Award Description:

To be given to the person whose ability merits a far greater push than the
person receives. There may be many such people, but the winner of this
award should have the most ability with least push.

Previous Winners:

  1990: Terry Taylor
  1991: Cactus Jack
  1992: Owen Hart
  1993: Chris Benoit
  1994: 1-2-3 Kid
  1995: Barry Horowitz
  1996: Owen Hart
  1997: Chris Benoit
  1998: Chris Benoit
  1999: D'Lo Brown
  2000: Al Snow

**2001**: Lance Storm

288 first place votes
282 second place votes
278 third place votes

 28 24 17  246   Lance Storm
 16 16  9  146   Christian
 16  7 12  125   Chavo Guerrero Jr.
 14 11  8  119   Al Snow
 11 11 15  118   Kanyon
  9 17  7  110   D'Lo Brown
  9 12 11  103   Raven
 12  6  5   88   Tajiri
  8  8  8   80   Jerry Lynn
  7  7  9   74   Rhyno
  7  8  7   73   Hurricane
  9  5  6   72   Booker T
 11  4  2   71   Edge
  7  8  4   67   Mike Awesome
  7  7  5   66   Billy Kidman
  5  5  6   52   Val Venis
  4  4  9   50   Rock
  6  5  1   47   Albert
  4  6  4   46   Dean Malenko
  3  7  5   46   Essa Rios
  3  6  6   45   X-Pac
  4  6  3   44   Taka Michinoku
  3  5  7   44   Tazz
  5  2  5   41   Rob van Dam
  2  5  6   37   William Regal
  5  1  1   30   Mike Sanders
  3  3  3   30   Eddie Guerrero
  3  2  4   29   Mighty Molly
  3  2  3   27   Perry Saturn
  3  3  1   26   Bubba Ray Dudley
  2  5  0   25   Matt Hardy
  2  3  3   25   Kaz Hayashi
  3  2  0   21   Naohiro Hoshikawa
  1  2  5   21   Steve Blackman
  3  1  1   20   Elix Skipper
  3  1  1   20   Chris Jericho
  3  1  1   20   American Dragon
  1  2  4   19   Diamond Dallas Page
  1  4  0   17   DISQO
  2  0  3   16   Chuck Palumbo
  1  1  4   16   Trish Stratus
  0  0  8   16   Steven Richards
  1  2  2   15   Riot
  0  3  3   15   Tommy Dreamer
  1  1  3   14   Funaki
  0  2  4   14   Jason Jett
  2  1  0   13   Satoshi Kojima
  1  2  1   13   K-Kwik
  2  0  1   12   Billy Gunn
  1  1  2   12   Kane
  1  2  0   11   Low Ki
  1  0  3   11   Doug Williams
  0  2  2   10   Test
  1  0  2    9   Sean O'Haire
  1  1  0    8   Steve Austin
  1  1  0    8   El Samurai
  1  1  0    8   Dr. Luther
  1  1  0    8   Chris Benoit
  0  0  4    8   Big Show
  0  2  0    6   Undertaker
  0  2  0    6   Hugh Morrus
  0  2  0    6   Black Dragon
  0  0  3    6   Takehiro Murahama
  0  0  3    6   Shane McMahon
  1  0  0    5   Yoshiko Tamura
  1  0  0    5   Wendi Wheels
  1  0  0    5   Triple H
  1  0  0    5   Tigre Blanco
  1  0  0    5   Tetsuhiro Kuroda
  1  0  0    5   Spike
  1  0  0    5   Osamu Nishimura
  1  0  0    5   Olimpico
  1  0  0    5   Noki-A
  1  0  0    5   Nick Berk
  1  0  0    5   Mitsuya Nagai
  1  0  0    5   Masa Fuchi
  1  0  0    5   Kumiko Makaewa
  1  0  0    5   Kidman
  1  0  0    5   Kid Kash
  1  0  0    5   Juventud Guerrera
  1  0  0    5   Jungle Grrrl
  1  0  0    5   Jeff Hardy
  1  0  0    5   Jacqueline
  1  0  0    5   Guido Maritato
  1  0  0    5   Crowbar
  1  0  0    5   Crash
  1  0  0    5   Bam Bam Bigelow
  1  0  0    5   Alexis Laree
  0  1  1    5   Momoe Nakanishi
  0  1  1    5   Molly Holly
  0  1  1    5   Kurt Angle
  0  0  2    4   Kodo Fuyuki
  0  1  0    3   Zumbido
  0  1  0    3   Vinny Massaro
  0  1  0    3   Silver King
  0  1  0    3   Sheigo Okumura
  0  1  0    3   Shawn Stasiak
  0  1  0    3   Saturn
  0  1  0    3   Reckless Youth
  0  1  0    3   Mr. Gannosuke
  0  1  0    3   Latin Lover
  0  1  0    3   Keiji Muto
  0  1  0    3   Hardcore Holly
  0  1  0    3   Gedo
  0  1  0    3   Christopher Daniels
  0  1  0    3   CW Anderson
  0  1  0    3   Boom Boom the Volcano
  0  1  0    3   Beckie the Farmer's Daughter
  0  1  0    3   Bam Bam Bambi
  0  1  0    3   Azumi Hyuga
  0  0  1    2   Tatsuhito Takaiwa
  0  0  1    2   Survival Tobita
  0  0  1    2   Super Dragon
  0  0  1    2   Steve Corino
  0  0  1    2   Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
  0  0  1    2   Seijin AKKI
  0  0  1    2   Scott Steiner
  0  0  1    2   Sandman
  0  0  1    2   Poison
  0  0  1    2   Naomichi Marufuji
  0  0  1    2   Mario Mancini
  0  0  1    2   Lady Victoria
  0  0  1    2   Judo Suwa
  0  0  1    2   Jane Blond
  0  0  1    2   Jamie Knoble
  0  0  1    2   Ivory
  0  0  1    2   Farah the Persian Princess
  0  0  1    2   Chilly Willy
  0  0  1    2   Carlos Amano
  0  0  1    2   Bryan Clarke
  0  0  1    2   Bradshaw

