2008 awards
First, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and say thank you for making Ring Posts one of the most popular blogs on baltimoresun.com.
Here are my selections for the best of 2008 in eight categories. I welcome your comments and encourage you to send along your picks.
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: SHAWN MICHAELS
For most of 2008, it looked as if Edge was a lock for this award. Randy Orton and Chris Jericho also had strong years. Edge and Orton both missed some time, however, and Jericho didn’t really get on a roll until the second half of the year. From January to December, it was Michaels who turned in one extraordinary performance after another, both in the ring and on the microphone. A decade after entering into a four-year retirement, Michaels, who turned 43 last July, proved that he’s still “The Showstopper.” Technically, Michaels didn’t wrestle in many main events last year, but in the eyes of many fans, his pay-per-view matches with Ric Flair, Jericho and Batista were the real main events of the respective shows. On a couple pay-per-views, he didn’t even wrestle and he still nearly stole the show with his promos. As the year came to a close, Michaels began an angle with JBL that is somewhat far-fetched, but he has succeeded thus far in making it compelling.
MATCH OF THE YEAR: SHAWN MICHAELS VS. RIC FLAIR (WrestleMania XXIV, March 30, Orlando, Fla.)
A legend of Flair’s magnitude deserved a grand sendoff into retirement, and that’s exactly what he got under the bright lights of WrestleMania. For Michaels, it was yet another WrestleMania moment to add to his spectacular resume. From a technical standpoint, it was far from either man's greatest match, and it wasn’t even the best-worked match on the card. But the emotion of it being what most believed was Flair’s final match, and Michaels’ conflicted feelings over possibly ending his idol’s career, made it something truly special. The finish will go down as one of the most memorable moments in wrestling history: A dazed Flair, with tears in his eyes, struggled to his feet and gestured to Michaels to bring it on; Michaels, with a remorseful look on his face, said, “I love you. I’m sorry,” and then hit Sweet Chin Music for the win. Flair received a standing ovation and was serenaded with a “Thank you, Ric” chant as he made his way to the back, putting an exclamation point at the end of a career that began in 1972.
FEUD OF THE YEAR: SHAWN MICHAELS VS. CHRIS JERICHO
These two incredibly talented and savvy veterans brought out the best in each other in a program that had a very realistic feel and featured outstanding matches and promos. What really turned this feud from a good one into a great one was the heated segment that took place at SummerSlam, when Michaels, with wife Rebecca at his side, announced his retirement. The best verbal exchange of the year then occurred when Jericho demanded that Michaels tell his wife and kids that he won’t be able to wrestle anymore because of Jericho, and Michaels responded that Jericho needs to tell his wife and kids that their daddy will never be Shawn Michaels. Jericho tried to sucker-punch Michaels, but Michaels ducked and Jericho connected with a stiff punch to Rebecca Michaels’ face that resulted in a swollen and bloody lip. Michaels and Jericho wrestled each other on four pay-per-views: At Judgment Day, Michaels won clean in match before Jericho’s heel turn had been completed; in a bloody match at The Great American Bash, Jericho won in a UFC-style finish; in an unsanctioned match at Unforgiven, the referee stopped the match and awarded it to Michaels because a battered Jericho was no longer able to defend himself; and in a ladder match for the world heavyweight title at No Mercy, newly crowned champion Jericho prevailed, breaking a tooth in the process.
TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR: JOHN MORRISON AND THE MIZ
A strong case can be made for Beer Money Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm), but that team wasn’t formed until the summer. Morrison and Miz, conversely, were partners for the entire year. Morrison is clearly the more talented wrestler of the two, but Miz improved throughout the year and the duo eventually became a well-honed act. Morrison and Miz won the WWE tag team title in November 2007 and held it until July. A few weeks ago, they won the world tag team title. As evidence of how much Morrison and Miz’s stock has risen in the company, they regularly appear on Raw, WWE’s flagship show, even though they are officially members of the ECW roster.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR: AWESOME KONG
Kong is a throwback to an era in women’s wrestling when having a glamorous look and a bikini model’s build weren’t a prerequisite. Since coming to TNA in the fall of 2007, Kong has been very convincing in her role as a monster heel. In January, Kong defeated archrival Gail Kim to become the second TNA women’s champion. The Kong-Kim program was by far the best in women’s wrestling over the past year. Kong held the title until July and then regained it in October. At the Sacrifice pay-per-view in May, Kong got a chance to mix it up with men, as she teamed with B.G. James in a tournament to crown new TNA world tag team champions. Looking ahead to 2009, the biggest challenge facing Kong is a lack of competition in TNA.
