Smark Out Moment

The WWE may have their Slammy Awards, but here at Smark Out Moment we like to take an even closer look at what happened throughout the year and award not just the best, but also point out the worst, and that applies to both what World Wrestling Entertainment had to offer you this year, as well as what happened on this site and the Smack Talk podcast.


Make sure you let us know in the comments what your choices are for the best and the worst of each award in all of the WWE divisions (Technical Skills, Writing, Programming, On-Air Personalities, and Wrestlers) and be sure to vote on the polls set up for the Smack Talk Awards section!

Official voting ends around Christmas, so don't forget to voice your opinion by filling out this poll!


Every year, Smark Out Moment continues to grow, and as such, so does the end of the year awards. Not a year has gone by where new categories haven't been added to the annual Smarkies, and this year, more changes have been implemented than ever.

Let us know what you think of the new setup and if you'd like to see any changes for next year.


ENTRANCE

Explanation: This award should take into account everything including pyro, lighting, music, what the superstars do during their entrances, and so on. Your choices can be a singular entrance in particular (such as their upgraded WrestleMania one) or someone's standard entrance that happens every time he/she comes to the ring.

[BEST]: Shinsuke Nakamura (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II)

[WORST]: Wesley Blake (NXT following TakeOver: Brooklyn II)

SIGNATURE MANEUVER

Explanation: What is your favorite and least favorite regularly seen wrestling move was that had been featured multiple times as something on a superstar's repertoire. Typically, these are finishers (such as the Attitude Adjustment) but it could also be a signature setup (such as the Five Knuckle Shuffle) or something along those lines.

[BEST]: Braun Strowman's reverse chokeslam

[WORST]: Nia Jax's body slam finisher

SPOT / BOTCH

Explanation: What was the most entertaining spot and what was the biggest disaster of a botch that happened this year?

[BEST/COOLEST SPOT]: Shane McMahon jumps off Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania 32

[WORST/BIGGEST BOTCH]: Enzo Amore injured at Payback

RECOGNITION

Explanation: Perception is everything, so which superstar deserved more credit this year than they received and which superstar was unworthy of all the praise he or she received?

[MOST UNDERRATED]: Cody Rhodes

[MOST OVERRATED]: Charlotte

IMPROVEMENT IN A SUPERSTAR

Explanation: Which superstar improved their work and saw the biggest upgrade and who saw the biggest downgrade in terms of a regression of their performance, spot on the roster, quality of value and so forth?

[BIGGEST UPGRADE]: Heath Slater

[BIGGEST DOWNGRADE]: Apollo Crews

RING WORK

Explanation: Which two superstars were the best and the worst when performing in the ring?

[BEST]: Dolph Ziggler

[WORST]: Eva Marie

MIC WORK

Explanation: Who had the best and worst promo skills, charisma, and performing as an entertaining character with all of the verbal aspects of WWE.

[BEST]: Chris Jericho and The New Day (tie)

[WORST]: Stuttering Goldust

TITLE REIGN

Explanation: Who had the most meaningful time with a championship to their name, where the matches were good, the feuds were interesting, and you were enjoying their reign, as well as who failed to meet those expectations and perhaps had a boring, uneventful, bad run with a belt.

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: all of the title reigns on this list

[BEST]: The New Day (Raw Tag Team Championship)

[WORST]: Kalisto (United States Championship)

MATCH OF THE YEAR

Explanation: Matches can be from any show, including Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Main Event, Superstars, Cruiserweight Classic, 205 Live, pay-per-views and special events.

[BEST]: Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens (Battleground)
- My list of candidates are all pretty much equal, including the following:

- Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn (NXT TakeOver: Dallas)
- Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4-Way: The Miz vs. Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn (Extreme Rules)
- Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles (Extreme Rules)
- American Alpha vs. The Revival (NXT TakeOver: The End)
- Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens (Battleground)
- Cedric Alexander vs. Kota Ibushi (Cruiserweight Classic Round 2)
- The Revival vs. #DIY (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II)
- John Cena vs. AJ Styles (SummerSlam)
- TJ Perkins vs. Kota Ibushi (Cruiserweight Classic Semifinals)
- The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler (No Mercy)

[WORST]: Nikki Bella and Naomi vs. Carmella and Natalya (SmackDown 9/20)



CATCH PHRASE or SLOGAN

Explanation: This includes any kind of regularly mentioned slogan, taunt, catch phrase, signature sign-off or any verbal sayings of those sorts.

[BEST]: "You've just made the list!"

[WORST]: "-ski"

GIMMICK

Explanation: Which superstars portrayed the best and the worst characters this year?

