I cant believe that Cryme Tyme didnt win best tag team.
If you werent such a Bubba Ray Dudley mark then this would have been fair.

How can we forget the Genetic Jackhammer!... I think I'm the only one who remembers that :p

Great choices again.

theorangechimp strikes again.

Best Match: Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe Final Resolution

Yes, I'm a Wolfe mark.

Can anything a TNA Wrestler do be considered for any of these categories considering it is a second rate promotion in a ridiculous 6 sided ring and they preform in front of 500 fans that were given tickets while standing in line waiting to ride the latest Mickey Mouse Roller coaster? I mean seriously, I like your column but these sissy TNA marks make me sick. How can you argue that TNA is a better product. There story-lines are recycled, their Wrestlers are WWE rejects and their fan base is non existent. Here is what TNA's catch phrase should be "If youre under 5'7", over 42 years old, or were previously released by the WWE please come on board". People argue, WWE doesn't have enough wrestling, have you seen Smackdown lately? They don't push young wrestlers, have you watched ECW lately? Not to mention Drew McAntier, Sheamus, Ted Diabiase, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, MIZ, John Morrison, and Kofi Kingston... I'm all for a second promotion, but why do they have to act like TNA has been held down by the WWE? Did the WWE run a three hour special on Thursday night that I wasn't aware of? Bottom line is that TNA is going about this wrong way and people who hate the WWE probably hate the Yankees or the Lakers, or even the Patriots. Don't blame McMahon for being successful and Kevin Eck for choosing performers like Triple H for Wrestler of the Decade. Don't forget what he has done for wrestlers like Randy Orton, Batista, Jessie James, and Billy Gunn (or whatever he's calling himself now) Those were all guys that were struggling on WWE Velocity before he put them over, and don't forget that Ric Flair's career was one foot in the grave until Trips smacked him around and "reminded" Ric who he was. WWE haters, keep hating, but guess what. Each and everyone of you will be tuning in on Mondays and Fridays to see what develops next.

Love the blog Kevin. How about some more categories, like Biggest Surprise Return (Cena at the Rumble a few years back), Worst Gimmick (Shark Boy Steve Austin?), Biggest story that became real news (Benoit tragedy).. etc.

"How can we forget the Genetic Jackhammer!... I think I'm the only one who remembers that :p"

No I remember that! A classic! I actually liked Vince when he tossed that catchphrase around!

Good candidate for best catchphrase (though limited in usage) of the decade.

MitZi - I remember the Genetic Jackhammer and also recall laughing at has to be one of the best lines I have ever heard. It was around that time that I also heard 'testicular fortitude' which I then managed to coin in an English Lit lesson when discussing The Glass Menagrie and referring to the main character of Tom not having the testicular fortitude to make the choices right for him...anyway back to the list.

I have always thought Team 3D were fantastic to watch, from way back in ECW when they would illicit the kind of heat that was off the scale, and they have been the most dominant tag-team of the decade simply through longevity, but I have also heard a lot of nay-sayers about their abilties. Kevin Nash going crazy backstage after a botched spot with MCMG being one of them.

As far as the Taker-HBK match, I watched it live on TV, had it recorded and watched it 3-4 more times, it was just such a good match. I dont think it will be topped in terms of quality, and I really hope that there wont be a rematch because setting such a high standard can only be topped by one of them retiring after it.

Kurt as best worker, he is in a class of his own, regardless of his issues. I am not looking forward to his forthcoming and teased feud with Ric Flair however. Flair at his best and Angle would have been probably been on a par with Flair-Steamboat, but I have my doubts about it now.

Good choices though Kevin, and Trish was far and away the best woman of all time...just had that perfect combination of mic and ring skills, could play a heel or face and I remember her debuting and just thinking WOW....

I agree with most of your picks except as many matches as VKM has had i would say by far Super Shane is a far better act he's not there as much and I find him more entertaining. and as far as match of the year i'll bet your second best would be Flair/Micheals all things considered I would go with MIcheals/Beniot/HHH that is probably the last WM I bought and wanted to see.

Kevin, I appreciate this list. Thanks for your opinions on these categories. I would like to ask a favor of you, and since this is a post about best of...lists, could you list your best of's (matches)for WCW, ECW (old), and WWF? I have been catching up with older matches on YouTube, and I would like your opinion about what might be worth my time viewing. Thanks!

Kevin,

Great choices, but what about the Chris Jericho-Shawn Michaels feud? Jericho accidentally hitting Michaels' wife and Michaels accidentally knocking one of Jericho's teeth out with the ladder only added a little more realism to an awesome feud!

Besides, didn't the Cena-Edge feud get a little stale at the end after fighting for the title against each other for so long?

RESPONSE FROM KE: I loved the Jericho-Michaels feud. Perhaps the best several-month program of the decade. I went with Cena and Edge, however, because it produced entertaining matches and angles in two separate years. And unlike other programs between top guys that are repeated, it didn't feel stale when they revisited the rivalry. Also, the first Cena-Edge feud really helped get Edge over as a legit top guy.

