onita stabbing Jose Gonzales	Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling
1991	Exploiting the Persian Gulf War (Sgt. Slaughter Iraqi sympathizer angle)	World Wrestling Federation
1992	Pushing Erik Watts	World Championship Wrestling
1993	Cactus Jack gets amnesia	World Championship Wrestling
1994	Ric Flair retirement angle	World Championship Wrestling
1995	Gene Okerlund reading 900-word advertisements	World Championship Wrestling
1996	Fake Diesel, Razor Ramon, and "The Real" Double J	World Wrestling Federation
1997	Melanie Pillman interview	World Wrestling Federation
1998	Exploiting Scott Hall's alcoholism	World Championship Wrestling
1999	Over the Edge pay-per-view continuing after the death of Owen Hart	World Wrestling Federation
2000	David Arquette as the WCW World Heavyweight Champion	World Championship Wrestling
2001	Stephanie McMahon comparing father's indictment to September 11 attacks	World Wrestling Federation
2002	Triple H accusing Kane of murder and necrophilia (Katie Vick)	World Wrestling Entertainment
2003	McMahons all over the product	World Wrestling Entertainment
2004	Kane impregnating Lita	World Wrestling Entertainment
2005	Terrorists angle on day of London bombings	World Wrestling Entertainment
2006	Exploiting the death of Eddie Guerrero	World Wrestling Entertainment
2007	Acquisition of Adam "Pacman" Jones	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2008	Jeff Hardy stairwell attack	World Wrestling Entertainment

Worst Television Show

Year	Program
1984	World Wrestling Federation All-Star Wrestling
1985	Florida Championship Wrestling
1986	California Championship Wrestling
1987	World Class Championship Wrestling
1988	American Wrestling Association on ESPN
1989	ICW Wrestling
1990	American Wrestling Association on ESPN
1991	Universal Wrestling Federation Fury Hour
1992	Global Wrestling Federation on ESPN
1993	Global Wrestling Federation on ESPN
1994	World Championship Wrestling Saturday Night
1995	World Championship Wrestling Saturday Night
1996	American Wrestling Federation Warriors of Wrestling
1997	United States Wrestling Association
1998	World Championship Wrestling Monday Nitro
1999	World Championship Wrestling Thunder
2000	World Championship Wrestling Thunder
2001	World Wrestling Federation Excess
2002	World Wrestling Entertainment RAW
2003	World Wrestling Entertainment RAW
2004	World Wrestling Entertainment SmackDown!
2005	World Wrestling Entertainment Friday Night SmackDown!
2006	World Wrestling Entertainment Monday Night RAW
2007	TNA Impact
2008	TNA Impact!

Worst Worked Match of the Year

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	World Wrestling Federation	Nassau Colosseum
1986	Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper	World Wrestling Federation	WrestleMania 2 Uniondale, New York April 7
1987	Hulk Hogan vs. André the Giant	World Wrestling Federation	WrestleMania III Pontiac, Michigan March 29
1988	Hiroshi Wajima vs. Tom Magee	All Japan Pro Wrestling	Kawasaki, Japan April 21
1989	André the Giant vs. The Ultimate Warrior	World Wrestling Federation	Topeka, Kansas October 31
1990	Sid Vicious vs. the Night Stalker	World Championship Wrestling	Clash of the Champions XIII Jacksonville, Florida November 20
1991	Bobby Eaton & P.N. News vs. Terrance Taylor & Steve Austin	World Championship Wrestling	The Great American Bash Baltimore, Maryland July 14
1992	Rick Rude vs. Masahiro Chono	World Championship Wrestling	Halloween Havoc Philadelphia, Pennsylvania October 25
1993	The Doinks vs. Bam Bam Bigelow, Bastion Booger, & The Headshrinkers	World Wrestling Federation	Survivor Series Boston, Massachusetts November 24
1994	Jerry Lawler & Mini Lawlers vs. The Doinks	World Wrestling Federation	Survivor Series San Antonio, Texas November 23
1995	Sting vs. Tony Palmate	New Japan Pro Wrestling	Battle 7 Tokyo, Japan January 4
1996	Hulk Hogan & 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	Hulk Hogan vs. Roddy Piper	World Championship Wrestling	SuperBrawl Daly City, California February 23
1998	Hulk Hogan vs. The Warrior	World Championship Wrestling	Halloween Havoc Las Vegas, Nevada October 25
1999	Al Snow vs. The Big Boss Man Kennel from Hell Match	World Wrestling Federation	Unforgiven Charlotte North Carolina September 26
2000	Pat Patterson vs. Gerald Brisco Evening Gown Match	World Wrestling Federation	King of the Ring Boston, Massachusetts June 25
2001	The Brothers of Destruction vs. KroniK	World Wrestling Federation	Unforgiven Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania September 23
2002	Bradshaw & Trish Stratus vs. Christopher Nowinski & Jackie Gayda	World Wrestling Entertainment	Raw Philadelphia, Pennsylvania July 7
2003	Triple H vs. Scott Steiner	World Wrestling Entertainment	No Way Out Montreal, Quebec February 23
2004	Tyson Tomko vs. Stevie Richards	World Wrestling Entertainment	Unforgiven Portland, Oregon September 12
2005	Eric Bischoff vs. Theodore Long	World Wrestling Entertainment	Survivor Series Detroit, Michigan November 27
2006	Reverse Battle Royal	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling	TNA Impact! Orlando, Florida October 26
2007	James Storm vs. Chris Harris Six Sides of Steel Blindfold match	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling	Lockdown St. Louis, Missouri April 21
2008	Edge vs. Triple H vs. Vladimir Kozlov	World Wrestling Entertainment	Survivor Series Boston, Massachusetts November 23

