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TJR Blog: WWE 2020 Slammy Awards Results (Superstar of the Year, Match of the Year, More)

By John Canton • Published 23rd December 2020

Welcome to this live blog/review post about the 2020 WWE Slammy Awards. The show was hosted by WWE Superstar and 24/7 Champion R-Truth. As expected due to the ongoing health crisis, the awards were presented via video because they can’t be in the same building. It’s a unique setup, but that’s 2020 for us. The awards aired on WWE Network, WWE on Youtube and other outlets. The awards started at 10:30 AM on Wednesday morning.

What I’ll do is provide the results here along with some quick thoughts on the winners.

Here’s a rap video that they used to open the show. Josiah and Evan did a great job here.

The awards were voted on by the WWE Universe based on poll choices that WWE put up on their website earlier this month.

R-Truth was standing at a podium to host the awards while there were cardboard cutouts of various WWE superstars and legends.

The first award was presented by WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.

Male Superstar of the Year

Drew McIntyre
Roman Reigns
Randy Orton
Braun Strowman
“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

AND THE WINNER IS…Drew McIntyre

There was a speech from McIntyre at his home talking about how it was freakin’ awesome to win this award. Drew said that this year is negative in a lot of ways, but they have worked so hard to provide great content. Drew thanked the fans for the support.

TJR Thoughts: Good choice for Drew having an incredible 2020. It was a year where Drew became WWE Champion twice and had a lot of awesome matches along the way.

Bret Hart commented on having fun at the 1987 Slammy Awards with Bret saying that he threw tag team partner Jim Neidhart across the floor and then he had to jump over him, which he barely did. They showed a video of it.

The next award was given out by Jersey Shore star Snooki.

Ring Gear of the Year

Charlotte Flair
Sasha Banks
Seth Rollins
The New Day
Bianca Belair
Shinsuke Nakamura
Carmella

AND THE WINNERS ARE…The New Day

There were comments from New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods talking about how they weren’t surprised. Woods said that they care about their appearance when they’re in front of the cameras. Kofi said thank you and Xavier said “you’re welcome” for years and years of this incredible gear. Big E had the Slammy Award for a promo of his own by thanking Main Event Gear and a good man Jonathon Davenport for the fantastic design. Big E noted it was their first Slammy ever (because WWE stopped doing them in 2015).

TJR Thoughts: I like that choice. They deserve a lot of credit for changing up their look often and having creative looks all the time.

The next award was presented by Mick Foley.

Return of the Year

Edge
Roman Reigns
MVP
Goldberg
Sami Zayn

AND THE WINNER IS…Edge

There was no comment from Edge, so Mick Foley said that Edge thanked the fans for it. Foley said that Edge wanted to appear, but Edge was working hard on his return.

TJR Thoughts: That was an obvious choice and the right call for sure because when Edge came back at the Royal Rumble the ovation was incredible and it was one of the best moments of the year. I also want to recognize MVP because he did a great job this year too. That was also a fun return at the Royal Rumble. The comeback of Roman Reigns, which led to him becoming a heel, was really cool too. That was probably the best one after the pandemic started.

There was a video hosted by former WWE announcer and Slammy Award host Todd Pettengill talking about how he hosted the Slammy Awards three times. The video featured Slammy Award moments from the past. There was a top-five countdown of best Slammy moments.

5. Owen Hart stealing an award for Best Bowtie
4. Todd singing the opening number for the 1997 Slammys
3. Daniel Bryan getting a huge ovation for Slammy Awards 2013 when he won Superstar of the Year
2. Shawn Michaels challenging The Undertaker to another match at the 2009 Slammy Awards, which led to their classic match at WrestleMania 26
1. Vince McMahon singing “Stand Back” at the 1987 Slammy Awards

TJR Thoughts: Some good choices here. Of course, Vince McMahon singing “Stand Back” had to be number one.

There was a video from Method Man presenting the Musical Performance of the Year. This was not an award that fans could vote on.

AND THE WINNER IS…ELIAS

It was mentioned by Elias that nobody else was nominated because nobody else can do what Elias does. Elias plugged his “Universal Truth” album as well.

TJR Thoughts: This is just a reminder to not take the awards too seriously. They just made up this category and had no nominees.

