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UPPER MIDWEST WRESTLING NEWSLETTER
No. 225
January 1, 2002
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2001 AWARDS
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The third annual Upper Midwest Wrestling Newsletter awards are compiled.
Points were awarded on a 5-3-2 basis for first through third. The winners
were determined by total points. There were 128 ballots cast. First-place
votes are in brackets with total votes following.
1. Wrestler of the year
This is a combination of being both an important influential wrestler in a
positive manner over the past year, combined with being a great performer in
the ring.
1. Kamikaze Ken (25) ... 168
(tie) 1. Horace the Psychopath (20) ... 168
3. CM Punk (18) ... 162
4. Ace Steel (14) ... 123
5. Mitch Paradise (10) ... 113
Honorable mention: Dino Bambino 78.
Comments: Neither Kamikaze Ken nor Horace the Psychopath placed last year,
but a strong 2001 put both at the top of this award. Kamikaze Ken worked some
dark matches for the WWF and also was one of the main players in All-Star
Championship Wrestling. In addition, he worked for several other promotions
including Mid American Wrestling, Midwest Pro Wrestling and Steel Domain
Wrestling during the year. "Kamikaze Ken truly is the franchise of ACW," one
voter wrote. Horace the Psychopath was the headliner in All American
Wrestling this year. Horace also had strong matches in several other groups
including one against Ace Steel in Steel Domain Wrestling.
Previous winners: Dino Bambino (2000), Adam Pearce (1999).
2. Most outstanding wrestler
Based on ring work as the only criterion. Simply, the best three workers
today. Drawing power, charisma and push shouldn't be considered.
1. Ace Steel (25) ... 190
2. CM Punk (17) ... 169
3. Dino Bambino (15) ... 130
4. Horace the Psychopath (15) ... 112
5. Colt Cabana (5) ... 112
Honorable mention: Kamikaze Ken 97.
Comments: Ace Steel moved up from third place a year ago to finish first. He
had a series of three strong matches with CM Punk for Steel Domain, started
working for Mid American and had an entertaining match with Horace the
Psychopath that all aided in his first place award. Punk was fifth a year ago
and was one of the busiest wrestlers in the country in 2001. In addition to
working in Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania, Punk shined on cards for Mid
American Wrestling and Steel Domain Wrestling.
Previous winners: Adam Pearce (2000), Dino Bambino (1999).
3. Feud of the year
Combination of storylines and great matches.
1. Colt Cabana vs. CM Punk (29) ... 209
2. ACW vs. MPW (25) ... 187
3. Ace Steel vs. CM Punk (13) ... 141
4. Kamikaze Ken vs. Kevin Krueger (5) ... 118
5. Horace the Psychopath vs. Angel Armoni (9) ... 95
Honorable mention: Lost Souls vs. Big Daddy Hoofer & K-Train 90.
Comments: Colt Cabana vs. CM Punk earned the first-place award as the duo
traveled throughout the country wrestling each other. They teamed in the
early half of the year in SDW, but had a series of three memorable matches in
the second half of the year in that promotion. "Every time Cabana and Punk
stepped in the ring with each other, they stole the spotlight," a voter
wrote. ACW vs. MPW was the top program in ACW throughout the year.
Previous winners: Adam Pearce vs. Dino Bambino (2000), Shifty vs. Sheriff
Johnny Emerald (1999).
4. Tag team of the year
For the best working regular team.
1. Lost Souls - JB Trask & Johnny Parks (20) ... 174
2. Flex Appeal - Tony DeNucci & Travis Lee (21) ... 159
3. Sudden Impact - Brandon Blaze & Ryan Rogue (18) ... 149
4. GQ Centerfolds - Travis Lee & Matt Longtime (11) ... 122
5. Angel Armoni & Michael Mercedes Armoni (13) ... 94
Honorable mention: Cruel & Unusual - Ian Xavier & Big Daddy Hoofer 82.
Comments: The Lost Souls came together in the spring, worked for Buck
ZumHofe's Rock and Roll Wrestling and then came on the scene for Minnesota
Independent Wrestling and French Lake Wrestling Association. The MIW feud
with Big Daddy Hoofer and K-Train was the top program in the promotion. The
Lost Souls branched out and became the SDW tag team champs in December. In
addition, they worked for All American Wrestling. Flex Appeal held the SDW
tag team championship throughout most of 2001. Sudden Impact was involved in
the top feud in the NAWF.
