90. Orange Cassidy (21 ballots, 845 points)
Last Year’s Rank: 20
High Vote: Charles F. (9)

Recommended Matches

• vs. Roderick Strong (AEW, 2/19)
• vs. Konosuke Takeshita (AEW, 2/26)
• w/ Mark Briscoe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Will Ospreay vs. Brian Cage, Bryan Keith, Lance Archer & Mark Davis (AEW, 3/5)
• vs. Kyle Fletcher (AEW, 10/1)
• w/ Darby Allin vs. Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta (AEW, 10/29)
• vs. Claudio Castagnoli (AEW, 11/5)
• w/ Darby Allin, Kyle O’Reilly, Mark Briscoe & Roderick Strong vs. Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Jon Moxley, PAC & Wheeler Yuta (AEW, 11/12)
• vs. Konosuke Takeshita (AEW, 12/20)
• vs. Jon Moxley (AEW, 12/21)
• w/ Mark Briscoe, Roderick Strong & Toni Storm vs. Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta (AEW, 12/27)

“Don’t believe anyone with “OC Fatigue”. TV is just better when he’s around. “ ~ Stevan S. 

“The miles seemed to finally be catching up to Orange Cassidy in 2025. The man who’s been maybe the biggest fixture of AEW television since the start missed six months with a torn pec in the middle of the year. It was the first time he wrestled fewer than 30 matches in a year since 2010. But when he was healthy and on TV, he was able to mix things up well as a singles match showcase opponent, and a fixture in the AEW multi-man tag scene. The Conglomeration might be a non-factor from a storyline perspective, but guys like Cassidy are fixtures in AEW for a reason. A guy with a jean jacket and a goofy gimmick can be the company’s biggest star on any given night. Maybe at this point he won’t get another run where he’s getting a 15-20 title defense on every show, but he can slot in anywhere on the card and make the best of it.” ~ chris

89. Takuya Nomura (23 ballots, 849 points)
Last Year’s Rank: 48
High Vote: MC (18)

Recommended Matches

• vs. Suwama (Evolution, 2/19)
• w/ Fuminori Abe vs. 1 Called Manders & Thomas Shire (wXw, 3/6)
• vs. Fuminori Abe (wXw, 3/8)
• w/ Fuminori Abe vs. MAO & To-y (DDT, 3/20)
• w/ Fuminori Abe vs. Jun Masaoka & Yuya Susumu vs. Koji Doi & Kuma Arashi (Tenryu Project, 4/5)
• w/ Fuminori Abe vs. Keigo Nakamura & Shinya Aoki (DDT, 4/6)
• w/ Fuminori Abe vs. HIkaru Sato & Manabu Hara (KTDan, 4/8)
• w/ Fuminori Abe vs. Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku (DPW, 4/24)
• vs. LaBron Kozone (DPW, 4/25)
• w/ Fuminori Abe vs. Akito & Yuya Koroku (DDT, 6/7)

“Nomura was diagnosed with a kidney failure early in the year which saw him take a light schedule from may to August and being completely inactive september onwards. I’ll be the first to say that sucks and I wish him a speedy recovery. But there’s still a lot of good work, didn’t really produce any great matches where Abe wasn’t also involved, either as a teammate or an opponent.The WXW match against Abe is the best match in the series since the one at the first fighting detectives show. The astronauts were a much welcomed addition to DDT’s tag division.” ~ Padraig

“Astronauts were piecing together another excellent year before Nomura’s unfortunate leave of absence. Singles matches were few and far between, but very strong all the same. Get well soon.” ~ Stevan S.

88. Avisman (13 ballots, 863 points)
Last Year’s Rank: 250
High Vote: chris (1)

Recommended Matches

• vs. Silver Star (H, 3/30)
• w/ Judas el Traidor vs. Karma I & Karma II (Lucha Memes, 4/6)
• vs. Karma I (Lucha Memes, 5/1)
• vs. Eragon (Vikmask, 5/24)
• vs. Rugido (Lucha Memes/CMLL, 7/19)
• vs. Rey Espartano (Lucha Memes, 8/17)
• w/ El Hijo del Signo vs. Freelance & El Mimo (IWRG, 8/28)
• vs. Feroz (Lucha Memes, 9/14)
• vs. Eragon (Vikmask, 10/4)
• w/ Freelance vs. Centurion & Fly Star (IWRG, 10/5)

“Avisman built up a deep enough catalogue of good 2025 matches in his usual role of technical maestro, that alone should’ve been enough to land him on this list. But his rivalry with Eragon let him nail showing frustration and aggression as he abandoned the sweet sciences of llaveo and started smashing a guy’s head against the ring post instead.” ~ Nick Yeoman

“If looks could kill, Avisman could heal a cancer patient. But he grapples, there are few lucha wrestlers that understand how to bridge that connective tissue into things. Even in a bloody bout like the Eragon ones, that has grappling DNA through and through. Finally did the watching for Chris. It was worth it.” ~ Sam D.

