2003 Wrestling Clothesline Year End Awards

It is finally over and here are YOUR choices for the 2003 Wrestling Clothesline Year End Awards (along with the final vote standings), followed by our picks.

Best Gimmick:
1. Tracy Brooks The Schoolgirl
2. Disturbed Dreams
3. Bill Ding

Our Picks:

Brett Schwan's Picks:

Indy Wrestler of the Year: Christopher Daniels

- He works for nearly every independent promotion in North America plus promotions world wide. He consistently puts on outstanding matches no matter who his opponent is. Daniels' TNA matches have been phenomenal. In ECWA, he held the Hvyt Title for most of the year and made Mike Kruel a star. For these reasons, plus hundreds more, Daniels is my pick.

Second is a tough one. With guys like Homicide and AJ Styles who consistenly put on good matches and people like Dan Maff who have proven themselves to be formidable singles wrestlers, it's difficult to pick a second place. With all that in mind, my choice is Slyk Wagner Brown. Slyk's Holy Slyk, Shooting Star Press, and Leg Lariat are phenomenal moves for a man of his size. He has wrestled for many promotions up and down the east coast and has held titles in most of them. Why he hasn't been signed by WWE or even TNA is beyond me.

Indy Tag Team of the Year: The Solution

-They have the look, the moves, and the in ring ability. What more do you need to be the top team on the indy scene? They have a phenomenal finisher and have had great matches with everyone from Los Brociuas to DRS. Let hope they can carry AMW to a decent match next year.

Second place goes to Royal Decision. Ace and Striker are outstanding wrestlers on their own. Imagine what happens when you put them together as a team?

Third place goes to Los Boricuas simply for the pop they can get from the crowd.

Indy Manager of the Year: Sure Thing John Shane

-There is NO other manager on the indy scene, or in wrestling today, that can compare to John Shane. His mic skills are impeccable. He could accompany a broom to the ring and get the broom over as a bigger heel than Larry Zbyszko in his heyday. Hell, he even had me convinced he got hurt during a scuffle at a JCW show (when it was all a setup for him to come out later under a hood to attack).

Foxxy Dreams comes in second as she has everything needed to be a good manager. She is hotter than hell, she can bump with the best of them, and she actually manages her husbands wrestling affairs. Hey! A manager that manages! What a concept.

ES Easton and Carlton P Hightower come in 3rd. If they worked for a few more promotions and were able to get their names out there, they'd become competition for John and Foxxy.

Indy Promotion of the Year: Jersey All Pro

-Many people are going to disagree with me here and go with ROH. After seeing Final Battle, I would love to say ROH. However, personally, I have been to more JAP shows than ROH over the past year so I am basing my vote on that. The fact that JAP consistently brings in top name talent like Jerry Lawler, Al Snow, Raven, Mick Foley, and such is a testament to them. Hell they put their title on Snow and Lawler! JAP was also smart enough to put the tag gold around the waists of Slyk Wagner Brown and April Hunter. Granted, JAP has some negatives (I mean how many times have we had to see SWC v DRS? How much longer is Ariel going to get destroyted?) but the positives far outweigh the negatives. Add to all this the fact that JAP had what many (including our readers) chose as match of the year and angle of the year, and you get my choice for best Indy Promotion.

My second choice is East Coast Wrestling Association. Each year Jim Kettner not only presents the most talked about tournament in the Super 8, but he consistently keeps his loyal fans returning while drawing new fans with continuing storylines, great gimmicks, and great wrestling.

JCW and NYWC are neck and neck for third. JCW presented a great tournament with their J Cup. Unfortunately, a few inconclusive storylines and angles knocked them down a nothc. NYWC continuously puts on great shows on a regular basis. Their roster is filled with some great talents that will definately make an impact in the business

Most Improved Indy Wrestler: Slyk Wagner Brown

-I've been watching Slyk wrestle since he was first brought into ECWA several years ago. Since then I have watched him grow into a wrestler who should be main eventing cards across the country. Everyone has heard about his match with Maff, but what about his other phenomenal matches? Slyk wrestled Tony Devito in a brawl that blew me away (and made Devito look like a star). He defeated Aced Darling to win the JCW Title in late 2003 and had some amazing matches in the JCW J Cup. Slyk also holds gold in numerous other promotions across the country. His aresnal of moves continues to expand with every match and he has gathered quite a nice following.

