**WRESTLER OF THE YEAR**

**Winner: CM Punk**

CM Punk was the best wrestler of 2009.

2009 saw a surge of prominence for CM Punk that was similar to Chris Jericho’s rise to the top in 2008. Both had held world titles before, but in these respective years they had drastic changes in their characters that have made them main stay main eventers.

CM Punk proved that he can hold an entire show on his shoulders as a face and a heel. And while I still think making CM Punk a villain doesn’t make the most sense, there’s no denying that he plays the part well.

I mean really, he is only a heel because he’s arrogant and preachy. Would anyone really argue that a clean lifestyle is something to strive for? Would anyone say someone like him is sending bad messages to the kids? Nope. You can’t. The thing that makes him a great heel is that you honestly can’t say anything against him except he’s arrogant. I mean, basically most everything he says is true in one way or another.

And his messiah complex has only served to make him more entertaining than he already was. He has grown fantastic with the mic skills, and is amongst the best talkers and all around most charismatic wrestlers on the WWE roster.

And he delivers in the ring. And in 2009 he was given many opportunities to shine with big rivalries against the likes of Jeff Hardy and the Undertaker, and in pay-per-view main events.

CM Punk began the year winning the Intercontinental championship (which made him the wrestler to reach the level of triple crown champion faster than anyone else in history), and although his title reign was short lived, he made up for it by winning his second consecutive money in the bank ladder match at Wrestlemania 25. He later cashed in to win his first of two world titles in 2009.

Yes indeed. CM Punk is just better than you.

**Runner-up: Chris Jericho**

In 2009, Chris Jericho continued to prove why he is one of the best professional wrestlers of today. Not only is he one of the best characters the WWE has to offer, but he’s also one of the best in-ring talents.

Chris Jericho continued his dominance by winning the Intercontinental championship from Rey Mysterio early in the year, and later won the tag team titles with Edge, and in turn, the Big Show. And along the way, he had several great rivalries and many great matches.

And as always he shined on the mike, with all his big words and ego-maniacal persona. He simply exudes charisma and wrestling ability.

**Runner-up: The Undertaker**

The Undertaker had another great year in his two decade career with the WWE. Most notably was his rivalry with Shawn Michaels, which culminated in a match at Wrestlemania 25 that really should have been the main event. and after a short hiatus, he returned at SummerSlam and immediately entered the world title picture. He went on to win the title from CM Punk and had some good title defenses before losing the title in February of 2010.

Add the world title reign with the fantastic Shawn Michaels rivalry and it was a great year for the dead man.

**Runner-up: John Cena**

As if a vast majority of screen time weren’t enough, John Cena entered 2009 as the World Heavyweight Champion, and won the title again later in the year, and added two more WWE Championship reigns before the year was done. And as usual he was involved in high profile rivalries and main evented pay-per-views.

And not many wrestlers can even come close to Cena in the mic skills department. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny his charisma.

And he also starred in 12 Rounds! Well…okay… that has nothing to do with it…