Previous winners: Ace Steel & Danny Dominion (2000), Hellraisers Blood and
Gutts (1999).
5. Most improved
Based on making the biggest strides in ring work over the last year.
1. Kujo (17) ... 138
2. Eric Priest (14) ... 123
3. Big Daddy Hoofer (14) ... 104
4. Kamikaze Ken Anderson (10) ... 94
5. Shawn Daivari (10) ... 93
Honorable mention: Robbie Thunder 76.
Comments: All-Star Championship Wrestling's Kujo made his mark this year and
moved into a higher profile position in the group. "He completely reshaped
his body, is in tremendous shape and his matches show it," one voter wrote.
Eric Priest became the Underwear Model, worked in a team as a semi-member of
Flex Appeal and also won the AWA heavyweight championship and defended it
against a few names. Big Daddy Hoofer had a breakout year with several
matches that highlighted his skills.
Previous winners: CM Punk (2000), Red Lightning (1999)
6. Best on interviews
Who has given the best interviews and promos.
1. Mortimer Plumtree (32) ... 225
2. Angel Armoni (16) ... 125
3. Horace the Psychopath (8) ... 101
4. Kamikaze Ken Anderson (13) ... 100
5. CM Punk (10) ... 90
Honorable mention: Adrian Lynch 85.
Comments: Mortimer Plumtree won the award for the second straight year. He
was the featured manager in Steel Domain Wrestling, often opening the show on
the mike. He managed Ace Steel, Brad Bradley, Magnus, T.S. Aggressor and
others throughout the year. "Mortimer will always remain king of the mike in
the Upper Midwest," a voter wrote. There is little doubt who king of the
stick is in All American Wrestling as Angel Armoni regularly took out his
verbal aggression on the fans of that group.
Previous winners: Mortimer Plumtree (2000), Hellraiser Blood (1999).
7. Most charismatic
What wrestler has to do the least to get the most out of it.
1. Mitch Paradise (23) ... 192
2. CM Punk (18) ... 141
3. Kamikaze Ken Anderson (16) ... 125
4. Lenny Lane (13) ... 119
5. Mortimer Plumtree (10) ... 108
Honorable mention: Colt Cabana 59.
Comments: Mitch Paradise moved from third to first in this category. The big
man branched out to wrestle in Wisconsin this year after being a mainstay for
several Minnesota groups. "He gets pops everywhere," a voter said. CM Punk
became a player on the mike and also was able to grab the crowd whether he
was wrestling as a face or heel.
Previous winners: Adam Pearce (2000), Adam Pearce (1999).
8. Best technical wrestler
This is for having the ability to use high level technical wrestling moves
within the context of building a great worked wrestling match.
1. Ace Steel (38) ... 259
2. Derek St. Holmes (19) ... 165
3. Eric Hammers (10) ... 123
4. CM Punk (9) ... 120
5. Colt Cabana (5) ... 95
Honorable mention: Magnus Maximus 83.
Comments: Ace Steel ran away with this category after finishing second a year
ago. One voter said, "No one is close on actual ring work this year." Derek
St. Holmes fell to second place.
Previous winners: Derek St. Holmes (2000), Ace Steel and Hellraiser Gutts
(1999).
9. Best brawler
Best brawling tactics to put together the best matches during the last year.
1. Horace the Psychopath (52) ... 315
2. Nick Mondo (15) ... 160
3. Kujo (12) ... 139
4. Ian Rotten (10) ... 101
5. Sam Hayne (4) ... 68
Honorable mention: Chi-Town Thug 67.
Comments: With hardcore stuff taken out of this category, Horace the
Psychopath still reigned supreme. Horace regularly brawls into the crowd and
voters obviously responded to it. Nick Mondo moved into the brawler category
with a second-place finish.
Previous winners: Horace the Psychopath (2000 & 1999)
10. Best hardcore wrestler
For the wrestler who put together the best hardcore matches where things
meant something. This is a new category.
1. Nick Mondo (38) ... 276
2. Ian Rotten (20) ... 185
3. Dino Bambino (16) ... 171
4. Corp. Robinson (12) ... 100
5. Todd "The Natural" Borchardt (2) ... 31
(tie) 5. Horace the Psychopath (4) ... 31
Honorable mention: None.