The next award was presented by Demi Burnett, who was on shows like The Bachelor and also appeared on Raw several times this year.

Rivalry of the Year

Seth Rollins vs. The Mysterio Family
Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton
Edge vs. Randy Orton
Sasha Banks vs. Bayley
R-Truth vs. The World
Lana vs. Announcer Tables

AND THE WINNER IS…Edge vs. Randy Orton

Randy Orton was shown holding the award saying that he’ll accept the award on behalf of Edge…wherever he may be. Orton: “You’re welcome, Edge.”

TJR Thoughts: It’s a good choice because of how personal the feud became. I can see why it won for sure.

The next award was presented by WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. She noted she never won a Slammy because they ended in 1997, then went on hiatus and came back in 2008 while her career was in between that (2000-2006). Trish spoke about how it’s okay because she is a WWE Hall of Famer and was the Diva of the Decade. Very true.

Female Superstar of the Year

Asuka
Sasha Banks
Bayley
Becky Lynch
Charlotte Flair

AND THE WINNER IS…Sasha Banks

Sasha Banks said thanks while noting she won multiple titles this year and thanked the fans.

TJR Thoughts: Good call there. Sasha had an awesome year. I think it’s close between Sasha, Asuka and Bayley while Becky and Charlotte missed too much time to really be considered.

There was a comment from Beth Phoenix talking about winning Diva of the Year in 2008. She also spoke about her Owen Hart memories from the Slammys as well. Beth commented on being attacked by Melina and landing into Santino, who did a dry heave for several minutes. She loved that moment.

There was a video with TikTok star Derek Baker talking about how WWE made it a priority to put smiles on faces. They showed videos of WWE superstars doing positive work in the community.

There was a video package about WWE’s work to stop bullying as they showed clips from the past few years featuring some of WWE’s work to put smiles on people’s faces.

The next award was presented by TikTok star Derek Baker.

Breakout Star of the Year

Dominik Mysterio
Bianca Belair
Otis
The Street Profits
Murphy

AND THE WINNERS ARE…The Street Profits

They thanked the fans, thanked God and said there will be more to come from them.

TJR Thoughts: I like that choice. Big year for them becoming a top tag team in WWE this year. I have really impressed by Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. I’m happy for them. Good dudes. Hard works pay off.

There were other awards presented by WWE’s Matt Camp and Ryan Pappola that are more of the quick awards that don’t have fan voting. Kayla Braxton was also part of it.

Social Media Superstar of the Year – Bayley

Trash Talker(s) of the Year – Lacey Evans (female) and The Hurt Business (male)

WWE Network Documentary of the Year – Undertaker: The Last Ride

TJR Thoughts: That’s an obvious choice. Amazing documentary series.

Celebrity of the Year – Rob Gronkowski

Double Cross of the Year – Bayley attacks Sasha Banks

Referee of the Year – Charles Robinson

They did a comedy bit with John Cone showing up to the awards complaining about how didn’t win. Cone swore at them and ran away. That led to Cone showing up with a blonde wig acting as if he was Charles Robinson. Poor John Cone in that failed comedy bit.

The next award was presented by actor/TV host Ken Jeong. They showed a clip of when John Cena tossed Ken over the top onto some wrestlers on the floor.

Moment of the Year

The Undertaker’s Final Farewell: Survivor Series 2020
Drew McIntyre defeats Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship: WrestleMania 36
Becky Lynch announces her pregnancy: Raw, May 11, 2020
Edge returns in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match: Royal Rumble 2020
The New Day’s farewell address: SmackDown, Oct. 16, 2020
Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman unite: SmackDown, August 28, 2020
Bayley betrays Sasha Banks: SmackDown, Sept. 4, 2020
The New Day gets drafted to different brands: Raw, Oct. 12, 2020

AND THE WINNER IS…The Undertaker’s Final Farewell

There was a video with The Undertaker thanking the WWE Universe for voting for him and thanking the fans for 30 years of support. He said it’s humbling for that Survivor Series night to win this award.

TJR Thoughts: That’s what I expected although I’m not sure if that would be my personal choice. I’ll save that for my awards next week.

There was a video of Michelle McCool winning Diva of the Year in 2010. She said that winning the Slammy showed that she was recognized for all of her hard work.

