The year's a quarter of the way over, so I figured why not give out some quarter year awards? A lot of people do half year awards, so I figured I'd go the extra mile (or quarter, I guess) and get that much further ahead of the game. These awards are those seen on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards ballot.

A couple of things to keep in mind here - for one, I've barely watched TNA, and I've distanced myself from Ring of Honor as well. So, this is going to be VERY WWE heavy.

Lou Thesz/Ric Flair award (2007 - John Cena)
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Randy Orton. This is the wrestler of the year award, so I have a few different criteria that I keep in mind. First, the guy has to be in one of the biggest promotions. Since there only has been ONE big promotion the past 7 years, I'm always giving this to a WWE guy. Second, he's got to be a guy with a monster push, and most likely a champion. Finally, he's got to at least be great in the ring and have a lot of good matches. To me the person that best fits the criteria right now is Randy Orton. He's without question the best heel in the WWE right now (and not just because Edge is on Smackdown, Orton is outclassing him in every aspect as a performer) who has held the title all year and has had some great matches. I'd say other contenders right now are guys like the Undertaker, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H, but Orton stands out from the pack.

Most Outstanding Wrestler (2007 - Bryan Danielson)
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Shawn Michaels. Simply put has probably had the most good to great matches so far this year. As CM Punk gets higher on the card I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some strong consideration in this category. And then there are the stalwarts like HHH who will be strong choices.

Feud of the Year (2007 - Undertaker vs. Batista)
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Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair. I'd say Mayweather/Big Show is in 2nd place. Obviously as the year wears on this could easily be replaced as the front runner, because the feud is already over.

Tag Team of the Year (2007 - The Briscoes)
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The Miz and John Morrison. Although I like to consider visibility of the promotion in this award much like in the Thesz/Flair award, I had no problem naming the Briscoes as the top team with the way that ROH was pushing them as a main event act. The fact that WWE and TNA was doing nothing of note with tag teams helped as well. This year it's another story though, as Miz and Morrison are doing awesome on both ECW and Smackdown, having a lot of great matches and a number of programs (albiet short programs) built around them. They are one of my favorite heel tag teams to come down the pipe in a long time.

Most Improved (2007 - Jeff Hardy)
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John Morrison. I never was a huge fan of Morrison even though for years people called him the next Shawn Michaels. He simply seemed average to me. But this year, I've finally taken note with the phenomenal heel he's become. He carries every segment that he is in. He does amazing things in the ring. And his interviews are finally getting to where they need to be. I think Miz deserves credit for this as well, as Morrison does a great job of playing off of his partner.

Best on Interviews (2007 - Kurt Angle)
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Ric Flair. Obviously will not win the award with 3/4 of the year left in 2008 and him already retired, but he was the top dog the first part of the year. The one to watch on this for the remainder of the year is John Cena.

Most Charismatic (2007 - John Cena)
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Jeff Hardy. Got over like gangbusters in the feud with Orton, and was so popular that many were sure he would win the title at the Royal Rumble.

Best Technical Wrestler (2007 - Bryan Danielson)
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Shawn Michaels. My Outstanding Wrestler vote is also a winner of either this award, the brody award, or flyer. Since HBK is more of a technician he gets the nod here.

Brusier Brody Award (2007 - John Cena)
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Undertaker. Although he's introduced more MMA into his style, he is still, at heart, a brawler. Has been WWE's best so far this year, but the fact that a guy like Cena is MORE of a brawler than Taker is makes him likely to be a better pick as the year goes on.

Best Flying Wrestler (2007 - Jeff Hardy)
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John Morrison. This year, Jeff Hardy is even more grounded than he was in 2007. Stuff like a moonsault with a ladder is proof that Morrison is the front-runner in this year's early going.

Most Overrated (2007 - The Great Khali)
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Big Daddy V. This one is push vs. ability, and will probably come down to guys like Snitsky, V, Mark Henry, and Khali. So far this year, Snitsky's done just fine, as has Henry (not to mention the fact that both men haven't been pushed as much), while Khali is still getting a pretty good push but is also doing a little bit better in the ring. V, who I would have said was the best of these four a year ago, now stinks up the ring every time he's in there.

Most Underrated (2007 - Petey Williams)
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Brian Kendrick. I wouldn't vote in London or Kendrick last year since they were tag champs for a chunk. This year they have pretty much been jobbers, but now might be headed back into the spotlight after the tease of a breakup.

Match of the Year (2007 - Cena vs. HBK WrestleMania 23)
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Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania 24. Told a great story, we've seen better from both, but this was a great way to end a good angle for the greatest wrestler of all time.

Best Announcer (2007 - Jim Ross)
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Jim Ross. Easy pick.

Worst Announcer (2007 - Don West)
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Jonathan Coachman. Easier pick. Coach is so bad and he and Cole are a god-awful announce team, dragging down Smackdown as a whole and making it a hell of a lot less fun to watch.

Best Show (2007 - WrestleMania 23)
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WrestleMania 24. Could be topped but it'll be tough. Should do huge business as well which is another thing to consider.

Best Move (2007 - MVP's Playmaker)
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Undertaker's "That submission hold" (aka the gogoplata). Let's get a name for this one.

Best Gimmick (2007 - MVP)
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Santino Marella. No explanation needed.