RYAN HALL: Regal, Christian, Lynn.  Maybe they're saving Regal for when
Benoit comes back.  Lynn could easily spark a light-heavyweight division.

EDDIE BURKETT: Matt Hardy and Christian have lived in the shadows of their
tag team partners for too long.  Matt's singles run with the Euro title
earlier this year was good, but he lacked fresh competition (or compelling
booking).  Test is getting pushed, but I think too many people don't see
his ability, which he should demonstrate given time.

VIKRAM BIRRING: Until D'Lo Brown gets his chance again, he should win this
category every year. Accidents are horrible, but still, Vince can forgive
him. It has been about two years, you know. TAKA wrestled excellent
matches when he was in Japan. He can be a great babyface, or a hated heel.
If given the chance, many are convinced he has the ability to be a great
one. Ditto with Tajiri.

STEPHEN TISZENKEL: I'm a little confused when people compare Christian to
Marty Jannetty. In case you haven't noticed, Christian doesn't suck. Yeah,
he'll never be WWF champion (unless he hits the juice!), but the guy is
more than deserving of immense respect and a spot at the top of the card.
He's become very good in the ring, he's got a "great look," as JR says,
and he's probably one of the top three or so promo guys in the WWF.

KHENYIAN CHEUNG: Where's Crash?  I loved his stuff on Metal, now I can
find him at all!  He knows his stuff; it's too bad he doesn't have a real
finisher.

CHIP BOOTS: Mike Sanders needs to get on TV.

SCOTT WORDEN: Most underrated.  Al Snow yet again.. The Rodney Dangerfield
in wrestling.  no respect I tell ya.  Same foes for Storm and Raven..  So
many to list that are wasted.

