Best Performance By A Non-Wrestler
The best performance by a non-wrestler award is for wrestling's unsung heroes like managers, announcers and authority figures who weren't hired to take bumps. Their job is to talk. Through this skill, they are vital to the show and the progression of storylines. Here are the nominees:
Wayne Keown for his portrayal of Zeb Colter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SrAe-V_wgw While Zeb has become more of a comedy character these days than he was when he re-debuted, he's still great in his role of an xenophobic, patriotic scumbag. He can be counted on every night out for delivering entertaining promos that are sure to rile up the crowd.
Paul Heyman for his portrayal of Paul Heyman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oVrax28cPY Paul Heyman isn't always on WWE TV, but when he is, he often steals the show. While he's cut many great promos in his lengthy career, he really seems to have found himself as a character during his most recent run.
Renee Paquette for her portrayal of Renee Young http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaUAe9mY0Ok Renee Young may be the best backstage announcer WWE has had since Mean Gene Okerlund. She plays the role straight without a lot of flair, but that's exactly what's needed. She's not over the top like a Matt Striker, but helps bring a sense of legitimacy that is sorely lacking on WWE television. She would fit in on the sidelines of any major sport. And the winner is...
Paul Heyman
Over the past year, Heyman continued his streak of fantastic acting performances. He can seemingly do no wrong. Over the past year, CM Punk kicked him to the curb, and Heyman played it off cool until he finally stabbed his prodigal son in the back. It was beautifully done. From there, the two engaged in perhaps the most consistently entertaining program of the year. Heyman brought in Curtis Axel and Ryback into the fold, and while he wasn't able to get them over, he can't be blamed for it. He was so good, and they were so mediocre on the mic that it just wasn't going to work. With the right talent, Heyman brings his proteges to a new level (like he had done with Punk and Brock Lesnar earlier) like no one else can. He cuts heel promos that put nearly every active wrestler to shame. Despite his backstage clashes with the McMahon family in the past, it's no wonder why the keep him around. Every episode of Raw or SmackDown that has a Paul Heyman promo on it, is a better show for it. Hopefully Heyman sticks around for years to come as he has only become better with age.