The WWE Slammy Awards are an annual show put on by World Wrestling Entertainment every December, with this year’s Slammy Awards broadcast taking place Monday, December 21 in Minneapolis. It’s the WWE take on the Oscars, the Emmys or the Grammys, except with a tongue-in-cheek-style WWE twist where winners receive an award featuring one golden wrestler about to slam another wrestler.
There are some significant categories like “Superstar of the Year” that probably mean a lot to the winner because they are voted on by the fans, but then there are also silly things like the “LOL Moment of the Year” that remind us that it’s supposed to be a fun event. In the past, WWE has even gone to great lengths to bring in a comedian like Dennis Miller or Seth Green to host it. They’re not bringing in a celebrity host this year, though.
Since Raw is a three hour show, it’s easy to dedicate one week of WWE’s signature show to the Slammys. Often times, you’ll see funny moments as wrestlers deliver speeches for awards that they win while others might steal an award because they’re a jerk that doesn’t care what people think.
The WWE Universe gets to vote on the awards using hashtags for specific awards on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. It would be a lot easier if WWE just set up polls on their website and had people vote that way, but they like to confuse people. As a result, they have two WWE.com pages (here and here) to explain the voting process.
There are 18 categories in all with up to five nominees for each. What I’m going to do is offer up predictions for 10 of the awards while suggesting who I think should win and who I think will win based on the fan vote. For the “will win” part remember that it’s fan voting, so in most cases it’s going to be babyfaces winning rather than the heels.
Before we begin, keep in mind that these awards are based on things from the main WWE roster only. No NXT content is nominated for anything.
1. Superstar Of The Year
This is the first time ever where WWE isn’t nominating anybody for this award. The entire roster is eligible for Superstar of the Year.
Who Should Win: John Cena
The legendary 15-time World Champion John Cena may have had his best year ever this year at 38 because he had so many great US Title matches. Even though he didn’t hold the WWE Title at all in 2015, he had a tremendous year of in-ring performance. Seth Rollins was consistently the best heel for the second year in a row. As WWE’s top heel he was arguably the MVP of the company and when he got injured before Survivor Series, it was a tremendous loss. My pick is Cena since he brought credibility to the US Title while also having the best matches on nearly every show.
Who Will Win: Roman Reigns
He won last year and he’s the current WWE Champion as well. Fans are likely going to vote for him because Cena’s been off TV for two months and a heel like Rollins would have a hard time winning this. A popular guy like Dean Ambrose has a chance to win, but Reigns is seen as the bigger star for the average fan.
2. Diva Of The Year
Nominees: Nikki Bella, Naomi, Paige, Sasha Banks & Charlotte
Who Should Win: Nikki Bella
Since Nikki had the record 301 day Divas Title reign, she was pushed by far the most of any woman on the roster. She improved a lot in the ring although her promos leave something to be desired. If you counted NXT performances then Banks should be the winner, but if NXT isn’t considered then it’s going to be tough for her because she was only around for half the year. The exposure that Nikki received this year makes her the most obvious choce.
Who Will Win: Nikki Bella
Even as a heel, she’ll probably get the most votes just because of the long title run. She dominated the division this year. None of the other women really stood out.
3. Rivalry Of The Year
Nominees: Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt, The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar, John Cena vs. Rusev, Team Bella vs. Team B.A.D. vs. Team PCB & Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton
Who Should Win: The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar
The interpretation of a great rivalry in WWE’s eyes is different than mine. Cena’s best rivalry was with Kevin Owens, not Rusev. The quality of matches aren’t even close since the Cena/Owens feud provided three classics while Cena/Rusev had average matches. That divas feud wasn’t that good. It could have been better, but the booking was poor. Undertaker vs. Lesnar was pretty good with the fantastic brawl they had on Raw in July, The Undertaker’s cheap win at SummerSlam and Lesnar’s decisive win at Hell in a Cell. The Reigns/Wyatt and Rollins/Orton rivalries lasted a while, but they weren’t special in any way.