“Finally you motherfuckers listen to me. Avisman had the best year of anyone in Coliseo Coacalco, putting on clinics on the mat with Rey Espartano, Los Karmas, Judas el Traidor, Escualo and more. He rose to the occasion in his handful of IWRG matches, putting on great matches with El Mimo and Tromba, and being a part of two phenomenal tag matches involving Freelance. But it’s his apuestas feud with Eragon in Vikmask that put him over the edge as my top wrestler of the year. Avisman can always put some stank on his offense, but his aggression really showed through as he tried to overcome a man 12 years his junior. One of the finest middle aged man wrestlers of all time. An unreal grappler, a hellacious striker, and one hell of a bleeder when the occasion comes. Now let’s get Judas on the list next year too.” ~ chris

87. YAMATO (15 ballots, 873 points)
Last Year’s Rank: 145
High Vote: EAMONN (5)

Recommended Matches

• vs. Shun Skywalker (DG, 1/15)
• vs. Strong Machine J (DG 1/25)
• vs. Kzy (DG, 3/1)
• w/ Dragon Kid & Kzy vs. Bendito, Latigo & Toxin (WCPW, 4/17)
• w/ Barbaro Cavernario vs. Ben-K & Titan (Pandemonium Pro ,4/17)
• vs. Rich Swann (DG, 4/18)
• vs. Masaaki Mochizuki (DG, 6/4)
• vs. Shun Skywalker (DG, 7/13)
• w/ Tiger Mask vs. Kosei Fujia & Robbie Eagles (NJPW, 10/29)
• vs. Hyo (DG, 11/8)

“The last ace standing from the golden era of Dragongate turned back the clock to have his best Dream Gate title run of his career in 2025. Fueled by the wanting to bury CIMA’s records with the belt, YAMATO had the best single’s run in the Kobe promotion, and repaired the damage the last few years had done to the belt with failed runs. His best match was a defense against ageless wonder Masaaki Mochizuki, but every defense from Strong Machine J to Shun Skywalker was fantastic stuff this year. “ ~ TayKZY

86. AZM (16 ballots, 894 points)
Last Year’s Rank:142
High Vote: John C. (6)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Miyu Amakasi & Starlight Kid vs. Natsupoi, Saori Anou & Tam Nakano (Stardom, 2/2)
• w/ Mei Seira & Starlight Kid vs. Hazuki, Mayu Iwatani & Saya Iida (Barb Sasaki Produce, 3/10)
• vs. Hyan (Prestige, 4/12)
• vs. Bozilla (Stardom, 7/24)
• vs. Rina (Stardom, 8/6)
• vs. Hanan (Stardom, 8/20)
• vs. Rina (Stardom, 8/23)
• vs. Momo Watanabe (Stardom, 8/23)
• vs. Saya Kamitani (Stardom, 9/27)
• vs. Mei Suruga (ChocoPro, 10/30)

“I’m glad to see AZM made this list–she’s one of the more talented wrestlers in Stardom, but few wrestlers have been as impacted by Okada’s “Saya Kamitani is our Poochie” approach to booking as much as AZM has. There were some standout performances in the 5★Star Grand Prix (particularly in the final against Momo Watanabe) but she is largely underutilized there in my opinion. To make matters worse, her appearances in America include winning the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship in a three-way (without pinning Mercedes) and losing an AEW World Title Elliminator against Mina Shirakawa. I hope 2026 works out better for her, as she’s immensely talented and deserves more opportunities to shine.” ~ Orchid

85. Senka Akatsuki (24 ballots, 904 points)
Last Year’s Rank: 833
High Vote: Venellope, Henry/HeadCheese (10)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Takumi Iroha vs. Nanae Takahashi & Seri Yamaoka (Marigold, 3/30)
• vs. Aja Kong (Marvelous, 4/17)
• w/ Takumi Iroha vs. Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu (Sendai Girls, 6/20)
• w/ Sora Ayame vs. Sareee & Takumi Iroha (Marvelous, 6/27)
• w/ Mio Momono vs. Kizuna Tanaka & MIRAI (Marvelous 7/13)
• w/ Sora Ayame vs. Seri Yamaoka & Victory Yuzuki (Marigold, 7/16)
• vs. Mayu Iwatani (Marvelous 10/3)
• w/ Mio Momono & Takumi Iroha vs. Mayu Iwatani, Seri Yamaoka & Utami Hayashishita (NOAH, 10/6)
• w/ Seri Yamaoka vs. Sareee & Takumi Iroha (Marvelous, 10/24)
• vs. Seri Yamaoka (Marvelous, 12/28)