Mike Kruel has gone from a great technical wrestler with absolutely no in ring charisma at all to a great all around wrestler with the technical skills and charisma. His ability to consistently work on one body part throughout a match plus throw in some humor has shown how much he has imprvoed just since January of 2003.

Best Angle of the Year: Dan Maff's non-retirement

- The simple fact that Maff had everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, convinced that he was going to retire makes this the best angle of the year. Not only did Dan have other wrestling promoters convinced that he was retiring, he had me convinced, and up till the moment he "turned", he had the entire crowd at the show convinced (and hell, I wasn't even there!)

Prince Nana's feud with Cheetah Master was not only well done but it had so many intricacies in it, the average promoter would have forgotten (or not even been clever enough to attempt) most of them. From Ace and Striker winning the gold to Mega falling for Trinity and turning on Nana only to return to Nana's faction and turn on Cheetah... this is the way it is supposed to be done.

Shawn Sheridan's Stable vs Disturbed Dreams should have ranked MUCH higher. Unfortuantely, some horrible booking choices and a non ending to the feud ruined it. They should be lucky they got third.

Indy Card of the Year: ECWA's Super 8

-ECWA's Super 8 once again MADE two wrestlers. Granted, the two wrestlers made the name for themselves BUT without the credibility of the Super 8 and Jim Kettner's booking them, who knows what would have happened. Paul London became a larger star than he ever was prior to that point. Chance Beckett went from becoming a name very few knew to a name everyone wanted to see.

PWF's Redemption was one of my favorite shows of the year. Not only did they bring in Masato Tanaka who had a truly amazing match with CW Anderson, but they brought in Hidaka from Japan as well. Throw in a Chris Hamrick v Corino match and Alexis Laree v Simply Luscious, and you have an awesome lineup.

JAPW's Woodbridge show which featured Slyk Wagner Brown v Maff and Jerry Lawler v Terry Funk was a phenomenal card with only one flaw (a horribly blown spot by a ref who will go unnamed here).

Favorite Female Wrestler: April Hunter

- April Hunter has consistently put on great matches this year. Even when sick, April was able to wrestle in 3 matches in the WXW "Ladies Super 8", break a fans ribs, work in a 6 woman tag the following night, then win the JCW Women's title (in a tournament) on Sunday. While most would call in sick, April not only showed up but she busted her ass. April holds the women's title in JCW and WXW, the tag belts with Slyk Wagner Brown in JAP, wrestles regularly in Japan, and has become a hosehold name to indy wrestling fans. April has all that it takes to be the top woman in the sport. Hello!! WWE?? NWA TNA?? You're missing the boat.... again!

In case you didn't know, I'm a mark for Tracy Brooks. Thank GOD for NWA TNA so that I can get my fix on a regular basis. This year Tracy moved from Canada to the US in hopes of getting some more work in the states. In addition to TNA, Tracy wrestles regularly for WXW as well as several other promotions in North America. She is technically sound, gets a great pop from the crowd, and is hot as hell!!

It was a few days prior to the JAP 6th Anniversary show. I had NO plans on going. I was tired of wrestling in general and needed a break. Then the match was announced... Ariel v Sumie Sakai. I went to the show and saw one of the best matches in a long time. Ariel is another consistent wrestler who can actually wrestle. She did a great job in a mixed tag match against Striker and Miss Michelle. She has had awesome matches with April Hunter and Mercedes Martinez. For a kid who doesn't know who Kevin Von Erich is or what a Weeble is, she has a very bright future.

If I was able to see more of Sarah Stock, other than 2x a year in WXW, she could easily be number three. Since I can't, she gets honorable mention. Same goes for Sumie Sakai. I am a huge mark for her and if she continues to get more bookings in the US she will possibly be one of the top women in this list next year.

Indy Match of the Year: Slyk Wagner Brown v Dan Maff

-If you saw it, you probably feel the same way. If you didn't see it, get the tape. I've hyped it more than imaginable. Nuff said.

