Cheap Heat Wrestling's 2016 Year End Awards
2016 Cheap Heat Wrestling Year-End Awards
Rookie of the Year: Nia Jax
Nia Jax was one of NXT's most dominating female wrestlers from 2015 onward and the trend was expected to continue after she made her main roster debut on July 25th. Jax steamrolled competition, one after the next after the next as the RAW brand struggled to find her any legitimate competition during her rookie campaign. When veteran Alicia Fox stepped up to confront Jax, the two wrestled to a no-contest on the September 12th addition of RAW. Make no mistake about it. The no-contest wasn't because Jax found a formidable foe. Jax drove Fox through a barricade outside of the ring, rendering both competitors unable to continue, and reaching heights of violence previously unseen and unimagined in the world of female wrestling. Jax continued her domination throughout much of the year and even defeated Bayley, one of the greatest female competitors to ever come out of NXT. To date Nia Jax has not lost a singles match on RAW or PPV and her dominating year continues. Nia Jax is Cheap Heat Wrestling's 2016 Rookie of the Year.
2015 ROY Winner: Moose
Inspirational Wrestler of the Year: Bayley
No one moves the hearts of children quite like RAW's Bayley. Whether it be with one of her now famous hugs or being given the gift of one of the new Bayley Bears, Bayley connects with the younger audience like no other competitor in wrestling. Perhaps it is due to her physique. Bayley is tiny and dwarfed by the statuesque physiques in the Womens Division modeled by the likes of Charlotte and Nia Jax. She looks more like a child, a very relatable quality, as much of wrestling's fan base is made of little ones. What may be most endearing about Bayley is that no matter what adversity she faces, she rallies herself in continual pursuit of being the greatest competitor in the Women's Wrestling. Bayley connects with people in the unmovable spirit of Rocky Balboa: the underdog who, with maximum effort and heart, rises to be the very best. She is the American Dream personified and our 2016 Inspirational Wrestler of the Year.
2015 Winner: Allie Parker
Manager of the Year Award: Lana
No one deserves our Manager of the Year Award more than Lana. She has been a consistent force for her husband Rusev's increasingly dominant WWE career. While some managers carry more historical accomplishments (i.e. Paul Heyman) Lana does not take any time off and is continually there in support of Rusev's singles career. Lana never takes a break and is present at house shows, pay-per-views, and all television appearances. She is an asset for Rusev and one of the reasons why he was able to have yet another long United States Championship reign in 2016. Lana's stunning good looks maker her an incredibly distracting component to team Rusev, giving him an edge over all opponents. Additionally, as demonstrated by Rusev's recent attack of Enzo, she has her husband's ear and is able to motivate him to sheer domination. Without Lana in 2015, Rusev struggled mightily; but, with her the sky is the limit. If Rusev ever wins a world championship, and we suspect he will, Lana will be a huge reason why.
2015 Winner: Paul Heyman
Most Improved Wrestler of the Year: Braun Strowman
More than any other wrestler, Braun Strowman saw an astronomical transformation in 2016. Once a lackey for Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt family, Strowman's WWE Draft Day separation from his brethren was a blessing in disguise. It allowed for the massive Strowman to go out on his own and prove himself as a worthy competitor away from the cult-like Wyatt Family. After his post-draft RAW debut, Strowman sifted his way through competition with ease proving to be one of wrestling's most dominant forces. After feuding with Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins, Strowman has yet to be pinned in 2016. His 2016 saw him transition from a bodyguard of sorts (to Bray Wyatt) to a legitimate WWE Universal Championship contender. If he continues his ascent, it wouldn't be a stretch to see him capture Cheap Heat Wrestling's 2017 Wrestler of the Year Award.
2015 Winner: Nikki Bella
Comeback of the Year: Goldberg
With all due respect to Nikki Bella, who came back from a career threatening neck injury, no one's comeback caused more waves than Goldberg's. Goldberg dominated the news, from social media to ESPN as he returned to the WWE to face wrestling's most dominating Beast: Brock Lesnar. Many didn't give the 50 year old a chance against Lesnar. After all, Lesnar has steam rolled through some of wrestling's biggest names including; the Undertaker, John Cena, and Randy Orton. Goldberg fans simply hoped for a good showing from the 50 year old former WCW star. Their hopes were fulfilled and then some, as Goldberg far exceeded all expectations. When Goldberg stepped into the ring against Lesnar, he destroyed the Beast, annihilating him in 1 minute and 26 seconds! Talk about a comeback! Our 2016 Comeback of the Year recipient is Bill Goldberg.
