PWI series; Rookie of the year

[Lee]

Spoiler: List

1972 Mike Graham
1973 Bob Orton, Jr. / Tony Garea
1974 Larry Zbyszko
1975 Ric Flair
1976 Bob Backlund
1977 Ricky Steamboat
1978 Tommy Rich
1979 Sweet Brown Sugar
1980 Terry Taylor
1981 David Sammartino
1982 Brad Armstrong
1983 Angelo Mosca, Jr.
1984 Mike Von Erich
1985 Nord the Barbarian
1986 Lex Luger
1987 Owen Hart
1988 Madusa Micel
1989 The Destruction Crew
1990 Steve Austin
1991 Johnny B. Badd
1992 Erik Watts
1993 Vampire Warrior
1994 911
1995 Alex Wright
1996 The Giant
1997 Prince Iaukea
1998 Goldberg
1999 Shane McMahon
2000 Kurt Angle
2001 Randy Orton
2002 Maven
2003 Zach Gowen
2004 Monty Brown
2005 Bobby Lashley
2006 The Boogeyman
2007 Hornswoggle
2008 Joe Hennig

As ever a rather interesting list...onne thing I notice is that in 1996 the rookie of the year and the superstar of the year both went to the Giant.

I'm just going to look at two recent years;

1) 2001 was won by Randy Orton; I generally wonder how on earth he beat Brock Lesnar for this award?

2) 2007; HORNSWOGGLE won the fricking award ahead of Ted DiBiase Jr...I mean come on, that's ridiculous!

I also would like to know what they class as being a rookie...is it TV appearance or is it starting out? Orton won the award in 2001, yet his TV debut wasn't until April 2002...the official rules state it must be in the first year of being in the business yet 2007 winner Hornswoggle debuted in 2006...it makes no sense!

 

[IrishCanadian25]

It's amazing how many of the guys on this list turned out to be busts. But that goes to show you how critical scouting is in pro wrestling. Guys like Dean Malenko and Fit Finlay see something in many of today's stars, and while they may not be pushed to the moon off the bat, they learn and stick it out on the road, and they earn respect.

Eric Watts, Vampire Warrior, 911, Zach Gowen, Monty Brown, Boogyman, Hornswoggle. Really went nowhere. Watts was an athletic singular talent, but lacked any appreciable drawing ability or charisma. But I guess to be PWI's ROTY, all you need is a good look and a quick opening push - then it's out the door.

Hogan, Bret Hart, and Cena never won the award...but Austin did as a Hollywood Blonde. Interesting...