THE turn of the year is usually a time for wrestling to reflect and look ahead…
It’s been another strong 12 months, with so many thriving UK promotions.
Progress Wrestling, Rev Pro, ICW, South- side, the new incarnation of IPW, PCW and others continue to take advantage of the mainstream foothold in this country.
Events took place at the Hydro and Alexandra Palace, while Wembley Arena will host Progress next September. Wrestling is cooler than in years and live events and merchandisers are making money.
The debate over the “Holy Grail” of national mainstream television will rumble on, with the ITV/TNA debacle only fuelling the fires of the cynics.
Despite a promising pilot a year ago on Sunday, the affair was a complete shambles and WWE are now fielding stories about a reboot of the ill-fated American Football XFL instead of what they are doing here. That’s a real shame.
This cloud had a silver lining, however, in that some of our young stars gained exposure in WWE and NXT in particular – and have excelled.
As to the match of the year, the sharp, crisp classic for that UK belt delivered by Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne in Chicago in May takes the plaudits for 2017.
It was a brilliant piece of work which showed just why British talent is so highly regarded.
Watch their match from last week on NXT if you can.
Women’s wrestling has come on leaps and bounds again this year in WWE, with everyone seemingly getting in on the act.
Kudos to Bellatrix and Saraya Knight for being UK pioneers way before 2017, we should add!
The simmering brilliance of the Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens storyline perhaps wasn’t the feud we all wanted, but it was the most entertaining thing WWE put out all year.
Jericho is a contender for wrestler of the year, as is Kenny Omega, who will be his New Japan opponent next week. Also in the running is AJ Styles for his work rate and consistency. Zack Sabre Jr – get well soon – has also shown class and style when he has had a chance.
But for an all-round breakout year, FT would like to single out “The Villain” Marty Scurll as top of the pile for his exceptional work in the USA, Japan and here at home.
Technical prowess is never an issue with Marty, but his character has grown into its own skin now and rubs shoulders with the best in the world by right.
A lot of hard yards have gone into his career, often unseen tribulations, too. So congrats to Marty – FT’s Wrestler of the Year for 2017.