20/01/2025
A note from Robert Truesdale, Moderator of the CPWAs:
A few days ago I had the honor of revealing the winners of the Carolinas' Professional Wrestling Awards for 2024. Please join me in acknowledging the accomplishments of these individuals:
* Wrestler of the Year - Drew Hood
* Female Wrestler of the Year - Kaitlyn Marie
* Tag Team of the Year - The Allens
* Feud of the Year - Brad Attitude vs. Nic Nemeth (AML Wrestling)
* Fire of the Carolinas Award - Bojack
* Rising Star of the Year - Dontay Khalifah
* Manager of the Year - Steven Frye
* Referee of the Year - James Hunter
* Ring Announcer of the Year - Brett Wolverton
The CPWAs, if you weren't aware, are a celebration of independent professional wrestling in the Carolinas. Indie wrestling, as it's more commonly known, is where the talent you see in companies like WWE, TNA, AEW, and others got their start.
The men and women who have been recognized this year by the CPWAs represent a legacy of greatness that flows throughout the region. As someone who has followed the Carolinas territory for over 20 years, I have had the good fortune to see several generations of talent as they matured through the ranks of the industry, their first stop on that path being a ring somewhere in the part of the world that we call home. Even now it's amazing to see how talents go from being kids with a dream performing in high school gyms to internationally known superstars whose images are beamed onto our televisions every week.
The continued evolution of the wrestling business has affected how local promotions distribute their products. Through the power of technology and the reach of the internet, a company in the Carolinas can find an audience anywhere in the world. These broadcasts are remarkable with quality often rivaling that of companies with substantially larger budgets. As such it's time that the CPWAs recognized the commentary teams involved. Beginning with 2025 there will be a Commentary Team of the Year category added to the CPWAs. Details on eligibility for this category will be revealed at a later date with the CPWA bylaws being updated to reflect the addition.
I have been involved with the Awards (the CPWAs as well as their predecessor, the Professional Wrestling Awards of the Carolinas) for over a decade. It's difficult to describe the relationship I've had with professional wrestling as there have been times where it has been a respite to me and yet others where it has caused me to wonder why it, of all things, drew my passion. Regardless of my temperament at the moment, giving back to professional wrestling through the Awards has been a privilege.
In a few short months I will be turning 45 years old. Hard to imagine, seeing as how many people would probably tell you I have the maturity of a 14 year old. As a husband and father, there are people in my life who deserve more of my time and energy.
2025 will be my final year as moderator of the CPWAs. With any luck I will find someone willing to take up the cause. If not, we've had a good run as the old saying goes.
Thank you, again, to the many friends I've made through independent professional wrestling over the years. Thanks as well to so many of you who have supported the CPWAs and the mission of putting more eyes on the incredible talent that exists here in the Carolinas.
We'll see you at the matches.
