With the 87th annual Academy Awards taking place on Sunday, I, The Keyboard Warrior, thought it fitting to present a number of wrestling related awards of my own. 2014 was certainly a memorable year for the WWE...but who’s star shined brightest, who had the best match, and who had a year to forget?
Superstar of the Year
Brock Lesnar
Not only did Lesnar snap The Undertaker’s legendary WrestleMania undefeated streak, he went on to capture the WWE Championship at SummerSlam...by squashing John Cena. Lesnar still holds that title as we head into WrestleMania season. A year of unparalleled success for everyone’s favourite part-timer.
Runner-up: Daniel Bryan
Not only did Lesnar snap The Undertaker’s legendary WrestleMania undefeated streak, he went on to capture the WWE Championship at SummerSlam...by squashing John Cena. Lesnar still holds that title as we head into WrestleMania season. A year of unparalleled success for everyone’s favourite part-timer.
Runner-up: Daniel Bryan
Breakthrough of the Year
Seth Rollins
Enjoying main event success as a member of The Shield and then later as a solo performer, Seth Rollins has consistently shined this past year and has gone on to become one of the most effective heels in the company today. An acceptable ascension of this magnitude hasn’t been seen in a long, long time.
Runner-up: Rusev
Team/Stable of the Year
Enjoying main event success as a member of The Shield and then later as a solo performer, Seth Rollins has consistently shined this past year and has gone on to become one of the most effective heels in the company today. An acceptable ascension of this magnitude hasn’t been seen in a long, long time.
Runner-up: Rusev
Team/Stable of the Year
The Shield
The Shield may be long splintered, but this didn’t stop them from dominating in the first half of 2014. Participating in an unbelievable match with The Wyatt Family at Elimination Chamber, smashing The New Age Outlaws and Kane at WrestleMania XXX, and overcoming the reformed Evolution on multiple occasions, The Shield were truly a force to be reckoned with.
Runners-up: The Wyatt Family
Match of the Year
The Shield may be long splintered, but this didn’t stop them from dominating in the first half of 2014. Participating in an unbelievable match with The Wyatt Family at Elimination Chamber, smashing The New Age Outlaws and Kane at WrestleMania XXX, and overcoming the reformed Evolution on multiple occasions, The Shield were truly a force to be reckoned with.
Runners-up: The Wyatt Family
Match of the Year
Team Cena vs. Team Authority - Survivor Series
The ultimate battle for supremacy, this year’s Survivor Series finally, and very wisely, returned it’s signature match to prominence with this epic match pitting the companies top talents against one another. Featuring twists, star-making performances, and a headline stealing arrival, this wildly unpredictable showcase match delivered big time.
Runner-up: The Shield vs. The Wyatt Family - Elimination Chamber
Spot of the Year
The ultimate battle for supremacy, this year’s Survivor Series finally, and very wisely, returned it’s signature match to prominence with this epic match pitting the companies top talents against one another. Featuring twists, star-making performances, and a headline stealing arrival, this wildly unpredictable showcase match delivered big time.
Runner-up: The Shield vs. The Wyatt Family - Elimination Chamber
Spot of the Year
Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose - Ladder Suplex - Money in the Bank
Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose engaged in one of the best feuds of the year after Rollins’ shocking betrayal of his Shield brethren halfway through 2014. Both renowned for their risk taking abilities, the two took their hatred of each other to new heights, literally, during the Money in the Bank ladder match as Ambrose suplexed his rival...from the top of a giant ladder.
Runner-up: Seth Rollins dive from balcony - Extreme Rules
Diva of the Year
Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose engaged in one of the best feuds of the year after Rollins’ shocking betrayal of his Shield brethren halfway through 2014. Both renowned for their risk taking abilities, the two took their hatred of each other to new heights, literally, during the Money in the Bank ladder match as Ambrose suplexed his rival...from the top of a giant ladder.
Runner-up: Seth Rollins dive from balcony - Extreme Rules
Diva of the Year
Paige
If history has taught us anything, transitioning from NXT to the main roster is never easy. Sure, Paige has endured a couple of rough patches, but winning the Divas Championship, and a legion of new fans thanks to her unique English charm, beauty, and sound in-ring style, she has done more than enough to prove that she’ll be okay in the long run.
Runner-up: Nikki Bella
Moment of the Year
If history has taught us anything, transitioning from NXT to the main roster is never easy. Sure, Paige has endured a couple of rough patches, but winning the Divas Championship, and a legion of new fans thanks to her unique English charm, beauty, and sound in-ring style, she has done more than enough to prove that she’ll be okay in the long run.
Runner-up: Nikki Bella
Moment of the Year
The Undertaker defeated at WrestleMania XXX
The Undertaker entered last year’s WrestleMania boasting an unrivalled event streak of 21 victories. Beginning way back in 1991, it had basically become a certainty that this streak would never end. It was unfathomable that 'The Deadman' would ever be defeated at the 'Show of shows'.
Enter Brock Lesnar.
A third F-5 for the successful 3 count brought a sudden end to The Undertaker's undefeated streak, prompting a stunned reaction from over 75,000 in attendance at the New Orleans Superdome, not to mention the countless millions watching worldwide. Twitter blew up, the loss was covered by mainstream media outlets, and false rumours were rampant that the legendary Undertaker had even legitimately DIED following the loss.
Truly one of the most shocking, and devastating moments in WWE history...and bizarrely the ultimate WrestleMania moment at the same time.