NON-WRESTLER OF THE YEAR (awarded to the best manager/authority figure): VICKIE GUERRERO
If I were giving an award for Heel of the Year, Guerrero would be the winner. She has so much heat that the mere mention of her name at an arena draws loud boos. Guerrero’s ability to incite a crowd is as surprising as it is effective. She did not have much presence and appeared tentative when she first became a regular character on Smackdown a couple years ago, but she found her footing as a performer after being paired with Edge toward the end of 2007. Guerrero’s facial expressions and her delivery on promos have become top notch. And who would have ever thought that “excuse me” would become the most over catch phrase of the year?
MOST IMPROVED WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: KELLY KELLY
Kelly Kelly was the very definition of eye candy when she debuted as an exhibitionist on the first episode of ECW in 2006 and later became a member of Extreme Expose, a dance troupe reminiscent of WCW’s Nitro Girls. Dancing and serving as a valet seemed to be all that she was capable of doing. On the rare occasions that she was involved in a match (usually a tag match), Kelly Kelly appeared as if she had no business being in the ring. She kept at it, however, and by the summer it was apparent that she had made strides as a wrestler. While she still is just a serviceable worker at best, Double K has come a long way and even had some pretty good matches last year. If she continues to improve, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her get a title run at some point, a notion that was unfathomable when 2008 began.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR (awarded to the wrestler who made the biggest impact in his or her national debut): EVAN BOURNE
Kofi Kingston and Ted DiBiase Jr. were both impressive and Vladimir Kozlov received the biggest push, but the newcomer who immediately got over was Bourne. He did so thanks to his breathtaking Shooting Star Press and assortment of other acrobatic moves. After appearing on ECW for a few months, Bourne, who had been wrestling on the independent scene since 2000 (mostly under the name Matt Sydal), gained wider exposure when he formed an outstanding tag team with Rey Mysterio on Raw in September. The following month, he and Mysterio wrestled against each other on Raw in a terrific match. At the Cyber Sunday pay-per-view, Bourne was a landslide winner in voting to determine the challenger for Matt Hardy’s ECW title. Unfortunately, Bourne suffered torn ligaments in his ankle a couple days after that match, putting a premature end to his year. If Bourne can improve his promo skills, he has major star potential.
For the 2007 awards, click here.
Comments
Are these the Shawn Michaels awards for 2008 or the 2008 wrestling awards?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Which award did he not deserve?
Posted by: Matt | January 2, 2009 4:16 PM
Uh-oh. The TNA fans aren't going to be happy that only one TNA wrestler made the list. But I would argue that Beth Pheonix is the Woman of the Year, making it a clean WWE sweep. Sorry TNA. It just wasn't your year.
Anyhows, MERRY NEW YEAR!
Posted by: Sean | January 2, 2009 6:56 PM
Michaels has been stellar all year...in fact since his return late last year. As emotional as the Michaels vs Flair match was, like you said it wasn't that well worked, which is why personally I would have given it to Taker vs Edge - either the TLC or Hell in a Cell match. Still the other choices I can't majorly disagree with. You should have an award for non-WWE wrestler of the year...just to further incite the TNA fans!
Posted by: Wayne | January 2, 2009 7:15 PM
What does it say when tna only has one but i have to admit i am a die hard wwe fan but wwe's women wrestling is a little well bad .....tna in anyother aspect just can't stand up to wwe (in my own personal opinion)...
Posted by: Anonymous | January 2, 2009 8:19 PM
Kev, you nailed each pick.
Could argue most improved...Miz...MVP...but I'm not because I trust your judgement.
Posted by: rob the barber | January 2, 2009 9:33 PM
How about most entertaining performer of the year? Santino Marella
Posted by: Bob Buscaglia | January 2, 2009 10:13 PM
I'd agree with you on Wrestler of the Year. Michaels had a fantastic 2008, highlighted by an incredible, timeless match with Ric Flair that somehow spawned the best feud of the year with Chris Jericho.
Morrison/Miz is an easy choice as well...not a big fan of them, but who else is there? Awesome Kong is a great oldtime wrestler that is one of the few of god awful TNA's most watchable stars.
