Embedded Files
Best of 2025 (So Far)
Best of 2025 (So Far)
Introduction
Introduction
So, it's already halfway through the year? Time flies when you watch an unhealthy amount of wrestling, doesn't it. So far, this year I have watched 390 matches, and out of those, I would consider 101 of them to be above good. 26% pass rate isn't the best, but if everything was great, then nothing would be great, you get what I mean?
This is going to be very, very unprofessional. Some categories, I'll be giving you a list with commentary thrown in if I feel like it. Other parts will be rambling about what I think. These categories include Wrestler of the Year, Match of the Year, Promotion of the Year, and Tag Team of the Year. Wow, so much to get through. Let's start with Wrestler of the Year, keep you hooked early. I have a list of 50 wrestlers, and this list may not be completely accurate as I didn't spend THAT much time creating it, and blurbs will be thrown in for wrestlers for whom I feel like I have something to say. View these blurbs as more annotations to show where my head is at going into the latter half of the year, rather than full essays written about each wrestler or match. Enjoy. (Oh, also 50 is a lot and I have no idea how I'm gonna format it so it looks good, so if this is awfully formatted, I apologize.)
Wrestler of the Year
Wrestler of the Year
Honorable Mentions:
Honorable Mentions:
Sareee
Sareee
Fraud
Match Recommendations:
vs VENY (1/17/2025, SEAdLINNNG)
vs Meiko Satomura (1/23/2025, Sareeeism)
Zack Sabre Jr.
Very glad he followed up his great year last year with GCW bookings and bad matches. Has MOTY through circumstance though, so I feel like he has to be here.
Match Recommendations:
vs Hirooki Goto (2/11/2025, NJPW)
And now, the list!
And now, the list!
50. Valiente
50. Valiente
Match Recommendations:
W/ Zandokan Jr. vs Esfinge & Star Jr. (1/31/2025, CMLL)
W/ Volador Jr. & Zandokan Jr. vs. Esfinge, Star Jr. & Templario (2/7/2025, CMLL)
vs Star Jr. (3/15/2025, CMLL)
49. Super Boy
49. Super Boy
Match Recommendations:
vs Judas el Traidor (5/18/2025, Lucha Memes)
W/ Demus, Hijo de Brazo De Platino, Toto & Ovett Jr vs Medico Brujo, Sick Boy, Fandango, Lunatik Xtrem & Pinochito (5/29/2025, IWRG)
(I know he has one more but I can't find it on my spreadsheet)
48. Konosuke Takeshita
48. Konosuke Takeshita
Honestly overrated, but has enough good matches to get himself on here.
Match Recommendations:
vs Angel de Oro (2/28/2025, CMLL)
vs Kenny Omega (3/9/2025, AEW)
47. Templario
47. Templario
Match Recommendations:
W/ Atlantis Jr. & Mascara Dorada vs Magnus, Soberano Jr. & Volador Jr. (2/11/2025, ROH)
W/ Mascara Dorada vs Soberano Jr. & Zandokan Jr. (2/14/2025, CMLL)
46. Hologram
46. Hologram
Favorite in the world.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Kommander vs Sky Team (3/21/2025, CMLL)
45. LaBron Kozone
45. LaBron Kozone
I wish DPW would give him a good wrestler to face. I think he's had maybe 2 singles opponents who are good, and even then, I'm being generous.
Match Recommendations:
vs Takuya Nomura (4/25/2025, DPW)
W/ Colby Corino vs Adam Priest & Trevor Lee (5/25/2025, DPW)
44. Hiroshi Tanahashi
44. Hiroshi Tanahashi
GO ACE!
Match Recommendations:
vs Katsuyori Shibata (1/5/2025, AEW/NJPW/CMLL)
vs Hirooki Goto (3/6/2025, NJPW)
43. Atlantis
43. Atlantis
Started the year off better than his son, but as the year progressed, he lost a little bit of steam, and his son gained a lot of it.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Blue Panther & Pantera vs. Felino, Stuka Jr. & Virus (5/30/2025, CMLL)
W/ Místico vs Bárbaro Cavernario & Último Guerrero (5/17/2025, CMLL)
42. Titan
42. Titan
Doesn't add much on his own, but a fun guy to be in a trios match in CMLL.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Atlantis Jr. & Mistico vs Averno, El Barbaro Cavernario & Volador Jr. (2/14/2025, CMLL)
41. Lunatik Xtreme
41. Lunatik Xtreme
Incredible at what he does. He's really missing a defining singles match this year, but I have no doubt that it will happen at some point. Also, there's this one part in his match against Adam del Castillo where they just start throwing the stiffest punches, and it's awesome. I had to talk about that match somewhere.
