BEST OVERALL AWARDS FOR 2012
Breakout Star of the Year
4. Michael Elgin – Known simply as “Unbreakable,” Canadian powerhouse Michael Elgin took Ring of Honor Wrestling by storm in 2012. Already establishing himself as a star on the rise, Elgin’s stock jumped rapidly with his star-making effort against then-ROH World Champion Davey Richards at March’s Showdown in the Sun. Elgin, in another losing effort, stole the show at Glory by Honor against ROH World Champion Kevin Steen. Elgin broke away from manager Truth Martini and the House of Truth faction at the end of the year. On the verge of breaking through into championship territory in 2013, fans will remember 2012 at as the year Michael Elgin established himself as the future of professional wrestling.
3. Jeremy Lin – Nobody knew who Jeremy Lin was one year ago. Now, thanks to Linsanity, Jeremy Lin is one of the most popular players in the NBA. His run with the New York Knicks gave the team a much-needed shot in the arm and his trade to the Houston Rockets reestablished the Rockets as the NBA franchise known for Asian players (remember Yao Ming?). Lin accomplished a lot and nothing at all in 2012 as Linsanity became a major cultural phenomenon while Lin himself finally earned the playing time needed to show he’s an average NBA guard. Still, image counts a lot – especially when in the NBA – and 2012 is when Jeremy Lin’s image exploded.
2. Carly Rae Jepsen – The “Call Me Maybe” singer was more than a one hit wonder in 2012 as her collaboration with the band Owl City on “Good Time” also topped the charts. Jepsen was establishing herself as a star in her native Canada before that song (you know the one) blew up and was everywhere in 2012. The jury is still out on whether or not Carly Rae Jepsen will remain a huge pop star in America for years to come. However, her star blossomed from out of nowhere like an RKO to the ears in 2012.
1. Andrew Luck / Robert Griffin III (TIE) – Drafted with the top two selections in the 2012 NFL Draft, I believed we would have another case of Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf… well, more like Drew Bledsoe and Rick Mirer. Instead, it looks like we have an unprecedented case of two highly drafted quarterbacks actually panning out. The Indianapolis Colts began the Andrew Luck Era with Luck leading them to an 11-5 record and playoff berth while Robert Griffin III led the Washington Redskins to a 10-6 record and NFC East crown. Both teams, with expectations of maybe six wins apiece, overachieved greatly as they each are playoff bound in large part to the play of their rookie quarterbacks. Andrew Luck continues to live up to the hype that started in Stanford while RGIII leads the league in jersey sales and has brought relevance back to Washington for the first time in over a decade. Both young men did the unthinkable in 2012 for their respective teams. Their success against all odds is why both Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are the Breakout Stars of 2012.
Feud of the Year
4. Chevy Chase vs. Dan Harmon – The rivalry between Community creator Dan Harmon and actor Chevy Chase boiled over in 2012 to a point where Chase left the show that brought him back to relevance. When the show appeared doomed to cancellation in 2011, Chase ripped Harmon over the direction of the show. NBC picked it up for another season and all seemed forgiven until, facing another cancellation, Chase ripped Harmon again. Harmon struck back with claims that Chase was difficult, insane, and not worth the trouble he brings to the show. Chase quit the show at the end of 2012 after filming the majority of his scenes. These two clashed like oil and water creating one of the great feuds of 2012.
3. James Storm vs. Bobby Roode – The best feud in professional wrestling in 2012 was between “Cowboy” James Storm and Beer Money partner Bobby Roode. Throughout 2012, these two battled all over the country over the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and over personal pride. Blood poured, bodies hurt, and years were lost from their careers as these two gave fans classics. Two notable encounters came at April’s Lockdown event where Roode defeated Storm to retain the TNA World title and at October’s Bound for Glory in a Street Fight later named the Match of the Year. These two men gave fans of professional wrestling a reminder that wrestling still exists if you tune into something not owned by Vince McMahon.
