Year-End Awards 2019 

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. Today, we look at those who stood out and captured our imagination in 2019. I’ll choose a winner along with my runner up in each category.

Note: This list was published prior to Rhea Ripley’s victory this past Wednesday.

Male Wrestler of the Year 

My Pick: Will Ospreay 

In terms of quality of matches, level of competition, rigorous travel schedule and incredible accolades, Will Ospreay achieved a historic 2019. At merely 26 years old, he's arguably the best wrestler on the planet and he hasn't slowed down at all.

5- 5-star matches in 2019

• NJPW Best Of The Super Juniors XXV Day 15 Will Ospreay vs Shingo Takagi

• NJPW Dominion 6.9 Will Ospreay Dragon Lee

• NJPW Best Of The Super Juniors XXVI - Day 8 Will Ospreay vs Bandido

• NJPW G1 Climax 2019 - Day 5 - Will Ospreay vs Kota Ibushi 

• NJPW G1 Climax 2019 - Day 7   Will Ospreay vs Kazuchika Okada

Accolades  

• Won the NEVER Openweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in the Tokyo Dome

• Won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (Still reigning as championship) 

• Won the Best of the Super Juniors

Runner Up: Adam Cole

2-5 star matches in 2019 

• NXT TakeOver: New York - Adam Cole vs Johnny Gargano 2 Out Of 3 Falls

• NXT TakeOver XXV - Adam Cole vs Johnny Gargano 

Accolades 

• Won the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver 25 against Johnny Gargano 

• Competed on Raw, Smackdown, WWE NXT along with every NXT TakeOver event and Survivor Series 
  

Other Considerations: Jon Moxley, Kota Ibushi, Johnny Gargano,

Female Wrestler of the Year 

My pick: Tessa Blanchard  

• She left her mark all over the world and even competed against male competitors while holding her own. 

Accolades 

• Kicked off 2019 as Impact Women’s Champion 

• Featured in the main event against Sami Callihan 

• Won the AAA Queen of Queens Championship in August 

• At Bound for Glory in October, Tessa became the first woman in participate in a match for the Impact X Division Championship

Runner Up: Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler TIE 

Becky’s Accolades 

• Became the only woman to simultaneously hold she Raw and Smackdown Women’s Championships 

• Currently the longest-reigning Raw Women’s Champion in WWE history

Shayna’s Accolades 

• Reigned as NXT Women’s Champion since the Evolution PPV which transpired on October, 28 2018. 

• During 2019, she has defeated Bianca BelAir, Mia Yim, Candice LeRae, Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai and Io Shirai

• Defeated Becky Lynch and Bayley at Survivor Series  

Other Considerations: Io Shirai, Rhea Ripley

Feud of the Year 

My Pick: Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston

• In terms of the steady build and the ultimate pay off, no victory was more satisfying than Kofi Kingston’s at Wrestlemania 35. 

Runner Up: Jushin Liger vs Suzuki 

• Two moments really stand out. The long-awaited return of Kishin Liger along with Suzuki’s show of respect when he bowed down to Battle Liger following their clash at NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2019. 

Other Considerations: Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole, Cody vs Chris Jericho, Imperium vs British Strong Style,

Match of the Year 

My Pick: Walter vs Tyler Bate (NXT: TakeOver Cardiff) 

THIS is how you tell a proper David vs Goliath story.  Bate started to gain momentum and embarrass Walter, until the Ring General brutalized Tyler. He then fought for his life. Tyler Bate has thrown everything but the kitchen sink at Walter, but he manages to kick out.

I love that Walter played the bully so effectively where he's an unstoppable brute who will constantly tease and mock his opponents. The crowd rallied behind Bate, but it simply wasn’t enough for the big, strong boy to overcome Walter. 

The near falls in this match were goosebump-inducing. 

Heading into this bout against Walter, there was zero doubt that Tyler Bate was incredibly talented. By the conclusion, I was convinced he's one of the best pro-wrestlers in the business.