Hard to argue with most of those picks the only one I would differ on is the best feud which has got to be Jericho v Michaels in 2008 for me. Sorry to argue Kev i realise it's your opinions but thats the only one I would change!

Vince MvMahon wins best non-wrestler, yet all the reasons you argue in his case are when he was in the role of a wrestler!?

This should definitely have gone to either Vickie Guerrero or Theodore Long.

Cant argue much with the others

Shows how bad tag team wrestling has been that Dudleys won it...

RESPONSE FROM KE: True, Vince's feuds did involve him wrestling, but I wouldn't consider him a wrestler, if that makes any sense.

Just curious as to which feuds may have been your number 2 and 3? I would have put Joh Cena vs Edge as number 2 or 3 for best feud. I agree with your choices for everything else.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Michaels-Jericho woud be No. 2.

AMW should have won imo.

Kevin, where does the Rock/Hogan match from WrestleMania 18 rank on your Match of the Decade list?

RESPONSE FROM KE: Funny you should ask. It's probably No. 2. Even though it was far from a technical wrestling classic, the atmosphere was off the charts. Just seeing the two biggest stars of the modern era in there together was amazing.

If you would give a mention to an independent wrestler of the decade, someone who's managed to make an impact outside of WWE (and in the latter years, TNA as well), who would that be? (And no. I'm not blatantly guessing you'll say Bryan Danielson, but I'm actually interested in your opinion here.)

RESPONSE FROM KE: I always liked Nigel McGuinness, but I'd probably have to go with Danielson.

Hard to argue with these choices. You should create another award for Jericho, though. Doesn't seem right for him not to win anything with the work that he's put in.

If you're counting titles then your choice of the Dudleys makes perfect sense. But if you consider the tag team that has had the most effect on the wrestling industry then I think DX at least has to be brought up for discussion.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Honestly, I wouldn't put DX in the discussion. They didn't spend nearly enough time as a tag team, in my opinion. I think the closest team to challenge Team 3D would be the Hardys.

Speaking of Shawn and the Undertaker . . .

There seems to be speculation that DX will soon break up and HBK will face Triple H at WrestleMania. I would like to suggest that this is highly unlikely.

1) We will probably see Legacy break up with DiBiase going face and meeting Orton at WM. I doubt two groups will split around the same time.

2) Have you noticed the green glow sticks in the audience on TV (not to mention all the DX shirts, wristbands, books, etc.)? DX makes way too much money on merchandise for the WWE to give that all up.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I believe you very well could be on the right track. I'm planning on putting up a post soon in which I speculate about the Mania card.

I would like to predict that Michaels and Undertaker will go at it a second time and Shawn's challenges are not a tease. Based on last year this seems like a good draw as it would be exciting watching them trying to top it.

And then it will likely be Triple H against his workout buddy Sheamus for the title. Trips gets to use his stroke and stay in the championship picture which would keep him near the top of the card on a major PPV.

Eck:

I respect you (newspaper man)

And I respect that you're primarily, maybe even exclusively, a fan of American wrestling.

But your choosing Trish Stratus shows that you desperately need to branch out and watch some SHIMMER or Japanese female wrestling. Trish is a serviceable wrestler who played a conventionally hot bimbo for ten years. That's all.

RESPONSE FROM KE: It's not that I am completely unfamiliar with wrestling outside the mainstream U.S. companies, but when I do these lists I always keep it exclusive to the major U.S. promotions. Performing on the big state is part of the equation when I make my selections.

RJS, simple question:

Wrestling is wrestling, isn't it? Does it matter whether someone's a big-name star or not, whether the ring has six sides or four, or if they wrestle in front of 500 fans or 50,000?

Unlike some people, I don't really care about WWE vs. TNA. I'll watch it all. If they compete and it brings about more quality I'm all for that, but I just want to be entertained and see some good, fun matches. That's all this is. Entertainment. Sometimes people get too caught up in who they're a mark for and who they're not and forget what this really is.

Say what you will about TNA all you want, but that they're even in the mix and making WWE think about them says something about how far they've come over the years. That's a big accomplishment and they should be commended for it as a company and group of wrestlers.

I guess you didn't believe Cena when he told us the Cena-Orton rivalry was more or less equivilent to the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Actually, I agree with him. As an Orioles fan, I'm tired of that rivalry, too.

BEST MATCH: THE UNDERTAKER VS. SHAWN MICHAELS (WRESTLEMANIA XXV, 2009)

I really don't understand why everyone is so high on this match. How can you enjoy this match knowing the outcome before it even happened? Plus, best of the Decade? I think not. There have been too many great matches across major promotions that top this one. Heck, the Samoa Joe vs CM Punk series from ROH was in the same level.

RESPONSE FROM KE: For me, the Match of the Decade is about more than just how many stars it gets in The Wrestling Observer. It's about star power, atmosphere, historical significance and, above all, entertainment value.

