What up DOI maniacs and welcome to a special column, as I present my 2nd annual Mid Year Awards, here in the McPinions section. It's true, half of 2004 is over, and we're only 6 months away from 2005. Who looked good? Who looked bad? Find out below, as I give my opinions on these matters as I hand out 21 awards. (Awards meaning your name in print!)

The following winners and runner-ups were decided soley by me, and based on what I have seen only, just like the Rankings column. Feel free to debate the winners and runner ups on the DOI Message Board. I hope you enjoy this column as I recoginize a few people on the indy scene for their work.

Runner-Ups
1. Teddy Hart
May be the biggest drawing name on the indies today. Teddy had great matches with Homicide, Trent Acid, Amazing Red and more.

2. Homicide
The Notorious 187 took some time off in between trips to Japan in the first half of 2004. He still was able to get a high ranking on this due to his matches with Teddy Hart, Sabu, CM Punk, Samoa Joe and more. Homicide is clearly a favorite to win the number 1 spot in the DOI 250.

3. CM Punk
The complete package in wrestling. The guy can wrestle, talk, get you to hate or like him, and deliver. Punk had great matches with Homicide, AJ Styles, Matt Stryker and more.

Tag Team of the Half Year:
Briscoe Brothers
The Briscoes are the best tag team in North America, in my opinion. These guys can do it all in the ring. They have gone singles at various points in their career, but restored credibility to the ROH Tag Team Titles, before losing them to the Second City Saints. The Briscoes are the measuring stick for every other indy tag team out there.

Runner-Ups
1. Solution
Solution had a great first half, as they picked up the JAPW and SSCW tag team titles by defeating the Shaolin Wreckin Crew on both occasions. They also defeated the former NWA TNA Tag Team Champions, AMW. Solution are a top tag team in every promotion they go, except for USA Pro. Maybe they can change that in the second half of 2004.

2. Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz
The DRS looked like they were falling down a rocky hill in the beginning of 2004, but they quickly climbed back. They had great matches with AMIL, Untouchables, and more. They were finalists in this years Samoan Cup, which is considered the elite tag team tournament on the indy scene. DRS need to work on their size and in-ring ability to be considered the number 1 best tag team on the indy scene today.

3. All Money Is Legal
AMIL had a fantastic first half of 2004. They had good matches with the SAT, DRS, Lunatics, and more. AMIL have really come into their own. It shouldn't be long before AMIL are considered one of the upper echelon teams in all of the indy scene.

Woman Wrestler of the Half Year:
April Hunter
Big Red dominated every woman division she went to. She held the JCW Womans title, and also won the USA PW womans title. She was also stripped of the WXW womans title due to a technicality. She also held the JAPW tag team titles for a bit. April had fine matches with Ariel, Sumie Sakai, Nikki Rox and others. Her biggest down fall maybe lack of competition due to her size.

Runner-Ups
1. Ariel
Ariel is working on a career year, as she was invited to wrestle in Japan. Ariel was involved with April Hunter, Alicia, Alere Little Feather, Luscious Lily, Tara Charisma and others in 2004. Has recently added a short arm Diamond Cutter to her vast arsenal.

2. Cindy Rogers
The former WXW Womens Champion has had some great matches this year. Cindy worked for UWA, SSCW, WXW, CCW and others this past year. Although she works as a face in some places, I think she comes off better as a heel.

3. Alicia

Alicia made great strides so far in 2004. She picked up the SSCW Womans title. Also had great matches in JCW. This IWF product is starting to make a name for herself.

Promotion of the Half Year:
Ring of Honor
Easily the most talked about promotion today on the indy scene. It might not even be fair to have ROH in this category as many, including myself, consider them the number 2 promotion in America today. ROH has seen its ups and downs and when pushed, ROH always puts on a great show. They are the internet fans promotion and is proof that internet fans are a large audience.

Runner-Ups
1. Jersey All Pro Wrestling
JAPW has provided great smart mark matches, as well as great angles. JAPW is the number 1 promotion in NJ, and maybe in the tri-state area. JAPW has become the trend setter, as many follow what they are doing. JAPW has brought in stars from all over from Teddy Hart to Vader and have pushed their homegrown guys from Danny Maff to Insane Dragon. JAPW has done a great job so far.

2. New York Wrestling Connection
The NYWC has seen attendance and fan support rise. They have been producing great matches time in and time out. Also had a big suprise string where something suprising happened every show. The NYWC has really done wonders for the careers of Dan Barry, Tyler Payne, Reefer among others. With veteran leadership in the likes of Mikey Whipwreck and John Curse, NYWC has gone from a show for families, into a blown out respected indy.

