There was plenty to be appreciative of in the pro wrestling world in 2023. Dream matches materialized. New champions were crowned. Superstars switched promotions. What more could a wrestling fan want?
2024 looks to be more dramatic than ever. Stars like CM Punk, Jade Cargill and Adam Copeland will continue to make waves in their new homes. WrestleMania 40 looks poised to crystallize long-running storylines. Ric Flair, Sting and Billy Gunn continue to defy Father Time with their presence inside the squared circle.
But what wrestlers, matches and events stood out the most in 2023? We gathered our group of wrestling marks — Brandon Caldwell, Eddie Maisonet, Marc Raimondi and Greg Wyshynski — to look back to the beginning of the year and crown the winners for ESPN’s 2023 Pro Wrestling Awards.
Editor’s note: ESPN’s panel of voters for Pro Wrestling Awards includes Josh Barbarotta, Brandon Caldwell, Sach Chandan, Mike Coppinger, Sean Coyle, Andrew Davis, Andrew Feldman, Andreas Hale, Kendall K. Howard, Victor Lopez, Eddie Maisonet, Bob McClellan, Marc Raimondi, Miller Safrit, Joseph Staszewski, Terrance Williams and Greg Wyshynski
Female wrestler of the year: Rhea Ripley, WWE
There’s dominance, and…