CHARLIE CAMPBELL: So sue me, I voted for Billy Gunn...He had two bad
matches with Benoit and HHH and people want to crucify him.  He's been
pretty good since them, and he can still pop a crowd.

SEAN FLYNN: I think one day Bubba Ray will have a major singles push in
his future. He's big, has incredible stamina and agility for someone his
size (otherwise he never would have made it in the TLC matches), and can
be an incredible promo guy when need be.  Second is D'Lo who I miss and
hope returns one day to reclaim HIS European title.  Third is the only
thing I miss from WOW, and that's Riot.  She was fun, not horrible in the
ring, and had a charisma that was of a level not deserving of being in
WOW.

MARK POLISHUK: Chavo Guerrero could be such a major star, but the WWF
never let him do anything besides get beaten up in Alliance run-ins.

CANZ: Someone needs to push Olimpico and Zumbido before they get old and
fat and is pushed anyway. The Rock really isn't as bad as people say.

SHOCKER 2K: Rhyno used to be just one of those ECW guys who was gven the
title because he was there. When he arrived in the WWF, he was forced to
step up his game if he wanted to be there. And he did. Rhyno's been
absolutely amazing this year, and when he returns next year, he'll be a
sure-fire monster.

DONNY L: This is pretty interesting, I think it's a shame that Lance Storm
didn't get any push after the first few months of the Invasion. He's so
solid in the ring and pretty darm good on the mic, he should have been a
"A" show guy every week. Trish in 2nd I think she's still looked upon as
just the sexy blonde, I think she's pretty darn good. I think DDP still
could be pretty useful and the WWF has given up on him.

ESTRAGAND: Crowbar worked a WWF dark match in July, and was never seen
again? Blasphemy sez I. "We need...some wrestlers from the back. Can we
get some wrestlers from the back.."

JOHN C.: Christian is the best young wrestler in the business today. He
has the look, the workrate, the charisma, the mic work and the gimmick to
be a major player soon. Chavo Jr. was one of the few bright spots in WCW's
last days yet the WWF failed to use him when they acquired him. He's a
hard worker with good charisma that needs to be utilized a lot more. D'Lo
Brown has gone from a guy with the potential label two years ago to
somebody who got sent to the minor leagues. That's a shame because I
really think he's a solid all around talent.

JOE GENTILE: Tajiri was scorching hot at one time. Man, did the WWF kill
that heat. Kidman had an off-year, but can be used much better. I think
Trish Stratus is alot more talented than people give her credit for.

PIEMAN: I really don't think Christian gets enough credit for his
wrestling ability.  I think he has the whole package of wrestling skills
and excellent mic work.

BLAZEJ SZPAKOWICZ: Why is Lance Storm being buried? Did he forget to buy
Vince McMahon a birthday present? Did he show up for work one day half a
pound overweight? Did he accidentally step on the Undertaker's toe? I
mean, the man's one of the best wrestlers in the world, he was over huge
when he first debuted in the WWF, and then as IC champion. Then he jobs to
Edge and promptly vanishes from prime time! For shame. Raven and D-Lo,
both fine wrestlers who are being completely wasted, get second and third.

CHRIS LENING: TAKA Michinoku put on superb matches in five minutes, got
over on a silly gimmick, and generally continued to rule, and it pains me
he is not surrounded by title belts and adoration. Matt Hardy is just a
bunch of fun to watch. And Super Dragon may be the most overlooked of the
great crop of indy workers, especially after putting in an amazing
performance against Rising Son in a 2/3 falls match, which might be the
least typically "indy" independent match I've ever seen. It wasn't
gimmicky or spotty or hesitant. It was just a great match. Dragon has a
presence and an in-ring poise even some workers in major feds seem to
lack.