CW Anderson v Masato Tanaka is my second choice. It was my first PWF show (and one of their last) and Tanaka and Anderson put on a wrestling clinic that was beyond belief.

Ace Darling v Don Montoya. For years we have been chanting "Suicide Dive" at Don Montoya. Who the hell would have thought it ever would have happened? It did and the rest of the match was great as well. This match easily gets third.

Valet of the Year: Becky Bayless

Most valets just stand at ringside like a "fifth ringpost" (trademark Devin Strugis). Becky however doesn't just stand at ringside trying to look good (which many others have to try hard to do) she also will get involved and take bumps if need be.

I give Tara Charisma second place as she has been improving at ringside with each show she "valets" on.

Best Gimmick: Prince Nana

- The man is the most hated person in the ECWA in a long time. From the accent to the ring attire Nana is truly a prince. Anyone who can get that much heat out of a crowd has to be doing something right.

Next choice goes to Disturbed Dreams (Damian Dragon and Foxxy Dreams) just fit together so well it's no wonder they got married. I can't see them apart during a show- they mesh that well.

Finally, when I went to my first PTW show they introduced this huge wrestler but I wasn't quite sure of what they had said. I could have sworn they said building. They did, and I have loved the name ever since. If anyone in the business should have the name Bill Ding, it is this man. He should be used as a monster heel in any promotion.

Worst Angle of the Year: Cyco's buildup and debut

- Brambilla said it best, "Man, did this one tank." That is the best way to describe the buildup and debut of Cyco. Whoever came up with this one missed the boat. The potential was there. The outcome was sad.

I wanted to try and keep NWA TNA out of this whole year end awards but too many readers wanted them included. Jeff Jarrett holding the NWA TNA title for any period of time is just wrong. It's almost as bad as the HHH title stranglehold. At least Russo is no longer an on air talent (and let's hope they keep it that way). Jarrett hasn't been a draw for years. His mic skills get worse each week and putting him over AJ Styles while trying to push AJ down to non main event status is horrible.

Worst Gimmick: Zaquary Q Springate III

- At his debut, Springate went on a 10 minute tirade bashing fans in the crowd. The crowd was nearly dead. As he was telling them to be quiet or he would leave, the crowd was quiet! His monologue went on longer than his match, in which he missed his finisher and got the pinfall. One month later, still a monologue and STILL a missed finisher for the pin.

Cyco is second. The guy has no wrestling moves except one (and that one can only be done to guys who weigh 120 lbs or less)

Finally any combination of the following are horrifying: The Smoke, Big Poppa Billy Firehawk, Ice Cold Billy Austin.

Most Overused Wrestler: Danny Demanto

Nothing against Danny Demanto the person as I barely even know him BUT how come nearly every set of results I read for almost every indy fed in the Northeast had his name on it? Demanto deserves credit for being able to promote himself to get on that many cards but do the fans need to see him on every show they go to?

Kevin Matthews is my second choice. Kevin already yelled at me once this year for not liking one of his matches so I can only imagine what he'll say about this. Again, I have nothing against Matthews the person. Hell, I'll even give him credit for having some decent matches that I've seen. Unfortunately, too much of anything isn't good and his name was on just as many resutls as Danny's.

I can go on and on with names of guys that are way to overused, from DRS to SWC to

Worst Promotion: 3PW

- 3PW was a lot of fun the first few shows we went to late last year. Granted Dusty Rhodes needed to take a 20 minute breather after his match before walking back to the locker room, but it was fun. Then 3PW left the "ECW Arena" and moved to a new location. Tickets were now only available through Ticketmaster (which means additional charges), there was a fee for parking, and the names they were once bringing in stopped coming in.

I'm going to be fair and NOT give worst ranking to promotions who's shows I haven't attended in the past year. It's the same logic I used in all the rest of my choices (with the exception of Angle of the Year which I didn't see BUT I was fooled by). With that in mind... there are no other promotions that stand out as being the worst I have seen this year, other than the one I mentioned above.

Best Ring Announcer: Gerry Strauss

- Granted he writes for us but he does a hell of a job on the mic as an announcer and commentator.

Runners up: Mike Berkowitz and Bob Artese.