Match Recommendations:
vs Venganza (4/12/2025, Zona 23)
vs Adam del Castillo (5/18/2025, Lucha Memes)
W/ Medico Brujo, Sick Boy, Fandango, & Pinochito vs Demus, Hijo de Brazo De Platino, Toto, Ovett Jr & Super Boy (5/29/2025, IWRG)
Los Porros NG vs Lobito I, Lobito II & Lobito III (4/19/2025, Invasion)
Porros NG Vs Los Lobitos (5/4/2025)
40. Yurika Oka
40. Yurika Oka
Mio getting injured was incredibly upsetting, but Oka has stepped up in her tag partner's absence. One of the best Joshi's in the world.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Kaoru Ito vs Bozilla & Mio Momono (1/23/2025, Sareeeism)
Bob Bob Momo Banana vs Reiwa Ultima Powers (1/5/2025, Sendai Girls)
39. El Hijo del Villano III
39. El Hijo del Villano III
Largely fell off my radar as the year went on, but a simple, fun heel who has some of the best heat segments in the world.
Match Recommendations:
vs Barboza (2/21/2025, CMLL)
W/ Difunto, & Rocky Romero vs Blue Panther, Capitan Suicida, & Flip Gordon (2/28/2025, CMLL)
W/ Difunto vs Blue Panther Jr. & Volcano (3/1/2025, CMLL)
38. David Finlay
38. David Finlay
Really started to improve towards the end of last year. Incredible progression.
Match Recommendations:
vs Yota Tsuji (1/4/2025, NJPW)
vs Yuya Uemura (3/15/2025, NJPW)
37. Katsuyori Shibata
37. Katsuyori Shibata
How's he still this great? He had his brain removed!!
Match Recommendations:
vs Hiroshi Tanahashi (1/5/2025, AEW/NJPW/CMLL)
vs Daniel Garcia (1/11/2025, AEW)
vs Konosuke Takeshita (1/25/2025, AEW)
36. Mascara Dorada
36. Mascara Dorada
Match Recommendations:
Match Recommendations:
vs Soberano Jr. (2/28/2025, NJPW)
W/ Neon & Star Jr. vs Barboza, Difunto & Zandokan Jr. (3/28/2025, CMLL)
W/ Atlantis Jr. & Templario vs Magnus, Soberano Jr. & Volador Jr. (2/11/2025, ROH)
W/ Templario vs Soberano Jr. & Zandokan Jr. (2/14/2025, CMLL)
35. Ultimo Guerrero
35. Ultimo Guerrero
A consistent base you can rely on in CMLL. His matches with Sky Team have been some of the most fun CMLL matches all year for me.
Match Recommendations:
Los Guerreros Laguneros vs El Sky Team (1/31/2025, CMLL)
Los Guerreros Lagunero vs Flip Gordon, Mistico & Titan (2/11/2025, CMLL)
vs Rey Espartano (4/12/2025, Lucha Memes)
Los Guerreros Laguneros vs Blue Panther & El Sky Team (4/18/2025, CMLL)
vs KUSHIDA (4/25/2025, CMLL)
vs Hechicero (5/27/2025, CMLL)
34. Fuminori Abe
34. Fuminori Abe
Imagine if he were serious all the time... He is a really great wrestler, unfortunately, he doesn't always wrestle to his full potential.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Towa Iwasaki vs Dan Tamura and Shuji Ishikawa (2/19/2025, Evolution)
vs Takuya Nomura (3/8/2025, WxW)
The Astronauts vs Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa (3/21/2025, Evolution)
Astronauts vs Hikaru Sato & Manabu Hara (4/8/2025, KTDan)
Astronauts vs Shinya Aoki & Keigo Nakamura (4/6/2025, DDT)
33. El Gallego
33. El Gallego
Match Recommendations:
W/ Mr. Condor vs Cyber Black & El Macuarro (3/9/2025, Zona 23)
W/ Mr. Condor vs Macuarro & Osiris (4/12/2025, Zona 23)
32. Mr. Condor
32. Mr. Condor
Match Recommendations:
W/ El Gallego vs Cyber Black & El Macuarro (3/9/2025, Zona 23)
W/ El Gallego vs Macuarro & Osiris (4/12/2025, Zona 23)
vs Xelhua (5/1/2025, Lucha Memes)
31. Senka Akatsuki
31. Senka Akatsuki
Do I have her way too high up? Possibly. Do I care much? NO! One to watch in the coming years.
