Diva Dirt presents the first annual Writers’ Choice Awards, the awards that celebrate the year in women’s wrestling, as decided by the editors and contributors of Diva Dirt. The Diva Dirt team has watched hundreds of episode of wrestling television this year, as well as hundreds of live events on DVD, additionally, we’ve followed a countless number of wrestlers over the year, and reviewed tons of matches. Now, as we come to the end of 2011, we have picked the best of the best to be awarded our Writers’ Choice blue ribbons.
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
Sara Del Rey
Though we expect nothing less than great matches from the Queen of Wrestling, in 2011, Sara Del Rey‘s body of work in the ring was heads and shoulders above the rest of her competition.
This year, the Diva Dirt team felt that Del Rey’s work in the ring went to the next level, delivering great match after great match in promotions such as CHIKARA and SHIMMER. Not only did Del Rey ply her craft against fellow female wrestlers, but against the men too, and more than held her own.
From stellar matches with Kana in both SHIMMER and CHIKARA, to facing her one time cohort Claudio Castagnoli in the main event of CHIKARA, Del Rey has set the bar incredibly high. In December, Del Rey was one of the headliners for CHIKARA’s JoshiMania extravaganza facing off against Aja Kong and Ayako Hamada, the first being a dream match for many including herself, which further added to her credentials this year.
Perhaps notable is the fact that the close runner-up for this award, Madison Eagles, was recuperating from injuries and wasn’t able to compete as much as Del Rey, however, Sara’s work this year certainly stands on its own merits.
Sara Del Rey is not just one of the most talented and respected female wrestlers in the business, but as proven this year, ranks up there — if not higher — than some of the male wrestlers.
The Queen of Wrestling indeed.
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16 Comments
Sara Del Rey deserves wrestler of the year. She’s had an incredible year. Congrats to her.
MICKIExJAMESxFAN Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:57 am
this says knockout of the year not women wrestler of the year(jus sayin)
All picks were spot on. Havok sure has won awards here, huh? She deserves nothing but the best <3. I think it's no question how great Del Rey is, but this year she took it to another level. I honestly think she's not capable of having an average match. Her work in Chikara & Shimmer speaks for itself. Sara Del Rey is one of the best wrestlers going today, no doubt.
Great picks ! I agree with all of them! Well I haven’t seen the WSU Wargames but from what I heard it was phenomenal!
I agree with divas and knockout of the year . 100% . Kelly has has a great Year and mickie without a doubt is the knockout of the year.
Btw I’ve never seen militia but this picture makes me really wanna see them now.
Well deserved. Whether people like it or not, Kelly Kelly had an amazing year. So kudos to her!
The independent scene easily outclassed the televised product this year and it’s nice to see women tirelessly working for less fame and fortune acknowledged by the wrestling media. I can’t comment much on WSU, unfortunately, but Sara Del Rey is a personal idol of mine and any acclaim she receives is truly deserved. She may never reach the mainstream platform, but I do think the reputation she has cultivated will easily cement her legacy in a different way.
Regarding Kelly: while I think it’s a sad reflection of standards that a girl as painfully limited as she is can amass such showstopping success, I nor anyone else has an argument against the year she has had. She seems like a nice enough girl and I haven’t the heart to begrudge her the accolades in the end, so good luck to her.
Mickie James in TNA just clicks for me. She’s consistent, still as popular as ever, reliable in a multitude of areas and she seems to be having far more fun than she did in the last few years of her WWE run. I just wish some of the original Knockouts could achieve some of her exposure, namely Sarita.
Raekon Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:50 am
Agree with everything you wrote! :)
the knight dynasty should have easily tag team of the year !
ETR Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
should have easily won*
Agree with all the picks except team of the year. I thought Beth and Nattie had that one!
I agree with all except for the knockout of the year, I think that one belongs to Velvet.
I agree with all the choices DD made, i can’t wait until the results are in!!!
i havent seen del ray wreslle this year but ive seen del rey vs Serena Roxxi n Hamada so i know shes a damn beast!
Mickie for KO of the year HELL YEAH!!! Either her or Velvet Sky! Mickie is just mad over with me and the fans on TNA I jump up when she kicks butt. She is pure fire and shes loving it!
n Kelly as diva of the year? yeah..its been her year
Mickie James is one of the first female wrestlers to compete in TNA, and to be recognizes as a top knockout they have right now by Diva Dirt, that’s awesome!
I agree with all the results.
Great Picks!