Welcome to the reveal of the winners of the Lucha Central 2019 Year End Awards – the awards of lucha libre fans worldwide.
We had a record breaking year for the awards. Not only was it our most participated in poll ever on the site, but participation was up more than 300% from last year’s award voting. Over 4,000 votes were cast to determine the winners.
It all started with the nominations. Open nominations were held so that any luchador, luchadora, tag team, trio, promotion or match had a chance to get on the ballot. If nominees received enough votes to land them in the top 5 in a category, they made the final ballot from which fans could pick winners. The only category in which this was an exception was “U.S. Indie Lucha Promotion of the Year” because the two finalists combined to receive over 90% of the nominations of U.S. indie lucha promotions.
There were many close races, a few arguable upsets, our first two-time winners, and enough diversity that we are willing to bet you head to YouTube to look up at least one or two people or promotions you may not be too familiar with yet.
So, without further ado….vuvuzelas please…..
The winners of the Lucha Central Year End Awards:
Best Photographer
Katie Grays: 36.8% (WINNER!)
Oscar Rodriguez: 24.2%
Alexis Salazar: 9.6%
Oscar Rodriguez: 24.2%
Alexis Salazar: 9.6%
José Gil: 8.9%
Jess Peña: 6.7%
Jess Peña: 6.7%
Josh Garcia: 5.2%
Jerry Villagrana: 2.4%
Andrés Aquino: 2.3%
Miguel Muñoz: 2.3%
Surprise of the Year
Cain Velasquez signs to compete at Triplemania XXVII: 28.1% (WINNER!)
Kenny Omega becomes AAA Mega Champion: 18.8%
LA Park and Rush join forces in AAA: 16.3%
Bandido returns to CMLL: 14.5%
LA Park and Rush join forces in AAA: 16.3%
Bandido returns to CMLL: 14.5%
The Young Bucks invade AAA and win Tag Team Titles: 11.4%
AAA forms partnership with AEW: 10.8%
Best Use of Luchadores By A Non-Lucha Promotion
Major League Wrestling: 24.4% (WINNER!)
All Elite Wrestling: 22.5%
Impact Wrestling: 21.4%
Impact Wrestling: 21.4%
Pro Wrestling Guerilla: 16%
Ring of Honor: 15.7%
Ring of Honor: 15.7%
Promotion of the Year (US)
Pro Wrestling Revolution: 68.6% (WINNER!)
Martinez Entertainment: 31.4%
Best Weekly TV Series
AAA on Azteca 7/Twitch: 48.1% (WINNER!)
CMLL Super Viernes on Marca Claro/Gala TV: 26.1%
CMLL Super Viernes on Marca Claro/Gala TV: 26.1%
Nacion de Lucha Libre on Imagen TV: 25.8%
Show of the Year
AAA Triplemania XXVII: 33.2% (WINNER!)
CMLL Super Viernes, Jushin Thunder Liger Farewell Show: 25.1%
AAA Invading NY: 16.6%
AAA Guerra de Titanes: 14.9%
AAA Conquista Total Gira (Tepic): 10.3%
Promotion of the Year (Mexico)
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA): 40.5% (WINNER!)
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL): 19.7%
The Crash: 16.8%
International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG): 14.6%
Lucha Libre Real: 8.4%
Match of the Year
Bandido, Flamita and Rey Horus vs. Black Taurus, Laredo Kid and Puma King: 22.3% (WINNER!)
Blue Demon Jr. vs. Dr. Wagner Jr.: 21%
Big Mami vs. Lady Maravilla: 19.8%
Rey Fenix vs. Kenny Omega: 14.8%
Hijo del Vikingo vs. Laredo Kid: 13%
Metálico vs. Virus: 9%
Most Improved Luchador
Hijo del Vikingo: 35.6% (WINNER!)
La Hiedra: 26%
Octagón Jr.: 18.5%
Chik Tormenta: 12%
Arez: 7.9%
Rookie of the Year (1st year as a luchador OR 1st year in a major promotion)
El Cucuy: 29.4% (WINNER!)
Mr. Iguana: 22.7%
LA Park Jr.: 17.5%
Dulce Gardenia: 16.3%
Atlantis Jr.: 14.1%
Most Underrated Luchador
Gran Metalik: 23.3% (WINNER!)
Titán: 23.1%
Barbaro Cavernario: 22.7%
Templario: 20.4%
Adrian Quest: 10.5%
Most Spectacular Luchador
Rey Fenix: 26.8% (WINNER!)
Hijo del Vikingo: 22.1%
Laredo Kid: 22%
Bandido: 19.6%
Star Jr.: 9.5%
Rudo of the Year
Pentagon Jr./Penta El Zero M: 27.3% (WINNER!)
Rush: 23.5%
Lady Maravilla: 20.3%
Blue Demon Jr.: 17.4%
Andrade: 11.6%
Technico of the Year
Psycho Clown: 27.7% (WINNER!)
Hijo del Vikingo: 25.6%
Bandido: 21.7%
Niño Hamburguesa: 13.8%
Big Mami: 11.1%
Bandido: 21.7%
Niño Hamburguesa: 13.8%
Big Mami: 11.1%
Trio of the Year
Los Jinetes del Aire (Hijo del Vikingo, Myzteziz Jr. and Octagón Jr./Laredo Kid): 32.2% (WINNERS!)
La Familia Real (Hijo de LA Park, LA Park, LA Park Jr.): 24.2%
Nuevo Generacion Dinamitas (Cuatrero, Forastero and Sansón): 19.5%
Poder del Norte (Carta Brava Jr., Mocho Cota Jr. and Tito Santana): 12.1%
Los Guerreros Laguneros (Euforia, Gran Guerrero and Último Guerrero): 11.9%
Tag Team of the Year
Lucha Brothers (Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix): 38.1% (WINNERS!)
Los Traumas (Trauma I and Trauma II): 20%
Carístico & Mistico: 19.6%
Big Mami & Niño Hamburguesa: 12%
Los Mercenarios (Rey Escorpión & Texano Jr.): 10.3%
Luchadora of the Year
Lady Shani: 31.4% (WINNER!)
Taya Valkyrie: 28.1%
Lady Maravilla: 15.8%
Tessa Blanchard: 15.5%
Big Mami: 9.2%
Luchador of the Year
Dragón Lee: 27.3% (WINNER!)
Laredo Kid: 24.2%
Pentagon Jr./Penta El Zero M: 23.2%
Bandido: 16.4%
Rush: 8.9%
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