With the first half of this year finally over, we can visualize who are the top candidates for the prize of wrestler of the year. Despite the current circumstances because of COVID-19, several wrestlers have stepped up their game and have a good case for wrestler of the year going into the second half of this year.
Kenny Omega
´The Bout Machine´ has had a great 2020. He has several MOTY contender under his belt like the 6 star tag team match with Adam Page against The Young Bucks; The 30 minute Ironman match against PAC; His match with the Young Bucks against Lucha Bros & PAC and the critically acclaimed Stadium Stampede match.
Another factor to his case for WOTY, are several of his matches during the empty arena period against wrestlers like Sammy Guevara and Trent Barreta.
Chris Jericho
Is there something Chris Jericho can’t do? Chris Jericho has been a vital part for AEW, especially during the empty arena period as a wrestler and commentator.
In a similar case to last year, Jericho’s case for wrestler of the year is strong. Jericho has had great matches against Moxley for the AEW championship; Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom and the Stadium Stampede match.
Asuka
The current RAW women’s champion has been outstanding every Monday and she is with no doubts the MVP of WWE as of right now. Asuka has made a lot of episodes of RAW interesting with her in-ring work, great promos and she being part of commentary from time to time.
El Lindaman
El Lindaman is the least well known on this list, but he has had a great 2020 and more people need to pay attention to this young star.
He had several MOTY candidates like: #Stronghearts vs. Kota Sekifuda, Tatsuhiko Yoshino & Yuya Aoki or Him & Seiki Yoshioka vs. Jun Todokoro & Pegaso Iluminar.
Jon Moxley
The current AEW champion & IWGP US champion has had a great year. Moxley has raised to the occasion and has been a great champion for AEW.
In terms of matches, Mox had great bouts against Chris Jericho, Lance Archer, Minoru Suzuki and more recently Brodie Lee.
Charlotte Flair
As usual, Charlotte Flair is always a top contender for wrestler of the year, regardless of gender. Charlotte always delivers when the occasion needs it and her bouts this year have been solid throughout the first half of the year. So far, her best match was against Rhea Ripley for the NXT women’s championship at WrestleMania 36
Sammy Guevara
Sammy Guevara has been one of the MVPs for AEW especially during this empty arena period. Guevara always manged to still the show on every Dynamite he’s in. Some of his best work was against Darby Allin, the street fight with Chris Jericho against Kenny Omega & Matt Hardy and let’s not forget the Stadium Stampede match.
Honorable Mentions
- Britt Baker
- David Starr
- Adam “Hangman” Page
- Will Ospreay
- Tetsuya Naito
- T-Hawk
- Hikaru Shida
