by The Cubs Fan
OnlineOnslaught.com/TheCubsFan.com 

For how many ever years I've remembered to send a ballot in, I've done these ballot thingies as part of RSPW's Year End Awards. In theory, since I did this year, that'd make it'd really easy for me to fill this out; except I've figured out a secret little trick for those: since 95% of the voting populace has only seen WWE stuff, I can safely dismiss voting for any of it that I don't feel like and just vote for whatever (relatively) below the radar stuff was peaking my interest that year. It's a lot easier to not have to actively consider whether WWE stuff or the other stuff is better that year, because the WWE stuff is going get plenty of votes either way. Doesn't work quite as well when you're the only person's who's vote is showing, and so I go from scratch.

A few disclaimers: I've watched a grand total of zero pay per views, WWE or otherwise, this past year, so any and all omissions are in the "I didn't see it, so I don't register an opinion" category. I watched a ton of CMLL lucha, although I'm running about a month behind (and they're running 3 months behind beyond that) and that'll cause me to throw out names you may not be slightly familiar with over guys you surely are. And my indy and Japan viewing has been nearly nil, though I'm aware of some performers existences that I'd love to squeeze them on to this ballot someplace if I thought I could get away with it (American Dragon and Takemura in particular.) 

All of which may make this less than valid in your eyes, but hey, that's the breaks.
 

THE VERY BEST OF 2003

BEST WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Brock Lesnar
The wrestler who not only performed at the highest levels both in the ring and behind the microphone, but did so in important, marquee matches for his/her company.
1st Runner-Up: Shocker
2nd Runner-Up: Kurt Angle

Comments: Uh, duh.

There's only a handful of guys you could even begin to consider here, and no other canadiate measures up to Brock Lesnar in this category. Company relied on him? Centerpiece of WMXIX, pretty much every SmackDown PPV main event since No Way Out, check. He's been the focus of the SmackDown show for the whole year - everything of true importance (or one legged men) involves him at one point or the other, and unlike his RAW counterpart, he hasn't made us beg for anything else as an alternative. His microphone skills improved, his ring work was good, and he was far more the cure than the problem.

There were periods where, although he was still appearing plenty of times on live shows, it became a joke as to Shocker's actual existence, because he vanished from television. Some of that was lack of continuing momentum from his rudo turm (which probably had to do with him turning back tecnico - two switches in a year, both half explained!), some of it was due to the less TV in general and some of that was a comparison from 2002, when he was all over the place. Still, he was one of the focal points of three of the bigger matches of the year: Shocker/Vampiro hair/hair, Shocker/Tarzan hair/hair, and the Guapos/Taliban cage match. In a year where few people were able to stick out from the rest (at least in a positive fashion),

Third place is a toss up. Perhaps one of those PPV matches would have restored my faith in Triple H - as long as all months before at least June didn't occur. I can see the case (and the desire) to throw Chris Jericho up there, but he's been adrift for various parts of the year and really is no more deserving of this than Booker T, personal enjoyment aside. Both Kurt Angle and the Undertaker have missed various sections of the last year, but Angle has the advantage of being better in most ways, so it goes to him. Better than no one, I guess.

BEST TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR: Los Guerreros Del Infernales (Rey Bucanero and Ultimo Guerrero)
The tag team that not only performed at the highest levels both in the ring and behind the mic, but did so in important, marquee matches for their company.
1st Runner-Up: (self proclaimed) World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin)
2nd Runner-Up: Los Guerreros (Eddie Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero)

Comments: This is probably some what of a legacy vote. Rey and Ultimo were so unbelievable awesome in 2002, even though I don't have nearly the physical proof to back that belief up as I did last year, I know from the bits we've gotten this year that they can be any time they need to be, given an opportunity. They got fewer of those this year, due to spending some time in Japan and the promotion's interest in being elsewhere, but they still managed to shine when given the chance.

I'll certainly listen to arguments that either of the SmackDown duo was better. Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin had no right to be so good so soon, but they came out of the box ready to go when given good people to work with, and were often provided with just that. I still think they're a team that's still improving - their work from the beginning of this year and the end of the year should show that, but I scoot them ahead of Los Guerreros simply because they spent more of the year as a team, doing team stuff. Eddie and Chavo, a lot like Chavo claims, is a lot about Eddie being Eddie. Eddie's good, and Chavo's perpetually underrated, but off and on teaming focused on one guy isn't enough to get you to number two, this year. Or maybe I just really enjoyed the randomly repeating WGTT vs Funaki/Cruiserweight To Be Named Later series on Velocity too much.