[BEST]: Chris Jericho

[WORST]: The Shining Stars

HEEL or FACE TURN

Explanation: The Best/Worst Heel or Face Turn award asks which character turn (whether it was from heel to face or face to heel doesn't matter) was the most effective and interesting and which one was stupid and a mistake.

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: all heel and face turns are on this list

[BEST]: The New Day

[WORST]: Ryback

COMEBACK

Explanation: The Comeback award revolves around the old school wrestlers who aren't a regular part of the roster and made a temporary return. This excludes people who became a regular part of the fold like Paul Ellering and Bob Backlund. Which was your favorite to see make an appearance and which one were you less than thrilled about?

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: The Rock (Raw 1/25), Shawn Michaels & Steve Austin & Mick Foley (WrestleMania), Tatanka (WrestleMania), Diamond Dallas Page (WrestleMania), The Rock (WrestleMania), Bret Hart (Payback), Teddy Long (Raw 6/6), John Laurinaitis (Raw 6/20), Vickie Guerrero (Raw 7/4), The Headbangers (SmackDown 8/30 and 11/1), Mickie James (NXT TakeOver: Toronto)

[BEST]: Teddy Long (June 6th edition of Raw)

[WORST]: Bret Hart (Payback)

IMPROVEMENT IN A DIVISION

Explanation: Which section of the WWE hierarchy became more entertaining than it was last year and which one fell by the wayside and downgraded?

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Legends, Main Event (Raw/SmackDown/NXT), Midcard (Raw/SmackDown/NXT), Tag Team (Raw/SmackDown/NXT), Women (Raw/SmackDown/NXT), Cruiserweight, Enhancement (Raw/SmackDown/NXT)

[BIGGEST UPGRADE]: Cruiserweight Division

[BIGGEST DOWNGRADE]: NXT Women's Division

MOST SHOCKING MOMENT

Explanation: What was the absolute biggest surprise you had this entire year that you didn't see coming?

[MOST SHOCKING MOMENT]: Roman Reigns suspended

SMARK OUT MOMENTS

Explanation: What did you consider to be the overall best and worst things to have happened this year? What was the coolest thing to make you happy as a fan and which moment was so horrible that it made you the most disappointed with WWE?

[BEST]: The Miz flips out on Daniel Bryan (Talking Smack)

[WORST]: Finn Balor vacates the Universal Championship

STORYLINE

Explanation: What were the most interesting, well-executed storylines of the year and which feuds were the least interesting, terrible ones to watch?

[BEST]: Heath Slater is a free agent during the brand split

[WORST]: Goldust wants R-Truth to be his tag team partner



ANALYSIS SHOWS

Explanation: Out of WWE's analysis-based content, which programs were your favorite and least favorite?

PRE/POST SHOWS: Raw Pre-Show, Raw Talk, SmackDown Pre-Show, Talking Smack
CLIP/RECAP SHOWS: Afterburn, Bottom Line, Experience, This Week in WWE

[BEST]: Talking Smack

[WORST]: Every clip/recap show except for This Week in WWE

INTERVIEW SHOWS

Explanation: Out of WWE's interview-based content, which programs were your favorite and least favorite?

PODCAST INTERVIEW SHOWS: Legends with JBL, Shane Tells All with Mick Foley, Stone Cold Podcast, Superstar Ink, Unfiltered with Renee Young

[BEST]: Legends with JBL

[WORST]: Shane Tells All with Mick Foley

YOUTUBE SHOWS

Explanation: Out of WWE's YouTube content, which programs were your favorite and least favorite?

YOUTUBE SHOWS: 5 Things, 30 Second Fury, Fallout, Game Night, Shooting the Breeze, Top 10, UpUpDownDown

[BEST]: UpUpDownDown

[WORST]: 30 Second Fury

WWE NETWORK SHOWS

Explanation: Out of the WWE Network Originals, which programs were your favorite and least favorite?

NETWORK SHOWS: Breaking Ground, Camp WWE, Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness, Holy Foley, Ride Along, Swerved, Table for 3, WWE 24, WWE Story Time

[BEST]: Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness

[WORST]: Holy Foley

PRIMARY SHOWS

Explanation: Out of WWE's primary programming, which shows were your favorite and least favorite?

PRIMARY SHOWS: Raw, Main Event, Superstars, NXT, SmackDown, Total Divas, Total Bellas, Cruiserweight Classic, 205 Live

[BEST]: Cruiserweight Classic

[WORST]: Total Divas/Bellas

OVERALL PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

Explanation: What were the overall best and worst shows out of all the different programming content WWE provided this year across all their different platforms?