2015 Winner: Sting
Andy Kaufman Award (Best Comedic Performance by a Wrestler): Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho wins our second annual Andy Kaufmann Award and deservedly so. No one has made fans squeal in laughter more than Y2J. From his hilarious and all too expensive silk scarfs, to his odd little moustache, to his infamous list, Jericho has lightened up the mood for all wrestling fans during a difficult time in human history. It should also be noted that fans aren't laughing at Jericho like they did with wrestlers such as Santino Marella or the Bushwackers. Fans are laughing with Jericho, who is a comedic mastermind. Full well knowing that Jericho is arguably the best (and most dangerous) wrestler on any given night, fans are still moved by Jericho's charm and incomparable wit. As Kevin Owens' new best friend, Jericho puts on a comedic performance that would make Will Ferrell jealous. We didn't want to end up on the List, so our 2016 Andy Kaufmann Award recipient is: Chris Jericho.
2015 Winner: Xavier Woods
Most Popular Wrestler of the Year: Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose wins this award for the second year in a row. The crazed every man had amazing fan support in a year that finally saw him capture WWE's biggest prize: the WWE World Championship. From his every day tee shirt and jeans look, to his quest to take on the establishment, fans everywhere relate to Ambrose and they love him for it. Ambrose loves them back to. He regularly stops to acknowledge fans at house shows, posing for pictures and signing autographs even after brutal and exhausting matches. Attend any WWE live show and you will hear that the biggest pop of the night almost always goes to our 2016 Most Popular Wrestler of the Year, Dean Ambrose.
2015 Winner: Dean Ambrose
Most Hated Wrestler of the Year: Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns was being groomed to be wrestling's next John Cena and it may have worked, just not in the way Vince McMahon had hoped. The WWE wanted Cena to succeed so badly and pushed him so much that he wore out his welcome with many wrestling fans and the cheers quickly turned to boos. The same can be stated in regards to Roman Reigns. The former fan favorite with the SHIELD, quickly saw fans turn on him as he was given opportunity after opportunity in main event matches. Reigns routinely receives the most hate and the loudest boos each and every night, despite being pushed as one of WWE's top baby faces. WWE was even forced to change his entrance from going through the audience from atop the arena, to a more traditional one from the ramp. Roman Reigns is our 2016 Most Hated Wrestler.
2015 Winner: Seth Rollins
Rivalry of the Year: Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair
No 2016 rivalry has meant more to the WWE and no 2016 rivalry has matched the intensity of Charlotte vs Sasha Banks. These former NXT frenemies started their main roster feud right where it ended in NXT and faced each other routinely on RAW and on PPV. The rivalry generated several title changes. The first Title Change occurred on the July 25th episode of RAW, when Sasha Banks bested Charlotte to become the new RAW Brand Womens Champion. Charlotte received her revenge; however, at SummerSlam defeating a badly injured Sasha Banks to regain her Womens Championship. The rivalry didn't end there; however, as things only intensified between these two women. On the October 3rd edition of RAW, a recovered Sasha Banks defeated Charlotte to become Champion once again only to lose the belt to Charlotte at Hell in a Cell. The famous Hell in a Cell Match made history as the only women's match to ever close a WWE PPV. Sasha then regained her Title in a Falls Count Anywhere Match on RAW, only to lose it to Charlotte once again in a 30 minute Iron Man Match at Roadblock. This rivalry, which saw 6 Title Changes, was unparalleled not only in 2016; but, in all of wrestling history.
2015 Winner: Brock Lesnar vs Undertaker
Tag Team of the Year: New Day
New Day broke all sorts of records in 2016, continuing a historic championship run (which began in 2015). On the December 12th episode of RAW, New Day defended their WWE RAW Tag Team Championships twice in two separate Triple Threat Matches to become the longest reigning WWE Champions in history. The record, once held by Demolition, lasted nearly 30 years! New Day would eventually end their historic 483 day Title reign to Sheamus and Cesaro; however, not before beating nearly every team on the WWE roster numerous times. For much of the year New Day was simply unbeatable and that is why, for the second year in a row, they are Cheap Heat Wrestling's Tag Team of the Year.