I disagree with Vickie Guerrero however. I think she generates X-Pac heat unlike guys like Orton, Edge, and JBL...I don't think the fans want to boo her, I just think they want her off TV. She's annoying and irritating and she's gotten so old. I think the non-wrestler of the year could be changed to entertainer of the year like Bob said because the brilliant Santino Marella deserves an award.
Kelly Kelly is a good pick...I think she's very athletic and a quick learner and some of the things she does in the ring is quite impressive. I'd pick CM Punk however, because he became a main event star and really learned how to work the WWE style to the maximum.
Newcomer of the year...no problem with Bourne, but I'd pick Kofi for his greater impact and larger body of work. I think he's a more polished in-ring worker who also incorperates high-flying moves and can cut a decent promo already.
Posted by: Ryan | January 3, 2009 12:16 AM
Some others:
Rising Star: CM Punk
Missed the Boat: Vladimir Kozlov
Enough is Enough: Finlay and Hornswoggle, JR, both TNA announcers
Most Underutilized: Motor City Machine Guns
Overachiever of the Year: Jeff Hardy
Biggest Load: HHH
Most Driven: Kurt Angle
Biggest Enigma: Sting
CAn't Sink any lower: MVP
Cal Ripken Iron Man Award: Kane
Biggest yawners: Atill Batista and often John Cena
Most Compelling Characters: Randy Orton and Edge
Cutest and badest Goodie Two Shoes: Mickie James
Posted by: AMC | January 3, 2009 12:59 AM
I agree with your picks.
While I still won't call Kelly Kelly "good," she has improved a lot from last year. She's gone from horrible to decent.
With match of the year, no it wasn't the best-worked or most technical match. But, a good wrestling match has a little bit of everything. This match had enough wrestling ability to get by and enough heart to make it something I'll never forget. I still get chills thinking about that match; that's how deeply it affects me.
Posted by: Chris Slater | January 3, 2009 3:35 AM
this is great! tbh these accolades really makes me more proud for being a Shawn Michaels fan.
and he really deserves those!
Posted by: christian | January 3, 2009 3:59 AM
Kev, you mention Bourne's shooting star press. Do you have any idea why he, as a newcomer, has been allowed to use that move? I thought WWE put it on the no-no-list after Brock nearly crippled himself when doing it and that Paul London got a lot of heat because he continued to use the move...
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: From what I have read, he was allowed to do it because he demonstrated that he could hit it every time perfectly.
Posted by: Gorilla in a Monsoon | January 3, 2009 7:11 AM
I agree with Bob Buscaglia Santino is usually a highlight of Raw for me.
Otherwise pretty spot on picks
Posted by: micheal deff | January 3, 2009 10:49 AM
Kev, there were a few typos in your award picks. I think you meant to give Tag Team of the Year to Shawn Michaels and Shawn Michaels, Woman of the Year to Shawn Michaels, and Non-Wrestler of the Year to Shawn Michaels. I understand why you didn't give him Most Improved Wrestler of the Year, though. It just doesn't get any better than Shawn Michaels.
Posted by: Dennis | January 3, 2009 10:56 AM
You have to be the biggest Shawn micheals mark that ever lives even though he didn't win a major title by far A J styles should be your Wrestler of the year and AJ v. angle i thought was better than micheals & Jericho same with Taker v. Edge. and i love Evan Bourne but Kofi got 2 Title reigns in rookie year. and was here the whole year. so How can he not be your Newcomer of the Year and Santino's Mic skills not for most improved he's turned for someone who noone ever cared for period to the funniest wrestler in WWE since Kurt its true. you should really change your last name to either Micheals or hickenbottom it would siut you well
Posted by: frank | January 3, 2009 9:00 PM
Hey Kevin, Have you decided on a name for your awards yet... perhaps the "Eckies"?
Good picks by the way, although I'm also curious as to your picks for TV broadcast of the year (any particular week of Raw, Smackdown, etc), as well as PPV of the year.
Posted by: Ted | January 4, 2009 12:04 AM
I think people tend to overlook how HBK was floundering before the Jericho feud as well. He did have the memorable, albeit not well worked, match with Flair at Mania, but the feud with Batista was pretty ho hum before Jericho's involvement, as creative couldn't decide which guy it wanted to turn.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I would argue that Michaels wasn't floundering at all. The buildup to the WrestleMania match with Flair was very good, and I thought the interaction with Batista with both guys remaining faces was good as well.
