This award recognizes the change to a wrestler's on-air character (gimmick) that best resulted in improved performance. The award is named after John Layfield, whose change in gimmick from a cigar-smoking, beer-drinking, poker-playing bar brawler for hire (Bradshaw) to that of a rich, conservative businessman (JBL) resulted in a tremendous turnaround for his career; leading to a main event push and even a WWE Championship victory.
WINNER - CODY RHODES: 2nd GENERATION WRESTLER TO NARCISSISTIC GROOMING EXPERTA week after Cody Rhodes was drafted to Smackdown, a poll conveniently appeared on WWE.com. The poll claimed that the WWE Divas had voted Cody Rhodes the most handsome Superstar in the WWE (For those wondering, Cena, Orton, Jericho and MVP rounded out the Top 5). Whether the survey was legitimate or not, WWE seized on the opportunity. That very week, Rhodes was bragging about the result on Smackdown, and he demanded that he be referred to as "Dashing" Cody Rhodes from that point on. Throughout the rest of the year, he continued to appear in sporadic backstage segments in which he gave the WWE Universe grooming tips (ranging from teeth to nose hair), so that he could bring us all "One step closer...to dashing!" Its the sort of silly wrestling gimmick that would fail 8 times out of 10, but Cody is talented enough to make it work. I enjoyed his performances, and he has cleverly used the "dashing" persona to tell a story in almost all his matches (pausing to stare into mirrors; throwing a fit when he gets hit in the face). I give him the win in this category. I just hope he realizes that he has to colour the campy narcissism of his character with some moments of seriousness and intensity. He currently feels like someone who's playing a part rather than someone who actually believes what he is saying (like Punk or Jericho make you feel). If he can incorporate that into his gimmick next year, he will be one step closer...to the main event.
1st RUNNER UP- ABYSS: INSECURE NEUROTIC MAN-CHILD TO PSYCHOTIC VIOLENT MONSTERI actually feel like a less intelligent person for having written that ludicrous sentence. As over-the-top as Abyss sometimes goes with his current "monster" persona, it is still infinitely better than the monstrous manner in which he started 2010: fresh off "therapy" sessions with Dr. Stevie, groveling like a starstruck child in front of Hulk Hogan, panicking when things started to go wrong, and who can forget - gaining magic powers of strength and invincibility when presented with Hogan's WWE Hall of Fame Ring. Only in TNA. When Abyss turned heel following Slammiversary VIII, it was a huge relief. He added enough intensity into his promos to make him interesting again. Also, you have to admit his new attire (pictured) is great, even though it makes him look like something out of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village.
2nd RUNNER UP - JEFF JARRETT: SYMPATHETIC FOUNDER OF TNA TO MIXED MARTIAL ARTS WANNABEThis is a gimmick change that came very late in the year, and I even doubt it will last very long, but I couldn't resist throwing it in. When Jarrett turned heel and joined Immortal, he began a feud with Samoa Joe that saw a submission match between the two signed for Final Resolution. In the weeks leading up to the event, Jarrett began claiming that he was an MMA expert, demonstrating holds on local wrestlers and featuring in vignettes that saw him teaching karate to children. He then started the weekly "Double J MMA Challenge" where he offered $100,000 to anyone from the crowd who could beat him in an MMA match. These segments have been among the most entertaining on TNA television, and Jarrett has alternated his character very well between silly and serious, which is essential for the sort of role he is playing. For that, Jarrett gets my vote.