Jim Brambilla's Picks

Indy Wrestler of the Year: Christopher Daniels

- His work in ECWA alone proved that he can work any style with any wrestler. To go from the Japanese Pool Boy to Mike Kruel without missing a step is something only Daniels can pull off- and the guy has every crowd that watches him in the palm of his hand. He's the best wrestler in the indys and one of the top three workers in the entire world.

Homicide comes in second for me- the guy just makes you believe when he's out there. Slyk Wagner Brown is a close third- his Holy Slyk and Shooting Star Press are must sees from a 250 pound guy. Look for him to move up next year provided he isn't picked up full time by the WWE (the poor bastard) or NWA-TNA (assuming they can actually pay him what he deserves).

Indy Tag Team of the Year: I'm conflicted here.

- I never got to see the Solution in an actual match (just a run in at the J Cup), and I've heard so much about them- their Problem Solver finisher has got to be the best finish in the indys. And Royal Decision was doing so damn well and then they broke up (still stayed heels, though) right after they lost the ECWA tag titles. Damn shame- if they stuck together they would have won this with no problem, as they did some nice tag team moves like the Royal Treatment (Ace Darling Superkick into a Lungblower). No other tag team really impressed me, even though there were a bunch more teams that stuck around this year than last year.

Ah, the heck with it- I'll go with Royal Decision. Another two months as a team and this wouldn't even be an issue. Los Boricuas (can anyone get the spelling right?) are second, all due to Tony Blaze. DRS are third based mostly on their bumping skills.

Indy Manager of the Year: Sure Thing John Shane

- There's no way on planet Earth that "Sure Thing" John Shane shouldn't be Manager of the Year. He brings back Old School in all the best ways. This category is no contest at all. Foxxy Dreams gets second because she gets involved in a realistic way, holds her own, and is just flat out attractive at ringside. ES Easton and Carlton P. Hightower are tied in my book for third- Easton should be given more to do, and Carlton is coming along just fine.

Indy Promotion of the Year: Ring of Honor

- Consistently gives its fans must see matches, which this year puts it above the ECWA. If ROH did another stupid ass "riot" angle, ECWA'd be first. Thankfully, they wised up. ROH just brings a different style you're not likely to see outside of the ECWA's Super 8- and that's why the ECWA is a close second. I'll bet these two are going to be trading this one back and forth for a long time- or as long as Rob Feinstein can keep ROH afloat. Jim Kettner and the ECWA aren't going anywhere, thank God.

Most Improved Indy Wrestler: Mike Kruel

- This guy was just so one-dimensionally boring January of this year, and did one simple thing to get the nod: He worked a body part each match. It showed realism, kept the fans involved in the match, and told a story. His unexpected sense of humor with his mid-match exercises during a Kruel/Hijinx ECWA match sealed this one.

Dan "You're Mafia to Me, Sorry" Maff busted his ass to get his weight down and showed his stuff as a singles worker- enough to come in second.

And, as I wrote on our boards a while ago, Ace Darling's Ace in the Hole finisher is enough to get him in the running, so he's in third for me.

Best Angle of the Year: Dan Maff's non-retirement

- This was such a terrific angle that I'm voting it first and I wasn't even there. Too bad! How he pulled that one off is solid evidence that you don't have to be in the room to recognize a great angle when you read about one. Great job that fooled everyone- for once.

The Fuzzy Dice became a focal point between Billy Bax and Rob Eckos with Carlton on one side (even before they became the Valedictorians) and Inferno and Ruffhouse Rivera on the other. This angle continued even with Inferno injured and out of action for six months. Six months! And they kept it compelling, thanks mostly to Ruffhouse. If Mafia was still in Da Hit Squad this would be number one for me.

Shawn Sheridan vs. Damian Dragon had too many outside forces screw it up to get higher than third.

Indy Card of the Year: ECWA's Super 8

- As I predicted, the show MADE Paul London. Got him into the WWE- I don't care what the hell he did elsewhere. Show made Chance "MIA" Beckett, too. That's enough for first prize here.

Jersey All Pro's April 12th Woodbridge show, with Slyk vs. Mafia, DRS vs. the Shaolins, and Lawler vs. Funk, had so much emotion and was such a breath of fresh air after the dreadful CSWF afternoon show that it gets second.

