The first annual EuroGraps.com Awards looks to recognise the very best in European Wrestling. We put our survey out to a carefully selected panel of journalists and fans from all across Europe to select their top three in a number of categories. 2018’s panel was @MikeKilby, @NordieByNature, @Spoilex16, @GaryOnGraps, @ArnoldFurious, @SarahFlann, @JPJipeee, @marv2punkt0, @ManuRomeroGraps, @TheKingofBoom, @RealPhillipDohm and @theianhamilton. Points were awarded with a first choice receiving 5 points, a second choice receiving  3 points and a third choice receiving 1 point. Not every person surveyed voted on every category.

Venue of the Year:

1. Turbinenhalle, Oberhausen (GER) – 17pts.

2. The Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone (ENG) – 15pts.

3. Markthalle, Hamburg (GER) – 11pts.

=4. Zentrum Altenberg, Oberhausen (GER) & National Stadium, Dublin (IRL) – 10pts.

6. Arena on Suir Road, Dublin (IRL) – 8pts.

 =7. Kraftwerk Mitte, Dresden (GER) & Sean O’Casey Centre, Dublin (IRL) – 5pts.

9. La Tabacalera, Madrid (ESP) – 4pts.

10. Starworks, Wolverhampton (ENG) – 3pts.

11. Tivoli Theatre, Dublin (IRL) – 2pts.

=12. York Hall, Bethnal Green (ENG)  & The Dome, Tufnell Park (ENG) – 1pt.

Next up is a category which was as wide open as I expected. The venue is arguably one of the important parts of a show and can easily make or break an event. I left this category open for interpretation simply because we all judge venues differently and as a result arenas, nightclubs, sports centres and theatres have all found themselves on the shortlist. It’s fairly indicative of the panel’s viewing bias that the majority came from London and Dublin – there being a slight irony to the latter considering the lack of suitable venues facing the Irish capital in the coming months.

As was likely to be the case, Oberhausen’s Turbinenhalle took the top spot due to it’s place in many travelling fan’s hearts from wXw’s now famous weekenders. A raucous atmosphere combined with great sight lines, quality shows and excellent sound & lighting make the former power station a Mecca for European Wrestling. Just across town from the Turbinenhalle; Zentrum Altenberg – a former zinc factory and occasional home of WrestlingKULT – also captured a large number of votes despite being one of the less known places to hold shows last year. Two other big wXw venues – the Markthalle in Hamburg and Kraftwerk Mitte in Dresden had some sensational cards last year and the crowds that pack into both of these places make it worth the trip. However, the less said about the crowd in Köln’s Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld, the better.

Some of London’s most famous arenas such as the York Hall in Bethnal Green, the Electric Ballroom in Camden and The Dome in Tufnell Park were well and truly beaten by one of the smallest. The Cockpit Theatre scored more top marks than any other venue in the ballot but it’s definitely one of the most “marmite” places to hold shows with some loving the intimate feel yet others hating the deafening silence that sometimes curses shows. As well as the Ballroom, notable absentee venues in London include the Resistance Gallery in Bethnal Green and Dingwalls in Camden. Perhaps in the 2019 awards we’ll have some votes for The Copper Box in Stratford…

Notable is the presence of La Tabacalera in Madrid – with the former cigarette factory and Triple W venue coming across great on VOD. It’s on the visiting list for a hell of a lot of travelling fans in 2019 and for good reason.

✏️ @MikeKilby