3. World Xtreme Wrestling
WXW has done a great job with their shows. There is something for everyone. Their biggest problem they might have is where they run, as some of their shows are far away for the casual indy fan. WXW has produced so many great wrestlers and feuds this year. WXW might be the most respected promotion today.

Manager of the Half Year:
John Shane
The manager of champions, John Shane, has done just that. He led the Solution to SSCW title gold and has kept it around their waist. Had a good feud with Tara Charisma in CSWF. Shane, mostly manages the Solution on the indy scene today, as days of him managing Livewyre seem like a distant memory. Advice to any promoter looking to make money: Give John Shane a stable.

Runner-Ups
1. Devin Sturgis
The big white pimp has been hilarious to watch at recent shows in the Northeast. Based in VA, Devin has taken his act to SSCW, JAPW and USA PW in 2004. Devin needs to be seen more by fans in this area for fans to get more into him, as some shows, people don't even know who he is. Devin has done wonders for the Untouchable Kliq in NWA VA and VCW and can probably do the same up here.

2. Rob Dimension
The Evil Zack Morris of the indies. Rob, Mr. Preppie, has done a fine job in managing guys such as Mike Tobin, Havoc, Rapid Fire Molanado and others. He is someone you want to strangle at every show, which means he's doing a kick ass job.

3. Tommy King- Maybe an odd choice to round this category out, but Tommy King has elevated his game at recent NYWC shows. Recently managed Nuke to the NYWC Heavyweight title. King needs more mic time to establish himself.

Valet/Female Manager of the Half Year
Allison Danger
The Queen of the Prophecy has been superb not only on ROH shows, but on ROH Videos. Danger makes everything she does more believable and can be an asset anywhere.

Runner-Ups
1. Becky Bayless
Becky managed Special K in ROH, Knightlife in USA PW and Jimmy Jacobs in various promotions. Becky can make any fan either love her or despise her.

2. Foxxy Dreams
Always by the side of Damian Dragon, Foxxy has managed Damian in promotions such as JCW, SSCW, UCW, AWA, NYWC and others. Foxxy has recently added a "Happy-Go-Lucky" personality to her usual gothic style.

3. Dana Dameson
The bitch everyone loves to hate. Did great in an angle with Billy Reil at USA PW. She's managed Special K, Rush, Corvis Fear, Johnny Thunder and others around the indies.

Cruiserweight of the Half Year
Grim Reefer
Reefer has looked phenomenal in 2004. Picked up the NYWC Cruiserweight belt and also challenged for the SSCW Cruiserweight title. Reefer is a star waiting to be born.

Runners-Up
1. Dan Barry
Barry won and lost the NYWC Cruiserweight and SSCW Cruiserweight Titles. Also competed in CCW, UWA, CSWF and others. Barry can blend all styles in the ring.

2. Azraiel
Had a great series of matches as JAPW Cruiserweight Champion with Jay Lethal. Also took a nasty spill in a barbaric cage match vs The Carnage Crew in ROH.

3. Damian Dragon
Won the AWA Cruiserweight title. Involved in AWA's best angle today in the Dragon/Foxxy/Mayhem love triangle. Has branched out in new promotion and has looked well.

Hardcore Wrestler of the Half Year
Low Life Louie Ramos
The NY King of the Deathmatch spilt alot of blood so far in 2004. Continues to make Bravado's life a living hell. Runners-Up
1. Johnny "The Bison" Bravado
Took more beatings from Low Life Louie this year. Also got murdered by New Jack at a recent USA PW show. Bravado's main problem is being typecast as a hardcore wrestler, but he keeps doing these types of matches, even though he can wrestle, as was evident in WXW.

2. Balls Mahoney
Not really a pure hardcore wrestler anymore, as Balls can wrestle any type of match with anyone. Balls continues to steal shows on the indy scene today.

3. New Jack- Made suprise appearances at CZW and USA PW. Both times the crowd went fucking nuts. New Jack is as hardcore in the ring as he's hardcore in his shoot interviews!

Match of the Half Year
Samoa Joe vs Jay Briscoe, ROH, 3/13
A brutal match that poured lots of blood and made Jay Briscoe a bonafide ROH Superstar.

Runner-Ups
1. Teddy Hart vs Homicide, JAPW, 2/28
A humongous story was told in this barbaric beating. Both wrestlers dominated the crowd.

2. Chris Daniels vs Austin Aries, ECWA, 4/3
The finals of the ECWA Super 8 was a classic as an old star showed he could beat one of the up and comers of today.

3. Matt Striker vs Low Ki, World 1, 2/7

Matt Strikers breakout match that established him as a pure wrestler when he wants to be. He also wrestled this match with a damaged shoulder. This match stole the weekend of World 1's first tour.

Feud of the Half Year
Jay Lethal vs Azraiel
These guys have feuded all over in feds like JAPW, UCW, AWA, CCW and more. These guys always produce solid matches.