DOWN GOES CENA! DOWN GOES CENA!

Good list, as per usual. Cena/Edge at the start of 06 was just so hot, RAW was getting low to mid 4s from the start of 06 until Mania.

I agree with all your picks but one. Best feud for me was Y2J and HBK.

Some other categories you could have used: best championship reign, best ring announcer, best television match, best PPV card, best comedy relief, best promo piece, best on the mic, best booker, best talentless wrestler...

Some other categories you could have used: best championship reign, best ring announcer, best television match, best PPV card, best comedy relief, best promo piece, best on the mic, best booker, best talentless wrestler...

Kevin - Considering that Michaels is the best worker/in ring performer of all time how can you not give him best worker? Granted you would have had 50 comments calling you a "HBK mark" but you get that no matter what you say! Surely your used to it bu now

RESPONSE FROM KE: I think Michaels is the best all-around performer I have ever seen (in-ring skills, charisma, promo skills and ring psychology). If I go by just in-ring, however -- which is what I did -- I have to give Angle a slight Edge.

My pick for Best Tag Team of the Decade:

Chris Masters left pec & Chris Masters right Pec

Good list Kevin. Back to the softball field...

Kevin,

I had to read the last line of this post twice. For a minute there, I thought you were referring to Vince's "son-in-law Triple H. McMahon"...

And then it will likely be Triple H against his workout buddy Sheamus for the title.

On the Internet at least, there is always talk about Triple H not yet having his "WrestleMania moment." I have no idea if the same complaint is ever voiced in Stamford—but if so, if it is something Triple H is aware of and thinks about, then he has to know that (1) The clock is ticking on his career, or at least, on its prime; and (2) a match with Sheamus is NOT going to yield a "WrestleMania moment."

It's obvious you forgot the Kane/HHH/Katie Vick feud, Kevin, because that is easily the best feud ever.

Kevin,
Great blog. My vote goes to The Rock. After seeing the latest trailer for his new movie, he might want to think about getting back into the WWE!! His new movie looks brutal.

@RJS - which comment triggered that response?
I'm with James on this one - whatever's entertaining is fine with me.
I enjoy and dislike things about both promotions but you surely can't deny that the recent Angle/Wolfe and Angle/Styles matches have been outstanding.

Taker V HBK Best match of the decade Kev??? Its great and all but how can you say its better than Angle V Benoit at Rumble 03. A classic on every level that had the fans giving a standing ovation at the end????

RESPONSE FROM KE: That was a great match as well. Like I said, there were a lot to choose from, but as far as being memorable, I think people will be talking about Taker-HBK for a long time. Not so sure that's the case with Angle-Benoit.

I second this Din guy. More categories.

Any chance you could expand the Match of the Decade section to a Top 5? I'd like to see where you rank certain matches (Angle vs Michaels WM21, for example)

In Response to James...

Does it matter whether someone's a big-name star or not.... If it didn't matter then why was such a big deal made out of Hogan's return?
Whether the ring has six sides or four... If you're more of a traditional fan I can not see how you could support the six sided ring unless you like it because it's different.
Wrestle in front of 500 fans or 50,000... When you're referring to a TV show or a PPV it makes a difference, because the pops, boos, and excitement translates through the screen.

Flair is a better overall performer than HBK. Sorry Eck!!!

I guess the RJS statement was directed at my comment about Wolfe vs. Angle. It's OK to like WWE, TNA, and ROH.

If you're going to put star power and crowd/atmosphere in the mix, then the WWE always wins. Still, when it comes to internet discussions of wrestling, you're going to get IWC work rate marks who prefer other stuff than what the WWE delivers.

I could care less about popularity, crowd sizes, and crowd pops. When I watch WWE, it's on mute 90% of the time. Music>>Horrible commentators and cheers/boos any day.

I liked the awards.. I like am sure with others have other suggestions
Worker of the year.. Can't argue with Angle.. The guy is great in the ring from bell to bell..

Match of the year.. The only other match that I can think of within the decade that had as much of an impact was Michaels v Jericho in 2000 it like Michaels v UT were both show stealers and talked about with reverance..

Feud of the year... I agree that the Cena Edge fued did bring alot of attention.. But I can't help thinking about the surge that Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle gave me.. The face to face head butt is always standing out in my head and the matches that followed were phenomenal.. Just curious if they even made your list..

Best Tag Team.. I can't argue that 3D deserves it.. Love them or hate them.. They consistantly perform.. I can think of other tag teams that caught my attention but none of them survived the decade..

I couldn't agree with you more about Trish Stratus.. When she initially stepped in the ring I was like give me a break.. But watching her improve through the years and seeing her willingness to put in all on the line.. She EARNED my respect.. I still miss seeing her perform..

How could there be any argument about Vince being the best non wrestler of the decade.. The man gives the fans what they want.. My favorite McMahon moment The Genetic Jackhammer will always be remembered..