Comments: Nick Mondo is making a name for himself in hardcore action as he
can brawl or fly during a hardcore match. Mondo worked in Mid American
Wrestling's Hardcore Cup along with being a regular for Combat Zone Wrestling
on the East Coast. He wrestled Midwest Pro Wrestling's most hardcore match in
history against Sheriff Johnny Emerald. "I watch this guy wrestle and all I
can say is 'wow'. The punishment he puts his body through is unreal," a voter
wrote. Well-known hardcore wrestler Ian Rotten, who wrestled in MAW, and was
a top gun in his own group, IWA, in Indiana, finished second.
Previous winners: This is a new category.
11. Best flying wrestler
Most innovative and solidly executed moves within the context of a match.
1. Dino Bambino (32) ... 196
2. CM Punk (15) ... 154
3. Austin Aries (17) ... 133
4. Lauden Payne (12) ... 91
5. Nick Mondo (9) ... 90
Honorable mention: Shifty 63.
Comments: Dino Bambino is a three-time winner of this award, but the pack is
gaining on him. CM Punk moved up one notch, while Minnesota rookie Austin
Aries landed third. Lauden Payne, who wrestled in Packerland Pro Wrestling,
Minnesota Independent Wrestling, All American Wrestling and MidWest
Championship Wrestling, edged Nick Mondo for the fourth position.
Previous winners: Dino Bambino (2000 & 1999).
12. Best promotion.
1. Steel Domain Wrestling (41) ... 280
2. All-Star Championship Wrestling (34) ... 226
3. Minnesota Independent Wrestling (8) ... 117
4. Midwest Pro Wrestling (6) ... 102
5. Mid American Wrestling (5) ... 98
Honorable mention: All American Wrestling 60.
Comments: Steel Domain Wrestling, formerly St. Paul Championship Wrestling,
won the award for the third straight year with strong wrestling. "Steel
Domain Wrestling, with its expansion into the broadcast television world and
production of one of the most professional-looking independent wrestling
shows ever, easily takes the cake with this one. They use the top local
talent combined with wrestlers from Chicago and the rest of the country,
which puts them easily ahead of the competition," one voter said. All-Star
Championship Wrestling, which had a strong regular show in Green Bay and
broadcast television throughout most of the year, was second. Minnesota
Independent Wrestling moved up two notches to third.
Previous winners: St. Paul Championship Wrestling (2000 & 1999)
13. Match of the year.
1. Ace Steel vs. CM Punk on SDW 4/28/1 (23) ... 145
2. Magnus Maximus vs. Jerry Lynn on MIW 4/28/1 (11) ... 97
3. Justin Lee vs. Austin Aries on MIW 10/20/1 (13) ... 91
4. Ace Steel vs. Jerry Lynn on SDW 4/27/1 (4) ... 87
5. MPW vs. ACW on ACW 9/29/1 (7) ... 74
Honorable mention: Kevin Krueger vs. Kamikaze Ken on ACW 9/29/1 with 73.
Comments: The building for the Ace Steel vs. CM Punk match was described as
electric. Steel and Punk did not disappoint with big bump drama. "What else
can you say about the ladder match that has not already been said? Steel and
Punk put on over 35 minutes of non-stop wrestling action. Pretty much
everything they tried in that ladder match worked. Unlike the Hardy Boys
ladder matches which were pretty much just spot-fests, Steel and Punk
wrestled for almost 10 minutes before the ladder even came into play," one
voter said. Magnus Maximus vs. Jerry Lynn took second on a card from St.
Cloud, Minnesota. Justin Lee vs. Austin Aries was third with a stellar match
from Anoka.
Previous winners: Dino Bambino vs. Adam Pearce (ACW 6/24/00), Stealth Suicide
vs. Climatic Cage (BSW 7/24/99) and Adam Pearce vs. Danny Dominion (SPCW
3/25/99).
14. Rookie of the year
Based on ring performance and not how they are pushed. Debut after June 1,
2000 and before July 1, 2001 or listed on ballot.
1. Austin Aries (28) ... 209
2. Black Stallion (20) ... 195
3. Jason Green (11) ... 122
4. Dysfunction Kurt Krueger (7) ... 78
5. Brad Bradley (8) ... 73
Honorable mention: Big Dog Barber 52.