“One of the best rookies and rookie years I have seen.” ~ Henry/HeadCheese

“Senka’s rookie year has to be one of the most dynamic in wrestling history: going from opening cards in rookie squashes to main event in, what, a couple of months? Madness. A lot of that has to do with her brilliantly simplified wrestling style built around attempting to turn people into Swiss rolls with her ridiculously good amateur pins alongside a clear focus on intensity over complexity (her big signature moves are a headbutt, Boston Crab and suplex, for reference). Alongside her explosive rivalry with the similarly impressive Seri Yamaoka she is usually the best thing going on Marvelous cards which is far bigger of a compliment than you might realise. Her gimmick of being a rookie who is low on the totem pole but that everyone still fears because she can legitimately pin anyone is such a money gimmick that I hope will be faithfully followed in future.” ~ Stump H. Puller

84. The Beast Mortos (22 ballots 909 points)
Last Year’s Rank: 32
High Vote: Simon (18)

Recommended Matches

• vs. Hologram (AEW, 2/19)
• vs. Mike Bailey (AEW, 3/12)
• w/ Dralistico vs. Hologram & Komander (AEW, 3/19)
• w/ Arez vs. Laredo Kid & Rey Horus (DPW, 4/18)
• w/ Dralistico & Rush vs. Kevin Knight, Komander & Mike Bailey (AEW, 6/4)
• w/ Difunto vs. Hologram & Mistico (CMLL, 8/15)
• w/ Action Andretti, Donovan Dijak, Lio Rush, Michael Oku, Mike Bailey, Robbie X, Rocky Romero, Taiji Ishimori & TJP vs. Angel de Oro, Atlantis Jr., Difunto, Mascara Dorada, Mistico, Neon, Templario, Titan, Volador Jr. & Zandokan Jr. (CMLL, 8/29)
• vs. Mascara Dorada (AEW, 9/17)
• w/ Barbaro Cavernario vs. Komander & Mistico (CMLL, 11/21)
• w/ Komander vs. Atlantis Jr. & Difunto (CMLL, 11/22)

“The Beast Mortos didn’t get as many singles opportunities as he did in his first full year with AEW, where he got a placement in the C2 and showcase matches with Hologram, Ricochet and Darby throughout the year. However, The Beast Mortos still made plenty of waves in 2025 being a glue guy in tags and trios across AEW, ROH, CMLL, the indies and beyond. He was a crucial part of the Grand Prix Cibernetico as a heel luchador representing the world team. He was integral in tags with Rush and Dralistico as part of LFI. Mortos got to mix it up teaming with the rudos in Arena Mexico, and he shined in those rare singles matches against the likes of Esfinge, Hologram, Speedball, Gran Guerrero, Bandido and Slim J. A rock solid year from one of AEW’s most reliable hands.” ~ chris

83. Kris Statlander (27 ballots, 927 points)
Last Year’s Rank: 42
High Vote: KFG (14)

Recommended Matches

• vs. Megan Bayne (AEW, 3/19)
• vs. Thunder Rosa (AEW, 4/9)
• vs. Jamie Hayter (AEW, 4/23)
• vs. Willow Nightingale (AEW, 5/8)
• vs. Nina Samuels (EVE, 9/5)
• w/ Darby Allin vs. Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta (AEW, 10/1)
• vs. Toni Storm (AEW, 10/18)
• w/ Harley Cameron, Jamie Hayter, Mina Shirakawa, Toni Storm & Willow Nightingale vs. Julia Hart, Marina Shafir, Megan Bayne, Mercedes Mone, Skye Blue & Thekla (AEW, 11/12)
• vs. Mercedes Mone (AEW, 11/22)
• vs. Jamie Hayter (AEW, 12/27)

“The workhouse of AEW’s woman’s division and quite possibly the most underappreciated wrestler on the roster, Statlander is exactly the sort of wrestler who place high on an “in-ring-only” list like this one: after winning the World Women’s title via a seatbelt pin at WrestleDream without defeating the campion, she went on to have what was hands-down the most impressive World Title reign from an in-ring perspective, with her matches against Toni Storm, Mercedes Mone, and Jamie Hayter giving her an opportunity to display her unprescended strength and shockingly good babyface charisma against workers who have long been considered a few rungs up the ladder from her. I don’t really care if you think she hasn’t found her gimmick (she has) or her voice (she has): those defenses had high ceilings, she participated in the first women’s B&Gs, and did a commendable job making the most out of her minutes when the booker hadn’t the slightest plan or idea for her once he belted her. Kris Statlander forever.” ~ Orchid