Match Recommendations:
vs Ai Houzan (1/4/2025, Marvelous)
vs Aja Kong (4/17/2025, Marvelous)
vs DASH Chisako (5/21/2025, Tenryu Project)
30. Adam del Castillo
30. Adam del Castillo
Match Recommendations:
vs Lunatik Extrem (5/18/2025, Lucha Memes)
vs Demus (1/19/2025, Lucha Memes)
vs Magnetico (2/16/2025, Lucha Memes)
29. Xelhua
29. Xelhua
Match Recommendations:
vs El Barbaro Cavernario vs Difunto vs Barboza (1/17/2025, CMLL)
W/ Capitan Suicida & El Hijo del PanteraEl Hijo del Villano III, Guerrero Maya Jr. & Vegas (1/21/2025, CMLL)
vs Negro Navarro (4/12/2025, Lucha Memes)
vs Hechicero (4/19/2025, CMLL)
vs Mr Condor (5/1/2025, Lucha Memes)
28. Meiko Satomura
28. Meiko Satomura
Match Recommendations:
vs Nanae (1/31/2025)
vs Chihiro Hashimoto (3/19/2025, Sendai Girls)
W/ Ryo Mizunami vs. Manami & Yurika Oka (4/12/2025, Sendai Girls)
W/ Manami vs. Chihiro Hashimoto & Aja Kong (4/29/2025, Sendai Girls)
27. Daniel Garcia
27. Daniel Garcia
Tony Khan did you so dirty, Danny. I hope he has good things in store for you.
Match Recommendations:
vs Katsuyoui Shibata (1/11/2025, AEW)
vs Lee Moriarty (3/8/2025, AEW)
W/ Nigel McGuinness vs. FTR (5/26/2025, AEW)
26. Flip Gordon
26. Flip Gordon
CMLL's promotion of the year case is really anchored by Flip Gordon. He's surprisingly really great, great enough to make you consider if the Earth really is flat.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Neon vs Los Hermanos Chavez (2/3/2025, CMLL)
W/ Legendario & Star Jr. vs. Galeon Fantasma (2/8/2025, CMLL)
W/ Mistico & Titan vs. Los Guerreros Laguneros (2/11/2025, CMLL)
vs Hechicero (5/24/2025, CMLL)
25. Neon
25. Neon
The lightning match is MADE for him. I like fun flips.
Match Recommendations:
vs El Barbaro Cavernario (1/4/2025, CMLL)
vs Virus (1/11/2025, MLW)
vs Max Star (2/14/2025, CMLL)
vs Zandokan Jr. (2/27/2025, NJPW)
W/ Mascara Dorada & Star Jr. vs Barboza, Difunto & Zandokan Jr. (3/28/2025, CMLL)
vs Paul London (5/2/2025, CMLL)
24. Hirooki Goto
24. Hirooki Goto
The ZSJ match really carries him a lot here, but it's so great. He has other defenses that are good, notably Tanahashi, and is the leader of NJPW's constant improvement this year.
Match Recommendations:
W/ El Desperado vs TMDK (1/22/2025, NJPW)
vs Zack Sabre Jr. (2/11/2025, NJPW)
vs Hiroshi Tanahashi (3/6/2025, NJPW)
vs Yuji Nagata (3/15/2025, NJPW)
23. Jon Moxley
23. Jon Moxley
They will NEVER convince me you are bad. One thing, out of the many, I love about Mox is his pacing. He slows it down, works a cut, and dominates the match in a really great way. It's a nice change of pace as AEW becomes more and more Ospreay-pilled.