Runner-Ups
1. Teddy Hart vs The World
Teddy Hart is feuding with everyone that isn't in his Canadian Stable, and that has made indy promoters happy, as he's been booked against everyone, and has great matches vs everyone.

2. DRS vs AMIL
One of the hottest tag team feuds today that has spilled over into USA PW, CCW, CZW, SSCW, WXW and more. These guys go together like peanut butter and jelly.

3. Samoa Joe vs Briscoes
One of the most violent feuds of 2004, that finally saw an end with Jay Briscoe getting beaten to near death.

Biggest News Story of the Half Year
Rob Feinsteingate
Rob Feinsteins actions, as caught on perverted-justice.com, will never be forgotten by any wrestling fan. This shook up the course of ROH and wrestling in general.

Runner-Ups
1. TNA cracks down on the indies
TNA has decided to add fees, book and unbook wrestlers and try to bigshot indy feds. It should be interesting where TNA winds up at the end of this year.

2. MLW Shuts Down
MLW, or ROH lite as it was considered by some, produced great matches and stressed hybrid. The fed shut down due to lack of funds, but it looks like a little of MLW might show up in H2W.

3. Formation of World 1
This Japanese offshoot promotion has produced great show after great show. Corino has done a great job with this.

Booker of the Half Year
Gabe Sapolsky
With his back against the wall in some occassions, Gabe has done wonders for the wrestling scene. ROH has a loyal core and most of it stems from Gabe's hard work.

Runners-Up
1. Ray Sager
Returned to JAPW midway in 2003, and has done major moves for JAPW in 2004. From 50 fans in Bayonne a few years ago, JAPW recently saw 600+ at back to back shows.

2. NYWC Staff
NYWC has really become a must-see promotion, and it's largely in part to the creative staff who have booked innovative matches such as the Pyscho Circus.

3. WXW Staff
Another full staff takes a spot here as they show many heads are better than one. Great storylines run all over WXW.

Show of the Year
JAPW 2/28
Hart vs Homicide. Maff vs Mack. Daniels vs Lynn. Sounds like a dream show right? This and more took place at JAPW's 2/28 show in Rahway, NJ.

Runner-Ups
1. ROH 3/13
This was the first show after Feinsteingate and more than 1800 people witnessed it, as two big cage matches took place.

2. JAPW 4/24
Another fantastic JAPW show that saw Hart vs Red, Mike Awesome vs Maff and the return of Vader in the U.S.

3. USA PW 5/14
A very long show that almost spanned 2 years. Despite the length it featured great matches such as Homicide vs Sabu, Low Ki vs Samoa Joe, Raven vs Douglas and much more.

Biggest Comeback Of the Half Year
Chris Candido
Chris Candido is back, gracing rings and pleasing crowds all over the indies. Candido has popped up in NWS, UWA, USA PW, JAPW, JCW, SSCW among others. He has stolen alot of shows and looks like he has the fire for wrestling again. In what is considered a bigger accomplishment, he's also the co-host of the Masked Maniac hotline at 516 214 8333.

Runner-Ups
1. JCW
Crowds of 40 people are no more, as JCW took some time off and returned with a big bang drawing crowds of 600 and 400 at recent shows. They have raised their average attendance by 4 times the amount. The J-Cup is on its way and look for that to be one of the best shows of the indy year.

2. Marty Jannetty
Marty crawled out of the hole he was in and made his NYWC debut. Was involved in a major feud there and looked great. Currently is accepting bookings and looking to rock rings again.

3. Danny Demanto- After going to Rhode Island for a strenuous, brutal and torturous 3 days, Demanto has returned to the Northeast. Despite the joke, he has shown much improvement in his style and has had good matches in AWA. Size is obviously a negative with Demanto, but he's on the right track.

Best Big Man of the Half Year
Mana "The Polynesian Warrior"
The WXW Heavyweight Champion has popped up all over the place from JCW, SSCW, CSWF, CCW to other promotions. He has had great matches and has crowds either loving him or fearing him.

Runner-Ups
1. Mean Gene Sinisky
The guy has WWE written all over him and he might be there sooner than later. The guy has great ring presence and wrestles like a big man should. Gene is one of WXW's biggest draws.

2. Molsonn
Ever see a 300+ guy hit a moonsault and a swanton bomb in the same match? If no, if you watch a few Molsonn matches you might. Molsonn can move very agile for a big man and can produce a great beating.

3. Masada
Fecal Threats! Masada shit in the Carnage Crew bags revealing his identity to everyone. Masada can move for a big guy and his tope is a thing of brilliance.

Breakout Star of the Half Year
Roderick Strong
Roderick Strong has showed Northeast fans what Florida Fans have known for some time. The man of a thousand backbreakers has had a great series of matches with Sonjay Dutt. Strong recently joined ROH, and more fans will find out about his work there.