82. Mio Momono (18 ballots, 947 points)
Last Year’s Rank: 14
High Vote: Maggie (19)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Yurika Oka vs. DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto (Sendai Girls, 1/5)
• w/ Bozilla vs. Kaoru Ito & Yurika Oka (Sareee-ism, 1/23)
• w/ Yurika Oka vs. Ryo Mizunami & Sonoko Kato (OZ Academy, 2/9)
• w/ Senka Akatsuki vs. Kizuna Tanaka & MIRAI (Marvelous, 7/13)
• w/ Ai Houzan, Maria, Riko Kawahata & Sora Ayame vs. Komomo Minami, Miku Aono, Seri Yamaoka, Utami Hayashishita & Victoria Yuzuki (Marvelous, 8/8)
• w/ Senka Akatsuki & Takumi Iroha vs. Mayu Iwatani, Seri Yamaoka & Utami Hayashishita (NOAH, 10/6)
• w/ Yurika Oka vs. MIka Iwata & Miyuki Takase (Sendai Girls, 10/17)
• w/ Yurika Oka vs. Aya Sakura & Natsupoi (Sendai Girls, 11/16)
• w/ Rin & Yuu vs. Chihiro Hashimoto, Sareee & Takumi Iroha (Marvelous, 12/21)
• w/ Yurika Oka vs. Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu (Sendai Girls, 12/26)

“Between a bad elbow injury that took her out for about 6 months alongside rehab and surgery Mio realistically could be excused for having an off-year and just coast. She thankfully did NOT do that though, instead being one of the high spots of the Marigold/Marvelous promotional battles with her infectious babyface charm and high-energy style much in the visage of Momoe Nakanishi. I’m not the biggest fan of her Momo Banana tag work (at times it can be considerably grating) but can’t deny that she knocked it out of the park for the most part this year, especially when they’re not honed in on comedy routines and focused. Here’s hoping to more wacky antics in the years ahead.” ~ Stump H. Puller

“With or without injury, still one of the very best workers on the planet and her year reflected that, even without the big matches we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from her over the last few years.” ~ FUJIWARASMIRK

81. Soberano Jr. (18 ballots, 952 points)
Last Year’s Rank: 36
High Vote: Owen R., Ben A. (21)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Barbaro Cavernario & Hechicero vs. Atlantis Jr., Mistico & Titan (CMLL, 2/7)
• w/ Barbaro Cavernario & Hechicero vs. Dark Panther, Fuego & Sammy Guevara (ROH, 2/8)
• w/ Zandokan Jr. vs. Mascara Dorada & Templario (CMLL, 2/14)
• vs. Mascara Dorada (NJPW, 2/28)
• w/ Angel de Oro vs. Atlantis Jr. & Titan (CMLL, 11/7)
• w/ Angel de Oro vs. Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey (CMLL, 11/23)
• w/ Difunto vs. Mascara Dorada & Mistico (CMLL, 12/5)
• vs. Mistico (CMLL, 12/12)
• w/ Averno & Barbaro Cavernario vs. Atlantis Jr., Mistico & Titan (Indy, 12/3)
• vs. Mistico (CMLL, 12/22)

“I never really understood the appeal of Ric Rude (outside of his in-ring work) until I saw Soberano Jr. walk out on the Valentine’s Day Viernes Espectacular show with kisses covering his beautiful, confusingly long body. Ever since then, I have remained completely captivated by the man, giggling like a hormonal schoolgirl every time he walks to the ring and faux-fanning myself whenever he starts flirting with the women who sit ringside at Arena Mexico (Soberano Jr. ran so that Andrade El Idolo could also run, but in a significantly more contrived manner). The man might be the best heel in the world, largely because both his gimmick and in-ring philosophy could be best described as “tall sexy dickhead who is going to fuck your girl.” Wherever Soberano places, it’s incredible that he’s made this list in spite of being injured for 7 months last year and I would walk off the face of the earth if it meant he would delicately touch my knuckles.” ~ Orchid

“This section of the list really seems to be the ‘people who would be way higher if they weren’t hurt’ portion. Soberano didn’t work between March 30 and November 11. He missed Aniversario. He missed the Grand Prix. He missed Grand Slam Mexico. And despite working only five months of the year, he managed to do great work across at least 67 matches. Soberano can have a great match in his sleep. He can lift his pinky and put the crowd in the palm of his hand. There is no more lovable bastard in wrestling today than Soberano Jr. It’s a damn shame he had to sit so much of CMLL’s hottest year in forever on the sidelines” ~ chris