Upon a new year, wrestling fans look back at the months gone by and review the best and worst of the previous 365 days. One of the most awaited reviewing publications is the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which since the 1980s has given fans a chance to make their voices heard about the events that occurred the previous year. Yet for a retrospective running for so long, several categories are likely to have fallen by the wayside, such as what happened with these 10 topics.
For the sake of time, this is not an exhaustive list, where only categories with five or more winners have been counted. This list includes five rankings from “Class A” and five from “Class B” .
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Biggest Shock of the Year
Class: A
Years: 1981-1989
One ranking that could easily make a return is the biggest shock. This category focussed more on behind-the-scenes surprises such as surprising title winners, off-screen tragedies, and promoter’s dealmaking.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1981: Tommy Rich wins the NWA World Heavyweight title
- 1986: Magnum T.A.’s paralysing car accident
- 1988: The murder of Bruiser Brody
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Strongest Wrestler
Class: A
Years: 1981-1990
This category reflected who readers thought was legitimately the most powerful worker in the business. Many of the winners had their strength as an in-built character trait.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1983: Hulk Hogan
- 1985-1986: Road Warrior Animal
- 1987-1990: Steve Williams
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Most Washed-Up Wrestler
Class: A
Years: 1980-1985
This topic reflected those previous workers who had become passe, working far beyond a sufficient level. Although perhaps once beloved, the voters of WON now thought had their glory days long behind them.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1982: “Superstar” Billy Graham
- 1983: Chief Jay Strongbow
- 1984: Jimmy Snuka
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Most Unimproved
Class: A
Years: 1984-1995
The Most Unimproved category was quite similar to the Most Washed Up category, sharing the same winners in 1984 and 1985. Interestingly, unlike this topic, the Most Improved category remains, won most recently by AEW’s The Acclaimed.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1989: Jim Duggan
- 1990: Sting
- 1994-1995: Hulk Hogan
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Most Obnoxious
Class: A
Years: 1981-1995
The Most Obnoxious prize went to the most grating on-screen wrestling personalities. The majority were non-wrestlers although a number of wrestlers did pick up the prize for their insufferable antics.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1983-1986, 1990, 1993: Vince McMahon
- 1988-1989: Dusty Rhodes
- 1994-1995: Hulk Hogan
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Worst Wrestler
Class: B
Years: 1984-2003
The Worst Wrestler category existed from 1984-2003. Today, the categories of Most Overrated and Worst Gimmick exist as two separate entities instead of a broader Worst Wrestler award.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1992: Andre The Giant
- 1995: The Renegade
- 2003: Nathan Jones
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Worst Tag Team
Class: B
Years: 1984-2003
Today, WON only ranks the best tag teams in the industry but from the 1980s to the 00s, they also had a worst teams list, won by teams from the AWA, WWF/E, NWA, AJPW, and WCW.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1992, 1994: The Bushwhackers
- 1996-1997: The Godwinns
- 2000-2001: KroniK
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Worst on Interviews
Class: B
Years: 1984-2003
Another topic ditched in 2003 was Worst on Interviews, in which fans were polled on who was the worst at promos. In my opinion, it should be a category that should return, even if mic skills are not exactly indicative of a wrestler’s skillset.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1989-1992, 1998: The Ultimate Warrior
- 1999: Sid Vicious
- 2001-2003: Stephanie McMahon
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Most Embarrassing Wrestler
Class: B
Years: 1986-2003
Another category that would work in the modern day, the mantle of Most Embarrassing Wrestler existed until 2003 with the WWF/E and WCW hot potato-ing the prize during the mid-late 90s and early 00s.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1986: Adrian Adonis
- 1993: Bastion Booger
- 1997: The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust
‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
Best Color Commentator
Class: B
Years: 1986-1996
Not all ex-categories were negative and one such example was the Best Color Commentator award, which was finally ditched in 1996. Still existing however is the Worst Television Announcer award, which has been around since 1984.
NOTABLE WINNERS:
- 1987-1990: Jesse Ventura
- 1992-1994: Bobby Heenan
- 1995-1996: Jerry Lawler
GRIFFIN KAYE.