BEST FEMALE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Trish Stratus
The woman who, week in and week out, performed at the highest level in the capacity asked of her.  [
1st Runner-Up: Victoria
2nd Runner-Up: Molly Holly

Comments: One of the easiest votes on the ballot. Like any good top face, Trish has been part of the title picture for the entire year (ignoring Lita's challenge) and has established herself as a fixture on RAW; not someone who's simply shuttled off to Heat when the belt's not around her waist. 

Everyone else worth considering has either not around for large portions of the year (Lita, Jazz, Gail) or been relegated to off-RAW duty for long stretches. Victoria was one of the most entertaining things of Heat this year while Molly looked less than interested when she was stuck on that so, so ordering the runner ups also isn't a problem. The SmackDown women, sadly Nidia included, could disappear for weeks at a time without anyone noticing, so I can't really even consider them here.

BEST FEUD OF THE YEAR: Shocker vs Ultimo Guerrero
The rivalry that produced the best storylines, matches, angles, and/or promos of the year.
1st Runner-Up: Los Guerreros vs World's Greatest Tag Team
2nd Runner-Up: Shocker vs Ultimo Guerrero

Comments: Chris Jericho versus Shawn Michaels was all about one generation struggling against another, the master being finally overcome - uh never mind. It was still nice anyway - kinda more of what Shawn should be used like, and what they really needed in the whole Orton thing. I'm struggling on this category.

They fought while Angle was there, they fought when Angle wasn't there but his portrait was still there, they fought when Chavo turned into Tajiri, they fought when Chavo came back and Eddie stopped feuding with the likes of Tajiri and Cena, and they fought when it didn't really much more any more. But they were consistently very good all the time, so even thought he importance wasn't as

I'm completely cheating once again, by sneaking in Shocker and Ultimo Guerrero. They actually had about five different matches for the CMLL LH Title in the first five months of the year, but the best one was actually a match very late last year - late enough to make the 2003 RSPW awards, but not for this. Still, they managed to keep an awesome level on the rest of the bouts that actually occurred in this calendar year, and were fun opponents later in the year when they'd cross paths while involved in other stuff. 

Brock and Angle? Let's just say I didn't dig the Iron Man match and save me some trouble. I would have loved to fit Matt Hardy vs Rey Mysterio here if it hadn't just got killed off after the one big match.

BEST MATCH OF THE YEAR: Ultimo Guerrero vs Shocker, 02/14/03 (Arena Mexico, Mexico City)
The match that best combined great ringwork and psychology/storytelling to get fans off their seats and cheering.
1st Runner-Up: Matt Hardy vs Rey Mysterio, 06/15/03 (WWE SmackDown!)
2nd Runner-Up: Havana Brothers vs Volador Jr./Virus/Ricky Marvin, 08/08/03 (Arena Mexico, Mexico City)

Comments: No PPVs seriously impairs things here, as you can quickly figure. I still think my #1 choice would've held out, and it certainly was the best lucha work that made television this year. It was a sped up version of their last encounter, maybe too short to really deserve this slot, but a fine match at any rate. I liked the story they told, I thought the fall finish count was done particular well for a promotion that usually doesn't do them in title matches, and I probably marked out a little bit about the rudo managing to prevent the tecnico from getting his revenge in the return match. Happens.

That Matt/Rey match was the "Rey gets his revenge on Matt and wins back the Cruiserweight Title from Matt Hardy" that they should've done after WMXIX but forgot about, and forgot about, and then finally remembered that they really didn't want Matt to be a cruiserweight in the first place. On one hand, it's a shame that they've wasted so much good cruiserweight matches without putting them on PPV - pushing them onto pre pay per view Heats for half the normal match time, or not booking them entirely - but at least really good matches like this, and a half dozen pretty good ones were scattered around the "free/cable" TV landscape.

