The 2011 YEAR END AWARDS

2011 was arguably, the most eventful and game-changing year in wrestling's history.  We saw many classic matches, the survival of a streak, the return of an icon, the birth of many main event superstars, an emotional retirement, and many emotional victories.  I don't recall the last time I was so thouroughly entertained with pro wrestling for an entire year.

With that said, here are the categories for outstanding achievement in 2011 and their explanations:

Superstar Awards:

Wrestler of the year: Given to the top superstar of the year.
Woman of the year: Given to the woman who best represented women's wrestling.
Tag team of the year: Given to the team that accomplished the most.
Manager of the year: Given to the most useful manager.
Rookie of the year: Given to a new superstar with the most potential.
Most entertaining wrestler of the year: Given to the most consistently entertaining superstar.
In-ring performer of the year: Given to the most consistent wrestler in the ring.
Champion of the year: Given to the champion who brought the most to their respective title.
Most popular wrestler of the year: Given to the superstar with the largest fan base.
Most hated wrestler of the year: Given to the best heel of the year.
Inspirational wrestler of the year: Given to the superstar who made the most out of a bad situation.


Misc. Awards:

Moment of the year: Awarded to the most memorable event of the year.
Match of the year: Awarded to the year's best match.
Feud of the year: Awarded to the year's best rivalry.
PPV of the year: Awarded to the year's must-see PPV.


Special Awards:

The Torrie Wilson award: Given to the woman who entertained our eyes the most.
The Brock Lesnar next big thing award: Given to the superstar who I think will be the next year's breakout superstar.
The Randy Savage career achievement award: Given to a retired superstar who's Hall of Fame worthy.

So, what moments, matches and superstars were the BEST of the BEST in 2011?

FIND OUT AFTER THE JUMP!

Wrestler of the year: Mark Henry

While CM Punk may be the popular and easy choice, I don't think (and I'm guessing by your votes on this year's poll, you agree) that any superstar had a better 2011 then Henry.  Punk has already accomplished so much, and while his infamous promo and match at MITB were historically significant, he didn't maintain that white-hot momentum for the rest of the year.  After an awesome summer, he ended up on the losing end in an ego-driven mini-feud with Triple H and eventually teaming with him in a losing effort against Awesome Truth.  Punk was also unsuccessful at capturing the WWE title from Alberto Del Rio at Hell In A Cell.  It was not until Survivor Series, that his career got back on track.  Henry on the other hand, rose to the top with fury and passion and once he got there, he was the most consistent performer of the year.  All it took was a brilliant change of attitude and he destroyed everything in his path becoming the most dominant superstar the WWE had seen in ages.  Entering many top level WWE superstars such as Kane, The Big Show, Christian, Daniel Bryan, Sheamus and most notably, Randy Orton (over whom he earned two consecutive clean victories) into his Hall of Pain.  Make no mistake about it, while the Summer definitely belonged to Punk, the year belonged to Mark Henry.

Runner up: Hiroshi Tanahashi

Woman of the year: Beth Pheonix

Beth finally gained the recognition she deserves this year.  She has quietly been the best part of the Divas division for the last 5 years and now everyone knows it.  There is no other diva in the WWE that can hold a candle to her in the ring and she proved it by dominating every diva on the roster for the latter half of 2011.  I dont see her slowing down in 2012 either, and assuming Kharma returns in time for Mania', we may witness the dawning of a new era for women's wrestling.

 

Runner up: Madison Eagles

Tag Team of the year: Bad Intentions

Bad Intentions continued to be the gold standard for tag team wrestling throughout 2011.  They earned victories over many of the top tandems in the biz (including our runner ups) and had the most dominant tag title reign of any duo in the sport.  Their record breaking 564 day run as champions is a testament to their hard work and chemistry and even in a year full of solid tag team wrestling, no one could compare.

 

Runner up: Beer Money

Manager of the year: Ricardo Rodriguez

Ricardo would go to any lengths to ensure that his client, Alberto Del Rio remained on top in 2011.  Sacrificing even his own well-being, if it meant a victory for either of Del Rio's two WWE championships he captured with Ricardo at his side.  Rodriguez' selfless manner, genuine admiration of Alberto and awesome ring announcing, make him your 2011 manager of the year.

 

Runner up: Shane Hagadorn

Rookie of the year: Brodus Clay

Brodus has immense potential.  The era of great big men has faded, yet Clay gives a lone bright gleam of hope.  It seems as if he's already being groomed as the next King Kong Bundy.  Let's just hope he doesn't fall into obscurity like so many before him.

Runner up: Zema Ion

Most entertaining superstar of the year: R Truth

R Truth became more insane as the year progressed, and the fans loved every minute of it.  At first, he was going on and on about a conspiracy, and in search of the source behind it, he slowly became one of the biggest superstars in the company.  Every time he was on television, he was pure gold.  From his hilarious promos, to his offbeat in-ring style, viewers were constantly waiting with a smile inside to see what he was going to do next.  Conspiracy or not, we didn't care, as long as we got to see more of R Truth.  TAKE THAT LITTLE JIMMY!

Runner up: CM Punk

In-ring performer of the year: CM Punk

Punk has had a consistent string of brilliant matches this year.  More then any other superstar in pro wrestling today, he truly embodies the term 'best in the world'.  He began the year with some great matches with Randy Orton, peaked at money in the bank, and delivered as champion.  Still, what possibly is his best match went under the radar.  Punk and Rey Mysterio had a classic for the ages at Capitol Punishment.  If not for the lack of hype (it barely had a storyline) then it may very well have ended up match of the year.  Other bouts against Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Triple H and The Miz, were all great as well.