Who Will Win: The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar
It was a high profile feud and they are two of the most popular guys in WWE, so they have a very good shot of winning. It’s possible that Reigns vs. Wyatt may win just because of the Reigns fans, though. I just think Undertaker/Lesnar will have the most fan support.
4. Match Of The Year
Nominees: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins at Royal Rumble, Sting vs. Triple H at WrestleMania 31, John Cena vs. Kevin Owens at Elimination Chamber, Roman Reigns vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Kevin Owens (Raw Oct 26), Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker at Hell in a Cell
Who Should Win: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins at Royal Rumble
This is always a tough category because one person’s match of the year is boring to some other fan. People like different things. I think the Lesnar/Cena/Rollins triple threat at the Rumble stood out in part because it was a weak show and that match was clearly the highlight. All of the big spots they were able to put in the match made it special as well as Lesnar’s amazing comeback to retain the title. The Cena/Owens match was outstanding too, so it’s really between them for me. Two of the others are great as well, but that Sting/Triple H match shouldn’t be there. It was fun for nostalgia sake including a lot of interference with a bunch of older wrestlers – it just isn’t a Match of the Year contender.
Who Will Win: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins at Royal Rumble
I feel like the fans are going to get it right by picking the Rumble triple threat match. Since fans tend to have short memories, they could remember Lesnar/Undertaker more than the triple threat at the Rumble in part because it’s more recent and it involved The Undertaker, who is arguably the most beloved character in WWE.
5. “This Is Awesome” Moment Of The Year
Nominees: Brock Lesnar destroys J&J Security’s car on Raw (July 6th), Randy Orton counters Seth Rollins’ Curb Stomp into a RKO at WrestleMania 31, The Divas Revolution begins on Raw (July 13th), The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) briefly reunite to Triple powerbomb Randy Orton through the announce table at Payback, The Rock and Ronda Rousey attack Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31
Who Should Win: The Shield briefly reunites at Payback
This is the most difficult category to predict because you could make a case for all five moments as the winner. If you watched WWE throughout the year then you’re going to remember all of them. While it’s a tough choice, it’s hard to top the brief Shield reunion because it was an unpredictable spot within the match that was unforgettable. That visual of Rollins wanting to team up with Ambrose & Reigns leading to them going after Rollins was outstanding. It drew a huge reaction too. I also really liked The Rock’s involvement with Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania because it wasn’t advertised, yet the crowd went crazy for it.
Who Will Win: The Rock and Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 31
The Rock’s presence sure helps a lot. Nobody in WWE is a bigger star than him, so it’s going to be tough for anything else to beat that. I think the brief Shield reunion could come out the victor just because it was a one time thing for that particular moment.
6. Double-Cross of the Year
Nominees: Jon Stewart costs John Cena the WWE United States Championship at SummerSlam, Randy Orton turns on Seth Rollins on Raw (March 9th), Paige attacks Charlotte and Becky Lynch on Raw. (October 26th), Stardust turns on Goldust on Raw (February 16th) & Damien Mizdow eliminates The Miz from the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31
Who Should Win: Jon Stewart costs John Cena the US Title
Everybody loves a good double cross in wrestling. Most of these nominees are for a guy turning heel, but in Orton’s case it was the face turn. It’s odd that the Paige turn is nominated since WWE had to turn Charlotte heel also since she failed as a face. The Stardust feud with Goldust failed miserably and they didn’t capitalize on Damien Sandow going against Miz either. That’s why the Jon Stewart attack on John Cena stands out in this category with Stewart preventing Cena from winning the WWE Title while also losing the US Title. One night later on Raw, Cena got revenge on Stewart with an Attitude Adjustment.
Who Will Win: Jon Stewart costs John Cena the US Title
It was a big moment from a big show like SummerSlam and a major celebrity like Stewart was involved, so fans will remember it better than the others.