Match Recommendations:
vs Powerhouse Hobbs (1/15/2025, AEW)
vs Samoa Joe (5/14/2025, AEW)
vs Mark Briscoe (6/4/2025, AEW)
Death Riders vs FTR (2/1/2025, AEW)
22. Star Jr.
22. Star Jr.
In the feud of the year with Zandokan Jr., their brawling added something unique to a lot of CMLL trios matches throughout the year.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Esfinge & Titan vs Barco Fantasma (1/24/2025, CMLL)
W/ Esfinge vs Valiente & Zandokan Jr. (1/31/2025, CMLL)
W/ Esfinge & Templario vs Valiente, Volador Jr. & Zandokan Jr. (2/7/2025, CMLL)
vs Valiente (3/15/2025, CMLL)
vs Zandokan Jr. (3/21/2025, CMLL)
W/ Mascara Dorada & Neon vs Barboza, Difunto & Zandokan Jr. (3/28/2025, CMLL)
21. Kosei Fujita
21. Kosei Fujita
Maybe too high, but the KUSHIDA match is one of the most unique of the year. Also has a decent amount of tags and singles stuff that's just good enough to have me watch a lot of him this year. 2nd best of the young NJPW stars.
Match Recommendations:
vs El Desperado (2/4/2025, NJPW)
vs KUSHIDA (5/17/2025, NJPW)
20. Kyle Fletcher
20. Kyle Fletcher
MOST IMPROVED. The Ospreay match is bad because it's not what he's good at. Kyle is great when it comes to slowing things down and controlling a match, not the "go-go-go" mentality Ospreay matches have behind them.
Match Recommendations:
vs Mark Briscoe (2/8/2025, AEW)
vs Brody King (3/26/2025, AEW)
vs Mark Briscoe (4/6/2025, AEW)
vs Adam Page (4/30/2025, AEW)
19. Osiris
19. Osiris
"What? Y'all thought y'all wasn't gonna see me?
I'm the Osiris of this shit
Wu-Tang is here Forever, motherfuckers" - Ol' Dirty Bastard
Match Recommendations:
vs Amnesia vs Demus (1/26/2025, Zona 23)
W/ Macuarro vs Mr. Condor & El Gallego (4/12/2025, Zona 23)
18. Blue Panther
18. Blue Panther
Somehow, at his age, better than the majority of wrestlers in the world today.
Match Recommendations:
vs Hechicero (1/10/2025, CMLL)
W/ El Sky Team vs Los Guerreros Laguneros (4/18/2025, CMLL)
W/ Atlantis & Pantera vs Felino, Stuka Jr. & Virus (5/30/2025, CMLL)
17. Atlantis Jr.
17. Atlantis Jr.
The best comebacks in the world today. There's something about them that's almost indescribably great. Combined with him wrestling the best cast of bad guys in the world, he really shines.
Match Recommendations:
vs Zandokan Jr. (5/6/2025, CMLL)
W/ Mistico & Titan vs Averno, El Barbaro Cavernario & Volador Jr. (2/14/2025, CMLL)
W/ Mascara Dorada & Templario vs Magnus, Soberano Jr. & Volador Jr. (2/11/2025, ROH)
W/ El Sky Team vs Barbaro Cavernario, Difunto & Volador Jr. (5/30/2025, CMLL)
16. Mistico
16. Mistico
Ace of the best promotion in the world. Where did you think he was gonna place? While I think he's far from the best CMLL has to offer, there's undeniably something great about him. I don't like to use the word "aura" (lie), but Mistico is one of the few wrestlers whom I would truly describe as having it.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Mascara Dorada & Capitan Suicida vs Hechicero, Soberano Jr. & Valiente (1/1/2025, CMLL)
W/ Flip Gordon & Titan vs. Los Guerreros Laguneros (2/11/2025, CMLL)
W/ Atlantis Jr. & Titan Averno vs El Barbaro Cavernario & Volador Jr. (2/14/2025, CMLL)
W/ Atlantis vs Bárbaro Cavernario & Último Guerrero (5/17/2025, CMLL) 15. Mascara Sagrada
Endless chemistry with his forever rival, El Hijo de Fishman. I believe they have 5 matches with each other, and all of them are of some quality. Slightly worse than Fishman because of Fishman/Demus, but still one of the best in the world.
Match Recommendations:
vs Hijo de Fishman (1/12/2025, Panther)
vs Hijo de Fishman (2/16/2025, Arena de Valle)
vs El Hijo del Fishman (2/2/2025, Promociones Jimenez)
vs El Hijo del Fishman (1/4/2025)
14. Mercedes Mone
14. Mercedes Mone
The best women's wrestler in the world going today. I feel like she's the closest to Hokuto modern wrestling has. There's something sloppy about the way she moves around the ring, bumps, and executes her moves, but it's her ability to harness this natural sloppiness into something that looks brutal that really sets her apart.