Runner-up: Sting debuts at Survivor Series
Most Overrated
The Undertaker entered last year’s WrestleMania boasting an unrivalled event streak of 21 victories. Beginning way back in 1991, it had basically become a certainty that this streak would never end. It was unfathomable that 'The Deadman' would ever be defeated at the 'Show of shows'.
Enter Brock Lesnar.
A third F-5 for the successful 3 count brought a sudden end to The Undertaker's undefeated streak, prompting a stunned reaction from over 75,000 in attendance at the New Orleans Superdome, not to mention the countless millions watching worldwide. Twitter blew up, the loss was covered by mainstream media outlets, and false rumours were rampant that the legendary Undertaker had even legitimately DIED following the loss.
Truly one of the most shocking, and devastating moments in WWE history...and bizarrely the ultimate WrestleMania moment at the same time.
Runner-up: Sting debuts at Survivor Series
Most Overrated
Roman Reigns
While all three members of The Shield were talented, it was painfully apparent that Roman Reigns, member of the legendary Anoa'i family, still had a long way to go in terms of developing his skills beyond an intense growl and a couple of generic power moves. Unfortunately this hasn’t quite happened, and Reigns is now being fast tracked to become the next main event superstar. He has the potential to be great, no doubt about it...but even John Cena was better prepared when he took the mantle of top dog, ten long years ago.
Runner-up: Big Show
Worst Superstar
While all three members of The Shield were talented, it was painfully apparent that Roman Reigns, member of the legendary Anoa'i family, still had a long way to go in terms of developing his skills beyond an intense growl and a couple of generic power moves. Unfortunately this hasn’t quite happened, and Reigns is now being fast tracked to become the next main event superstar. He has the potential to be great, no doubt about it...but even John Cena was better prepared when he took the mantle of top dog, ten long years ago.
Runner-up: Big Show
Worst Superstar
Adam Rose
While the aforementioned Paige is an example of how an transition can (sorta) go right, Adam Rose is the perfect example of how it can go so horribly wrong. Put in a ridiculous party animal gimmick with an ever present entourage including a man sized rabbit, Rose has floundered in the depths of the lower card. When your sidekick rabbit is more over than you, something is horribly wrong. A real shame considering the potential this South African grappler once demonstrated as Leo Kruger.
Runner-up: R-Truth
Fire The Creative Department Award
While the aforementioned Paige is an example of how an transition can (sorta) go right, Adam Rose is the perfect example of how it can go so horribly wrong. Put in a ridiculous party animal gimmick with an ever present entourage including a man sized rabbit, Rose has floundered in the depths of the lower card. When your sidekick rabbit is more over than you, something is horribly wrong. A real shame considering the potential this South African grappler once demonstrated as Leo Kruger.
Runner-up: R-Truth
Fire The Creative Department Award
Cesaro’s fall from grace
At WrestleMania XXX Cesaro won the inaugural André the Giant battle royal. Coupled with an apparent face turn and a personal endorsement from Hulk Hogan the following night, this popular superstar seemed destined for the main event scene. But it never happened. Paired with, and later unceremoniously dropped by Paul Heyman, Cesaro fought a couple of forgetful mid card matches before returning to his previous ‘Jobber to the Stars’ status, just as if nothing ever happened. Another infuriating dropping of the ball.
OsGrrrs Hall of Fame
At WrestleMania XXX Cesaro won the inaugural André the Giant battle royal. Coupled with an apparent face turn and a personal endorsement from Hulk Hogan the following night, this popular superstar seemed destined for the main event scene. But it never happened. Paired with, and later unceremoniously dropped by Paul Heyman, Cesaro fought a couple of forgetful mid card matches before returning to his previous ‘Jobber to the Stars’ status, just as if nothing ever happened. Another infuriating dropping of the ball.
OsGrrrs Hall of Fame
The Ultimate Warrior
After an absence of nearly two decades, The Ultimate Warrior finally made peace with the organisation that made him a superstar in the early nineties, and rightfully took his place within the organisation’s Hall of Fame. After an inspirational speech the following night on Raw, Warrior would tragically pass away due to a massive heart attack, mere days after his return and induction. He was just 54 years old.
A larger than life character, both in, and out of the ring, The Ultimate Warrior was a true phenomenon in the early years of the nineties, thanks in part to a series of now infamous, incoherent, but intense promos. With a popularity rivaling Hulk Hogan’s, The Ultimate Warrior’s defining moment came at WrestleMania VI when he defeated ‘The Hulkster’ to become the first man in history to hold the WWE and Intercontinental titles simultaneously.
From one Warrior to another, I salute you.
Agree? Disagree? Leave your comments and suggestions below!
After an absence of nearly two decades, The Ultimate Warrior finally made peace with the organisation that made him a superstar in the early nineties, and rightfully took his place within the organisation’s Hall of Fame. After an inspirational speech the following night on Raw, Warrior would tragically pass away due to a massive heart attack, mere days after his return and induction. He was just 54 years old.
A larger than life character, both in, and out of the ring, The Ultimate Warrior was a true phenomenon in the early years of the nineties, thanks in part to a series of now infamous, incoherent, but intense promos. With a popularity rivaling Hulk Hogan’s, The Ultimate Warrior’s defining moment came at WrestleMania VI when he defeated ‘The Hulkster’ to become the first man in history to hold the WWE and Intercontinental titles simultaneously.
From one Warrior to another, I salute you.
Agree? Disagree? Leave your comments and suggestions below!
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