2. Viacom vs. DirecTV – During the summer of 2012, Viacom and DirecTV entered into a contract dispute the divided the nation. Arguing over money (what else?), Viacom removed 14 of their channels – including MTV, VH1, CMT, Spike TV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon – from DirecTV until a contract could be reached where Viacom received a fair amount for their programming. For almost two weeks, DirecTV subscribers were without channels they continued to pay for until a deal was reached allowing Viacom to receive fair compensation while viewers got their channels back. This battle over greed captured the imaginations of Americans nationwide in 2012.
1. Democrats vs. Republicans – At the root of most fights in 2012, it all boiled down to one thing – Democrat or Republican? In an election year, the biggest news story for the majority of 2012 stemmed on President Barack Obama’s battle against Republican candidate Mitt Romney. This argument turned friend against friend, neighbor against neighbor, and brought our nation to the brink of civil war before Obama won his second term in office. However, the political divide did not stop there. The debate over gay rights and gay marriage led to boycotts of Chik-fil-A in an argument that started with your allegiance to the Democratic or Republican Party. The divide between the haves and have-nots reached new levels based on political party allegiance. As 2012 ends, the rivalry between both parties in the government have led America to the verge of economic suicide with the threat of a Fiscal Cliff and self-inflicted wound to our nation caused by the proverbial penis-measuring contest in Washington from wealthy politicians who will never notice a difference in the taxes they imposed on the rest of America. I do not care what side you are on because it truly does not make a difference. In 2012, there is no real difference in Democrats or Republicans as both are political parties with only one goal in mind – getting what they want first, regardless of how it affects the rest of the nation. Of course, everybody who elects these people and participates in the Democracy charade only supports what was the biggest rivalry of 2012.
Most Shocking Moment of the Year
4. Juan Pablo Montoya hits a jet dryer – At the often-delayed 2012 Daytona 500, rain finally appeared to be out of the way, as the crown jewel event of NASCAR was underway on Monday, February 27th. Running under the lights on primetime television, everything was going smoothly when Juan Pablo Montoya changed that under caution. Heading into turn three, Montoya lost control and crashed his #42 Target Chevrolet into a jet dryer. The massive fireball scorched the track, caused another two-hour delay, and stole the show from eventual winner Matt Kenseth. Of all the things to expect, nobody expected to see a car hit a jet dryer and create a massive fireball suitable for a Michael Bay film in the middle of the Great American Race.
3. Clint Eastwood has official lost it – On the final night of the Republican National Convention, actor Clint Eastwood made a surprise guest appearance to endorse Mitt Romney in front of the nearly 30 million viewers around the nation. Instead of simply endorsing Romney, Eastwood entered a lengthy monologue that culminated with Eastwood speaking to President Barack Obama onstage. At least, that is what Eastwood was going for. In reality, he spoke to an empty chair in one of the most ridiculous, mind-numbing, and simply captivating moments in recent political history. Romney officially gained the Republican nomination that night but all America wanted to talk about was Dirty Harry and the empty chair.
2. Holy crap! It’s Devon! – At TNA’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view, Sting and Bully Ray faced two members of the masked faction known as Aces and 8s. After suffering the loss, Sting, Bully Ray, and TNA general manager Hulk Hogan cornered one member of the group and unmasked him. The wrestling world was shocked to see that it was Devon underneath the mask. Months earlier, while still TNA TV Champion, Devon’s contract expired and he left the promotion. Rumors flourished that Devon, along with former Team 3D / Dudley Boys partner Bully Ray, was WWE bound. Devon even blocked me on Twitter after I let him know what I thought about the move. Nobody expected to see Devon underneath that mask. It was a rare moment in today’s spoiler-filled world of professional wrestling – a moment of pure, unspoiled television. I loved it. Even the TNA haters loved it for the brief moment where they saw it happen and enjoyed the show before resuming their nonsensical TNA bashing. The revelation of Devon as a member of Aces and 8s was one of the most shocking moments of 2012.