JCW's J Cup is a very close third.

Favorite Female Wrestler: April Hunter

- She just does it all, and introduced a new finisher. I think it helps that she now has so many good female workers to wrestle like she did this year.

Ariel and her Bodypress of Fun gets my second place vote. Tracy Brooks is smoking hot, but I didn't see her actually wrestle, so she gets honorable mention. Sorry.

Phoenix the Best Seller in the Business gets third place.

Indy Match of the Year: Ace Darling winning the JCW title from Don Montoya

- The now retired Montoya finally pulled off the years in the making Suicide Dive! And worked the match of his unfortunately short career. I had so much fun watching this one I put it ahead of Slyk vs. Mafia, and that one had me out of my seat. Sheridan beating Dragon in JCW and getting Foxxy for 90 days was the fastest paced match I saw, with several great payoffs like that stupid dry erase board getting broken, and I'd have this one second except they never went anywhere with it, so I gotta put it third.

Valet of the Year: Becky Bayless

- Becky bumped like a champ for the Shaolins more than once. Based on that and her USAPro work it's obvious she does more than just sit around ringside. I'm not impressed enough with any of the others in this category- it takes no talent to sit in a corner and clap. If I want to look at eye candy I can stay home and do that. And some of them don't even qualify for that.

Best Gimmick: Prince Nana

- Nana does so damn much with what he's got. Any lesser talent wouldn't even get the accent right. But he was able to take this as far as bathing Ace Darling and Striker with the finest waters from Ghana during a wrestling show- and that's enough for me.

Tracy Jesus God She Is Smoking Brooks would make any man change religions so they could be in whatever school her Schoogirl gimmick is attending.

Disturbed Dreams (Damian Dragon and Foxxy Dreams) just fit together so well it's no wonder they got married. I can't see them apart during a show- they mesh that well.

Worst Angle of the Year: Cyco's buildup and debut

- Man, did this one tank. The ECWA could have brought in someone established in this role, as they announced "He's Coming" for months. But they had Sebastain Night do the announcements, cackling like a dipshit. And they brought in some no name from New England who, thanks to the gimmick, does no moves and looks like a disgruntled lacrosse player in bad makeup and hospital uniform. The ONLY worker to ever get a "Boring" chant in my eight plus years of attending ECWA matches. And he did it two months straight!

Promoters trying to "work" the Internet - Just shut the fuck up and promote. Dedicating entire angles like Joe "Three Years" Panzarino is supposedly going to do with his immature singsong dedication at an upcoming SSCW show is just proof that it's no wonder the rest of the free world thinks pro wrestling is a joke. Congratulations, Three Years- you just cemented your carny reputation. The business was a whole lot better when morons weren't catering to computers, and thinking someone who promotes and shills this kind of crap is doing something for the business.

Third place? Anything involving the current war on terrorism. It takes no talent whatsoever to appeal to the lowest common denominator, aka Cheap Heat. Surprisingly, Joey Three Years falls into this category too! I'm as stunned as you are- and it won't make him a dime, either.

Worst Gimmick: Zaquary Q Springate III

- Yeesh, what a stale, tired, crappy gimmick. Steven Regal is rolling in his grave and he's not even dead yet. This guy doesn't have a tenth of Regal's talent, and the crappy England By Way of Name Your Preferred Canadian Province Accent doesn't help, either.

Cyco is second. It's a wrestling ring, MOVE. DO SOMETHING. Losing the Sebastain Night albatross is a good start. Third is any moron so desperate for attention and a place in the business that they would demean themselves and exploit current political and social woes for a few dollars. Take your pick here.

Most Overused Wrestler: Danny Demanto

- Why did I have to see so many results with Danny Demanto's name in them? Actuallly, I think I know why- hell, whatever gets you work. More power to the guy. I wrote a whole column about it. No, it's not the one about concussions!

I don't think anyone else, in the category or otherwise, needs a mention here.

Worst Promotion: APW

- Anyone that doesn't vote for APW doesn't know their current situation or has never heard of them. If it's the latter, count yourselves lucky. For the rest of us poor bastards, Rolo the APW Carny is the biggest piece of shit in the wrestling business.

