By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Dot Net readers were allowed a single vote per day for each of the 2018 awards categories. The following are the results of our poll for Best Babyface along with our staff comments. Thanks to everyone who took part in the voting.
1. Becky Lynch (35 percent)
2. AJ Styles (18 percent)
3. Seth Rollins (13 percent)
4. Johnny Gargano (7 percent)
5. Tie – Kenny Omega, Pete Dunne (4 percent each)
Others (19 percent)
Will Pruett’s Thoughts: In a year when wrestling lacked a strong unanimous protagonist more than any other, one name stands out: Becky Lynch. Becky garnered fan support and attention like we haven’t seen in a long time and have never seen for a female wrestler. She earned the ability to be trusted with main event segment after main event segment and fans hang on “The Man’s” every word. What could be better?
Anish V’s Thoughts: In all of 2018, WWE had a hard time handling actual babyfaces. Becky Lynch had tons of support but she was treated like a heel for a while and people like Finn Balor and Seth Rollins were subject to great amounts of 50/50 booking. The best babyface story of 2018 was Hiroshi Tanahashi. From looking like somebody who had moved on to a gatekeeper role to rising back up through the ranks and winning the G1 as NJPW’s hero, Tanahashi was rebuilt in 2018 and looks ready for another babyface run as champion. Even if I don’t include his Wrestle Kingdom 13 victory, Tanahashi’s 2018 journey warrants him as the best babyface of the year.
Haydn Gleed’s Thoughts: Have there been any real traditional babyfaces who haven’t looked like goofs? It hasn’t been a strong year for babyfaces. A debate could be had in terms of what makes a babyface in 2018 and we will certainly be having a bigger discussion about that in 2019 now that we have babyfaces with attitude. With that being said, I’m giving the award to Toni Storm, who has been a pure babyface without being made to look like an idiot at some stage, and being kept strong in the process.
Will Pruett’s Thoughts: In a year when wrestling lacked a strong unanimous protagonist more than any other, one name stands out: Becky Lynch. Becky garnered fan support and attention like we haven’t seen in a long time and have never seen for a female wrestler. She earned the ability to be trusted with main event segment after main event segment and fans hang on “The Man’s” every word. What could be better?
Jason Powell’s Thoughts: The funny thing about Becky Lynch winning is that she was actually more of a pure babyface before The Man persona was born late in the year. It’s just a shame that Vince McMahon doesn’t seem to know what to do with most traditional babyface types. Styles is a solid second choice as the anchor of the Smackdown brand. The Tanahashi story was very well done as Anish laid out and I can’t argue his decision to give him the top spot.
NEW: Help support ProWrestling.net when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at ProWrestling.net/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
Be the first to comment