2015 Winner: New Day
Match of the Year: Cedric Alexander vs Kota Ibushi (8/10/16 Cruiserweight Classic Match)
If there was ever such a thing as an Impeccable Match, Cedric Alexander and Kota Ibushi had it on the August 10th edition of WWE's Cruiserweight Classic. The near 20 minute classic stood out in a tournament of fantastic matches, as the very best among the best. While the legendary Japanese wrestler, Ibushi, outlasted Alexander there is no doubt that the match inevitably led to Alexander being signed to a full-time WWE contract. The match nearly broke social media as the WWE Universe was deeply moved by its unparalleled quality. Our 2016 Match of the Year can be viewed below.
2015 Winner: Pentagon Jr vs Vampiro
Kota Ibushi vs. Cedrick Alexander by GreatWrestlingMatches
Female Wrestler of the Year: Charlotte Flair
Arguably no female wrestler had a more dominating year in all of wrestling history than Charlotte. She won the WWE's top women's title a whopping three times. Facing some of the stiffest competition in WWE womens history, Charlotte proved time and again to rise above all the competition as the very best womens wrestler of 2016. Charlotte has yet to lose a PPV match in the WWE and made history by winning the very first womens match to close a PPV at Hell in a Cell. In what we expect to be a regular occurrence, our Female Wrestler of the Year is very obviously Charlotte Flair.
2015 Winner: Nikki Bella
Wrestler of the Year: A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles made his WWE debut at last year's Royal Rumble, giving him nearly the entire year to make his mark on the Company. Make his mark he did. Styles lasted nearly 30 minutes in the Royal Rumble, before being eliminated by Kevin Owens. He went on to have a prolific feud with Chris Jericho, where the two put on technical wrestling masterpieces. It didn't take long before Styles saw himself as a Title contender. He unsuccessfully feuded with then World Champion Roman Reigns before feuding with John Cena. Styles defeated the WWE's standard bearer (Cena) both times the two faced, including a Match of the Year candidate at SummerSlam. After being drafted to SmackDown, A.J. Styles successfully captured his first WWE World Championship at Backlash, defeating Dean Ambrose. Since then he has fended off challenges from the likes of; Dean Ambrose, James Ellsworth, Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin. Each and ever night Styles puts on the card's best and most talked about match. He is the modern version of Shawn Michaels in that, as the old cliché goes, he can put on a great match with a broom. A.J. Styles is by far and away our 2016 Wrestler of the Year.
2015 Winner: Seth Rollins
Rookie of the Year: Nia Jax
Nia Jax was one of NXT's most dominating female wrestlers from 2015 onward and the trend was expected to continue after she made her main roster debut on July 25th. Jax steamrolled competition, one after the next after the next as the RAW brand struggled to find her any legitimate competition during her rookie campaign. When veteran Alicia Fox stepped up to confront Jax, the two wrestled to a no-contest on the September 12th addition of RAW. Make no mistake about it. The no-contest wasn't because Jax found a formidable foe. Jax drove Fox through a barricade outside of the ring, rendering both competitors unable to continue, and reaching heights of violence previously unseen and unimagined in the world of female wrestling. Jax continued her domination throughout much of the year and even defeated Bayley, one of the greatest female competitors to ever come out of NXT. To date Nia Jax has not lost a singles match on RAW or PPV and her dominating year continues. Nia Jax is Cheap Heat Wrestling's 2016 Rookie of the Year.
2015 ROY Winner: Moose
Inspirational Wrestler of the Year: Bayley
No one moves the hearts of children quite like RAW's Bayley. Whether it be with one of her now famous hugs or being given the gift of one of the new Bayley Bears, Bayley connects with the younger audience like no other competitor in wrestling. Perhaps it is due to her physique. Bayley is tiny and dwarfed by the statuesque physiques in the Womens Division modeled by the likes of Charlotte and Nia Jax. She looks more like a child, a very relatable quality, as much of wrestling's fan base is made of little ones. What may be most endearing about Bayley is that no matter what adversity she faces, she rallies herself in continual pursuit of being the greatest competitor in the Women's Wrestling. Bayley connects with people in the unmovable spirit of Rocky Balboa: the underdog who, with maximum effort and heart, rises to be the very best. She is the American Dream personified and our 2016 Inspirational Wrestler of the Year.