Match Recommendations:
vs Momo Watanabe (3/9/2025, AEW)
vs Billie Starkz (3/19/2025, AEW)
vs Julia Hart (4/6/2025, AEW)
vs Athena (4/16/2025, AEW)
vs Jamie Hayter (5/26/2025, AEW)
13. Mark Briscoe
13. Mark Briscoe
Wrestling needs wrestlers like Mark Briscoe. Consistently delivers, from PPVs to weekly TV, if Mark is in a match, it's almost certainly worth checking out. A lovable face, maybe the most beloved AEW wrestler going right now. I've never seen someone hate Mark Briscoe, and it's for good reason. He brings a level of excitement few can today.
Match Recommendations:
vs Bobby Lashley (1/8/2025, AEW)
vs Kyle Fletcher (2/8/2025, AEW)
vs Kyle Fletcher (4/6/2025, AEW)
vs Ricochet (5/26/2025, AEW)
vs Jon Moxley (6/4/2025, AEW)
12. Soberano Jr.
12. Soberano Jr.
Unfortunately, Soberano will probably completely miss the end-of-year list due to injury. So, for now, let me talk about how great he is. The best "traditional" heel CMLL has. He's so cool. A slick heel who has no shame in cheating, but is too cool to boo. Also, the best fashion in CMLL.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Hechicero & Valiente vs Mascara Dorada, Mistico & Capitan Suicida (1/1/2025, CMLL)
vs Mascara Dorada (2/28/2025, NJPW)
W/ Magnus & Volador Jr. vs Atlantis Jr., Mascara Dorada & Templario (2/11/2025, ROH)
W/ Zandokan Jr. vs Mascara Dorada & Templario (2/14/2025, CMLL)
11. Timothy Thatcher
11. Timothy Thatcher
Get away from him, WWE! Can't say I've seen any of his Evolve work, but he's been really great this year. He's a little things wrestler, the small things he does are really what takes him from a solid grappler to one of the best the world has to offer. The best example of that is the notably excellent match against Travis Williams. The little strikes and things he does in that match really elevate it from something that is good but not memorable to one of the best of the year.
Match Recommendations:
vs Shinya Aoki (4/18/2025, DDT)
vs Travis Williams (2/28/2025, Dusk Pro)
vs Adam Priest (1/11/2025, Prestige)
10. Takuya Nomura
10. Takuya Nomura
About 2 years out from 2023, which I consider to be their real breakout year, Nomura has lapped Abe in terms of quality. This isn't to say he's a better wrestler than Abe, I do think Abe is the technically better of the two. But the one thing Nomura has over Abe is that he does way less comedy than him. This alone gives him a massive advantage. Obviously, the stuff with Abe is also great, but he has numerous singles encounters this year that are really good as well.
Match Recommendations:
vs LaBron Kozone (4/25/2025, DPW)
The Astronauts vs Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa (3/21/2025, Evolution)
vs Fuminori Abe (3/8/2025, WxW)
Astronauts vs Hikaru Sato & Manabu Hara (4/8/2025, KTDan)
Astronauts vs Shinya Aoki & Keigo Nakamura (4/6/2025, DDT)
9. El Barbaro Cavernario
9. El Barbaro Cavernario
Such a sick wrestler. I feel like he's in the same vein as 00s KENTA, Roddy, and Trevor Lee to me. Just a sick wrestler who does sick moves that always have a certain snap to them. Honestly feels like he would be better in Lucha indies rather than CMLL, but even in CMLL, he's great. The Neon match from earlier in the year is a must-watch.
Match Recommendations:
vs Hechicero (2/28/2025, NJPW)
vs Neon (1/4/2025, CMLL)
W/ Averno & Volador Jr. vs Atlantis Jr., Mistico & Titan (2/14/2025, CMLL)
W/ Difunto & Volador Jr. vs Atlantis Jr. & El Sky Team (5/30/2025, CMLL)
8. Hijo de Fishman
8. Hijo de Fishman
As mentioned before, all his matches against Mascara Sagrada are great, but Fishman also has the Demus match. Fishman is one of the best at the best type of wrestling in the world, making him one of the best in the world.