The next award was presented by actor Clark Duke.

Tag Team of the Year

The Golden Role Models
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
The New Day
The Street Profits
Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro

AND THE WINNERS ARE…The Street Profits

TJR Thoughts: That’s a good choice. As I said earlier, they had an awesome year and I like them a lot.

The Street Profits team of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins appeared for their second speech. Ford said that this year has been a lot for them and they love to entertain the fans while being the tag team champions on Smackdown. Dawkins didn’t say much other than “yessir” and that’s okay.

Daniel Bryan spoke about winning five Slammys in 2013 noting it was the last time his dad saw him wrestle. Bryan won Superstar of the Year, he asked if he could say anything, they said sure and he said: “Go Seahawks” to please the Seattle crowd. Bryan said he remembered the end of the show when he got to give his dad a big hug and that might be his favorite moment in wrestling.

R-Truth noted there were two more awards to go.

The next award was presented by brother/sister actor duo Rico and Raini Rodriguez.

Match of the Year

Undertaker vs. AJ Styles – Boneyard Match, WrestleMania 36
The New Day vs. The Hurt Business – Raw Tag Team Championship Match: Raw, Nov. 16, 2020
Edge vs. Randy Orton – The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever: WWE Backlash 2020
Men’s Royal Rumble Match: Royal Rumble 2020
AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan – Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals: SmackDown, June 12, 2020
Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso – Universal Championship Hell in a Cell “I Quit” Match: WWE Hell in a Cell 2020
Sasha Banks vs. Bayley – SmackDown Women’s Championship Hell in a Cell Match: WWE Hell in a Cell 2020
AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn vs. Jeff Hardy – Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Ladder Match: WWE Clash of Champions 2020
Drew McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns: Survivor Series 2020
Becky Lynch vs. Asuka – Royal Rumble 2020

AND THE WINNER IS: Undertaker vs. AJ Styles – Boneyard Match, WrestleMania 36

AJ Styles said that he was very thankful to perform next to The Undertaker and to be his last match. Styles said that as much as he enjoyed this, he’ll take 1/4 of it and give the rest to The Undertaker.

The Undertaker also commented on how it was an honor to win this award. Taker thanked AJ Styles for making him step up and get out there one more time while thanking the production of the match. Taker once again said he was honored to be the Slammy Award winnner and thanked the WWE Universe.

TJR Thoughts: This is another one where I don’t want to say too much because it might give things away for my Johnny Awards column next week although my awards include NXT as well. I think this is a very difficult award to choose. I’m not that surprised that the fans voted for Undertaker vs. Styles since WWE promoted it so heavily going into it and treated it like such a big deal.

R-Truth did a wardrobe change into a jacket that had dollar bills on it.

The next award was presented by the two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair. There was a classic Flair promo to set this up.

Superstar of the Year

Drew McIntyre
Roman Reigns
Randy Orton
Braun Strowman
“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
Asuka
Sasha Banks
Bayley
Becky Lynch
Charlotte Flair

AND THE WINNER IS…Drew McIntyre

TJR Thoughts: I thought that was a very good choice. It’s not an easy call really, but when I think of a WWE wrestler that stood out the most this year, that name is Drew McIntyre. He had a really great year and I just wish he got to perform in front of the live crowds as usual because it would have been fun to hear the fans give him the love and respect he has earned.

Drew McIntyre was seated at home with the Slammy Award saying he was overwhelmed and he didn’t know what to say. Drew said thank you for the fans while saying he was once to be the chosen one, then it didn’t work out and he started working his butt off. Drew said that now he’s the Chosen One of the fans and that’s what matters because that’s why they do what they do. Drew said thanks again.

R-Truth wrapped it up by talking to the cardboard cutouts that surrounded him on the stage.

There were also comments from Bayley posing with Slammy Awards and saying she hates us all.

The Slammy Awards were done with a run time of 1 hour, 20 minutes. Check it out on WWE Network if you missed it.

TJR Thoughts: It’s harmless fun. I think the fans got a lot of things right because they are obvious choices in a lot of cases, but some things I would choose differently.

I’ll use this space to wrap up to plug my WWE Johnny Awards on Monday, December 28. I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for reading.