The annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards kicked off a debate among wrestling fans about who should have been named ‘Wrestler Of The Year’.
AEW’s Jon Moxley took the top spot with 3,101 votes, while WWE’s Roman Reigns was second with 2,216, and NJPW’s Will Ospreay came third with 1,591.
Moxley has arguably had the best year of his career. After completing an alcoholism rehabilitation programme, Moxley came back better than ever and went on to battle with the likes of Bryan Danielson, CM Punk, and more, as he became the first-ever three-time AEW World Champion.
However, the result caused controversy among fans, with many arguing that Reigns should easily have taken first place because of his work in WWE over the year.
The Tribal Chief not only continued his historic Universal Championship reign but also captured the WWE Championship from Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38. He has also been the centrepiece of some of the biggest storylines in the company, particularly the recent drama between The Bloodline, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens.
Despite this, wrestling legend Ric Flair believes there is a better worker than both Moxley and Reigns, his daughter, Charlotte Flair.
Ric Flair thinks there’s “something wrong” if Charlotte Flair is not named Wrestler of the Year for 2023
On the latest episode of his podcast, ‘To Be The Man’, The Nature Boy said that while he has nothing against the two former Shield Members, he is of the belief that Charlotte is the “best worker in the business”.
“Well, I think he’s done a hell of a job. But I, there’s certainly nothing against Jon. But I don’t see how you go against Roman. But at the same time, I guess because, she had some time off but I’m just, I’m stuck on this.
“I think Ashley [Charlotte’s real name] is the worker in the business, and I know that [she had time off]. If she stays healthy all year long this year, if they don’t give it to her, there’s something wrong.”
After losing the SmackDown Women’s Championship to Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash in May 2022, The Queen took a seven-month hiatus during which she married AEW star Andrade El Idolo.
On her return on the December 30th edition of the blue brand, she got revenge on Rousey by defeating her to recapture the title in under a minute, making her a 14-time Women’s Champion.
At WrestleMania 39, Flair will defend her title against the winner of the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match, Rhea Ripley.
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