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: all of the choices from the above categories

[BEST]: Cruiserweight Classic

[WORST]: Holy Foley

PAY-PER-VIEW or SPECIAL EVENT

Explanation: What were your favorite and least favorite pay-per-views or special events from the year?

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Royal Rumble, Fastlane, Roadblock I, NXT TakeOver: Dallas, WrestleMania, Payback, Extreme Rules, NXT TakeOver: The End, Battleground, WWE Draft, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, SummerSlam, Backlash, Clash of Champions, No Mercy, Hell in a Cell, NXT TakeOver: Toronto, Survivor Series, TLC, Roadblock: End of the Line

[BEST]: NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II and Clash of Champions (tie)

[WORST]: SummerSlam



MANAGER or VALET

Explanation: This includes anybody who regularly accompanies someone down to the ring in some capacity, but is not their tag team partner in the ring.

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Paul Heyman, Lana, Maryse, Ric Flair, Bob Backlund, Paul Ellering, Alicia Fox

[BEST]: Paul Heyman

[WORST]: Ric Flair

CELEBRITY APPEARANCE

Explanation: This includes all celebrity appearances who actively interacted with the show as opposed to just sitting ringside.

CELEBRITY: Snoop Dogg (WrestleMania 32), Fifth Harmony (WrestleMania 32), Shaquille O'Neal (WrestleMania 32), Dr. Phil (April 11), Sean Combs (August 4), Jon Stewart (SummerSlam), Jagger Eaton (Backlash), Sophia Grace (SmackDown December 6), Gabriel Iglesias (SmackDown December 12 and Tribute to the Troops), Ryan Phillippe (SmackDown 12/20)

[BEST]: Shaquille O'Neal

[WORST]: Sophia Grace

AUTHORITY FIGURE

Explanation: This includes anybody who was in a position of power over the roster including commissioners, general managers, the chairman and so forth.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Daniel Bryan, Mick Foley, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon, William Regal

[BEST]: Daniel Bryan

[WORST]: Stephanie McMahon

OTHER/EXTRA CHARACTER

Explanation: This includes all extraneous, ancillary, supporting and oddball characters who don't fit into any other classification.

EXTRA CHARACTERS: Agnes the bagpipes (Raw 11/7), Bar patrons who Cesaro and Sheamus fight with (Raw 11/28), Colleen McCarthy sensitivy trainer (Raw 12/19), Fandango's dance partner Betty (SmackDown 9/6), Foley Family, Francesca the Trombone, Francesca II, Francesca II Turbo, Heath Slater's family, Jimmin Marvinluder, Mitch the plant, R-Truth's Valentine's Day date (Raw 2/15), Sonny Boy (Raw 7/25), The Old Day (Raw 9/5)

[BEST]: Mitch the plant

[WORST]: The Old Day

ANNOUNCER

Explanation: This includes all in-ring announcers who would introduce wrestlers during their entrances.

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Andrea D'Marco, Dasha Fuentes, Eden Stiles, Greg Hamilton, JoJo Offerman, Lilian Garcia, Mike Rome, Tony Chimel

[BEST]: Mike Rome

[WORST]: Andrea D'Marco and Dasha Fuentes (tied)

BROADCAST CORRESPONDENT

Explanation: This includes all backstage interviewers, panelists and correspondents.

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Alex Reyes, Andrea D'Marco, Booker T, Byron Saxton, Cathy Kelley, Charly Caruso, Corey Graves, Dasha Fuentes, David Otunga, Eden Stiles, Jerry Lawler, Kyle Edwards, Lita, Maria Menounos, Renee Young, Rich Brennan, Scott Stanford, Tom Phillips

[BEST]: Renee Young

[WORST]: David Otunga

COMMENTATOR

Explanation: This includes all members of the commentary teams on all brands, including the foreign commentators.

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Byron Saxton, Carlos Cabrera, Carsten Schaefer, Christophe Agius, Corey Graves, Daniel Bryan, David Otunga, Funaki, Holger Boschen, Jerry Lawler, Jerry Soto, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Manu Thiele, Marcelo Rodriguez, Marco Alfaro, Mauro Ranallo, Meng Ai, Michael Cole, Moti Margolin, Percy Watson, Philippe Chereau, Roberto Figueroa , Sabastian Hackl, Sean Deng, Shun Yamaguchi, Tom Phillips, Zhan Pomerantsev

[BEST]: Tom Phillips

[WORST]: David Otunga



NEWCOMER

Explanation: The Best/Worst Newcomer award applies to anybody who either made their debut somewhere on the main roster or NXT, or were repackaged into a completely different gimmick with a different name.

