10 Shocking Winners Of Wrestling Observer Awards
7. Matt Striker - Best Television Announcer 2008
To call Matt Striker a contentious figure in wrestling is like calling Paul Wight quite a large man. Striker's abrasive commentary style can rub some people up the wrong way. Equally, some really like his heelish tenancies and his resistance to the crap thrown his way by Jerry Lawler. Striker was clearly popular in 2008 though, as he won that year's award for "Best Television Announcer".
Joining esteemed broadcasters like Gordon Solie, Joey Styles, and Jim Ross, Striker picked up the award for his work as the ECW brand's colour commentator. It was a tight win; Striker edged out Jim Ross by just forty-six votes and this was during JR's unmemorable run as SmackDown lead announcer. Still, a win is a win.
Considering that the third and fourth places in this both went to MMA commentators - Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg, for those curious - Striker's win is perhaps an indication that wrestling's commentary scene was not in the best place in 2008. He may not be everyone's favourite, but no one will ever be able to take this accolade away from Striker - no matter how much they may want to.