Like my choice for #1 here, there were quite a few (NJPW) Havana Brothers/CMLL Super Lightweight matches that occurred and a few different ones made television. This one just stuck out to me as the one where the crazy spot fest nature of these matchups worked the best, and they got the most time to show what they could do. There was probably some advantage of the surroundings and circumstances here - Virus, Volador Jr. and Ricky Marvin have shown in glimpses that all along they could do a hyperkinetic style, but for whatever reason (probably stylisitc), kept it to a controlled level of mayhem. When the New Japan by way of LA guys visited, the reigns were taken off (maybe a "it's not OUR guys who get hurt if this all goes bad" thing?) and the mayhem was delightfully totally out of control. Probably not something I'd point out as much if I watched more Indy spotrific wrestling, but these six did at least do what they did very well, and they did in someplace people could see it.

MOST FAVORITE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Ultimo Guerrero
A purely subjective choice; the performer who, regardless of objective talent, entertained this voter the most.
1st Runner-Up: Matt Hardy
2nd Runner-Up: Steven Richards

Comments: Guys who wear suits and masks at the same time are awesome. Guys who help a guy up after a beatdown and work in a plug for their new website are awesome. Guys who have really fun matches are awesome. The question was which GdI guy I was going to pick here, but since Ultimo has a mask and Rey only has a fascination with others picking up the bill at lunch (the things you learn with wacky lucha vignettes and a somewhat working spanish-to-english translator), I'll go with Ultimo here.

Matt Hardy was the guy I most went out of my way to see in the WWE this year. Promo, match, standing around and making faces at Shannon Moore while he wrestled - he could do it ALL. Wish he didn't have to do it at all on Velocity.

Steven Richards, on the other hand, should stay on Heat forever. If only they gave him all the power he really deserves - his bits as Heat GM were about as inspired as anything that happened on the RAW Brand this year. The announcers actually referring to his delusional thoughts of ultimate power on Sunday nights didn't blunt the blow of him no longer having skit to do wacky things. Still, when of your moves is "suplex, with extra punishment derived by yelling like a manic before delivering it, often to your demise", that's a dedication to your craft we all must appreciate.
 

THE OTHER BEST OF 2003

BEST TECHNICAL WRESTLER: Chris Benoit
The grappler who displayed the widest variety of wrestling holds and maneuvers and who executed them realistically and crisply.
1st Runner-Up: Ultimo Guerrero
2nd Runner-Up: Kurt Angle

Comments: No one's beaten Benoit, so it's not as much a stellar year for him as no one else knocking him off the mountain. Chris is good, but looked uninspired during parts of the year, going with a formulaic one-fits-all match often. Ultimo Guerrero has shown that he can be good, but only gets to show it in the few title matches - too many pick 6 main event going through the motions half-brawls to move up from here. Kurt Angle is good when he chooses to wrestle this way. Brock is the NCAA Champion who doesn't mat wrestle. This is a category that makes me wish I saw more before saying anything, because I'm not thrilled with the choices I've got to choose from here.

BEST HIGH FLYER: Volador Jr.
The wrestler who displayed the most jaw-dropping array of cleanly-executed and creative high risk maneuvers.
1st Runner-Up: Paul London
2nd Runner-Up: Ricky Marvin

Comments: Last year, in CMLL's weekly Spectacular Moments highlight packages (spots/tactics from the previous week), there were four week stretches including that week's beautiful Asai Moonsault from Volador Jr. This year, in the context of the Havanas/Marvin/Virus/Volador issue, he got to show a bunch more. While everyone was trying stuff, Volador of seemed like the one who pulled them off the best; not just astatically, but keeping the blown spots to a minimum and not requiring his opponents to rescue him from a near death experience. Paul London and Spanky are going to break up one day and feud over who gets to wear Shawn Michael's mirrored pants, and while I think Spanky's the better babyface, London's got the more interesting array of flashy moves that may swing people his way. London too was doing his moves effectively, already looking WWE-ish polished before getting the contract. Ricky Marvin is wild, not seemingly always in control of what he's doing and did need some rescuing at time, but he's lucked out to have some good people to catch him. 