Match Recommendations:
vs Demus (3/9/2025, Zona 23)
vs Mascara Sagrada (1/12/2025, Panther)
vs Mascara Sagrada (2/16/2025, Arena de Valle)
vs Mascara Sagrada (2/2/2025, Promociones Jimenez)
vs Mascara Sagrada (1/4/2025)
7. Zandokan Jr.
7. Zandokan Jr.
Zandokan to me is a really interesting wrestler. I've seen many call him the BITW, and while I can't agree, I can certainly see the argument for it. His gimmick is loads of fun, he really commits to the pirate thing. Brings a flag down to the ring and has a really fun crew around him. But what really elevated him this year is that feud with Star Jr. The feud of the year for me at this point. I think he's substantially better than Star, however, mostly due to his work with the other wrestlers in CMLL. Even outside of the Star feud, Zandokan shines brighter than anyone else on the roster.
Match Recommendations:
vs Star Jr. (3/21/2025, CMLL)
W/ Valiente vs Esfinge & Star Jr. (1/31/2025, CMLL)
vs Atlantis Jr. (5/6/2025, CMLL)
W/ Barboza & Difunto vs Mascara Dorada, Neon & Star Jr. (3/28/2025, CMLL)
W/ Soberano Jr. vs Mascara Dorada & Templario (2/14/2025, CMLL)
6. Shinya Aoki
6. Shinya Aoki
He's so evil. MVP of Mania weekend for sure. Just an evil little guy who will do anything it takes to get an advantage. A sick grappler who is 1 of 1.
Match Recommendations:
vs Kazusada Higuchi (5/6/2025, DDT)
W/ Keigo Nakamura vs The Astronauts (4/6/2025, DDT)
vs Timothy Thatcher (4/18/2025, DDT)
vs Charlie Dempsey (4/17/2025, GCW)
vs Keigo Nakamura (2/14/2025, DDT)
5. Hechicero
5. Hechicero
Where to begin with Hechicero? To me, I've always seen him as having 2 different "modes." One where he is a more traditional Rudo, most notably seen in the CMLL trios matches or the Blue Panther match, and a technical mode, seen in stuff like the ZSJ match. What makes him special is that he's at least in the top 3 in the world at both styles. The best wrestler in the best company.
Match Recommendations:
vs Blue Panther (1/10/2025, CMLL)
vs El Barbaro Cavernario (2/28/2025, NJPW)
vs Zack Sabre Jr. (1/11/2025, NJPW)
vs Flip Gordon (5/24/2025, CMLL)
Valiente vs Euforia vs Esfinge (1/17/2025, CMLL)
vs Solar (4/12/2025, Lucha Memes)
vs Xelhua (4/19/2025, CMLL)
vs Atlantis Jr. (5/13/2025, CMLL)
vs Ultimo Guerrero (5/27/2025, CMLL)
vs Mascara Dorada (5/28/2025, AEW)
4. Mad Dog Connelly
Mad Dog is a much-needed ball of brutality and chaos in today's wrestling world. His match type of choice, the dog collar (read the name), is maybe my favorite match type in wrestling. Now, Mad Dog isn't just a good wrestler because of his match type; he elevates every match he's in, even outside of the dog collar stipulation.
Match Recommendations:
vs Thomas Shire (5/25/2025, DPW)
vs Adam Priest (5/24/2025, ACTION)
vs Hunter Drake (2/22/2025, TWE)
W/ Adam Priest vs Jake Something & Matt Tremont (6/1/2025, DPW/WCP/Prestige)
vs Cousin Condry (4/12/2025, TWE)
vs Otis Cogar (5/2/2025, ICW:NHB)
vs Josh Crane (1/30/2025, Naptown)
3. Adam Priest
There's not much more to be said about Adam Priest than him just being a perfect heel. He just gets how to be a bad guy, milking heat off of every little thing. The best part is, he's not afraid to get beaten up when needed, and watching him get beaten up is so satisfying. Everything you want from a bad guy and more.