I busted the CSWF's balls earlier this year, and haven't been back since, but that was based on their sheer incompetence. I'm surprised they're not nominated. They sure get a second place nod from me. But CSWF at their very worst pales in comparison to the stooges, morons, and sleazebags in All Pro Wrestling.

Joey Three Years, his bullshit attendance figures, his 7 year old attitude, his chickenshit reactions to deserved criticisms, and his desire to be the East Coast version of Rolo the APW Carny get him third. He'd get second, but the CSWF cards earlier this year were just so awful, and I couldn't even be bothered to see an NWS show that was 10 minutes from my house.

Best Ring Announcer: Gerry Strauss

- Chuck Ristano second, Mike Berkowitz third.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Frank Andreottola's Picks:

Wrestler Of The Year - Christopher Daniels
He held the ECWA Heavyweight Title for most of the year.You can always expect great wrestling and psychology in his matches.He can make any opponent look good.

Runner Up - Slyk Wagner Brown

Female Wrestler Of The Year - April Hunter
Winner of this years Womens Super 8 and one half of the JAPW Tag Team Champions.She has proven she can hold her own in the ring against the top women as well as the men.She has improved so much since the first time i saw her a few years ago.

Runner Up - Sarah Stock

Manager Of The Year - John Shane
He is by far the best on the mic in the business and he always gets a reaction out of the crowd.No one does it better.

Runner Up - Foxxy Dreams

Tag Team Of The Year - The Solution
This is a team that combines power and good wrestling in their matches and they work so well together as a team.The problem solver is a devastating finishing move.

Runner Up - Ace Darling & Striker

Match Of The Year - Dan Maff VS Slyk Wagner Brown ( JAPW)
If you missed this match you have to get the tape.I can`t do this match justice by trying to describe what went on in this match.Both of these men made a name for themselves that night and became two of the top stars on the indy scene today.

Runner Up - Dan Barry VS Johnny Ova (NYWC)

Promotion Of The Year - JAPW
Their shows are solid from top to bottom.They have a good mixture of talent with the light heavyweights to the heavyweights.They also bring in top names like Terry Funk,Jerry Lawler,Al Snow,Shane Douglas and Mick Foley and many others.

Runner Up - ROH

Valet Of The Year - Becky Bayless
Most valets just escort their wrestler to the ring and stay outside looking good but the times i`ve see Becky she doesn`t mind getting involved in the matches to help her men to victory.

Runner Up - Candie

Most Improved - Dan Maff
He was mostly know as a tag team wrestler but earlier this year he started to wrestle more singles matches.He has had several great matches this year against some of the best talent on the indy scene.He has made a smooth transition from tag team to singles competition.

Runner Up - Mike Kruel

Best Indy Card Of The Year - ECWA`s Super 8
Always the best card of the year.It is the only show where you will see great wrestling from the opening match to the final match.

Runner Up - Undetermined

Best Angle Of The Year - Dan Maff`s Non Retirement
This was so well done.It have everyone believing that due to an injury that he was going to retire but instead Maffia retired and now he will be known as Dan Maff.You never see angles like this done in wrestling these days and thats too bad.

Runner Up - Carlton P. Hightower Steals The Fuzzy Dice

Worst Angle Of The Year - Disturbed Dreams / The Sheridan Stable Feud
This could have been one of the best angles of the year but it never came to an end.Sheridan defeated Damian Dragon and won Foxxy Dreams for 90 days but after one show it just ended .

Runner Up - The Debut of Cyco In ECWA

Best Gimmick - Disturbed Dreams (Damian Dragon & Foxxy Dreams)
They have a great look and i enjoy their entrance to the ring,from the music to Damian spitting out the red mist.I also enjoy watching Foxxy at ringside she always looks great and she likes to get involved to help her man any way she can.

Runner Up - Prince Nana

Worst Gimmick - Zaquary Springate III
He is from England but he has a different accent.I have seen him several times and thats a few times too many.He should also stay away from the mic.

Runner Up - Frankie V

Most Overused Wrestler - Danny Demanto

Runner Up - Kevin Matthews

Best Ring Announcer - Chuck Ristano

Worst Promotion - NWS

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