On Episode 157 of the Attitude Of Aggression Wrestling Podcast, we held our second annual Swaggy Awards, our End of the Year Awards show where we honored the best of the best in pro wrestling for 2016. Dave Ungar of the Attitude Of Aggression Wrestling Podcast was joined by Kinny Killa of the Sunday Segue Wrestling Podcast, Michael “Cookie” Cook of the Retro Roundtable, and Greg DeMarco of the Pro Wrestling Dot Biz Network. In two parts, the four gentlemen then went through 15 great categories and discussed, debated, and determined the winners in each category.
Unlike other Pro Wrestling Awards shows, the 2016 Swaggy Awards were unique in that you had four very different guys, each with their own unique preferences and perspectives, but all of them with extensive knowledge of the Pro Wrestling scene. What we ended up with was a situation where not a single category had a unanimous choice for the Swaggy Award. In all 15 categories, there were multiple Swaggys awarded—which is what makes the Swaggy Awards fun and different from other Pro Wrestling Awards shows. The Swaggy Awards are a symbol of excellence in Pro Wrestling as opposed to a shiny trophy.
The other aspect of the 2016 Swaggy Awards that was unique is that Dave and Greg are in the USA and focus a lot on WWE and NXT. Kinny and Cookie, however, are in the UK and offerred a much more International flavor to the Awards. What we ended up with was, arguably, the most eclectic Pro Wrestling Awards show available in the Pro Wrestling Podcast Universe.
To gain access to the discussion, witty banter, humor, and detailed analysis of all the choices made by the guys, then you have to listen to Episode 157 either on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or here: http://www.attitudeofaggression.com/2016-swaggy-awards-episode-157/.
But, for ease of reference, and so fans of Attitude Of Aggression, Sunday Segue, Retro Roundtable, the Pro Wrestling Dot Biz Network, and pro wrestling in general, can see who the guys selected for each category, we are listing the categories and winners here for you.
As we approach WrestleMania 33, this seems like a perfect time to go back and look at the best that 2016 had to offer.
Here then are the winners of the 2016 Swaggy Awards:
Gimmick Match Of The Year
- Dave: Fatal Four Way Match for the IC Title at Extreme Rules ’16
- Greg: AJ Styles vs Dean Ambrose, TLC match for WWE World Title at TLC ’16
- Kinny: Kenny Omega vs Michael Elgin, Ladder Match at NJPW Dominion 6.19
- Cookie: Ring of Honor’s Ladder Wars 6
High Spot Of The Year
- Dave: Shane McMahon’s Leap of Death at WrestleMania 32
- Greg: AJ Styles’ Springboard 450, TLC ’16
- Kinny: Shane McMahon’s Leap of Death at WrestleMania 32
- Cookie: Shane McMahon’s Leap of Death at WrestleMania 32
Best Swag Of The Year
- Dave: Bobby Roode, NXT Takeover: Toronto
- Greg: The Miz
- Kinny: Hiromu Takahashi (Kamaitachi)
- Cookie: Naito
Pay-Per-View Of The Year
- Dave: NXT Takeover: Dallas
- Greg: Survivor Series ’16
- Kinny: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10
- Cookie: ROH Final Battle ’16
Dat Ass Of The Year
- Dave: Alexa Bliss
- Greg: Alexa Bliss/ Nikki Bella (Tie)
- Kinny: Naomi
- Cookie: Maryse
Biggest Disappointment Of The Year
- Dave: Finn Balor’s Injury
- Greg: Cody Rhodes’ departure from WWE
- Kinny: Daniel Bryan’s Retirement
- Cookie: Dean Ambrose vs Brock Lesnar, WrestleMania 32
Comeback Wrestler Of The Year
- Dave: Seth Rollins
- Greg: Seth Rollins
- Kinny: Goldberg
- Cookie: Goldberg
Rookie Of The Year
- Dave: AJ Styles
- Greg: Finn Balor
- Kinny: Matt Riddle
- Cookie: Matt Riddle
Feud Of The Year
- Dave: Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks
- Greg: Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks
- Kinny: Okado vs. Naito
- Cookie: Team Dallas vs Black Label
Moment Of The Year
- Dave: AJ Styles’ debut at Royal Rumble ’16
- Greg: Shane McMahon’s return
- Kinny: Will Osprey vs Ricochet break the Internet
- Cookie: AJ Styles’ debut at Royal Rumble ’16
Upset Of The Year
- Dave: Zack Ryder winning the IC Title at WrestleMania 32
- Greg: Zack Ryder winning the IC Title at WrestleMania 32
- Kinny: Goldberg squashing Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series ’16
- Cookie: AJ Styles beating John Cena at Money In The Bank ’16
Match Of The Year
- Dave: DIY vs. The Revival, NXT Takeover: Toronto
- Greg: AJ Styles vs John Cena, Summer Slam ’16
- Kinny: DIY vs. The Revival, NXT Takeover: Toronto
- Cookie: Okada vs Tanahashi, G1 Climax ’16, “A” Block, Final Day
Female Wrestler Of The Year
- Dave: Charlotte Flair
- Greg: Sasha Banks
- Kinny: Charlotte Flair
- Cookie: Charlotte Flair
Tag Team Of The Year
- Dave: The New Day
- Greg: The Revival
- Kinny: The Revival
- Cookie: The Revival
Wrestler Of The Year
- Dave: AJ Styles
- Greg: AJ Styles
- Kinny: AJ Styles
- Cookie: Marty Scurll