Match Recommendations:
vs Mad Dog Connelly (5/24/2025, ACTION)
W/ Mad Dog Connelly vs Jake Something & Matt Tremont (6/1/2025, DPW/WCP/Prestige)
vs Carter Blaq (2/23/2025, New Texas)
vs Timothy Thatcher (1/11/2025, Prestige)
vs Kevin Blackwood (2/2/2025, DPW)
vs Kasey Owens (2/28/2025, ACTION)
vs Shigehiro Irie (4/24/2025, DPW)
W/ Trevor Lee vs. LaBron Kozone & Colby Corino (5/25/2025, DPW)
2. El Macuarro
2. El Macuarro
Who is Macuarro? We really don't know. His age isn't even known. The one thing we know about Macuarro is that he is one of the best wrestlers going today. He looks like a mad scientist, but this scientist has created the most effective way to harm his opponent. His case to be this high is honestly more off vibes then the actual wrestling, which don't get me wrong, his wrestling has been fantastic, but what takes him above others is that there's really no one else like him.
Match Recommendations:
W/ Osiris vs Mr. Condor & El Gallego (4/12/2025, Zona 23)
vs Albatros Jr. (4/26/2025, S11)
vs Drago Kid (2/1/2025, Zona 23)
W/ Cyber Black vs Mr. Condor & El Gallego (3/9/2025, Zona 23)
1. Demus
1. Demus
Best in the world is back again. Such violence and brutality are nearly unseen in modern wrestling. Last year, he was my WOTY off of pretty much 3 or 4 matches, and this year, he's already had 3 matches of a similar quality. It is an event whenever he has a match, and he almost always delivers. A special wrestler.
Match Recommendations:
vs Adam del Castillo (1/19/2025, Lucha Memes)
vs Osiris vs Amnesia (1/26/2025, Zona 23)
vs Hijo de Fishman (3/9/2025, Zona 23)
vs Stigma (4/12/2025, Lucha Memes)
W/ Hijo de Brazo De Platino, Toto, Ovett Jr & Super Boy vs Medico Brujo, Sick Boy, Fandango, Lunatik Xtrem & Pinochito (5/29/2025, IWRG)
Match of the Year
Match of the Year
Well, next is Match of the Year. I'll be giving you my favorite 20 matches from this year, loosely ordered. And no, I'm not going to be writing as many blurbs for these because it's a lot, but if I have something to say, I'll say it. The end-of-year list WILL have fully thought-out blurbs, though, I promise you that. For now, enjoy images (and some of my thoughts)!
20. El Barbaro Cavernario vs Neon (1/4/2025, CMLL) - ****
20. El Barbaro Cavernario vs Neon (1/4/2025, CMLL) - ****
18. Hijo de Fishman vs Mascara Sagrada (2/16/2025, Arena de Valle) - ****
18. Hijo de Fishman vs Mascara Sagrada (2/16/2025, Arena de Valle) - ****
17. Yujiro Yamamoto vs Tsuyoshi Okada (1/10/2025, KOBE) - ****
17. Yujiro Yamamoto vs Tsuyoshi Okada (1/10/2025, KOBE) - ****
16. Masashi Takeda vs Kosuke Sato (4/8/2025, KTDan) - ****
16. Masashi Takeda vs Kosuke Sato (4/8/2025, KTDan) - ****
15. Timothy Thatcher vs Travis Williams (2/28/2025 Dusk Pro) - ****
15. Timothy Thatcher vs Travis Williams (2/28/2025 Dusk Pro) - ****
14. Mad Dog Connelly vs Thomas Shire (5/25/2025, DPW) - ****
14. Mad Dog Connelly vs Thomas Shire (5/25/2025, DPW) - ****
13. Demus, Hijo de Brazo De Platino, Toto, Ovett Jr & Super Boy vs Medico Brujo, Sick Boy, Fandango, Lunatik Xtrem & Pinochito (5/29/2025, IWRG) - ****1/8 (These are the people who I think are in this match, I can't really figure it out)
13. Demus, Hijo de Brazo De Platino, Toto, Ovett Jr & Super Boy vs Medico Brujo, Sick Boy, Fandango, Lunatik Xtrem & Pinochito (5/29/2025, IWRG) - ****1/8 (These are the people who I think are in this match, I can't really figure it out)
The entrances to this match are in contention for the rawest moment of 2025. Just a crazy brawl that Demus and many others in this match have perfected.
12. Lobito I, Lobito II & Lobito III vs Los Porros NG (4/19/2025, Invasion) - ****1/8
12. Lobito I, Lobito II & Lobito III vs Los Porros NG (4/19/2025, Invasion) - ****1/8
Just watch the ending spots of this match, it'll tell you everything you need to know about this.
