DGS Main Event Hometown Wrestler of the Year – Jay lethal

Jay Lethal (Ringside News)

One of the best things about writing for Double G Sports is the market in which we aim to please. Besides New York, we cover the New Jersey area. It just so happens that the recipient of this DGS Main Event Award hails from The Garden State.

Ring of Honor’s Jay Lethal is the winner of this years Hometown Wrestler for the Year Award, and deservingly so. The man from Elizabeth, NJ had one of the best years in Ring of Honor history. Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked Lethal #5 in the 2016 PWI 500, and in my opinion he should have ranked higher. The fact that he is in the top five though shows how much respect the wrestling industry has for him. I am interested to see what other awards he will be able to take home with him.

The man is a champions champion. Winning the companies World Title in June of 2015, he didn’t lose it until August of 2016. This isn’t the first time I’ve talked about “The Greatest First Generation Wrestler”. During his 427 day reign as ROH World Champion, I discussed how he was legitimizing the title and giving the company a huge boost in profit. During that time, he defended the title in various promotions all over the world, including:

• All over North America
• New Japan Pro Wrestling- Japan
• Preston City Wrestling- England
  
• Revolution Pro Wrestling- England
• What Culture Pro Wrestling
• CWA- Puerto Rico, where he also won the CWA Title on the same night

Lethal’s contributions this year should not go unnoticed. Even after he lost the ROH Title to Adam Cole (BAY BAY) at Death Before Dishonor, he still put on some great matches. He has competed in title matches and has helped younger talent move up within the company. He recently lost at Final Battle to a debuting Cody Rhodes. If the company can stretch that one match into a feud, we may see something special happen in 2017. After all, “The American Nightmare” is the newest Bullet Club member, a group that Lethal has history with.

With rumor’s that WWE is on a talent raid, ROH has decided to lock one of their most valuable assets up. According to Sportskeeda, Lethal has signed a two year extension with Ring of Honor, lasting through 2019. Lethal still has value and ROH plans to take advantage of the opportunity they have. Its a great move for a company that has produced some great wrestlers in their system over the years.

2016 was a kind year for the 31-year old Lethal. I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for him.

Current DGS Main Event Awards:

MMA Tag Team of the Year                                             Pro Wrestling Tag Team of the Year

MMA Rookie of the Year                                                   Pro Wrestling Rookie of the Year

MMA Comeback of the Year                                             Pro Wrestling Comeback of the Year

MMA Overrated Fighter of the Year                                   Overrated Pro Wrestler of the Year

MMA Underrated Fighter of the Year                                 Underrated Pro Wrestler of the Year

MMA Most Improved Fighter of the Year                           Most Improved Wrestler of the Year

MMA Feud of the Year                                                      Pro Wrestling Feud of the Year

MMA Fight of the Year                                                      Pro Wrestling Match of the Year

MMA Promotion to Look Out For in 2017                            Pro Wrestler to Look Out For in 2017