Pro Wrestling is something of a guilty pleasure, and often not much of a pleasure at that. If you're a fan, you know this. It is deeply flawed, this thing we love.
But NXT is where the ratio of suck to awesome is reversed, so voting for their Year End awards is legitimately exciting and difficult.
I'm gonna go through my votes and explain them. If you're a fan, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Best TakeOver
Brooklyn III
War Games was great, and featured that amazing Black v Dream match, but TakeOver Brooklyn is NXT's wrestlemania, and 2017 was no exception. While it didn't feature my match of the year (more on that later), it did have a terrific lineup, top to bottom, and the Asuka v. Ember match was phenomenal.
Female Competitor of the year:
Asuka
Yes, she ended the year on the main roster, but throughout most of 2017, Asuka carried the brand as the top champ, delivering stellar matches and tweaking her character. Nikki Cross and Ember Moon were both terrific contenders as well.
Male Competitor of the year
Aleister Black
He's just such a phenomenal worker, and his persona works SO well. The Velveteen Dream feud was fantastic, and he managed to completely elevate his competition. Now, he needs to either get the title, or be sent up to the main roster. He's 32, and in his prime. He also wins because Drew is injured and Almas only elevated his game in the second half of the year.
**Overall Competitor of the Year **
Asuka
If Black was more of a focus of NXT's storytelling, he'd be a strong contender here. As it is, it's all Asuka.
Tag Team of the Year
SAniY
This was tough. DIY broke up too early in the year. Revival were called up too early in the year, and Undisputer Era got there too late in the year. That leaves the AOP and SAniY. And really, both are good competitors. But I've enjoyed SAniY's work more, so I'm giving it to them. By a hair.
Breakout Star of the Year
Aleister Black
When one of your performers of the year is nominated at Breakout star, you pick him. Though a case can be made for Almas, who started the year as fairly irrelevant, and ended it as champion.
Future Star of NXT
Kairi Sane
If you watched the Mae Young Classic, you know why Sane is the winner here for me. She's basically a female version of AJ Styles, but a decade younger. If her English improves, she is going to be the biggest babyface in wrestling in 5 years.
Match of the Year
Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne, TakeOver Chicago
If someone ever asks you why you love wrestling, just make them watch this match. If you wonder why I love wrestling, watch this match. These two young Brits delivered a perfect match, both physically and in terms of storytelling.
Rivalry of the Year
Ember Moon vs. Asuka
These two women, close friends behind the curtain, delivered both in the matches and in the storytelling. If DIY and AOP had lasted longer, if Aliester Black and Velveteen Dream had more than one match, if Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne were there every week, all would have been contenders. But I'm happy with this choice.
