Today, we are here to celebrate the year of 2016 in Henry's Universe Mode, with the first ever Slammy Awards! We have eight different categories, featuring the most shocking moments of the year, the best show and best match of the year, and much more. I'm your host, Henry Keys, and let me take you on a trip down memory lane as we recognize the best of 2016.
Brand of the Year
Nominees: Raw(GM Shane McMahon), NXT(now defunct)(GM William Regal), SmackDown(GM Daniel Bryan)
We open the Slammys with the award for Brand of the Year, recognizing the best overall brand in Henry's Universe Mode. It was a close race, as all three brands put on great matches and showcased some incredible talent. In the end, it was the competitors on Monday Night that took home our first Slammy, with the award being accepted by GM Shane McMahon, who promised an even bigger 2017 on Monday Nights.
Winner: Raw
Feud of the Year
Nominees: The Undertaker vs Kane, Randy Orton vs The Rock, Sami Zayn vs Finn Balor
Next up was the Slammy for Feud of the Year. In this category, I looked for the most intense and most riveting competition, whether it consist of great matches, fantastic moments or surprise returns. There was only feud deserving of this award, and it was NXT's first title feud, Sami Zayn vs Finn Balor. Both men took each other to unbelievable levels, showcasing some of the best matches in Henry's Universe Mode's first year.
Winner: Sami Zayn vs Finn Balor
Moment of the Year
Nominees: Prince Pretty Shocks the World, The Deadman Returns to Raw, Finn Balor Forms the Balor Club
Our third Slammy Award recognized the most shocking moments of 2016 in Henry's Universe Mode. A moment can be anything: the end to an incredible match, the coronation of a new star or the realization of a dream. The winner of this award consists of all three, as Tyler Breeze first world title win takes home top honors.
Winner: Prince Pretty Shocks the World
Tag Team of the Year
Nominees: American Alpha, Enzo and Big Cass, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns
Henry's Universe Mode can be a pretty crazy place. To survive, you need someone to watch your back, and that's what this award recognizes, good teamwork and the willingness to work together to achieve a shared goal. No team has been more decisive in victory or humble in defeat, and that's why this award goes to the partnership of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, American Alpha.
Winners: American Alpha
Show of the Year
Nominees: Summerslam, NXT Arrival, Judgment Day
A lot of things go into making the perfect show. Card order is a very big part, as you never want a crowd emotionally disinterested in your major matches, or very invested in opening bouts. You don't want to deflate a crowd, but you also don't want them to peak too soon. And of course, you have to deliver a superior in-ring product, with almost every match at or near the highest level possible. That's why this award goes to August's Summerslam, the perfect combination of everything I mentioned.
Winner: Summerslam
Match of the Year
Nominees: Sami Zayn vs Finn Balor- NXT Arrival, Seth Rollins vs Chris Jericho- Raw, April 25th, Tyson Kidd vs Tyler Breeze- SmackDown, December 27th
There were tons of great matches in 2016 for Henry's Universe Mode. Narrowing the list down to three was difficult, but I believe these are the absolute best. First, we have a Falls Count Anywhere showdown from our Feud of the Year winners. Next up, a clash between two of Raw's best for the right to challenge for the World Heavyweight Title. Finally, the final SmackDown match of 2016, which featured our Moment of the Year as Prince Pretty captured the WWE Title. It may be recency bias, but I felt there was only one match deserving of this award, as Prince Pretty added to his collection.
Winner: Tyson Kidd vs Tyler Breeze
Female Wrestler of the Year
Nominees: Paige, Bayley, Trish Stratus
To be a woman in a world like professional wrestling takes a lot of guts, and I have all the respect in the world for those that choose to follow this path. However, I narrowed the category down to the best of the best, featuring eight women's title wins between this trio. I was very tempted to hand the award to the legendary Stratus, and similarly tempted to give the Hugster a chance in the spotlight. But let's be honest, there was only one woman deserving of this award. The longest-reigning champion in Universe Mode history, and the current SmackDown Women's Champion, congratulations to the 2016 Female Wrestler of the Year, the Anti-Diva, Paige.
Winner: Paige
Male Wrestler of the Year
Nominees: Brock Lesnar, Finn Balor, AJ Styles
This is the final award of the 2016 Slammys, and it comes down to this incredible trio for Male Wrestler of the Year. From the Raw brand, two-time World Heavyweight Champion, the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar. Also from the Raw brand, current World Tag Team Champion and former NXT Champion, the Demon King, Finn Balor. Finally, from the SmackDown brand, former WWE Champion, the Phenomenal One, AJ Styles. Each man deserves this award, but only one man can get it. And only one man deserves it. From his great feud with the Lone Wolf, to his shocking suspension and subsequent trade, to his "Legend Killer"-esque run and first world title win against the Swiss Superman, this man earned his win. I have great pleasure in announcing the 2016 Male Wrestler of the Year..............................................AJ Styles!!!
Winner: AJ Styles
There you have it. Normal Universe Mode content should resume shortly, see you then.
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
Comments