Wildside Year End Awards

[Guest GroundZeroSplash]

Wrestler of the Year - TIE David Young & Rick Michaels

 

Although David hasn't been present as much the latter part of the year, his matches were consistently the best this year. Davids feud with Iceberg was a close second for feud of the year, and his matches with Rick Michaels, AJ Styles, Jason Cross, John Phoenix, Rainman among others were all top notch.

 

Rick Michaels while always one of Wildsides standouts since the doors first opened, has been on top of his game this year like nobody else. His early year feud with David was fabulous and closing out the year with almost a 6 month feud with Rainman not only made himself look great but elevated Rainman to the top of the card. Truly an unselfish wrestler and one of my all time favorites. I pray he will be able to return one day.

 

Tag Team of the Year - Lost Boys

 

TnT had a great year after Tony Stradlins return from injury, but the Lost Boys were the best for the second year in a row.

The year started where it left off last year with a super hot feud with Blackout climaxing in the brutal ladder match at Hardcore Hell before moving onto TnT, Future Shock, and all the great visiting teams like Briscoe Bros., Backseat Boys, and Divine Storm. Even if there winning percentage has dropped a little the second half of the year, Lost Boys are tag team of the year. Future Shock made a strong year end run, and look to be an early favorite for next year.

 

Match of the Year- Rainman vs Rick Michaels Dark City Death Match

 

This match had something for everyone as both guys broke down all the barriers in this one. With so many great matches this year, like Mark Briscoe vs Jay Briscoe, Holy Wars Cage Match, TnT vs Lost Boys, Jason Cross vs David Young, Rick Michaels vs David Young among many others, I thought this would be the hardest category to pick, but looking back I think this was the best match of the year. This match was truly an emotional rollercoaster that had more than just excitement as it really drew me in like it was a real fight to the death. If you haven't seen it, Get The Tape.

 

Breakout Star of the Year - Jason Cross

 

Even though he pulled his semi annual dissapearing act this year, theres no denying his accomplishments and the breakthroughs he made this year. His run to the heavyweight title was very exciting and his matches with David Young for the belt were some of the best of the year. He left as the top heel and now after the Green Guy saga, he has returned as a top babyface and his match with John Phoenix at Fright Night was a contender for match of the year. Expect him to show up on TNA soon I'd imagine.

 

Rookie of the Year - Slim J

 

No one else is even close. Slim had a fantastic rookie year with a great push that moved slowly climaxing with winning the Jr title in an excellent match with Jeremy Lopez. His feud with Lopez was one of the best of the year, it told great stories as Slim fought his way all the way to the top after many close calls along the way. Not to mention his breakout match with Jeremy V as well as other great matches with Kid Kool and Sal Rinauro. Almost picked him for breakout star as well.

 

Feud of the Year- This was the toughest one to choose for me, as there were several that were close. Runnerups would include Iceberg vs David Young, TnT vs Lost Boys, Slim J vs Jeremy Lopez

Adam Jacobs vs Lazz, John Phoenix vs Adam Jacobs and Tony Mamaluke vs Caprice Coleman. However the winner is definitely Rick Michaels vs Rainman.

 

As mentioned above the Dark City Death Match was my Match of the Year and it was just one in their incredible series of matches.

The feud was as long and brutal as any in Wildside history. They fought in Tags, 6 mans, and some of the bloodiest single matches ever seen. There part in the Holy Wars Freedom Fight main event stole the match as Rick bled more than anyone human ever should, and Rainman was right behind him. They folowed it up with Death Matches, First Blood, Stairway to Hell, and finally Wildsides first ever Barbwire match. Much like the match of the year category, a lot of great stuff to choose from, but to me only one true winner. Thank You to both guys for giving their all in the Feud of the year.

 

Show of the Year- 3 Way Tie with...

 

Freedom Fight 2K2-3RD Year Anniversary Show and 8/4/02 taping with Red vs Slim J, Briscoes vs TnT vs S.A.T., Jeremy Lopez vs Quiet Storm and David Young vs John Phoenix among others.

 

Yeah it's a copout but I couldn't pick a favorite among those 3.

 

I'd love to see what others thought and hopefully Wildside will have its official ballot out soon.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Guest Phoenix Fury Legdrop]

Wrestler of The Year: (tie) Rick Michaels, Jeremy Lopez, David Young

 

Team Of The Year: Lost Boys

 

Match Of The Year: (tie) Briscoe vs. Briscoe, Holy Wars (both from Freedom Fight 2002; I really underrated the Holy Wars match in my review.)

 

Breakout Worker: Jimmy Rave

 

Rookie/Young Lion (a lot of the perceived rookies actually have over a year of experience, and are catagorized like rookies to get experience against each other): Slim J

 

Feud Of The Year: Me vs. Scottie Wrenn...no, I'm just kidding. Lost Boys vs. T-N-T

 

Show Of The Year: Freedom Fight 2002 (Indy Show Of The Year)