BEST BRAWLER/POWER WRESTLER: Shocker
The wrestler who most effectively took a basic punch/kick/slam moveset and still crafted exciting, high-impact matches.
1st Runner-Up: Satanico
2nd Runner-Up: Chuck Palumbo

Comments: CMLL's style has an advantage here where the strikes in brawls escalate as they get deeper into the fight - starting with chops and slaps, and only breaking out those semi-illegal closed fist punches when people get angry, so those punches are impressive just because you know you're getting to the hot part of the match. So maybe it's seeing dozens of punches in an hour that makes me numb to them in whole, but I really do think the lucha ones I see are better than those who use them more often. Satanico is the greatest 50 year old wrestler today. Chuck Palumbo, actually not Mexican, will knock you out, sometimes on purpose. I have a silly affection for the discus punch, so he gets the only vote he'll probably get anywhere on this.

BEST INTERVIEWS: the Rock
The performer who could be relied upon to most effectively advance storylines and enthrall the audience with his/her promos.
1st Runner-Up: John Cena
2nd Runner-Up: Chris Jericho

Comments: This is one where I find the people to choose from obvious, just the order to put them in a bit harder. The Rock wasn't much of the year, and a had a moment or two where he didn't look good (RAW X), but when he was on, he was undeniably the best. Cena made himself with his interviews, and Jericho seemed reinvigorated after the debut of the Highlight Reel.

BEST HEEL: Brock Lesnar
The wrestler who, by virtue of promos or ringwork, most easily turned entire crowds vociferously against him/her.
1st Runner-Up: Tarzan Boy
2nd Runner-Up: Chris Jericho

Comments: Struggled with this one. Triple H tried hard to win this, but he just wasn't very good. The Rock became too good too fast and wasn't around long enough. Jericho was an entertaining heel, but not the most important one. Tarzan was an entertaining heel and important, but didn't really come through with the ringwork when they need him to, and spent a fair amount of time out for injuries and suspensions. I'll go with Brock, who's been good as a heel recently.

BEST BABYFACE: Eddie Guerrero
The wrestler who, by virtue of promos or ringwork, most easily convinced entire crowds to get vocally behind him/her.
1st Runner-Up: Rey Mysterio
2nd Runner-Up: Rob Van Dam

Comments: Eddie got them to cheer for him, even when he was doing all the stuff that's supposed to make us boo him. That's some work. Rey and Rob get continuous unconditional support from the crowd, which should be good enough to get him in here.

BEST CHARACTER/GIMMICK: Eddie Guerrero, Lie, Cheat & Steal
The unique on-screen persona that most aided a performer's ability to connect with the audience through storylines or ringwork.
1st Runner-Up: John Cena, Doctor of Thuganomics
2nd Runner-Up: Shocker, 1000% Guapo

Comments: Using a wide variety of screwy ways to win is nothing new (the New Age Outlaw's initial push wasn't that different from what Eddie came up with), but doing it with the support of the crowd, cheering as you find new ways to undermine the rules to your benefit, that was a cool innovation. Cena probably would have talked his way into a spot of prominence if he didn't speak in rhyme (or a close approximation of such), but it wouldn't have been as soon and he wouldn't have been able to avoid slipping off track (as he almost did early in the year) if it wasn't for his unique style. Shocker's pretty boy gimmick has been more in effect in other years, but it laid the groundwork for the biggest singles match of year in his hair/hair bout with Tarzan Boy.

MOST IMPROVED WRESTLER: John Cena
The wrestler who showed the most marked improvement in all facets of his/her performance over the last 12 months.
1st Runner-Up: Test
2nd Runner-Up: Steven Richards/Victoria

Comments: John Cena went from a joke guy to a contender in twelve months, and grew from the in ring experiences he had. Test went from a wooden stiff to one with signs of a personality, though his inclusion here may be an indication of my lack of name thinking ability. Steven Richards and Victoria teaming up allowed them to grow from single note characters adrift to a team of interesting headcases. I know, they're still kinda adrift, but they're much better at it.