NEW TO WWE: AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, James Ellsworth

NEW OR CALLED UP TO NXT: Alexander Wolfe, Aliyah, Akam, Andrade "Cien" Almas, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, Dan Matha, Danielle Kamela, Daria Berenato, Ember Moon, Eric Young, Gabriel Ealy, Kenneth Crawford, Mandy Rose, Nick Miller, Nikki Cross, No Way Jose, Oney Lorcan, Otis Dozovic, Patrick Clark, Rezar, Riddick Moss, Roderick Strong, Shane Thorne, Shinsuke Nakamura, Steve Cutler, Tian Bing, Tino Sabbatelli, Tucker Knight, Uriel Ealy

CRUISERWEIGHT CLASSIC: Akira Tozawa, Alejandro Saez, Anthony Bennett, Ariya Daivari, Cedric Alexander, Clement Petiot, Da Mack, Damian Slater, Drew Gulak, Fabian Aichner, Gran Metalik, Gurv Sihra, Harv Sihra, HoHo Lun, Jack Gallagher, Jason Lee, Kenneth Johnson, Kota Ibushi, Lince Dorado, Mustafa Ali, Noam Dar, Raul Mendoza, Rich Swann, Sean Maluta, T.J. Perkins, Tony Nese, Tyson Dux, Zack Sabre Jr.

[BEST]: AJ Styles

[WORST]: Dan Matha

MAIN ROSTER CALL-UP

Explanation: Which of the superstars who moved up from NXT or developmental to the main roster have done the best and the worst with their promotion?

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Akira Tozawa, Alexa Bliss, American Alpha, Apollo Crews, Ariya Daivari, Baron Corbin, Bayley, Carmella, Cedric Alexander, Colin Cassady, Drew Gulak, Enzo Amore, Eva Marie, Finn Balor, Gran Metalik, Gurv Sihra, Harv Sihra, HoHo Lun, Jack Gallagher, Lince Dorado, Mojo Rawley, Mustafa Ali, Nia Jax, Noam Dar, Rich Swann, Sami Zayn, T.J. Perkins, The Vaudevillains, Tony Nese

[BEST]: Sami Zayn

[WORST]: Nia Jax

FUTURE ENDEAVORS

Explanation: What do you consider to be the most unfortunate release or suspension that happened this year?

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: all releases are listed here and all suspensions can be found here

[MOST UNFORTUNATE RELEASE OR SUSPENSION]: Cody Rhodes quits WWE

TAG TEAM or STABLE

Explanation: Which tag team or stable did you like and hate the most?

MAIN ROSTER: The Usos, The New Day, The Ascension, The Lucha Dragons, The Prime Time Players, Team BAD, The Dudley Boyz, The League of Nations, The Social Outcasts, The Golden Truth, Goldango, Gorgeous Truth, The Club, The Bloodline, The Shining Stars, Team EnD, Dana Brooke & Charlotte, Enzo & Cass, The Vaudevillains, Breezango, American Alpha, The Hype Bros, JeriKO, Heath Slater and Rhyno, Cesaro and Sheamus

NXT: The Revival, Shoot Nation, BAMF, TM-61, DIY, The Authors of Pain, SAnitY, The Bollywood Boyz

[BEST]: The New Day

[WORST]: The Golden Truth / Goldango / Gorgeous Truth

HEEL

Explanation: Who was the most hated villain and which superstar failed the most to get the crowd to boo them?

[BEST]: Eva Marie

[WORST]: The Shining Stars

BABYFACE

Explanation: Who was the best fan-favorite hero and which superstar wasn't able to pull off being a babyface?

[BEST]: Bayley

[WORST]: Roman Reigns

FEMALE SUPERSTAR

Explanation: Which female wrestlers were the cream of the crop and the bottom of the barrel?

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Alexa Bliss, Alicia Fox, Aliyah, Asuka, Bayley, Becky Lynch, Billie Kay, Brie Bella, Cameron, Carmella, Charlotte, Dana Brooke, Danielle Kamela, Daria Berenato, Ember Moon, Emmalina, Eva Marie, Lana, Liv Morgan, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Naomi, Natalya, Nia Jax, Nikki Bella, Nikki Cross, Paige, Peyton Royce, Rosa Mendes, Sasha Banks, Summer Rae, Tamina Snuka

[BEST]: Sasha Banks

[WORST]: Rosa Mendes

MALE SUPERSTAR

Explanation: Which male wrestlers were the cream of the crop and the bottom of the barrel?