2015 Winner: Allie Parker
Manager of the Year Award: Lana
No one deserves our Manager of the Year Award more than Lana. She has been a consistent force for her husband Rusev's increasingly dominant WWE career. While some managers carry more historical accomplishments (i.e. Paul Heyman) Lana does not take any time off and is continually there in support of Rusev's singles career. Lana never takes a break and is present at house shows, pay-per-views, and all television appearances. She is an asset for Rusev and one of the reasons why he was able to have yet another long United States Championship reign in 2016. Lana's stunning good looks maker her an incredibly distracting component to team Rusev, giving him an edge over all opponents. Additionally, as demonstrated by Rusev's recent attack of Enzo, she has her husband's ear and is able to motivate him to sheer domination. Without Lana in 2015, Rusev struggled mightily; but, with her the sky is the limit. If Rusev ever wins a world championship, and we suspect he will, Lana will be a huge reason why.
2015 Winner: Paul Heyman
Most Improved Wrestler of the Year: Braun Strowman
More than any other wrestler, Braun Strowman saw an astronomical transformation in 2016. Once a lackey for Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt family, Strowman's WWE Draft Day separation from his brethren was a blessing in disguise. It allowed for the massive Strowman to go out on his own and prove himself as a worthy competitor away from the cult-like Wyatt Family. After his post-draft RAW debut, Strowman sifted his way through competition with ease proving to be one of wrestling's most dominant forces. After feuding with Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins, Strowman has yet to be pinned in 2016. His 2016 saw him transition from a bodyguard of sorts (to Bray Wyatt) to a legitimate WWE Universal Championship contender. If he continues his ascent, it wouldn't be a stretch to see him capture Cheap Heat Wrestling's 2017 Wrestler of the Year Award.
2015 Winner: Nikki Bella
With all due respect to Nikki Bella, who came back from a career threatening neck injury, no one's comeback caused more waves than Goldberg's. Goldberg dominated the news, from social media to ESPN as he returned to the WWE to face wrestling's most dominating Beast: Brock Lesnar. Many didn't give the 50 year old a chance against Lesnar. After all, Lesnar has steam rolled through some of wrestling's biggest names including; the Undertaker, John Cena, and Randy Orton. Goldberg fans simply hoped for a good showing from the 50 year old former WCW star. Their hopes were fulfilled and then some, as Goldberg far exceeded all expectations. When Goldberg stepped into the ring against Lesnar, he destroyed the Beast, annihilating him in 1 minute and 26 seconds! Talk about a comeback! Our 2016 Comeback of the Year recipient is Bill Goldberg.
2015 Winner: Sting
Andy Kaufman Award (Best Comedic Performance by a Wrestler): Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho wins our second annual Andy Kaufmann Award and deservedly so. No one has made fans squeal in laughter more than Y2J. From his hilarious and all too expensive silk scarfs, to his odd little moustache, to his infamous list, Jericho has lightened up the mood for all wrestling fans during a difficult time in human history. It should also be noted that fans aren't laughing at Jericho like they did with wrestlers such as Santino Marella or the Bushwackers. Fans are laughing with Jericho, who is a comedic mastermind. Full well knowing that Jericho is arguably the best (and most dangerous) wrestler on any given night, fans are still moved by Jericho's charm and incomparable wit. As Kevin Owens' new best friend, Jericho puts on a comedic performance that would make Will Ferrell jealous. We didn't want to end up on the List, so our 2016 Andy Kaufmann Award recipient is: Chris Jericho.
2015 Winner: Xavier Woods
Most Popular Wrestler of the Year: Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose wins this award for the second year in a row. The crazed every man had amazing fan support in a year that finally saw him capture WWE's biggest prize: the WWE World Championship. From his every day tee shirt and jeans look, to his quest to take on the establishment, fans everywhere relate to Ambrose and they love him for it. Ambrose loves them back to. He regularly stops to acknowledge fans at house shows, posing for pictures and signing autographs even after brutal and exhausting matches. Attend any WWE live show and you will hear that the biggest pop of the night almost always goes to our 2016 Most Popular Wrestler of the Year, Dean Ambrose.
2015 Winner: Dean Ambrose
Most Hated Wrestler of the Year: Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns was being groomed to be wrestling's next John Cena and it may have worked, just not in the way Vince McMahon had hoped. The WWE wanted Cena to succeed so badly and pushed him so much that he wore out his welcome with many wrestling fans and the cheers quickly turned to boos. The same can be stated in regards to Roman Reigns. The former fan favorite with the SHIELD, quickly saw fans turn on him as he was given opportunity after opportunity in main event matches. Reigns routinely receives the most hate and the loudest boos each and every night, despite being pushed as one of WWE's top baby faces. WWE was even forced to change his entrance from going through the audience from atop the arena, to a more traditional one from the ramp. Roman Reigns is our 2016 Most Hated Wrestler.
