Its now time for Part 2 of the Impact Asylum Year-End Awards. If you want to see the winners for Best of the X, BreakOut Star, Show of the Year, Match of the Year and Most Memorable Moment, you can check it out here. Let's move on to today's categories. Special thanks to everyone who voted in this year's awards.
Tag Team of 2023
Winners: ABC (69%)
Honorable Mentions: Motor City Machine Guns (14%); MKUltra (9%)
Honorable Mentions: Motor City Machine Guns (14%); MKUltra (9%)
Chris Bey and Ace Austin are likely the two biggest rising stars currently in Impact Wrestling. Pairing the two of them as the Ace and Bey Connection made sense as cooperatively they set the tag team scene on fire. The two tend to deliver strong matches on a regular basis. The two got a great tag team title opportunity against the Motor City Machine Guns on the March 2 episode of Impact. After an excellent contest, Ace and Bey captured the tag titles. The two defended the titles successfully in Ultimate X against the Machine Guns at Rebellion. While they were temporarily dethroned by Sub Culture after interference from The Rascalz, they would regain the titles from Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz at Bound for Glory at Bound for Glory. The two will have a great challenge at Hard to Kill when they defend those titles in January in a 4-Way Tag Team Title Match.
Greatest Rivalry
Winner: Eddie Edwards vs Frankie Kazarian (29%)
Honorable Mentions: Alex Shelley vs Josh Alexander (20%); Bully Ray vs Scott D'Amore
Honorable Mentions: Alex Shelley vs Josh Alexander (20%); Bully Ray vs Scott D'Amore
Feuds are what make wrestling so great. Having a strong hatred between two or more wrestlers leading to a series of matches where they settle their score. Impact Wrestling had a few feuds this year, some based on respect while others were based on hatred. The readers of this site voted Frankie Kazarian vs Eddie Edwards as Greatest Rivalry this year.
These two men, both trained by the legendary Killer Kowalski had a number of battles against each other this year. Kazarian felt disrespected by Eddie Edwards' attitude over the past year. The two battled on PPV at Against All Odds and at Slammiversary, trading wins back and forth. Alisha and Traci Brooks also got involved, being in their man's corners and eventually teaming with them at Impact 1000. In August, Kazarian and Edwards went back to the Kowalski Wrestling School in a Back to School Match where Eddie Edwards came out on top. Finally, weeks before Bound for Glory, the two finally settled things in a Best of Three Falls "Killer Impact Match" where Eddie Edwards was sent through a table. These two men shared history but hopefully their futures keep them separated.
These two men, both trained by the legendary Killer Kowalski had a number of battles against each other this year. Kazarian felt disrespected by Eddie Edwards' attitude over the past year. The two battled on PPV at Against All Odds and at Slammiversary, trading wins back and forth. Alisha and Traci Brooks also got involved, being in their man's corners and eventually teaming with them at Impact 1000. In August, Kazarian and Edwards went back to the Kowalski Wrestling School in a Back to School Match where Eddie Edwards came out on top. Finally, weeks before Bound for Glory, the two finally settled things in a Best of Three Falls "Killer Impact Match" where Eddie Edwards was sent through a table. These two men shared history but hopefully their futures keep them separated.
Don West'S "That Was FREAKIN' INSANE" Moment of the Year
Winner: Scott D'Amore Hits the Canadian Destroyer on Jason Hotch (45%)
Honorable Mentions: Bully Ray sends Scott D'Amore Through a Flaming Table (27%); PCO drinks Battery Acid (9%)
Honorable Mentions: Bully Ray sends Scott D'Amore Through a Flaming Table (27%); PCO drinks Battery Acid (9%)
This award was named after TNA Color Commentator Don West, who was known for getting on his feet out of pure excitement and screaming from the top of his lungs "THAT WAS FREAKIN' INSANE." Thankfully, West finally entered the Hall of Fame this year after his incredibly tragic death. Don West was an incredible man who was an integral part of this company.
In many of the hardcore moments, the Impact Asylum readers voted and it wasn't even a wrestler who won the award as Impact Wrestling President, Scott D'Amore returned after Bully Ray and his crew were causing turmoil on PPV. After scaring off the Bully, Jason Hotch attempted to attack D'Amore. The Coach, who trained Petey Williams amongst others then delivered the move that got the crowd to stand on their feet. Don West would have been proud.
In many of the hardcore moments, the Impact Asylum readers voted and it wasn't even a wrestler who won the award as Impact Wrestling President, Scott D'Amore returned after Bully Ray and his crew were causing turmoil on PPV. After scaring off the Bully, Jason Hotch attempted to attack D'Amore. The Coach, who trained Petey Williams amongst others then delivered the move that got the crowd to stand on their feet. Don West would have been proud.
Knockout of the Year
Winner: Trinity (53%)
Honorable Mentions: Deonna Purrazzo (17%); Jordynne Grace (17%)
Honorable Mentions: Deonna Purrazzo (17%); Jordynne Grace (17%)
While the Knockouts Division had its fair share of key players this year and big matches, the arrival of Trinity is arguably one of the biggest signings of the company in the last few years. An argument could be made that business had an uptick with her on the roster. Trinity would quickly move on and win the Knockouts World Title from Deonna Purrazzo. She would have successful title defenses against a number of challengers including Mickie James at Bound for Glory. The vibrant star formerly known as Naomi will go into Hard to Kill with a big challenge in the form of Jordynne Grace.
Impact Player of the Year
Winner: Alex Shelley (39%)
Honorable Mentions: Trinity (26%), Josh Alexander (14%)
Honorable Mentions: Trinity (26%), Josh Alexander (14%)
During the days of the original TNA, there was a narrative that a lot of workhorses in the company (in the tag team and X Division) would never be given opportunities to break through to the main event. That was a major difference from Impact Wrestling in 2023. Alex Shelley shocked the world at Against All Odds by defeating Steve Maclin to become the Impact World Champion.
Many (myself included) felt this was some sort of audible called as they were clearly building towards Steve Maclin vs Nick Aldis at Slammiversary with Josh Alexander waiting in the wings. Shelley started the year in the tag team division and then picked up some impressive wins. After dethroning Maclin, he would go on to defeat Nick Aldis and other challenges from Brian Myers, Jonathan Gresham and Josh Alexander among others. Someone who is so well-respected in the business and mentored/influenced so many others got an opportunity and capitalized on it, leading the company back to its TNA name.
Many (myself included) felt this was some sort of audible called as they were clearly building towards Steve Maclin vs Nick Aldis at Slammiversary with Josh Alexander waiting in the wings. Shelley started the year in the tag team division and then picked up some impressive wins. After dethroning Maclin, he would go on to defeat Nick Aldis and other challenges from Brian Myers, Jonathan Gresham and Josh Alexander among others. Someone who is so well-respected in the business and mentored/influenced so many others got an opportunity and capitalized on it, leading the company back to its TNA name.
