Upon a new year, wrestling fans look back at the months gone by and review the best and worst of the previous 365 days. One of the most awaited reviewing publications is the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which since the 1980s has given fans a chance to make their voices heard about the events that occurred the previous year. Yet for a retrospective running for so long, several categories are likely to have fallen by the wayside, such as what happened with these 10 topics. 

    For the sake of time, this is not an exhaustive list, where only categories with five or more winners have been counted. This list includes five rankings from “Class A” and five from “Class B” . 


    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Biggest Shock of the Year 

    Class: A 

    Years: 1981-1989 

    One ranking that could easily make a return is the biggest shock. This category focussed more on behind-the-scenes surprises such as surprising title winners, off-screen tragedies, and promoter’s dealmaking.  

    NOTABLE WINNERS:

    Brody’s stabbing at a World Wrestling Council event was the Biggest Shock of 1988. (Photo: Sportskeeda)
    • 1981: Tommy Rich wins the NWA World Heavyweight title 
    • 1986: Magnum T.A.’s paralysing car accident 
    • 1988: The murder of Bruiser Brody 

    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Strongest Wrestler

    Class: A 

    Years: 1981-1990 

    This category reflected who readers thought was legitimately the most powerful worker in the business. Many of the winners had their strength as an in-built character trait. 

    NOTABLE WINNERS: 

    “Dr Death” won from 1987-1990. (Photo: ZonaWrestling)

    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Most Washed-Up Wrestler

    Class: A 

    Years: 1980-1985 

    This topic reflected those previous workers who had become passe, working far beyond a sufficient level. Although perhaps once beloved, the voters of WON now thought had their glory days long behind them. 

    NOTABLE WINNERS: 

    By the early 1980s, Strongbow was in his mid 50s. (Photo: Pro Wrestling Stories)

    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Most Unimproved 

    Class: A 

    Years: 1984-1995 

    The Most Unimproved category was quite similar to the Most Washed Up category, sharing the same winners in 1984 and 1985. Interestingly, unlike this topic, the Most Improved category remains, won most recently by AEW’s The Acclaimed. 

    NOTABLE WINNERS: 

    In 1994, Hogan main evented Starrcade against The Butcher. (Photo: Whatculture)
    • 1989: Jim Duggan 
    • 1990: Sting
    • 1994-1995: Hulk Hogan 

    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Most Obnoxious 

    Class: A 

    Years: 1981-1995 

    The Most Obnoxious prize went to the most grating on-screen wrestling personalities. The majority were non-wrestlers although a number of wrestlers did pick up the prize for their insufferable antics. 

    NOTABLE WINNERS: 

    (Photo: TheSportster)
    • 1983-1986, 1990, 1993: Vince McMahon 
    • 1988-1989: Dusty Rhodes 
    • 1994-1995: Hulk Hogan 

    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Worst Wrestler

    Class: B 

    Years: 1984-2003 

    The Worst Wrestler category existed from 1984-2003. Today, the categories of Most Overrated and Worst Gimmick exist as two separate entities instead of a broader Worst Wrestler award. 

    NOTABLE WINNERS: 

    (Photo: TheSportster)
    • 1992: Andre The Giant 
    • 1995: The Renegade 
    • 2003: Nathan Jones 

    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Worst Tag Team

    Class: B 

    Years: 1984-2003 

    Today, WON only ranks the best tag teams in the industry but from the 1980s to the 00s, they also had a worst teams list, won by teams from the AWA, WWF/E, NWA, AJPW, and WCW. 

    NOTABLE WINNERS: 

    (Photo: WWE)
    • 1992, 1994: The Bushwhackers 
    • 1996-1997: The Godwinns 
    • 2000-2001: KroniK 

    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Worst on Interviews

    Class: B 

    Years: 1984-2003 

    Another topic ditched in 2003 was Worst on Interviews, in which fans were polled on who was the worst at promos. In my opinion, it should be a category that should return, even if mic skills are not exactly indicative of a wrestler’s skillset.  

    NOTABLE WINNERS: 

    Sid won in 1999, the same year as the famous “Half the Brain” promo. (Photo: eWrestlingNews)
    • 1989-1992, 1998: The Ultimate Warrior 
    • 1999: Sid Vicious 
    • 2001-2003: Stephanie McMahon 

    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Most Embarrassing Wrestler

    Class: B 

    Years: 1986-2003 

    Another category that would work in the modern day, the mantle of Most Embarrassing Wrestler existed until 2003 with the WWF/E and WCW hot potato-ing the prize during the mid-late 90s and early 00s. 

    NOTABLE WINNERS: 

    (Photo: Lou Gregory on YouTube)
    • 1986: Adrian Adonis 
    • 1993: Bastion Booger 
    • 1997: The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust 

    ‘Wrestling Observer’ End of Year Awards
    Best Color Commentator

    Class: B 

    Years: 1986-1996 

    Not all ex-categories were negative and one such example was the Best Color Commentator award, which was finally ditched in 1996. Still existing however is the Worst Television Announcer award, which has been around since 1984. 

    NOTABLE WINNERS: 

    Bobby Heenan alongside Gorilla Monsoon, a multi-time winner of the Worst Television Announcer award. (Photo: Rolling Stone)
    • 1987-1990: Jesse Ventura 
    • 1992-1994: Bobby Heenan 
    • 1995-1996: Jerry Lawler 

    GRIFFIN KAYE.