From The Other Side: The WRES-PY Awards Voting Is On!
Posted by TWV Guest Columnists
on 12/14/2006
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Guest Column By Raul Smith
I know that with WWE heading overseas next week to film "Tribute To The Troops 2006," there's not a lot to talk about. But I think you'll find this column to be a little more fulfilling than you would expect since there's not a lot to talk about.
There's a very good reason for this. As I often do with friends and my little brother, who happens to be the biggest Undertaker mark I know, around this time of year I do kind-of a mock awards ceremony for professional wrestling. Until now, I haven't exactly come up with a name for these awards. Now that I've had a chance to think about it, I'll be naming these awards the "WRES-PY" awards. It's somewhat of a spin off the ESPY awards, handed out by ESPN, except I put a "WR" in front, to signify that it's for professional wrestling. Hence, the "WRES-PY" awards are born.
Instead of me just coming on here and telling you who I think would be deserving of each award, and there are a lot this year, I think I'll add some intrigue and reader interaction to this. Therefore, if you believe that there's a wrestler more qualified for each award, let me know, either by e-mail or other means of communication.
The awards will be handed out later this month and from the looks of things, I already have so many categories, I most likely will need at least two columns to do this. However, I implore you all to email me not only worthy candidates for each category, but also some categories that you feel would be interesting. Here are the categories that I already have down.
Worst Idea Ever
Basically the worst idea by any wrestling promotion done this year. It could be an acquisition, a storyline, a match, a change in format, anything you can think of. I can already think of five really bad ideas, by both WWE and TNA, but I want some input on what you think is the Worst Idea Ever for 2006.
The JBL Award
This basically is given to who you or I think is the worst human being in wrestling today. Not necessarily the best heel, because there's a separate award for that, but just the worst person in wrestling. The reason I named it the JBL award is because of what happened in Germany in 2004 when JBL did the "Hail Hitler" salute in Munich and somehow was able to live to tell the tale.
Best Announcer
This also goes for both promotions and can be any type of announcer. Whether it be a ring announcer (i.e. Lillian Garcia, Tony Chimmel), backstage interviewer (i.e. Jeremy Borash, Todd Grisham, Maria [ha, ha]), color commentator (Jerry Lawler, Tazz, JBL), or play-by-play (Jim Ross, Joey Styles). Judging from the amount of old-school ECW fans out there, I think I already know who the overwhelming popular vote is, but I'll sit back and see anyway.
Best Wrestling Move
This is the first, but certainly not the last, category to be split into two sub-categories; one for WWE and one for TNA. Because both promotions have wrestlers who have just innovative and unbelievable moves, it'll be difficult to find just five or less finalists overall, so I split it up and am giving some time for people to come up with moves from both promotions that they feel is the best.
Best Heel
The guy you love to hate, the guy who goes out of his way at times to make you hate and boo him, but at the same time, could be a stand-up, okay guy to hang out and have a few cold ones with when he's not at work. Again, I look for your input; although I have a feeling I know who's going to win this one.
Best Face
Again, split into two sub-categories because of the overwhelming popularity for TNA. These are the guys that get the loudest pops in the arena, the guys that people mark out for every time. I have a feeling who's
not going to win this one, but I will not mention any names. Instead, I will just sit back and observe.
Best Storyline/Feud
These are the storylines, feuds, and/or programs that people would pay money to watch, whether it be live or on PPV. These are the storylines, feuds, and/or programs that make a heel or face turn official or a name for somebody in the business.
Best Entrance
Split into two sub-categories again because of the awesome entrances in TNA as of late. It all depends on what you like about an entrance. Is it the music? Is it the pyrotechnics? Perhaps the lighting is just perfect. Maybe it's just the reaction from the crowd. You know; the minute that first note hits the PA system, the entire arena stands and cheers in anticipation for who's about to come out. Perhaps it's something extra that the wrestler adds on to the entrance. For instance, with Mr. Kennedy, I know there are quite a few people out there that love how he has the microphone come down from the rafters and he does that boxing-like introduction.
Best Wrestler
Split into two sub-categories for very obvious reasons. Take this however you want to go with it, but I think the title is self-explanatory. Who is the best worker? Who is the best overall wrestler? Who plays more to the crowd? Who was the best champion? Any number of ways you can define who the best wrestler in 2006 was so go with that however you like.
Before I go, one more note that I'd like to hit everybody with:
Despite having not come around since I think it was June of last year, despite the lack of support shown the last time they were here, and despite our former UPN affiliate jerking with SmackDown! like we live in Indonesia or something, it's been made official…
Finally, World Wrestling Entertainment has come back to Salt Lake City!
Sunday, February 11, 2007, RAW will present the "Road To WrestleMania Tour" which is code for a house show in SLC. But still, after all that's happened, I never thought I'd see the day we even get a house show ever again, but despite all of that, we're getting a RAW house show. So the good news with that is I get to see DX (although Shawn Michaels has not been advertised yet for the show), John Cena, Carlito, and Cryme Tyme. The bad news is I get to see Edge, Randy Orton, Umaga, Eugene, and that it's not televised. But in any event to get a house show is the first step in the road to recovery and redemption in WWE's eyes for our community after all the crap that's happened here. To say I've been living in wrestling purgatory would be a mild understatement.
I especially now welcome your questions, your comments, your concerns, your complaints, your compliments, your votes, your suggestions, and your emails, no matter how sour or sweet. Until the next time I am ready to grace you all with the WRES-PY awards, you are encouraged to read, to learn, and to vote, because damn it, it's your Constitutional right! Never mind that it's December.
If K-Fed can rap, hell, why can't I?
Eddie Guerrero 1967-2005
May you rest in peace, but never rest in our hearts
Send feedback to
RaulCBK@comcast.net.
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