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Aiden English, AJ Styles, Akam, Akira Tozawa, Alejandro Saez, Alexander Wolfe, Andrade Almas, Angelo Dawkins, Anthony Bennett, Apollo Crews, Ariya Daivari, Austin Aries, Baron Corbin, Big Cass, Big E, Big Show, Bo Dallas, Bobby Roode, Braun Strowman, Bray Wyatt, Brian Kendrick, Brock Lesnar, Buddy Murphy, Cedric Alexander, Cesaro, Chad Gable, Chris Jericho, Clement Petiot, Curt Hawkins, Curtis Axel, Da Mack, Damian Slater, Dan Matha, Darren Young, Dash Wilder, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Drew Gulak, Elias Samson, Enzo Amore, Epico, Eric Young, Erick Rowan, Fabian Aichner, Fandango, Finn Balor, Gabriel Ealy, Goldberg, Goldust, Gran Metalik, Gurv Sihra, Harv Sihra, Heath Slater, Hideo Itami, HoHo Lun, Jack Gallagher, Jack Swagger, James Ellsworth, Jason Jordan, Jason Lee, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Jinder Mahal, John Cena, Johnny Gargano, Kalisto, Kane, Karl Anderson, Kenneth Crawford, Kenneth Johnson, Kenny Dykstra, Kevin Owens, Kofi Kingston, Kona Reeves, Konnor, Kota Ibushi, Lince Dorado, Luke Gallows, Mark Henry, Mikey Mondo, Mojo Rawley, Mustafa Ali, Neville, Nick Miller, No Way Jose, Noam Dar, Oney Lorcan, Otis Dozovic, Patrick Clark, Primo, Randy Orton, Raul Mendoza, Rezar, Rhyno, Rich Swann, Roderick Strong, Roman Reigns, R-Truth, Rusev, Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe, Sawyer Fulton, Scott Dawson, Sean Maluta, Seth Rollins, Shane Thorne, Sheamus, Shinsuke Nakamura, Simon Gotch, Sin Cara, Steve Cutler, Tajiri, T.J. Perkins, The Miz, The Undertaker, Tian Bing, Tino Sabbatelli, Titus O'Neil, Tommaso Ciampa, Tony Nese, Tucker Knight, Tye Dillinger, Tyler Breeze, Tyson Dux, Uriel Ealy, Viktor, Wesley Blake, Xavier Woods, Zack Ryder, Zack Sabre Jr. + candidates from the released stars list

[BEST]: AJ Styles

[WORST]: Konnor

SUPERSTAR OF THE YEAR

Explanation: Judging as a co-ed award out of both the men and women wrestlers who were in the company at some point, who was the absolute best and worst in the company this year?

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: all men and women listed in the above two categories

[BEST]: AJ Styles

[WORST]: Rosa Mendes



The results from your votes will be calculated based on the poll.

"DID YOU KNOW" JOKE OF THE YEAR

POSSIBLE OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE POLL

[BEST]: #222, #230, #235, #239, #261

[WORST]: #250

OUTRO SONG OF THE YEAR

POSSIBLE OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE POLL

[BEST]: #230 - "Monday Monday Monday Night Raw Post Show Fantasy League Draft!" by Mike Paden

[WORST]: #217 - "Royal Remix"

SEGMENT

POSSIBLE OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE POLL

[BEST]: 2015 Awards, Call the Spot on the Card, Mailbag, PPV Predictions, Sexiest Superstars Tournament

[WORST]: Fantasy League, Outro, Rest Hold

T-SHIRT DESIGNS

POSSIBLE OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE POLL

[BEST]: #CheapHeat (Whatever town I'm in right now sucks), Emma Chewing Gum, Unready Unwilling Incapable

[WORST]: Breaking Bad, I Miss the Attitude Era, The Patriot - Just Get It, YetiStation 4

RECURRING JOKE

POSSIBLE OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE POLL

[BEST]: Ayuh Jayuh Stylezuuuu!, Titus O'Neil MWUAH kiss

[WORST]: Jimmy Johns

CO-HOST OF THE YEAR

POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Angie Williams, Calen Ferris, Caroline Oliveira, Chris Dace, Dane Quinn, Drew White, Gabby Velasquez, Mike Paden, Shaun Walker, Stephen Wago

[BEST]: abstained from voting

[WORST]: abstained from voting

YEAR-IN-REVIEW OF STATISTICS

I'll be giving a breakdown of some of the advancements that have happened over the past year with the Smark Out Moment brand.