Austin Pins down Wrestler of the Year Award

Each year, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter conducts a survey to honor wrestling’s best and worst in the last twelve months. This year’s survey period began on December 1, 1997, and concluded November 30th. Here is an overview of my ballot.

The ballot consists of two categories. In Category “A,” total points determine a winner. Five points is earned for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and a single tally is award for each third place vote.

Category "A"

Wrestler of the Year: Steve Austin. A great follow up year for the “rattlesnake.” Austin won the WWF title at Wrestlemania XIV, and regained it the night after the King of the Ring by defeating Kane. My second place vote goes to Goldberg, who made quite a splash in his rookie year, defeating “Hollywood” Hogan for the WCW in July. The Rock earned my third place vote.

Feud of the year: Austin vs. McMahon. A feud that elevated “Raw” back to the top of the Monday night ratings battle. The suspense of what was going to happen next in this feud has millions still glued to their television sets. Triple H vs. The Rock comes in second place. The ladder match at Summerslam highlighted their feud. And in third place, DX vs. Nation.

Tag Team of the year: The New Age Outlaws. Not a particularly great year for tag team wrestling. Road Dog and Billy Gunn are easy winners, especially after joining DX after Wrestlemania. Van Dam & Sabu finish second on my ballot, followed by The Dudley’s taking third honors.

Most Improved: Justin Credible. A real toss up between The Rock and Credible for this honor. After remembering the P.J. Walker character for so long, Credible is a substantial improvement. Ken Shamrock receives a point from me.

Best on Interviews: Steve Austin. This award will probably be renamed the Ric Flair Award. Since Eric Bischoff sued Flair in 1998, we did not see enough of the “Nature Boy.” Vince McMahon has always been good on the mic, but he proved he could be even better in his heel owner character. With phrases like “smell the what the Rock is cooking,” “know your role,” and laying the “smack down” easily places The Rock in third place.

Best Technical Wrestler: Justin Liger. Even though Liger has not been seen on American television in quite sometime, this awesome cruiserweight continues to amaze fans all over the world. Kidman is an easy second choice, followed by Juvetund Guerrera.

Bruiser Brody Memorial Award: Mankind. Call him Mankind, Dude Love, or Cactus Jack, Foley remains hardcore. Extreme icon partner, Terry Funk, takes second honors. Despite injuries in 1998, Beniot was my third choice.

Most Overrated: “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan. If only his retirement announcement on “The Tonight Show” would have been “for life,” perhaps he could have avoided this dubious award. Rumors have Hogan returning to WCW anytime in January. “Big Papa Pump” is a waste of talent away from the tag team division with his brother Rick. Scott Norton, the king of no selling opponent’s moves, easily takes third place.

Most Underrated: Kidman. Kidman finally received the must-deserved push he earned in World Championship Wrestling in 1998. My second choice is Booker T., who was on a great role in 1998, until a knee injury slowed him down. The "Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer finished third.

Best Weekly TV Show: Raw Is War. When McMahon and Austin almost did battle back in April, the momentum has carried the show to the top. The ECW television show finishes second, and with an improved set and color commentator, could be a strong candidate to winner next year. “Sunday Night Heat” takes third honors. The show is used extremely well to set up “Raw” the next night.

Rookie of the Year: Goldberg, who’s next? I have a hard time imagining any rookie ever having the impact this new comer had in 1998. The Brood’s Edge and Christian take second and third honors respectively.

Best TV announcer: Jim Ross. An award that no doubt will be changed to the Jim Ross Award. Joey Styles earns second place, followed by the “The King” Jerry Lawler.

"B"

In category “B,” it’s a simple pick one.

Worst Card - Road Wild

Best Maneuver - Death Valley Driver. The Stunner and Diamond Cutter were just to easy, give Saturn his promps.

Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic - Promising matches that never happen

Favorite Wrestler - Steve Austin

Least Favorite - Scott Norton

Worst Wrestler – Steve “Mongo: McMichael

Worst Tag Team - Disciples of Apocalypse

Worst Weekly TV show - Thunder. A show that debuted in January 1998 with lots of potential just never delivers the goods.

Worst Manager - Sonny Onoo. Second honors would go to James Vandenberg, who luckily is no longer in WCW.

Worst Match of the year - Hogan v. Warrior (Halloween Havoc)

Worst Feud - NWO Hollywood v. NWO Wolfpac

Worst on Interviews - Lex Luger

Worst Promotion - AAA of Mexico. This promotion has no television exposure in the States, and I am thankful for that.

Best Booker - Vince McMahon

Promoter of the Year - Vince McMahon

Best Gimmick - Vince's Corporation

Worst Gimmick - Glacier

Most Embarrassing Wrestler - Horace (Boulder) Hogan

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