MOST UNDERRATED WRESTLER: Matt Hardy
The wrestler who most deserves additional air-time, national exposure, and/or respect from fans.
1st Runner-Up: Rey Bucanero
2nd Runner-Up: Jamie Noble

Comments: I'm a Matt Hardy mark because I believe in his work and I believe in his microphone skills. Unfortunately, the WWE belief in either or both seems to wave periodically and drop randomly. It's tough for fans to buy him if the promotion isn't sure he's worth selling. Rey Bucanero hasn't gotten the high profile singles chances his partner has, but has shown enough that he might be the equal; it may be a situation where it takes breaking up a good tag team for both members to get the spotlight, and that doesn't always work out well. Jamie Noble is entertaining in what he does, but suffers from long periods of writer disinterest and plenty of inconsistency. Too many sorta-heel turns and sorta-face turns, a story with no direction, dilutes what he can do in the ring.

BEST SECOND: Victoria
The non-wrestler (manager/valet/etc) who most effectively added something extra to the storylines and matches of the wrestler(s) whom he/she accompanied to the ring. 
1st Runner-Up: Nidia
2nd Runner-Up: Theodore Long

Comments: It's kinda weird to type Victoria up there, because as long as she held the title, I was pretty sure it was Steven who was the second. At any rate, no one was more entertaining backing up their charge, delusional believing that they were still champion but the built had just turned invisible, or giving the riot act to their own fist for accidentally punching their ally. No one Just going along in whatever weird direction Steven heads next is an accomplishment. Theodore Long actually showed the world a Playa's Card at one point, which is enough to get him on this list.

BEST TELEVISION PERSONALITY: Josh Matthews
The play-by-play announcer, color commentator, interviewer, or other non-wrestler/non-second who contributed the most to an entertaining TV product. 
1st Runner-Up: Michael Cole
2nd Runner-Up: Tazz

Comments: The criteria on this award is why the first two are the way they are: you lose more from Velocity (who's had to deal with as varied group of analysts as the Cat, Tazz, Bill DeMott, and a cynical Michael Cole) if you take him out than taking Cole from SmackDown!, because you still have Tazz and a more entertaining show to begin with. If they swapped jobs to begin with, I probably would've found myself voting for Cole. Al Snow was good as well, just not quite enough to crack this.

"HOLY SHIT" MOMENT OF THE YEAR: Kane Tombstones on Linda
The angle, high spot, stunt, or storyline swerve that was the most surprising and effective shocker of the last 12 months.
1st Runner-Up: Steve Austin returns, as GM
2nd Runner-Up: Al Snow helps Coach, turns heel.

Comments: While the winner was memorable - if only for being falsely sure that someone, anyone, would prevent them from going through with that spot, this was about as easy for me as chasing a plastic grocery bag on a windy day. Not a lot came back to me. Either things weren't positively memorable, or I'm losing my memory.

FUNNIEST MOMENT OF THE YEAR: The Rock and Hurricane Backstage
The skit, promo, or other segment that, even if it wasn't really integral to storylines, was the most worthy of distinction simply for being hi-fricking-larious.
1st Runner-Up: Jericho drops Austin's beer
2nd Runner-Up: Havana Brothers cut laughably bad English promo on CMLL show

Comments: Guess? Stuff that's really at the time doesn't always stick with you long. Or me long. That promo wasn't supposed to be funny, but when people seemingly forget their lines and others skip all spaces in between words while trying metaphors that don't make the slightest bit of sense, you laugh anyway and feel relived for them that it wasn't on an English language show.

BEST WRESTLING SHOW: CMLL on Galavision
The regular television program that consistently supplied the most entertaining mix of in-ring action and great storytelling.
1st Runner-Up: SmackDown!
2nd Runner-Up: Velocity

Comments: CMLL on Galavision near randomly changes days, times, length of episodes and order of episodes. And I still look forward to seeing it more than any other show. Leaving RAW off isn't because they've been really bad, but because they haven't been memorable great and it's probably easier to have a fun match every so often if you've got all the left over cruisers and an hour to kill.

BEST MAJOR EVENT: N/A
Comments: Like I said, didn't see any PPVs, so I've got nothing here for you. People tell me Rumble, WMXIX and I think it's Vengeance to check out, but hey, that cost money.

BREAK-OUT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: John Cena
The performer who won over fans and front office personnel to the point that he/she was most-clearly elevated to a new level of importance over the last 12 months.
1st Runner-Up: Brock Lesnar
2nd Runner-Up: Shelton Benjamin/Charlie Haas

Comments: Obvious, even if you can't see him. Most of Brock's break out was last year, but his status as the Man of his show probably qualified him for a little more breakout. It's hard to reach a new level if you weren't really on the show before the year started, but I guess we can at least sneak Shelton in if we count his appearances on Heat that time forgot.