Worst Feud of the Year

Year	Match	Promotion
1984	André the Giant vs. Big John Studd	World Wrestling Federation
1985	Sgt. Slaughter vs. Boris Zhukov	American Wrestling Association
1986	The Machines vs. King Kong Bundy and John Studd	World Wrestling Federation
1987	George Steele vs. Danny Davis	World Wrestling Federation
1988	The Midnight Rider vs. Tully Blanchard	Jim Crockett Promotions
1989	André the Giant vs. The Ultimate Warrior	World Wrestling Federation
1990	Ric Flair vs. The Junkyard Dog	World Championship Wrestling
1991	Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter	World Wrestling Federation
1992	The Ultimate Warrior vs. Papa Shango	World Wrestling Federation
1993	The Undertaker vs. Giant González	World Wrestling Federation
1994	Jerry Lawler vs. Doink the Clown	World Wrestling Federation
1995	Hulk Hogan vs. The Dungeon of Doom	World Championship Wrestling
1996	Big Bubba vs. John Tenta	World Championship Wrestling
1997	The D.O.A. vs. Los Boricuas	World Wrestling Federation
1998	Hulk Hogan vs. The Warrior	World Championship Wrestling
1999	Big Boss Man vs. Big Show	World Wrestling Federation
2000	Hulk Hogan vs. Billy Kidman	World Championship Wrestling
2001	WWF vs. The Alliance	World Wrestling Federation
2002	Triple H vs. Kane	World Wrestling Entertainment
2003	Kane vs. Shane McMahon	World Wrestling Entertainment
2004	Kane vs. Matt Hardy & Lita	World Wrestling Entertainment
2005	McMahon Family vs. Jim Ross	World Wrestling Entertainment
2006	McMahon Family vs. D-Generation X	World Wrestling Entertainment
2007	Kane vs. Big Daddy V	World Wrestling Entertainment
2008	Kane vs. Rey Mysterio	World Wrestling Entertainment

Worst Promotion of the Year

Year	Promotion
1986	American Wrestling Association
1987	World Class Championship Wrestling
1988	American Wrestling Association
1989	American Wrestling Association
1990	American Wrestling Association
1991	Universal Wrestling Federation
1992	Global Championship Wrestling
1993	World Championship Wrestling
1994	World Championship Wrestling
1995	World Championship Wrestling
1996	American Wrestling Federation
1997	United States Wrestling Association
1998	World Championship Wrestling
1999	World Championship Wrestling
2000	World Championship Wrestling
2001	World Championship Wrestling
2002	Xtreme Pro Wrestling
2003	Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
2004	New Japan Pro Wrestling
2005	New Japan Pro Wrestling
2006	World Wrestling Entertainment
2007	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
2008	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Best Booker

Year	Booker	Promotion(s)
1986	Dusty Rhodes	Jim Crockett Promotions
1987	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
1988	Eddie Gilbert	Jim Crockett Promotions
1989	Shohei Baba	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1990	Shohei Baba	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991	Shohei Baba	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1992	Riki Chōshū	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1993	Jim Cornette	Smoky Mountain Wrestling
1994	Paul Heyman	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1995	Paul Heyman	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1996	Paul Heyman	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1997	Paul Heyman	Extreme Championship Wrestling
1998	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
1999	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
2000	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
2001	Jim Cornette	Ohio Valley Wrestling
2002	Paul Heyman	World Wrestling Entertainment
2003	Jim Cornette	Ohio Valley Wrestling
2004	Gabe Sapolsky	Ring of Honor Full Impact Pro
2005	Gabe Sapolsky	Ring of Honor Full Impact Pro
2006	Gabe Sapolsky	Ring of Honor Full Impact Pro
2007	Gabe Sapolsky	Ring of Honor Full Impact Pro
2008	Joe Silva	Ultimate Fighting Championship

Promoter of the Year

Year	Booker	Promotion(s)
1988	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
1989	Akira Maeda	Universal Wrestling Federation
1990	Shohei Baba	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1991	Shohei Baba	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1992	Shohei Baba	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1993	Shohei Baba	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1994	Shohei Baba	All Japan Pro Wrestling
1995	Riki Chōshū	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1996	Riki Chōshū	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1997	Riki Chōshū	New Japan Pro Wrestling
1998	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
1999	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
2000	Vince McMahon	World Wrestling Federation
2001	Antonio Inoki	New Japan Pro Wrestling
2002	Kazuyoshi Ishii	K-1
2003	Nobuyuki Sakakibara	Pride Fighting Championships
2004	Nobuyuki Sakakibara	Pride Fighting Championships
2005	Dana White	Ultimate Fighting Championship
2006	Dana White	Ultimate Fighting Championship
2007	Dana White	Ultimate Fighting Championship
2008	Dana White	Ultimate Fighting Championship

