Now this isn’t an observation on whether the winners will repeat their feats in 2024 and it isn’t a prediction of who’s going to win but a look back at how each winner has done since winning and with 6 months elapsed since they won their trophy was it the right decision. See how each winner aged.
Ages
Milk=Bad
Cheese=Neutral
Wine=Good
Overall Wrestler of the Year
Winner: Skrilla the Great
Runner up: Krule
This was a controversial win when it happened. Based solely off what has happened in Georgia wrestling so far this year I don’t think Krule has enough in-state to give the award to. However guys like Judais, Nick Halen, and even the injured Bryce Cannon would all take the prize over Skrilla. I understand there was an influx of friendly votes spearheaded by a promotion to give Skrilla the award however just because democracy didn’t work for you doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. Honestly Skrilla didn’t have my vote and I usually had him top 15 in any list but if his peers came out to vote for him who are we to argue?
Aged like Milk. My reasoning is simple. The most noteworthy thing he’s done so far this year was a Facebook feud with David Ali that invoked ex girlfriends and acccusations of drug abuse. Not good work.
Match of the Year Winner: Bryce Cannon vs. Chip Day, SSP on December 17
Runner Up: Nick Halen vs. Judais, SFCW Thanksgiving Night
I can’t really do an aging for this one since it’s a match.
Female Performer of the Year
Winner: Rose Gold
Runner Up: Lindsay Snow
Snow wrestles almost exclusively at IWE while in Georgia. Gold has become the go to girl at a few promotions. I hadn’t heard too many calls of controversy about this award. Rose I believe has actually been much better this year than her award winning year of 2023.
Aged like Wine. Some people may say she was crowned prematurely however is that really a bad thing? Never heard anyone complain about getting a check early.
Male Performer of the Year Winner: Bryce Cannon Runner Up: Krule
It’s hard to rate this as Bryce was active for roughly 2-3 months this year. I think if you did a poll most who voted for him would repeat their vote. Aged like Wine.
Promoter of the Year Winner: Tim Blackmon - IWE Runner Up: Gary Lamb - Southern Honor Wrestling I don’t know enough about the promotion side to really call this with real knowledge. Going simply off social media personas and numbers sent in I say the right winner was picked.
Aged like Wine
Promotion of the Year
Winner: Intense Wrestling Entertainment
Runner Up: Classic City Wrestling
I break up promotions in Georgia to 3 categories traditional wrestling which Southern Fried is the Best. Wrestling shows where IWE is the best. And entertainment shows where CCW reigns supreme. You could make an argument ccw gad a bigger year than iwe but to me they’re just in different lanes not leagues but lanes both top of the class.
Booker of the Year
Winner: Ace Haven
Runner Up: Tim Blackmon
I thought Southern Fried has the best booking last year. I don’t keep up too much with Pro South as it’s just too dark and gloomy for me most of their top players feel like Tim Burton characters. Obviously booking 50 shows is a feat in itself however I prefer quality to quantity.
Aged like Milk
Best Technical Wrestler
Winner: Najasism
Runner Up: Chip Day
You really couldn’t go wrong here. Both guys have already had great matches this year. I don’t think anyone would’ve been upset with either winner.
Aged like Cheese
Ring Announcer of the Year
Winner Diana Michel (4th consecutive year)
Runner Up: Jonathan Feltner
I never pay attention.
Legends Award None -- 50% of the votes required to win. The vote was evenly split between Murder One, Simon Sermon and Nick Patrick.
Editor's note: Aged like Milk. All three will receive the legends award for 2023.
Most Improved
Winner: Aaron Dallas
Runner Up: Cornelius Pepperbottom
The bright spot both literally and figuratively for Pro south the last year and half has been one AAron Dallas. He has a great physique and is easily identifiable on any show he’s on. He has a bit of aura about him and he’s one of the guys that is a bright spot for this upcoming generation.
Aged like Fine Wine
Manager of the Year Winner: Amy Haven Runner Up: The Reverend Dan Wilson I like my managers to manage and only sometimes get involved. I feel like calling Amy a manager is like calling Stephanie McMahon a manager. She’s too involved in storylines to simply be a manager.
Aged like Cheese. I don’t think she’s bad but I think Rev fits my definition of a manager better.
Mentor of the Year
Winner: William Huckaby
Runner Up: Ace Haven
Ace trains people. Huckaby trains people now. I don’t have too many testimonies from people on either side so that means they’re both doing a great job.
Aged like Cheese
Tag Team of the Year
Winner: Nawfside Heroes
Runner Up: Exotic Youth
I like the Youth, check my article from last year. I actually think Jay Locuas and Terry Yaki are the best tandem act in Georgia but if you had to go with new blood Nawfside is definitely top tier.
Aged like Cheese
Commentators of the Year
Winners: Brandon Benefield and Gerard Bonner (4th consecutive year)
Runner Up: Wicked Nemesis and Mathias Darkthorne
Don’t care.
Rookie of the Year
Winner: Alexander Lev
Runner Up: Saul Wright
Considering this one caused a few fights I think it’s safe to say it was controversial as soon as the award was handed over. However I think all that controversy was killed when Lev signed to NWA. Haters gonna hate.
Aged like FINE WINE.
Winner: ProSouth Anniversary Supershow XV
Runner Up: Hardcore Hell 25
No real opinion it’s hard to argue best point for point.
Referee of the Year
Winner: Darryl Hall (3rd consecutive year, 5th overall)
Runner Up: Lewis Santiago
I just like my referees to be competent and at least attempt to uphold the rules. Some shows have a better stable of refs than others.
Feud/Rivalry of the Year
Winner: Skrilla the Great vs. Georgia Wrestling
Runner Up: Najasism vs. Owen Knight
It was the right winner although it is misleading. Skrilla had rallied against the Georgia hierarchy but I would say from my perspective most of Georgia wrestling didn’t even know they were in the feud. However based solely off the controversy surrounding his other award win this was the best pick.
Aged like fine Wine.
Promo of the Year
Winner: Dominic Stuckey and Irving West -- Classic City Wrestling
Runner Up: Murder One and Joe Black -- IWE
The pickings were slim but I think this was the right pick. West and Stuckey have both been in and out so far this year but I think this would probably win again if there was a recount.
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