1. This is not part of the show – On the September 10th episode of WWE Monday Night RAW, Jerry Lawler suffered a heart attack while on the air in the middle of the Daniel Bryan / Kane vs. Titus O’Neil / Darren Young match. Having competed in a match earlier in the night, the 62-year-old Lawler collapsed at ringside in one of the most shocking moments in the history of RAW and American television period. If not for the medical team in the arena and the amount of hospitals within close proximity to the arena, Lawler could have died. The King returned to WWE television two months later with CM Punk and Paul Heyman mocking his heart attack in the usual tasteless WWE antics that led me to boycott the company in July. Jerry Lawler suffering a heart attack, a legit heart attack, on live television was the most shocking moment of 2012.
Most Overrated of the Year
4. Music-Based Reality Shows – At one time, music-based reality TV shows actually served a purpose. They entertained the masses and helped find previously undiscovered talent. American Idol helped America discover Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, and countless others. Nashville Star helped Miranda Lambert and Chris Young land recording deals. However, as more shows popped up, the emphasis became more about promoting the judges and less about finding talent. In 2012, American Idol became a show for Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj to fight as Jennifer Lopez slipped away fresh from revitalizing her career. The biggest stars to come off The Voice were judges Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Christina Aguilera while Simon Cowell’s career downspin continued after another pointless season of The X Factor. Despite having relevant and successful judges in Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Nettles, and John Legend, Duets flopped. The fad is over and the major networks need to realize it. Music-based reality shows are over.
3. AJ Lee – If any one solitary thing drove me away from World Wrestling Entertainment, I would say the rise of AJ Lee is what did it. A mid-card Diva before 2012, AJ Lee quickly found a fan base from her skipping around the ring in her skimpy hipster ring attire. Cashing in on this, WWE made AJ the focal point off all WWE television from May throughout the rest of 2012. The love of AJ and not the WWE Championship motivated CM Punk and Daniel Bryan in their feud. AJ Lee became RAW General Manager on the 1000th episode of RAW in what was my breaking point. Since then, I have read about AJ linked to John Cena and Dolph Ziggler as her gimmick evolved AJ into a skipping, underage looking slut. AJ Lee is in a position never seen before by a non-McMahon woman – a position she does not deserve. The rise of AJ Lee shows just how far WWE and the Divas division have fallen in 2012.
2. Tim Tebow – ESPN drove Tim Tebow into our skulls in 2012. Of course, Tebow himself encouraged it. After Denver traded him in March to the New York Jets, Tebow participated in a press conference – a press conference for a back-up quarterback – where he said he was excited to be a Jet 45 times within four minutes. Despite Mark Sanchez becoming sports biggest punch line, Tebow never started a game for the Jets and played sparingly as the Jets ended 6-10 behind Sanchez’ ineptitude. However, if you ever tuned into ESPN during the season, you would believe Tebow was starting every game – not only for the Jets but also for every team in the league. Tim Tebow was beyond overrated in 2012.
1. Honey Boo Boo – I remember a time when TLC showed educational programming. I loved TLC when it showed Trading Spaces and While You Were Out during the home decorating fad of a decade ago. It is tragic to see how far that network fell. After a stint on Toddlers and Tiaras, 7-year-old Alana Thompson, better known as Honey Boo Boo, got her own show on the network entitled Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. America made this obnoxious example of horrible parenting into a star and pop culture phenomenon. As bad as shows like Duck Dynasty and Moonshiners may be, at least those cretins have redeemable qualities – a characteristic nonexistent in Honey Boo Boo. This creature is the most overrated thing – yes, she is a thing – in 2012.
Big A’s Fantasy Babes of the Year
(In no particular order)
Booty Kicking Babe of the Year – Brooke Tessmacher
Cinematic Siren of the Year – Anne Hathaway
Entertainment and Sports Hostess of the Year - Michelle Beadle
Professional Heartbreaker of the Year – Taylor Swift
Sexy Songstress of the Year – Carrie Underwood
Super Dooper Model of the Year – Kate Upton
TV Temptress of the Year – Kaley Cuoco
Jerk of the Year
4. Chris Brown – In 2012, Chris Brown won a Grammy, got into Twitter wars with country music singer Miranda Lambert and professional wrestler CM Punk, dressed as a terrorist for Halloween, posted images of himself smoking marijuana alongside girlfriend / punching bag Rihanna, and released another album of horrible music. Chris Brown had a busy 2012 doing nothing productive for society at all. I hate him and everything he stands for. I hope that 2013 will be the year he drops off the face of this planet or at least reaches 15 minutes on his 15 minutes of fame.