7. Breakout Star Of The Year
Nominees: Kevin Owens, Neville, Charlotte, Tyler Breeze, Braun Strowman
Who Should Win: Kevin Owens
This category is for people who started on the main roster this year. Owens is the runaway winner for this one just because he’s the best all around performer that made a huge impact on the main roster right away. Neville is a solid midcarder that may be the best guy in terms of doing highspots. Charlotte’s been good although she’s not spectacular yet. Strowman and Breeze haven’t been on the main roster for too long.
Who Will Win: Charlotte
There are a lot of fans of the divas, so it’s very possible that current Divas Chhampion Charlotte will win this. Despite the fact that he’s a pure heel, fans will likely recognize how good Owens is and vote for him. I hope they do because he should be the easy choice for this. Neville could be a surprise winner too.
8. Tag Team Of The Year
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Nominees: The New Day, The Usos, The Prime Time Players, Tyson Kidd and Cesaro & The Lucha Dragons
Who Should Win: The New Day
This one shouldn’t be close. The New Day have been the best team all year since they turned heel earlier in the year, then they found their groove and became the most entertaining part of WWE TV every time they were on. The Usos dealt with Jey being out for six months due to shoulder surgery. Both Kidd & Cesaro are hurt with Kidd suffering a broken neck in June and his future is in doubt. If they were together all year they might have been the winner. As for PTP and Lucha Dragons, they just didn’t do enough to really stand out.
Who Will Win: The New Day
Another win for heels, which is going against a trend, but it’s hard to deny The New Day this award. They are the current Tag Team Champions and clearly the most entertaining team of them all.
9. Surprise Return of the Year
Nominees: The Dudley Boyz return to WWE on Raw (August 24th), Chris Jericho teams with Reigns and Ambrose at Night of Champions, Sting returns and attacks Rollins on Raw (August 24th), Alberto Del Rio and Zeb Colter return to WWE at Hell in a Cell, Demon Kane returns to prevent Sheamus from cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and attacks Seth Rollins at Night of Champions.
Who Should Win: The Dudley Boyz
The WWE return of the Dudley Boyz was rumored all year long after they left TNA Wrestling, but it wasn’t something people were expecting. They left ten years earlier, so seeing them back after a decade was pretty cool and a genuine surprise. Del Rio beating Cena for the US Title was a genuine surprise too. The other choices just don’t measure up to those two.
Who Will Win: The Dudley Boyz
It’s possible that the fans vote for Sting just because that was a fun moment when he attacked Rollins. However, the return of the Dudleys after a decade away comes off as a true surprise return and fans will remember it as such.
10. The OMG Shocking Moment of the Year
Nominees: Seth Rollins leaves WrestleMania 31 as WWE Champion after cashing in Money in the Bank briefcase, Brock Lesnar attacks everyone on Night after WrestleMania, Kalisto hits Salida del Sol off ladder on Jey Uso through another ladder at TLC, Wyatt Family attack Undertaker at Hell in a Cell, Sheamus leaves Survivor Series as WWE Champion after cashing in Money in the Bank briefcase
Who Should Win: Seth Rollins leaves WrestleMania as WWE Champion
History was made at WrestleMania this year when Rollins spoiled the match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns. Since nobody has ever cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase at a WrestleMania before, much less in the main event match, it was probably the most memorable thing that happened in a match all year. Some of those other things on there were very shocking moments, but I think the Rollins title win stands out above the rest.
Who Will Win: Seth Rollins leaves WrestleMania as WWE Champion
Things that happen at WrestleMania are typically remembered more fondly than the moments at other events, so Rollins will likely win this as he should. There’s an outside shot for the Lesnar attack on Raw and even Sheamus’ cash in because it was so recent.
That’s it for the ten major awards.
The eight other awards that fans can vote for are:
Best Original WWE Network Show
Hashtag of the Year
Celebrity Moment of the Year
“Tell Me You Didn’t Just Say That” Moment of the Year
Best John Cena’s U.S. Open Challenge
Extreme Moment of the Year
LOL Moment of the Year
The Hero in All of Us Award
For complete details on the Slammy Awards including more information on how to vote, visit WWE.com now.