Runner Up: Cody vs Dustin (AEW: Double or Nothing) 

This was storytelling 101 where high spots weren’t needed. Just fundamental wrestling with plenty of emotion attached. Can Cody actually defeat the older brother he’s always looked into and in Dustin’s case, can the old dog live to fight another day? Adding the presentation was Earl Hebner as the referee.

After the match concluded, Cody took to the microphone and noted that Dustin does not get to retire here. He had a favour to ask in front of God and the whole world. At Fight for the Fallen, Cody signed his name to a match against the Young Bucks with a partner of his choosing. He doesn’t need a partner or a friend. He needs his older brother. The two then hugged in one of the most emotional moments in recent memory. I definitely got a little misty-eyed.

Other Considerations: Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole Two-out-of-three falls match (NXT TakeOver: New York), Will Ospreay vs Kota Ibushi (NJPW G1 Climax 2019 - Day 5), Jon Moxley vs Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW G1 Climax 2019 - Day 6)

Tag-Team of the Year 

My Pick: Lucha Bros

Accolades

• Started off 2019 as the MLW Tag-Team Champions

• Reigned as the Impact Tag-Team Champions for 106 days in 2019 

• Captured the AAA World Tag Team Championship twice in 2019 

Runner Up: The Undisputed Era 

Accolades

• Their current reign is the third-longest in NXT history 

• Became three-time NXT Tag-Team Champions in August 

Other Considerations: LAX (Santana and Ortiz), New Day, SCU, The North, The Revival

Best on Interviews 

My Pick: Cody 

• There are few in the pro-wrestling industry today that can match his command over an audience along with his general authenticity. Nothing out of his mouth sounds forced or contrived. 

Runner Up: Chris Jericho 

• From the catchphrases, pop culture references, humour to his quick-witted replies, Chris Jericho remains the ultimate entertainer. In 2019, he remains more relevant than ever.

Other Considerations: Daniel Bryan, Jon Moxley, MJF

Breakout Star of the Year 

My Pick: Keith Lee 

• No one has benefited more from NXT’s move to USA with the two-hour time slot - Much like my runner up, he also made a huge statement at Survivor Series.

Runner Up: Rhea Ripley 

• Won for her team at Survivor Series and also defeated Shayna Baszler’s team at War Games.

Other considerations: MJF, Darby Allin

Event of the Year

My Pick:  NXT TakeOver: New York 

The card was flawlessly executed with every match delivering in a big way. Truthfully, it was an emotional roller coaster.

Highlights:

• Ricochet and Aleister Black’s swan song in defeat. Suddenly, the match is over, War Raiders bow down out of respect and Ricochet/Black bow back. War Raiders gave them the ring to say their proper goodbyes.

• Walter ending the historic title reign of Pete Dunne that ended at 685 days.

• The Velveteen Dream pulling out the victory by rolling through and pinning Riddle ala Bret on Piper and Austin. In my humble opinion, it was Matt Riddle’s best match to date under the NXT banner.

• Baszler forcing Belalr to tap out to retain her NXT Women's Championship. It was truly a hellacious match and a valiant effort displayed by all involved.

• Johnny TakeOver finally achieving his dream of becoming a world champion in a modern day 5-star classic against Adam Cole.

• Following the conclusion of the match, an emotional Johnny Gargano celebrating with his wife Candice. As they made their way up the ramp to conclude the show, a familiar face emerged from the back, Tomasso Ciampa. Instead of attacking Johnny, the three embraced in one of the most emotional moments in recent memory. For a split second, fans saw the real Ciampa celebrate with his best friend.

Runner Up: AEW Double or Nothing and NXT TakeOver: 25 TIE

Specifically relating to Double or Nothing, it was a historically significant event featuring some of the most passionate fans I’ve ever witnessed in my 30 years of watching pro-wrestling. It was the perfect introduction to the company which established All Elite Wrestling as a viable alternative right out of the gate.

Other Considerations: NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, G1 Climax 29 Finals, NXT Takeover: Cardiff