3. Vince McMahon – In 2012, Vince McMahon continued to drive his once-proud company into the ground with more horrible booking and more hypocritical antics best described as “McMahon Moments.” I look at two moments in particular as classic McMahon Moments worthy of hatred and venom. In June, moments after another painful "Be a Star" anti-bullying ad, Vince McMahon donned a cowboy hat and contorted his face to perform a Jim Ross impression bordering on cruel and unusual punishment for all who had to see it. Then, in November, McMahon pulled the strings as CM Punk and Paul Heyman mocked Jerry Lawler to his face less than two months after Lawler almost died on the air of a heart attack with a fake heart attack. Nothing says classy quite like those heinous actions. Actually, those actions do not say classy; they say horrible scumbag worthy of nothing but pain and suffering.
2. James Holmes and Adam Lanza (TIE) – James Holmes and Adam Lanza are two names that will forever live in infamy. On July 20th at the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, Holmes gunned down 12 people and injured an additional 58 others in one of the worst mass shootings in American history. On December 14th in Newtown, Connecticut, Lanza killed his mother before entering the Sandy Hook Elementary School and murdering 26 people – 20 of which were children – before committing suicide. Both of these men – no, cowardly monsters – took the lives of innocent people because of their own inability to deal with their personal failings in life. These two have a special place in the hottest depths of Hell for them; a place where Lanza currently resides while Holmes rots away behind bars. His day will come soon enough.
1. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church – How could anyone be worse than two horrific mass murderers? I think picketing the funerals of the victims of these tragedies in the name of anti-homosexual rhetoric earns you the honor of Jerk of the Year. Headed by Fred Phelps and based out of Topeka, Kansas, the small hate group with a large voice has spread their message of hate through demonstrations at military funerals, celebrity funerals, public events, and even the funerals of those lost in tragedies like the Aurora and Sandy Hook shootings. Their hatred of the homosexual community led this group to commit atrocities far worse than anything they oppose. These people are the very definition of evil in this world. In 2012, no one was worse than the monsters within the Westboro Baptist Church.
Superstar of the Year
4. Zombies – Zombies were everywhere in 2012. Literally. The success of The Walking Dead spawned video games and revived interest in zombie films. However, the drug known as bath salts led to multiple strange events in 2012 best described as zombie attacks. In May, Rudy Eugene stripped nude and attacked homeless man Ronald Poppo on the MacArthur Causeway in Miami, Florida. During the attack, Eugene cannibalized Poppo and hissed at responding police officers, even when they shot him, before he was subdued with a gunshot wound to the head. While that was a dark period for zombies, the reality is that 2012 was the best year for the living dead in a long time. Zombies are so in right now.
3. Seth MacFarlane – Even though he is still a part of The Cleveland Show, Seth MacFarlane had a career year in 2012. Both Family Guy and American Dad continued to thrive while MacFarlane’s comedic genius reached new audiences on the big screen through the hugely successful Ted. In the fall, MacFarlane hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time and was named host of the upcoming 85th Academy Awards. Seth MacFarlane’s star reached new heights in 2012 thanks to the crude, blue, controversial, and sometimes honest humor we have come to expect from animation’s top funny man.
2. Batman / Christian Bale – In July, The Dark Knight Rises opened to anticipation worldwide. In a moment, that anticipation turned to sorrow when James Holmes opened fire on a crowded theater in Aurora, Colorado. While Batman saved Gotham City on the big screen in the biggest film of the year, the Caped Crusader’s real-life counterpart – Christian Bale – stepped up in one of the classiest acts I can recall for the victims of that tragedy. Bale visited Colorado hospitals to spend time with the survivors of the shooting and paid his respects to the families of those lost in that tragedy. It was a praiseworthy act by a true gentleman. Batman is a hero on the silver screen but Christian Bale was a hero in real life. In both cases, I have nothing but the utmost respect for both.