BREAK-OUT PERFORMER OF NEXT YEAR: Volador Jr.
The performer who has developed all the necessary skills and seems most likely to have them recognized and be elevated to a new level of importance in the next 12 months.
1st Runner-Up: Maven
2nd Runner-Up: Spanky

Comments: Volador Jr. and Maven are somewhat parallels in different companies - guys who've been taken up a step over the last year, going from irrelevance towards a smattering of relevance. They're also both young guys who apparently have the eye of the people in charge, and in an areas where fresh matchups are needed, so all the ingredients are there. Maven's had some false starts, so I don't know if they'll actually follow through this time. Spanky's just a guess - he seems to have the right qualities to catch on, if given the chance. Who knows if it'll come.

BEST "REAL WORLD" NEWS OF THE YEAR: Ric Flair DVD sells well
The contract signing, promotional move, or other backstage/non-storyline development that most benefited a company or the wrestling business as a whole.
1st Runner-Up: CMLL and NJPW share talent 
2nd Runner-Up: HBK returns to a full time schedule 

Comments: This is a little bit of a stretch, but I think the high amount of sales for the Flair DVD is going to have a effect on future palns. Compare the makeup of it's to Rey Mysterio's "619", which only featured a comparative taste of his WCW work to make room for some relatively less stellar WWE matches; Flair's histories, and lack of stuff since returning to the WWE, required them to use that WCW footage, and it did very well. It'd be unlike WWE to overlook that they if they drew money from using the older footage/concepts in DVD sales, maybe the same can be done in other places, like writing. While NJPW, from a far away and surely underinformed viewpoint, seems to be not using much sense in a lot of it's decisions, allowing CMLL to use some of their US based wrestlers (and the occasional masked wrestler looking for a new start) was a move I can completely agree with; they got some experience between tours, and CMLL got many fresh new matches. Hopefully this can continue as planned into the new year, assuming NJPW has anyone left who's not fired and/or recovering from an ill-advised MMA match. While RAW needs someone new to rise, having Shawn Michaels around full time was about a good as a substitute as possible.

THE bOOby PRIZES

WORST WRESTLER(S) OF THE YEAR: Pierroth Jr.
The wrestler or tag team who, regularly and in key TV matches, displayed the most frustrating absence of in-ring skill and personality/charisma.
1st Runner-Up: Gran Markus Jr.
2nd Runner-Up: Scott Steiner

Comments: What if Triple H was really horrible? And every match - not just the PPV main event or a title match, but every match - had a cheap low blow ending (to the point where by the end of the year finishes were built around dodges of a low kicks) or a foreign object that may or may not have actually existed in the first place. And then you crossed him with La Resistance to give him the cheapest heat gimmick possible while putting him over everyone for over a year? You'd have Pierroth Jr., the omnipresent sucking void at the top of the CMLL's card all year. In the span of a year, he won the hair of four people, the mask of a ex-teammate (seemingly only turned so Pierroth could win another stakes match) and in the end, lost to a man just as over the hill (though still a better wrestler) who gained little from the very experience. Markus Jr. was his most common foe, the kinda fat guy wrestler who's adapt about being a fat guy but not quite a wrestler. Scott Steiner is Scott Steiner and I think we all knew what we were getting into there. 

WORST NON-WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Stephanie McMahon
The commentator, announcer, interviewer, manager/valet, GM, or other non-wrestler who added the least (or detracted the most) from the TV product.
1st Runner-Up: Shane McMahon
2nd Runner-Up: Linda McMahon

Comments: It's the same names you've seen here and I don't have anything new to add to them.

WORST FEUD OF THE YEAR: Stephanie McMahon vs Vince McMahon
The on-going rivalry that produced the worst in storylines, matches, and promos.
1st Runner-Up: Pierroth Jr. (& the Boricuas) vs the Capos (& Gran Markus)
2nd Runner-Up: Shane McMahon vs Kane

Comments: Anything I can think to say about the McMahons is either completely obvious or has already been run into the ground. Perhaps both. The only saving grace about the Pierroth stuff is that the really good guys managed not to get sucked into it, till very late. 

