The annual EuroGraps.com Awards returns for a second year and 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. 2019’s panel was @MikeKilby, @GaryOnGraps, @Spoilex16, @theianhamilton, @ArnoldFurious, @SarahFlann, @IwanMack, @AnotherOli, and @ManuRomeroGraps. Points were awarded with a first choice receiving 5 points, a second choice receiving 3 points and a third choice receiving 1 point.

Import of the Year:

1. Speedball Mike Bailey – 30pts.

2. Shigehiro Irie – 22pts.

3. Daniel Makabe – 20pts

=4. Rey Fénix & Mercedes Martinez – 3pts.

6. MAO – 2pts.

=7. Pentagon Jr. & LuFisto – 1pt.

The first winner of the 2019 EuroGraps Awards is interestingly the only person to be nominated two years in a row in this category. Still suffering from his USA travel ban – Speedball Mike Bailey has been a wonderful addition to Europe’s scene since 2016 being a talent that – let’s be honest – should be under contract somewhere big at this point. USA’s loss is Europe’s gain. Bailey has put in the miles in Europe, wrestling in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Denmark and Portugal – working for companies as varied as Rev Pro, wXw, Tidal and EWP. On top of that, Bailey can count on some great matches with PAC and David Starr in OTT for his win in 2019 as well as his help in introducing MAO to European audiences with the Moonlight Express tag team.

Along with MAO – another Japanese wrestler made their mark in Europe in the form of Shigehiro Irie. The former DDT roster member switched the Southern US independents for a temporary residence in London and Essen in the early stages of the year and he really got stuck into the scene – popping up all across the continent. Irie’s size and style made him a real breath of fresh air – his intensity matched well with the likes of Avalanche, Dragunov and WALTER throughout the year. Also worth checking out is his series of matches with OJMO – who I reckon was his best opponent. The absolute must see from 2019 however is the match alongside Yuki Ishikawa against Timothy Thatcher and WALTER from March’s Inner Circle. It’s something to behold.

Daniel Makabe had only seven matches in Europe (most of them over World Tag Team Festival weekend) but he made such a huge impact on whoever saw him. Plaudits go to his match vs. Carlos Romo in Breed Pro as well as his British Rounds match vs. Jordon Breaks in RIPTIDE.

Previous Winners:

2018: Tomohiro Ishii & Meiko Satomura

 

 

✏️ @MikeKilby