1. Taylor Swift – The star of Taylor Swift seems to know no boundaries. Taylor Swift is my Superstar of the Year for the third time in four years. Seriously, is there a bigger star in the world today worthy of this honor? I think not.
Taylor Swift opened 2012 with two Grammy wins for “Mean” and the culmination of her record-setting Speak Now World Tour. Swift appeared on the big screen as a voice in Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and had two songs feature prominently on The Hunger Games soundtrack. Swift won Entertainer of the Year from the Academy of Country Music in April. After a break to record and relax, Swift returned to the music scene in August with the release of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” The single became a worldwide sensation and the biggest single yet of Swift’s career. That was the start of the Red phenomenon as Red debuted to the largest debut of any album in a decade with 1.21 million copies sold in the first week alone. In less than three months, the album has sold three million copies worldwide. Swift garnered three more Grammy nominations for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “Safe and Sound,” her song with The Civil Wars for The Hunger Games.
Swift also stayed a key figure in the tabloids in 2012 as her relationships with both Conor Kennedy and One Direction singer Harry Styles turned her already melodramatic love life into comedic fodder for millions. Despite that negative attention, Swift remains viable as one of the biggest stars in the entire world. Her music is top notch. Her generosity, often overlooked, continues to show Swift as a genuinely wonderful woman. Swift donated to tornado victims in the America south and victims of Hurricane Sandy. In addition, Swift donated $4 million to building an education center at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville while donating her time and efforts to the National Education Association’s Read Across America literacy campaign.
In 2012, Taylor Swift continued to do what Taylor Swift does. As a result, she once again reigns supreme as the 2012 Superstar of the Year.
THE FINAL CREDITS for 2012
When I look at 2012, I look at one of the most challenging years of my life. This was a year with five moments of frustration and annoyance for every single moment of joy and triumph. However, as I leave 2012 behind, I look to 2013 with optimism. After all, if I could survive this, I feel like I could survive anything.
I saw my journey towards a teaching license incur a drawback with financial troubles leading to an 18-month extension. However, I remain optimistic that I have a future in educating high school students and continue on my journey towards that occupation. I admit that the stress of this delay led to frustrations with friends and family that I either blamed or felt envy towards when they wasted the very thing I desired – neither a healthy mindset to have.
My mother and father both battled health scares in 2012. My mother’s scare really shook me, reminding me of the fragility of life, while I felt sympathy for my father that I really have not felt in our history. The sad reality that his cancer scare did not change his general outlook on life really showed once again that a leopard cannot change its spots.
I had many great moments to remember. I will never forget traveling in a snowstorm – the only snow of 2012 – to see Miranda Lambert, Chris Young, and Jerrod Niemann in concert in Greensboro. I saw Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, and Thompson Square in Raleigh over the summer and Carrie Underwood and Hunter Hayes in Greensboro in November. I finally went to a TNA show in September and met Mickie James again. In addition, I met a ton of legends in November at WrestleCade. I was at the first and last day of the Greensboro Grasshoppers’ 2012 season, plus a handful of other games throughout the season. Midnight showings of The Hunger Games and Django Unchained with my mom were fun while my birthday journey all over the state was a wonderful way to turn 29.
I enjoyed way too much time on Facebook and Twitter joking and talking nonsense with friends and family. I also can say after numerous (okay, seven) Twitter interactions that Michelle Beadle is indeed a close, personal friend of mine. She is not alone as also Sara Walsh and Chris McKendry adore me while Charissa Thompson does not. At least she has not blocked me like Devon or Eric Young.
There were so many good times that, even outnumbered by the bad, I cannot help but smile when I think back on 2012. I hope that 2013 will be a better year for me. I hope it is a better year for us all. I hope that we can find more time to smile, more time to think, and more time to cry tears of joy and not sorrow or pain. 2013 is a year full of hope. In conclusion, I hope 2012 was great for you and that 2013 will be even better.
God bless.
- Aaron Goins
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