Runner-Ups
1. Austin Aries
A finalist in the Super 8 Tournament, Aries has used that success to springboard into ROH. Aries from Michigan, has looked fantastic in recent matches.

2. Alex Shelley
Another product of the Michigan scene, Shelley creates moves seemingly out of nowhere in his matches. Definitley a guy to keep an eye on.

3. Jay Lethal
If 2003 wasn't his breakout year, the first half of 2004 solidified that. Look for Lethal to be doing big things by this time next year.

Most Improved Wrestler of the Half Year
Mike Tobin
Drake's retirement might've actually done bigger things for Tobin's career. Tobin has opened doors as a singles wrestler by working in such promotions as ECWA, WXW, CSWF, NYWC and others. This homegrown USA Pro wrestler also won his biggest title to date there, by becoming the USA Pro US champion by defeating Mike Kruel.

Runner-Ups
1. Damian Adams
From a so-so wrestler, Damian has brought prestige to the SSCW Heavyweight Championship. It looks like that prestige is somewhat waning though by feuding over the title because someone else pissed on another title. Damian has also had great matches in 3PW, CCW, NWS and others.

2. J-Busta
Busta has really broken out as a bonafide wrestler. Good as a face, better as a heel, Busta has had great matches with SLG, Mikey Batts, Azraiel and others.

3. Poppalishus
The penis baring freak will slowly get fans to forget about his pictures and focus on his in ring work. Poppalishus looked good in a match for the USA PW Ladies title, and made that belt look respectable. Also working for SSCW and had a good match there.

Consistent Wrestler of the Half Year
Slyk Wagner Brown
Slyk Wagner Brown has had great match after great match, earning him this award. Slyk never goes less than 100% and is able to have a good match with anyone.

Runner-Ups
1. Azraiel
Another guy who is underappreciated for his work, Azraiel has not had one bad match this year.

2. John Walters
ROH fans have mixed feelings on this guy, but Walters has had great match after great match. The one thing he is lacking is mic skills.

3. Reefer
Reefer can do it all in the ring, and has PAW matches all over the place.

Underrated Wrestler of the Half Year
Los Lunatics
The Lunatics have blended great wrestling of Low Ryda with the great mic skills of Eddie Guapo. Both guys complement each other very well. The Lunatics are a team that don't see as much work as others, and that's a shame. WXW has done wonders for these guys, and I'd like to see the Lunatics get a chance to show Northeast feds what they showed WXW.

Runner-Ups
1. Reefer
Hello promoters. This guy is stealing every show he's on. The guy can carry a promotion if given the chance.

2. Ken Scampi
YAAAAAAAAAAAY Eugene stole 1/2 my gimmick. If Eugene comes out with a fishermans hat at the next WWE show, you know where he got it from. Scampi is great as a cruiserweight and can compete against heavyweights as well.

3. All Money Is Legal
They are so close to becoming one of the top tag teams on the indies today. I think they are a few matches away from being talked about as one of the best with teams such as DRS, Solution and Backseat Boyz.

Needs alot of Improvement in the second half of 2004
SSCW
Want a shocking stat? SSCW has seen attendance drop by more than 12 times the amount in 2003! The last show in 2003 had 327 people, and their last show of the first half of 2004 recieved 300 less than that. SSCW owner Carmine Sabia is to blame, as his phobia is hurting his company big time. It might be time to take some time off, handle the phobia, then return.

Runner-Ups
1. American Idol
Ugh. A sample of a wrestler that is making wrestling look bad.

2. Josh Deeley
the Dark Phoenix isn't cutting it when you have near albino skin.

3. Max Metal
Yikes! More training is needed to compete in front of a live crowd.

Joke of the Half Year
Lizard Schlong vs Masked Maniac Feud
The Masked Maniac has crushed Lizard Schlong and his brothers at various USA PW shows in a series of horrible matches. Will this lead to Ken Sweenyschlong?

Runners-Up
1. Fire at SSCW
While the winner of this category was an intentional joke, SSCW having a fire wasn't. The fire capped off a show which was considered by many (who didn't attend), as pathetic, due to horrendous attendance.

2. American Idol
Step 1. Get someone with no wrestling training. Step 2. Put him in the ring with guys who do have training. Step 3. Watch people get injured and watch hilarity ensue.

3. Dana Dameson on Masked Maniac Hotline
The things The Maniac gets Dana to say on that hotline are unbelievable.

Well there you go, I hope you enjoyed these awards. So many people were considered for a spot, which is good, because that means there is alot of talent to go around. Again, feel free to discuss who you think should've won, on the DOI Message board, and bring some damn integrity to the board too!

I'm out, look for a few McTape Reviews this week.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com