2015 Winner: Seth Rollins
Rivalry of the Year: Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair
No 2016 rivalry has meant more to the WWE and no 2016 rivalry has matched the intensity of Charlotte vs Sasha Banks. These former NXT frenemies started their main roster feud right where it ended in NXT and faced each other routinely on RAW and on PPV. The rivalry generated several title changes. The first Title Change occurred on the July 25th episode of RAW, when Sasha Banks bested Charlotte to become the new RAW Brand Womens Champion. Charlotte received her revenge; however, at SummerSlam defeating a badly injured Sasha Banks to regain her Womens Championship. The rivalry didn't end there; however, as things only intensified between these two women. On the October 3rd edition of RAW, a recovered Sasha Banks defeated Charlotte to become Champion once again only to lose the belt to Charlotte at Hell in a Cell. The famous Hell in a Cell Match made history as the only women's match to ever close a WWE PPV. Sasha then regained her Title in a Falls Count Anywhere Match on RAW, only to lose it to Charlotte once again in a 30 minute Iron Man Match at Roadblock. This rivalry, which saw 6 Title Changes, was unparalleled not only in 2016; but, in all of wrestling history.
2015 Winner: Brock Lesnar vs Undertaker
Tag Team of the Year: New Day
New Day broke all sorts of records in 2016, continuing a historic championship run (which began in 2015). On the December 12th episode of RAW, New Day defended their WWE RAW Tag Team Championships twice in two separate Triple Threat Matches to become the longest reigning WWE Champions in history. The record, once held by Demolition, lasted nearly 30 years! New Day would eventually end their historic 483 day Title reign to Sheamus and Cesaro; however, not before beating nearly every team on the WWE roster numerous times. For much of the year New Day was simply unbeatable and that is why, for the second year in a row, they are Cheap Heat Wrestling's Tag Team of the Year.
2015 Winner: New Day
Match of the Year: Cedric Alexander vs Kota Ibushi (8/10/16 Cruiserweight Classic Match)
If there was ever such a thing as an Impeccable Match, Cedric Alexander and Kota Ibushi had it on the August 10th edition of WWE's Cruiserweight Classic. The near 20 minute classic stood out in a tournament of fantastic matches, as the very best among the best. While the legendary Japanese wrestler, Ibushi, outlasted Alexander there is no doubt that the match inevitably led to Alexander being signed to a full-time WWE contract. The match nearly broke social media as the WWE Universe was deeply moved by its unparalleled quality. Our 2016 Match of the Year can be viewed below.
2015 Winner: Pentagon Jr vs Vampiro
Kota Ibushi vs. Cedrick Alexander by GreatWrestlingMatches
Female Wrestler of the Year: Charlotte Flair
Arguably no female wrestler had a more dominating year in all of wrestling history than Charlotte. She won the WWE's top women's title a whopping three times. Facing some of the stiffest competition in WWE womens history, Charlotte proved time and again to rise above all the competition as the very best womens wrestler of 2016. Charlotte has yet to lose a PPV match in the WWE and made history by winning the very first womens match to close a PPV at Hell in a Cell. In what we expect to be a regular occurrence, our Female Wrestler of the Year is very obviously Charlotte Flair.
2015 Winner: Nikki Bella
Wrestler of the Year: A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles made his WWE debut at last year's Royal Rumble, giving him nearly the entire year to make his mark on the Company. Make his mark he did. Styles lasted nearly 30 minutes in the Royal Rumble, before being eliminated by Kevin Owens. He went on to have a prolific feud with Chris Jericho, where the two put on technical wrestling masterpieces. It didn't take long before Styles saw himself as a Title contender. He unsuccessfully feuded with then World Champion Roman Reigns before feuding with John Cena. Styles defeated the WWE's standard bearer (Cena) both times the two faced, including a Match of the Year candidate at SummerSlam. After being drafted to SmackDown, A.J. Styles successfully captured his first WWE World Championship at Backlash, defeating Dean Ambrose. Since then he has fended off challenges from the likes of; Dean Ambrose, James Ellsworth, Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin. Each and ever night Styles puts on the card's best and most talked about match. He is the modern version of Shawn Michaels in that, as the old cliché goes, he can put on a great match with a broom. A.J. Styles is by far and away our 2016 Wrestler of the Year.
2015 Winner: Seth Rollins
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