Best Gimmick

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)	Gimmick
1986	Adrian Street	Jim Crockett Promotions	Effeminate athlete
1987	Ted DiBiase	World Wrestling Federation	Corrupt millionaire
1988	Rick Steiner	Jim Crockett Promotions	Varsity amateur wrestling champion
1989	Jushin Liger	New Japan Pro Wrestling	Anime superhero
1990	The Undertaker	World Wrestling Federation	Undead wrestler
1991	The Undertaker	World Wrestling Federation	Undead wrestler
1992	The Undertaker	World Wrestling Federation	Undead wrestler
1993	The Undertaker	World Wrestling Federation	Undead wrestler
1994	The Undertaker	World Wrestling Federation	Undead wrestler
1995	Disco Inferno	World Championship Wrestling	Disco dancer
1996	nWo	World Championship Wrestling	Outside invaders
1997	Steve Austin	World Wrestling Federation	Surly redneck
1998	Steve Austin	World Wrestling Federation	Surly redneck
1999	The Rock	World Wrestling Federation	Comedian jock
2000	Kurt Angle	World Wrestling Federation	Smug Olympic champion
2001	The Hurricane	World Wrestling Federation	Superhero parody
2002	Matt Hardy	World Wrestling Entertainment	Lifestyle guru - "Mattitude"
2003	John Cena	World Wrestling Entertainment	Rapper
2004	John "Bradshaw" Layfield	World Wrestling Entertainment	Rich, conservative businessman
2005	Mr. Kennedy	World Wrestling Entertainment	Self-announced wrestler
2006	The Latin American X-change	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling Ring of Honor	Latino revolutionaries
2007	Santino Marella	World Wrestling Entertainment	Italian American stereotype
2008	Santino Marella	World Wrestling Entertainment	Italian American stereotype

Worst Gimmick

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)	Gimmick
1986	Adrian Adonis	World Wrestling Federation	Gay stylist
1987	Adrian Adonis	World Wrestling Federation	Gay stylist
1988	Midnight Rider	Jim Crockett Promotions	Mystery wrestler
1989	The Ding-Dongs	World Championship Wrestling	Comical idiots
1990	The Gobbledygooker	World Wrestling Federation	Anthropomorphic turkey
1991	Oz	World Championship Wrestling	Mystical figure or ghost
1992	Papa Shango	World Wrestling Federation	Voodoo priest
1993	The Shockmaster	World Championship Wrestling	Intergalactic Klutz
1994	Dave Sullivan	World Championship Wrestling	Dyslexic brother of Kevin
1995	Goldust	World Wrestling Federation	Perverse Hollywood critic
1996	Fake Diesel Fake Razor Ramon The Real Double J	World Wrestling Federation	Replacements for fired wrestlers
1997	New Goldust	World Wrestling Federation	Rundown Hollywood critic
1998	The Oddities	World Wrestling Federation	Outcasts
1999	Powers That Be	World Championship Wrestling	Company higher-ups
2000	Mike Awesome	World Championship Wrestling	1970s flashback
2001	Diamond Dallas Page	World Wrestling Federation	Motivational speaker
2002	The Johnsons	National Wrestling Alliance: Total Nonstop Action	wrestling Penis
2003	Rico Constantino	World Wrestling Entertainment	Gay stylist/manager
2004	Mordecai	World Wrestling Entertainment	Christian zealot
2005	Jillian Hall	World Wrestling Entertainment	Obstructive facial blemish
2006	Vito	World Wrestling Entertainment	Cross Dresser
2007	Black Reign	Total Nonstop Action Wrestling	Dual personality of Goldust
2008	The Great Khali	World Wrestling Entertainment	Punjabi Playboy

Best Pro Wrestling Book

Year	Book	Authors(s)
2005	The Death of WCW	Bryan Alvarez & RD Reynolds
2006	Tangled Ropes	Billy Graham & Keith Greenberg
2007	Hitman	Bret Hart
2008	Gorgeous George: The Bad Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture	John Capouya

Best Pro Wrestling DVD

Year	DVD	Promotion
2005	The Rise and Fall of ECW	World Wrestling Entertainment
2006	Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be	World Wrestling Entertainment
2007	Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen	World Wrestling Entertainment
2008	"Nature Boy" Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection	World Wrestling Entertainment

Defunct awards

Class A awards

Best Babyface

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

Best Heel

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

Manager of the Year

Year	Manager	Promotion(s)

Class B Awards

Readers' Favorite Wrestler

Year	Manager	Promotion(s)

Readers' Least Favorite Wrestler

Year	Manager	Promotion(s)

Worst Wrestler

Year	Manager	Promotion(s)

Worst Tag Team

Year	Tag team	Promotion(s)

Worst Manager

Year	Manager	Promotion(s)

Most Embarrassing Wrestler

Year	Wrestler	Promotion(s)

Worst Non-Wrestling Personality

Year	Personality	Promotion

Footnotes

References