Runner up: Hiroshi Tanahashi

Champion of the year: Mark Henry

When I did my list of essential champions last week, I strongly considered adding Mark Henry to the list.  Yes, it was his only reign, yes it took him 15 years to get there, but I believe that is what made him so determined.  Henry was the most dominant champion (hell the most dominant wrestler period) in any organization in 2011.  Sure, Hiroshi Tanahashi's amazing title run resulted in a brilliant string of performances, but Mark Henry accomplished something much more meaningful.  For the past few years, the WWE's championship belts have almost entirely lost their credibility.  With Punk on Raw and Henry on Smackdown, they regained their famed prestige.  Go back and watch his match and post match promo from Night of Champions, and then trace his title run from there.  In doing this, you will realize that not only does Henry deserve this award, but he was the best WWE world champion to come along in the past few years as well.

Runner up: Hiroshi Tanahashi

Most popular wrestler of the year: CM Punk

Punk eclipsed the previously unbeatable John Cena in every way possible this year.  But perhaps the most surprising, was that he even sold more merchandise.  Punk reached a level of popularity that few superstars will ever get to, and in the process, changed the industry forever.  The days of cookie cutter bodybuilders and cheesy promo men are over.  We are now on the brink of what could become the greatest era in history thanks to CM Punk, and the fans love him for it.

Runner up: Randy Orton

Most hated wrestler of the year: Mark Henry

Henry easily was drawing the largest reactions as a heel this year.  But crowd response aside, he managed to dominate every major babyface on Smackdown as well.  His feuds with the Big Show and Randy Orton, two of the most over babyfaces in the company, gave him so much momentum going into 2012 that it's scary.  I worry for all those who hated Henry's actions this year, because it appears that the worst is yet to come.

Runner up: The Miz

Inspirational wrestler of the year: Zack Ryder

The Ryder Revolution completely took the WWE by storm this year.  I don't know what it was, but the minute Zack debuted with his new gimmick, I knew he was going to be a star.  No one believed me, but I saw massive potential in him.  When I look at all he's accomplished this year, he becomes the obvious choice for this award.  The simple fact that this time last year, Zack was not even on television, and now, he is poised to become the WWE's most popular superstar, is inspirational whether you like him or not.

Runner up: Daniel Bryan

Moment of the year: CM Punk's "Pipe Bomb" promo

It's the promo that shook up the wrestling world in 2011.  One that we will remember forever and tell our kids about.  The moment that was so good, it launched the career of the biggest star in the business.  CM Punk drew comparisons to his idol, Steve Austin, with his life changing promo that also changed the industry forever.  Like Stone Cold, a star was born and a new era began, all with a few heartfelt words and an incredible amount of passion.

Runner up: The Rock's return

Match of the year:: Money In The Bank: WWE Champion John Cena vs. CM Punk

CM Punk's career defining moment led to what will most likely go down as his career defining match.  Everything about this match was perfect.  Which is an interesting statement considering there were a couple mistakes here and there.  This ladies and marks, was art.  Never in the last decade, has a match felt more important, more relevant, and more necessary, than this one.  Punk, our anti-hero for the new generation, changed the landscape of the business and saved pro wrestling with his brilliant performance in this match and the events leading up to it.  Cena was no slouch either, proving that arguably, there is no one on the current WWE roster, or in the business in general, that is a better 'big match' performer than he is.

Runner up:: NJPW Dominion 2011: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto

Feud of the year: Christian vs. Randy Orton

Within all the hoopla surrounding CM Punk, there were two other superstars giving the best performances of their careers, Christian and Randy Orton.  2011 was the year of the dream for several superstars (Alberto Del Rio, R Truth, CM Punk, Mark Henry, Zack Ryder and Daniel Bryan) but no other wrestler deserved it more than Captain Charisma.  Coming off a classic battle with Alberto Del Rio and capturing his first world title, Christian had his dream shattered by a reality called Randy Orton.  Christian used his disappointment as fuel, and began a series of mind games that would lead to a series of unbelievable matches between two of the best performers of their generation in their primes.  Sometimes an easy to follow storyline, great ring work and believable tension, are all you need.

Runner up: Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett

 

Pay-Per-View of the year: WWE Money In The Bank

Change was in the air on July 17, 2011.  I will forever remember where I was that night and I'm sure everyone who watched will as well.  THIS was Wrestlemania in my eyes, and you could feel the magic in the air. whether I was brawling with my cousin or celebrating with my lady, we laughed, cried, and we marked the f*ck out.  Living in the moment, we all knew that night's like this, are what we live for.  This night had it all, the emotional victory of Daniel Bryan, rise of Mark Henry, the peak of a great year for Del Rio and most important, the match of the year.

Runner up: TNA Destination X

The Torrie Wilson award: Velvet Sky

This was an easy choice.  Velvet Sky is pretty much wrestling's sexiest woman to come along since Torrie Wilson. She had a banner year in 2011, capturing her first Knockouts championship.  Even though she did not hold on to the title for very long, it's still impossible not to notice quite possibly the sexiest woman of the year.

Runner up: Kelly Kelly

The Brock Lesnar next big thing award: Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes is primed and ready to have a great 2012.  2011 saw him grow as a character and performer on so many levels, finally finding himself in his feud with Booker T.  This feud has elevated Cody's game to a whole 'nother level.  Expect big things from him this year, maybe even a possible superstar of the year award by the time it's finished.

Runner up: Dolph Ziggler

The Randy Savage career achievement award: Edge

Edge has done it all, and with or without his unfortunate injury this year, it was only a matter of time before the Rated 'R' Superstar walked off into the sunset.  No other superstar in WWE history has accomplished as much as Edge has.  He has retired with the most championships and, as the only man to win a Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, Money in the Bank, and King of the Ring tournament.  As 2011 comes to a close, I look forward to seeing Edge accomplish the last thing he has yet to do, be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012.  Thank you Edge, we will miss you.