Comments: The flashy Austin Aries edged out Black Stallion for the rookie of
the year. Aries and Stallion had strong matches early in their career in late
2000. Jason Green has shown skills beyond his experience.
Previous winners: Colt Cabana (2000), CM Punk (1999).
15. Best non-wrestler performer
Valet, manager of the year.
1. Mortimer Plumtree (45) ... 301
2. Angelo Stefano (19) ... 140
3. Dave Prazak (12) ... 96
4. Alexis (7) ... 87
5. Rain (5) ... 81
Honorable mention: High Rollers 75.
Comments: Mortimer Plumtree finished first in this category for the third
straight year. He was strong on the mike for SDW, while also appearing for
All American Wrestling and MidWest Championship Wrestling in 2001. "His
expressions, antics, vocabulary, and ability to portray his character in such
a great way make him the obvious choice for this award," one voter wrote.
Angelo Stefano moved up one notch to second, while Dave Prazak also jumped up
one position.
Previous winners: Mortimer Plumtree (2000), Mortimer Plumtree & Master Quinn
(1999).
16. Best announcer.
1. Mick Karch (56) ... 342
2. Capital City Kyle (10) ... 104
3. Doug Kaufman (8) ... 96
4. Matt Byron (11) ... 93
5. Christian Dady (1) ... 71
Honorable mention: Dale Spear 63.
Comments: Slick Mick Karch kept his stronghold on the announcing award for
the third year in a row as the voice of Steel Domain Wrestling. Capital City
Kyle slid up one spot to second as the voice of Minnesota Wrestling
Superstars.
Previous winners: Mick Karch (2000 & 1999)
17. Best ring announcer.
1. Travis Sharpe (45) ... 261
2. Jimmy Kennedy (18) ... 194
3. Justin Roberts (8) ... 114
4. Jason Jerry (12) ... 93
5. Gino Lanza (3) ... 88
Honorable mention: A.J. Fontaine 41.
Comments: Travis Sharpe worked for several groups in 2001 including Steel
Domain Wrestling, Minnesota Independent Wrestling, French Lake Wrestling
Association and Pro Wrestling America. Sharpe, usually clad in a tuxedo, gave
promotions a big-event feel. "Sharpe's booming voice, very similar to that of
the great Howard Finkel, is the perfect type to get an audience settled down
and ready for the next match," a voter wrote. Jimmy Kennedy, who didn't do
much ring announcing in 2001, still placed second.
Previous winners: This is a new category.
18. Best show of the year
1. All-Star Championship Wrestling 9/29/1 (34) ... 195
2. Steel Domain Wrestling 4/27/1 (11) ... 119
3. Steel Domain Wrestling 4/28/1 (10) ... 108
4. Steel Domain Wrestling 8/18/1 (9) ... 101
5. Mid American Wrestling 4/21/1 (3) ... 69
Honorable mention: Minnesota Independent Wrestling/French Lake Wrestling
Association 11/17/1 with 55.
Comments: The finale to the ACW vs. MPW feud plus other strong matches helped
give ACW the card of the year. SDW had the next three shows, while Mid
American Wrestling's hardcore cup finals was fifth. The MIW/FLWA Rumble for
Relief was a strong write-in that finished a surprising sixth.
Previous winners: All-Star Championship Wrestling (6/24/00), Badger State
Wrestling (7/24/99) and St. Paul Championship Wrestling (3/25/99).
19. Promoter of the year
This is for the guy who sold the tickets and put his butt on the line.
1. Ed Hellier (36) ... 234
2. Michael Krause (28) ... 216
3. Terry Fox (9) ... 106
4. Jim Gagnon (9) ... 99
5. Carmine DeSpirito (4) ... 80.
Honorable mention: Terry Klinger/Dan Schaffner 75.
Comments: Ed Hellier continued his lock on the promoter of the year award.
Michael Krause was second for the second straight year. Terry Fox moved up to
third, while All American Wrestling's Jim Gagnon was fourth. Carmine
DeSpirito fell to fifth.
Previous Winners: Ed Hellier (2000 & 1999)
20. Next star
Next wrestler to move to stardom on the national scene.
