Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards This is a list of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards , current and defunct . The awards are given on a yearly basis in various categories such as Wrestler of the Year , Most Outstanding Wrestler , Best Tag Team , Most Improved , etc . Currently , there are 37 active categories and 10 that are inactive . The awards are voted for by the readership of the newsletter , which includes various professional wrestling insiders , such as promoters , agents , and performers , as well as journalists , historians , and fans . The awards are organized into two classes . For Class A awards , voters indicate their top three choices . First choices are awarded five points , second places three points , and third places two points . The choice with the most points overall wins . For Class B awards , voters simply indicate their top choice . It was announced in the December 3rd 2007 Observer , that from 2007 onwards Mixed Martial Artists are not eligible for the Lou Thesz / Ric Flair Award and will be for Wrestlers only . Shootfighter of the year will be renamed to Most Outstanding Fighter . A new award has been created called MMA Most Valuable Fighter which is similar to the Lou Thesz / Ric Flair Award except it is for Mixed Martial Artists . Current Awards . Class A Awards . Lou Thesz / Ric Flair Award ( Wrestler of the Year ) . This award is given to the professional wrestlers who have the ability to carry an entire promotion by themselves . Before 2007 , mixed martial artists were eligible for this award . MMA Most Valuable Fighter . This is also for a combination of fighting inside the ring and importance outside in a positive manner from a business perspective as well . Most Outstanding Wrestler . This is given to the wrestler who has had some of the best matches that year , as well as shown revolutionary ability . Best Box Office Draw . This is given to the wrestler who can make the most money for a promotion by being entertaining . Feud of the Year . This is given to the most intense / well done feud between wrestlers . Tag Team of the Year . This is given to the tag team who could carry an entire tag team division by itself . Most Improved . This is given to the wrestler who had shown the greatest improvement over previous years . Best on Interviews . This award is given to the wrestler who has been involved in the most entertaining and best received interviews during the year . Most Charismatic . This is given to the wrestler who has drawn the strongest reaction from the crowds because of his charisma and presence . Best Technical Wrestler . This is given to the wrestler who has displayed the best technical and mat wrestling skills . Bruiser Brody Memorial Award ( Best Brawler ) . This is given to the wrestler who has had the most intense and crowd - engaging brawls . Best Flying Wrestler . This is given to the wrestler who has displayed the most exciting aerial - based offense in his matches . Most Overrated . This is given to the wrestler that is considered to be the most over - hyped when their overall performance is taken into consideration . Most Underrated . This is given to a wrestler who has performed memorably throughout the year , but hasn ' t been hyped up by their company , or who has performed mainly on the undercard . Promotion of the Year . This is given to the most valuable promotion each year . Best Weekly Television Show . This is awarded for the best Wrestling / MMA show on TV . Most Outstanding Fighter ( formerly Shootfighter of the Year ) . This award is given to the best mixed martial artist each year . Match of the Year . This is given to the best professional wrestling match each year . Fight of the Year . This is given to the best MMA match each year . Rookie of the Year . This is given to the most talented new comer . Best Non - Wrestler . This is given to the person who can be just as important , if not more , than wrestlers . Best Television Announcer . This is given to the best television announcer at calling a match clearly and concisely . Worst Television Announcer . This is given to the most annoying and least exciting announcer of the year . Best Major Show . This is given to the card that is a must - see for all wrestling / MMA fans . Class B Awards . Worst Major Wrestling Show . This is given to the least enthralling event of the year . Best Wrestling Maneuver . This is given to the most innovative wrestler for coming up with an exciting move . Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic . This is given to the most distasteful wrestling storyline / event . Worst Television Show . This is given to the least enthralling weekly television broadcast . Worst Worked Match of the Year . This is given to the match with less enthusiasm than anything else that year . Worst Feud of the Year . This is given to the more offensive or least exciting feud . Worst Promotion of the Year . This is given to the promotion that needs lots of improvement . Best Booker . This is given to the person who can book matches best . Promoter of the Year . This is given to the person who can run a company better than anyone else . Best Gimmick . This is given to the most entertaining wrestling personality . Worst Gimmick . This is given to the least tasteful , exciting , intelligent personality . Defunct Awards . Class B Awards . Best Color Commentator . The category was active until 1996 .