MOST OVERRATED WRESTLER: Mr. America
The performer who least deserves all the air time and national exposure he/she receives.
1st Runner-Up: Zach Gowen
2nd Runner-Up: Shane McMahon

Comments: This more a vote against who was chosen to get the Mr. America gimmick - something that would have instantly elevated any midcarder who would've been involved in it - rather than the usual vote against . The only people who benefited were those who were dying to hear Hogan's old theme song once again, and a one legged attraction who never proved he was more than that. Zach Gowen deserves respect for being able to do what he has shown he can do, but there's a difference between respecting someone and being interested them. Just like Zach, Shane McMahon gets credit for doing what a lot of wrestlers could do, if put in the same position - Shane was thankfully around less this time.

"GODDAMMIT" MOMENT OF THE YEAR: Kane kicked into dumpster on fire, returns scar free following week 
The awful promo, angle, blown spot, skit, or match that came closest to making you embarrassed to be a wrestling fan; the ugly cousin of the "Holy Shit Moment" Award.
1st Runner-Up: Kane attempts to fry Shane's testicles.
2nd Runner-Up: Jim Ross is set on fire by Kane.

Comments: Anyone involved in these things should be forced to write "suspension of disbelief" on a chalkboard 5,000 times. Or just stop being so lame. Really, the whole Kane/Shane stuff is better off being blanked out. I wanted to fit Piper showing up on (anywhere) here, but there was too much fire to go around.

WORST "REAL WORLD" NEWS OF THE YEAR: WWE RAW X Show Excruciatingly Bad
The contract signing, promotional move, or other backstage/non-storyline development that seemed bone-headed at the time and least likely to lead to any positive results for the company or the wrestling business as a whole. 
1st Runner-Up: Edge suffers neck injury, out for most of year
2nd Runner-Up: El Hijo del Santo does not work for CMLL in 2003

Comments: You can have a half dozen people tell you that the show is for you, and without you they'd be nothing, but if their actions and the show itself make it feel as though it's now for you, or anyone who wants to be slightly entertained - it's actually only for people who are entertained the sensation of pulling their eyeballs from their socket, but have mistakenly already chopped off their appendages - then those words feel a little bit hollow. There were tons of things that passed the "the fans probably aren't going to be interested in this" level into the "besides possible the people who just wrote it, who would even would want to watch this?" category, which has happened enough. Edge being out for a year, just as he seemed to ready to take the leap to PPV main event status, was a disappointing setback. There were probably more opportunities for some (Cena, Eddie), but it left a hole on the SmackDown side and doesn't seem to foreshadow good things health wise for peers around his age and bumps. While I understand there's finical issues and other commitments, CMLL and El Hijo Del Santo not finding a way to to work together. Quite like the Rock for the WWE, you know you're getting something really good when Santo's around, and they could've done this year.

For me, 2003 wasn't a particularly good year. It wasn't horrible - despite the worst stuff, there was still good matches and wrestlers to find if you wanted to look, and no major company went out of business. However, there wasn't as much good new stuff as in past years; it seemed a lot like a rehash of 2002 in many ways, with many of the bigger names being the same, a year older and years worth of storylines to write over.

I don't know that's necessarily thing that's going to change in 2004; there's plenty of what ifs, but there doesn't seem to be a stimuli to provide any big change - the companies that are losing money are the ones that everyone expected to before and expect to continue to as long as they continue to be a company, and those who were making a decent amount of money still are making money don't have the impetus to make a change. While it could be worse the a string of slightly above average years, it's not enough to restart interests in wrestling.

In 2004, I hope the creative people in more promotions pay more attention to all their wrestlers, not just the guys on the top. I hope they give more guys a chance at a serious run at the top instead of recycling the same 3 or 4 matchups in multiple main events. I hope CMLL does an inventory check to figure out who's got what belts, and gets them meaning or gets rid of them  I hope they get someone funnier than Bill DeMott for Velocity, and either treat the entire show with the same tone as the irrelevance of the matches, or give them some meaning every so often. I hope whatever problems we don't see now aren't as serious as they'll appear when they do break.

Which isn't much different from what I hope every year. I'll take just getting WrestleMania XX right. 

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