1. Mitch Paradise (18) ... 173
2. Magnus Maximus (17) ... 131
3. Kamikaze Ken (15) ... 125
4. Lenny Lane (11) ... 97
5. CM Punk (11) ... 89
Honorable mention: Ace Steel 88.
Comments: Mitch Paradise moved from third to first in the next star category.
At 6-4 and 282 pounds, voters think Paradise has what it takes to get a shot
at the big time. "I'm surprised he hasn't gotten more of a look," a voter
wrote. Magnus Maximus, another wrestler with excellent size, was second,
while Kamikaze Ken, who had more WWF dark matches than anyone in the Upper
Midwest in 2001, was third.
Previous winners: Adam Pearce (2000), Scotty Zappa (1999).
21. Most underrated wrestler.
1. Travis Lee (15) ... 140
2. Adrian Lynch (13) ... 109
3. Playboy Pete Huge (10) ... 73
4. JB Trask (10) ... 68
5. Skull Krusher (9) ... 62
(tie) 5. Gage Octane (5) ... 62.
Honorable mention: Chi-Town Thug 52.
Comments: Tasty Travis Lee started the year strong teaming with Matt Longtime
in the GQ Centerfolds tag team and as one half of the SDW Flex Appeal team.
He worked almost every promotion and a variety of different wrestlers. Adrian
Lynch, last year's winner in this category, continued to be considered
under-rated. Playboy Pete Huge, who had a strong second half of the year,
took third, while veteran JB Trask was fourth.
Previous winners: Adrian Lynch (2000).
22. Best referee.
1. Jimmy Kennedy (23) ... 192
2. Jay Soltis (30) ... 181
3. Craig Smith (20) ... 158
4. Terry Fox (3) ... 63
5. Scott DeMarc (7) ... 55
Honorable mention: Gino Lanza 53.
Comments: Jimmy Kennedy unseated Jay Soltis for best referee. Kennedy worked
for several groups, but mostly made his name in ACW and NAWF. Soltis, who
mainly worked for SDW, remained near the top, while All American Wrestling
referee Craig Smith was third.
Previous winners: Jay Soltis (2000).
23. Best gimmick.
1. Horace the Psychopath (38) ... 265
2. Dr. Darin Davis (21) ... 176
3. Sam Hayne (15) ... 128
4. Matt Longtime (8) ... 72
5. Chuckie Smooth (7) ... 66
Honorable mention: Underwear Model Eric Priest 64.
Comments: Last year, Dr. Darin Davis edged Horace the Psychopath for the
award. This year, Horace ran away with it. Sam Hayne moved from sixth to
third.
Previous winners: Dr. Darin Davis (2000).
24. Women's wrestler of the year.
1. Lacey (28) ... 244
2. ODB (20) ... 153
3. Ashley Xavier (10) ... 121
4. Rain (12) ... 115
5. Phoenix/Drusala (13) ... 96
Honorable mention: Shauna Doyle 54.
Comments: In this new category, Lacey won by a strong margin. She worked for
more groups than the rest having strong matches with just about every female
wrestler. ODB hasn't worked many wrestling matches, but she drew a lot of
respect for what she has done.
Previous winners: This is a new category.
25. Underachiever for the year.
Whose performance were you most disappointed in for the year 2001?
1. Rob Norwood (3) ... 32
2. Big Daddy Loker (4) ... 27
3. Scotty Zappa (3) ... 25
4. Magnus Maximus (3) ... 23
5. Lenny Lane (2) ... 21
(tie) 5. Tony DeNucci (3) ... 21
(tie) 5. Ruff Rider Raashan (2) ... 21
Comments: After a strong 2000, Rob Norwood hasn't been much of a factor in
2001. There were 79 different people receiving votes.
Previous winners: This is a new category.
26. Most overrated wrestler.
Whose performance in 2001 earns the title of most overrated?
1. Tony DeNucci (12) ... 79
2. Lenny Lane (2) ... 35
3. Shifty (5) ... 28
4. Chi-Town Thug (4) ... 25
5. CM Punk (3) ... 23
Comments: Tony DeNucci was in high profile positions in SDW and AAW
throughout 2001. There were 85 different people receiving votes.
Previous winners: This is a new category.
Coming later this week: An interview with Tim Larson, plus his thoughts on
the 2001 awards. In addition, there will be a regular edition of the
newsletter.
(
geocities.com/drdarindavis)