Posted by: Joe Barber | January 4, 2009 6:32 PM
A few I forgot:
99% gimmick award - The Boogeyman (does he ever even actually wrestle anybody?). Honorable mention to The Great Khali who is only 90% gimmick.
99% pure wrassler/gimmick-free award - Shelton Benjamin, Kurt Angle. Honorable mention to CM Punk and Evan Bourne.
Posted by: AMC | January 4, 2009 10:10 PM
how about the 2008 award for brownest nose up Shawn Michaels' rear?
Winner: Kevin Eck ;)
wrestling must be in a state if the 43 yr old is the best guy out there for a year.
Posted by: g | January 5, 2009 3:27 PM
Kev , having not had access to a computer for several days , I've missed the daily dose of "Ring Posts".
Today , while trying to catch up with everything , I came across this heading of your awards . Kev , don't get mad , but after a quick glance , I stopped reading , got a smile on my face and remembered just who came up with these "awards" ;)
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | January 5, 2009 7:58 PM
I would argue that Jericho should have been wrestler of the year. He made Michaels better for 7 months.
Posted by: Matt | January 5, 2009 8:08 PM
just a quick question in relation to shawn michaels... seeing he's wrestler of the year and all....
i'm a bit concerned abt the fact that he hasnt been champion in a while. i mean, its been YEARS since they last put the belt around him.
is there any reason for that?
i seriously cant understand why they keep lining him up for main event matches every few months and letting him lose. if its a main event match, with HBK in it, even though the storylines are brilliant, its almost like a foregone conclusion that HBK is going to lose the match.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I don't think the timing has been right for him to get a title run. I do think he will have one more before he retires.
Posted by: dave | January 6, 2009 12:10 AM
These people. Who else deserves wrestler of the year?
Jericho's heel turn worked well because Michaels was the face. Could Ric Flair's retirement have gone better with someone else?
Face it folks. It's not coincidence that whoever Michaels has a program with, it's the best program on the card. Michaels stole the show at wrestlemania with flair. Stole a couple of shows with batista... (which is terribly hard btw)... and stole several shows with jericho.
He even got a cold crowd hot with a JBL at the end of Raw last week. Singlehandedly elicited some type of reaction.
The reason he doesnt have a title shot is because he doesnt need one in order to be great. He doesnt need that prop in order to elevate his matches and promos.
The program with JBL is shaping up to be a good one too. So get ready for more michaels come wrestlemania since it's at Texas this year.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Well said.
Posted by: The Natural | January 7, 2009 4:13 AM
Does the fact that Rowdy Roddy Piper never won a major title mean he wasn't a great? No. That argument is so flawed it shouldn't be used by any serious wrestling fan.
Let's be honest here. If someone is able to have an even respectable, albeit not stellarly worked, match with Ric Flair at that point in his career he deserves wrestler of the year.
And leaving that aside, no one can seriously assert that Shawn didn't have the highest number of PPV stealing matches of the year (in WWE. I don't watch TNA, because the first time I turned it on there was a guy in a shark mask during Stone Cold lines. All I needed to see.)
And leaving that aside, if Shawn can have a great crowd reaction on a ricualous premise against a guy who's so bad a worker his finisher is a freaking CLOTHESLINE, he ought to get the award for that alone.
The only other WWE suggestion I see anyone make is Y2J, who had a great program with...wait for it...waaaait for it...oh, that's right, Shawn Michaels. (Again, I can't speak to Styles, but he's in TNA so I figure I'm safe.)
Good picks, Kevin, on all counts. I might have gone with Kofi over Bourne, but at least I think you picked him for a valid wrestling reason, not because you're a "Air Bourne mark" or something like that. Grow up, people.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I went back and forth between Kingston and Bourne. I ended up going with Bourne because, as I said, he got over right way and he did so based on his wrestling skills. Kofi had the big buildup with the vignettes and I'm not sure he was over the way Bourne was before he got hurt.
Posted by: David | January 7, 2009 11:45 PM
I know you're a fan of the Apter mags, so I thought I would mention that "Pro Wrestling Illustrated" has its Year-End issue hitting newsstands next week. For the first time in his career, HHH was named the Wrestler of the Year.
Not many listed him online amongst the contenders, but I think he is very deserving. This year was HHH's first lengthy title run since WrestleMania 21, and his PPV matches with Randy Orton, John Cena, Edge, and Jeff Hardy were all very strong showings.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | January 31, 2009 11:28 AM