The Bret Hart Award - Best In-Ring Performer

This award discounts the entertainment aspect of sports entertainment, and recognizes the performer who displayed the best in-ring work. The winner of this award is someone who had the best workrate- someone who consistently delivered the best matches, and could be relied on to have a good match with just about anybody. Named after Bret "The Hitman" Hart, one of the best ever within the squared circle.

WINNER - JACK SWAGGER

Its hard to believe the person I'm naming best in-ring performer was jobbing to Santino Marella a couple of weeks before Wrestlemania. Swagger spent the first quarter of 2010 in lower midcard pugatory, but the biggest pay-per-view of the year was the flash point. Out of the blue, Swagger won the Money in the Bank Match, and they had him cash it in successfully less than a week later. It was an abrupt but overdue elevation for the All-American American, and since he cashed in for the World Heavyweight Title on Smackdown, he was moved to the Blue Show. The change of scenery worked wonders. Swagger has had a stellar year in the ring since Wrestlemania, putting on great matches with Chris Jericho, Edge, Rey Mysterio, MVP, Kaval, Kofi Kingston and a one-off with Randy Orton. He even got very decent matches out of the Big Show during their program together. He was wasted a little bit towards the later part of the year, but I believe he has been the most consistent performer in the ring. I hope to see him around the main event in 2011.

1st RUNNER UP - REY MYSTERIO

One of the all-time greats, 2010 was a good year for Rey Mysterio, one that saw wrestling's biggest little guy winning his second World Championship. His rivalries against CM Punk, Jack Swagger, Kane and Alberto Del Rio produced some very good matches, but that's not the only reason why Mysterio is rated really highly. What makes him special is that rare gift to work against even the biggest opponents, and produce matches that are both exciting and not completely unbelievable. He is one of the best at selling an opponent's offense and making it look real, while at the same time knowing how to use his own 'underdog' style of offense so that it doesn't look completely ridiculous. For someone whose talents are so dazzling and obvious, Mysterio is one of the most subtle performers on the roster, and indeed in the world. Remember the last time a crowd wasn't into a Mysterio match?

2nd RUNNER UP- DANIEL BRYAN

One of the best things to happen in WWE all year is the slow resurgence of independent wrestlers. With signings from Ring of Honour like Low Ki and Tyler Black, WWE is looking beyond its own developmental territories for young talent. At the forefront of the indy movement is Daniel Bryan. As Bryan Danielson, he has become popular on the Internet over the last few years as "The Best Wrestler in the World." He was hired by WWE last year, and finally made his TV debut as part of NXT Season One. Since this is an award for In-ring performance, I will not go into the pairing with the Miz, the Invasion, the tie-choking, or the release and re-hire. Bryan was the best Rookie skill-wise by miles on NXT, and after becoming a RAW Superstar, he has consistently delivered the best matches for the Red Brand. With WWE's toned down style, we will not get to see the full, awe-inspiring range of Bryan's talent (Youtube Bryan Danielson for that), but he gets my nod for 2nd Runner Up for the great matches he put on throughout NXT, and later his US Championship matches with The Miz, John Morrison, Ted Dibiase and Dolph Ziggler. I would not at all be surprised to see him win this next year.