MATTY TONKIN: I have heard he has already been released, but I wished the
WWF could have found something for Essa Rios, one of the best in-ring
performers they had. Raven was fine as Hardcore champ, & then along came
the InVasion again & he disappears off to Jobberville, like all his team
mates.

YNAE316: Christian & Matt Hardy:  Unjustly labeled the "Jannetty" of their
groups.  Thing is, Jannetty was actually pretty decent himself.  
Christian and Matt actually work better matches than Edge and Jeff.  
Honestly, aside from his high-spots I think Jeff sucks!!!  Edge did same
great promos (on Billy Gunn and X-pac) but Christian actuallys gives
(always did actually) WAAAAY better promos than Edge.  Christian just
SOUNDS better on the mic than Edge. Jane Blond:  Actually had some GREAT
matches in WOW (especially with Roxy Powers) but was just a jobber.  A WOW
jobber who could actually WORK!!!

JEREMY SORIA: Basically the former Natural Born Thrillers.  They are good,
people. The WWF refused to give them a chance. If they weren't ready for
Raw, then leave them on SmackDown!, Heat, or Jakked/Metal (or whatever
their syndicated show is called now).

SHANE SPEAR: I miss D-Lo.  He was obviously the best talent the WWF had
going before they acted like he had the plague for that one move.  THey
said that they will be bringing him back soon, and I hope that's the truth
because they could really use him, in my opinion.  Essa Rios is somebody
that could light a fire in the light-heavyweight division, but since that
divious doesn't really matter, Essa get put on the "C" shows now.  Sad.  
FInally, there's Albert, who has dissapeared after an I-C title reign that
really wasn't that bad.

ROB EVANS: Kidman has to win here.  Whenever I see him I think "Bret Hart
when he became a single's wrestler."  Somebody get Kidman a leather
jacket, sunglasses, and a push.

RYAN FAULCONER: Tigre Blanco does the flippy jumpy spinny stuff as good as
anyone but nobody talks about him. Gedo gets second because there are too
many people out there that still think he sucks. People thought the world
was flat at one time as well but even they eventually changed their minds.
The Gedo bashers are relentless

WILL SCHLICKENMAIER: American Dragon is one of the top ten wrestlers in
the world, and no one knows it... yet.  Three, four, maybe five years from
now he's the next Benoit.  William Regal is so much better than he's able
to show on TV, and I blame that on Vince McMahon.  Doug Williams is
damned, damned good, and will be known soon in the world.

THE CUBS FAN: Jungle Grrl was so far and away a good worker getting great
(not a "good female worker", mind you, no qualifier needed) and so far and
above the WWF women (even Molly, who hasn't been helped by wrestling once
a month) that it make me sad when people talk about Lita being a great
wrestler. She had the moves, she seemed to be learning the psychology, she
had ring presence, she had the interview ablity (in multiple languages)
and she even has that exotic look (ie brown hair) they ended up finding in
Nidia. And she did it all barefoot! This is one of the really sad
disappiontment of WOW - if they had kept going and were running shows now,
and they kept progressing from show to show (the jumps in ring ability
from taping to taping were remarkable), not only would more people realize
what they were accomplishing, it'd could've changed the business. That
sounds unrealistic, but a promotion featuring women with goofy characters
and goofy storylines and three star and higher wrestling (and maybe even
making money at that point) seemed possible. Now? Footnote.

SHAWN MULLIN: How is it that wrestling companies are so blind to how
easily Lance Storm can get over as a heel?  The man, with absolutely no
time to develop a repour with WWF fans, was massively over as a heel IC
champ.  Yet he was ridiculously de-pushed to Hurricane's sidekick, and he
meant less and less each week.  DDP was a former world champion, a man who
could and can work really good matches in the right context, and someone
who had real ties to WCW.  So, what did the WWF do with him?  Turned him
into a stalker, put him in a no-win situation against the Undertaker,
destroyed his credibility and turned him into a cartoon character.  
Absolutely disgusting.