11. Hijo de Fishman vs Mascara Sagrada (1/12/2025, Panther) - ****1/8
11. Hijo de Fishman vs Mascara Sagrada (1/12/2025, Panther) - ****1/8
10. Hijo de Fishman vs Demus (3/9/2025, Zona 23) - ****1/8
10. Hijo de Fishman vs Demus (3/9/2025, Zona 23) - ****1/8
9. Blue Panther vs Hechicero (1/10/2025, CMLL) - ****1/4
9. Blue Panther vs Hechicero (1/10/2025, CMLL) - ****1/4
8. Caballero de Plata vs Cerebro Negro (2/16/2025, IWRG) - ****1/4
8. Caballero de Plata vs Cerebro Negro (2/16/2025, IWRG) - ****1/4
7. Kosei Fujita vs KUSHIDA (5/17/2025, NJPW) - ****1/4
7. Kosei Fujita vs KUSHIDA (5/17/2025, NJPW) - ****1/4
The closest we will get to a shoot style this year. The shoes come off, and these two have one of the most entertaining technical matches you can put on. And in a company with the FRAUD ZSJ, incredible.
6. Macuarro & Osiris vs Mr. Condor & El Gallego (4/12/2025, Zona 23) - ****1/4
6. Macuarro & Osiris vs Mr. Condor & El Gallego (4/12/2025, Zona 23) - ****1/4
The match that sold me on Macuarro being a generational talent. At his (presumed) age, he takes some crazy bumps and bleeds a likely unhealthy amount.
5. Toni Storm vs Mariah May (3/9/2025, AEW) - ****1/4
5. Toni Storm vs Mariah May (3/9/2025, AEW) - ****1/4
Part of me is still in shock that they had a match THIS good. Everything about this feud, the wrestlers involved, the segments leading up to it, pointed to this being an absolute disaster. Instead, they delivered one of the most brutal women's matches in North American wrestling history. IAN ROTTEN GOT A TRIBUTE SPOT IN THIS MATCH. Also, it's awesome how Mariah had her first good match in the company and left.
2. Shinya Aoki vs Kazusada Higuchi (5/6/2025, DDT) - ****1/2
2. Shinya Aoki vs Kazusada Higuchi (5/6/2025, DDT) - ****1/2
Shinya Aoki is an evil little man.
1. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hirooki Goto (2/11/2025, NJPW) - ****5/8
1. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hirooki Goto (2/11/2025, NJPW) - ****5/8
I knew the outcome before watching and was still buying into everything they did. Tears.
Tag Team of the Year
Tag Team of the Year
Were done with lists. Yay!
This is probably the hardest category to write about. Has there really been good tag wrestling this year? Well, yes, but has there been a consistently good tag team this year? Only a few really come to mind immediately.
FTR. What a resurgence they've had. From an act that could only occasionally pump something decent out to some of the most entertaining on the planet. Hair is the better one; he's so committed to this heel gimmick and is the better wrestler of the two.
The Hurt Syndicate have also been really great in squashes and PPV matches as well. But, they're missing something next level to be in contention for this.
The Astronauts have been great, as expected. Two of the best individual wrestlers in the world coming together to create one of the best tag teams in the world.
Finally, Team Sky. This is really just a placeholder for all the CMLL Tecnico's, but most of the really good CMLL trios stuff has involved either Neon, Mistico, and/or Mascara Dorada.
Promotion of the Year
Promotion of the Year
Look, this entire page, I've talked about how CMLL is the promotion of the year and that the best wrestlers in that company are the best in the world. But, in the end, it didn't feel true to me. I couldn't bring myself to name CMLL the best company of the year.
Don't get me wrong, CMLL has had a fantastic year. They pumped out some of the most watchable wrestling in the world, and I don't want that to go uncredited. They have a stacked roster with multiple of the world's finest on it, but there's just one company that I would put over it.
Zona 23. The best in the world.
When you look at my WOTY and MOTY lists, you can understand my pick a little better. They pumped out THE very best matches and THE very best wrestlers all year. While CMLL had consistency, Zona has the highest highs of any company in the world. And the best part is, it hits these peaks consistently. When there's a good Zona card, there's nothing better in the world than it.
And with that, we're done! This was mostly made to show where my head is at going into next year. I hope you enjoyed reading and hopefully it inspired you to check some matches or wrestlers you haven't heard of out! That's always the goal.
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