by The votes are in, and the wrestling community has spoken!
Wrestling is something that brings people together in a community of excitement, celebration, and of course, wishing epic curses upon Don Callis. But when it comes to reflecting back on a year of exceptional wrestling, there’s something beautiful about watching thousands of wrestling fans come together, ballot by ballot, vote by vote, to celebrate the performers and moments that made their year brighter.
From every promotion, every match type, every triumphant moment of the year, you have made your voices heard. And what a chorus of celebration it is! These awards belong to you as much as they belong to the winners, because you are the ones who watched, who cheered, who cast your ballots, and who made this year unforgettable.
Let’s celebrate together.
Wrestler of the Year: Toni Storm
Sometimes, the brightest light finds its way through transformation.
2025 saw Timeless Toni Storm reinvent herself time and again, captivating a world wide audience with the glitz and glamour of a starlet gone rogue, a star fall into a memory whole of amnesia, a new star born as a rookie named Toni Storm “made her All Elite Debut” in AEW, before finally getting her revenge against her rival and former understudy Mariah May, before reinventing herself yet again as a Detective Noir character who, at times was reminescent of Carmen San Diego. Toni Storm and Mariah May have been embroiled in one of the most critically reknowned and celebrated storylines in all of professional wrestling, in all time, in what can really only be described as something Timeless.
Her “Condemn To Mediocrity” promo left the world breathless. It wasn’t just words, it was art. It was fire and conviction and a performer at the absolute height of their craft, commanding attention with nothing but a microphone and the courage to say exactly what needed to be said. That promo alone would have been enough to cement her place in wrestling history. But Toni Storm gave us so much more than one moment. She gave us a Hollywood Ending, a bloody, brutal curtain call that left two women battered and exhuasted, bloodied and still, as a breathless audience jumped to their feet to give a well earned standing ovation. And then…. she kept writing her story.
Her in-ring work this year told stories that lingered long after the final bell. Her character work reminded us that wrestling is theater, that the best performers don’t just execute moves, they inhabit worlds. And when Storm stands in her ring, she inhabits a world of her own creation, one where artistry, athleticism, and a bit of raunchy banter exist in perfect harmony, where every gesture exhibits a world, and every dance builds to a crescendo of excitement. Now, she is teaming with friend, partner, at times lover, Mina Shirakawa. And while their aims to take on tag team gold initially fell through, they still made history by battling vigorously in the first ever Women’s Blood and Guts match, where the curtain call yet again fell on Timeless Toni Storm desperate to save Mina from the hands of the bruiser technician, Marina Shafir.
Toni stands at the pinnacle of this year’s celebration. The fans saw what she was building. The fans understood that something special was happening. And when they cast their votes, they did so with the certainty that comes from watching greatness unfold in real time.
And she’s just getting started. As with the infinite universe at large, her star has never shined brighter, for it is forever timeless.
Men’s Wrestler of the Year: Adam Page
In 2025, the lonesome, enraged, lost in a raging inferno cowboy, finally found his redemption.
Long before he was the anxious millennial cowboy, drinking whiskey and throwing out a yee-haw for some epic cowboy shit, Hangman Adam Page was trying to pull himself away from the shadows of The Elite and stand tall enough to build a shadow all of his own. The buildup to this moment, this triumph, this redemption written in gold, has been playing out for nearly five years. Every stumble, every defeat, every moment of uncertainty, all of it was leading somewhere. All of it mattered.
Hangman walked through the fire of Swerve’s House. Well, he sat in front of it really, proud and satisfied, drinking whiskey in a recliner while Swerve’s childhood hopes and dreams burned to the ground behind him. He drank the blood of his enemies, and brought forth a monster of rage even he was shocked to see. In his fury, his tunnel vision blinded him, as he cost his dear friend, Christopher Daniels, his career in professional wrestling, by Hangman’s very hands. He stood toe to toe with the Devil, and brought him to his knees when begged the question of why his fans could still follow him, and even forgive him, by answering with just three words, “I am REAL.”
While Hangman was contending with his own demons, another force began to dominate All Elite Wrestling in the vacuum left behind: Jon Moxley and the Deathriders. Now the AEW World Champion, Mox hid the championship away in a briefcase, heavily guarded by the bruisers of his faction. He ran roughshod through the roster, demanding exceptional passion, while not giving it a chance to flourish as he laid waste to everyone in his path. The championship held hostage, All Elite Wrestling was held hostage. And there was one thing left to do.
The cowboy needed to wake up, get his cowboy shit together, find himself, forgive himself, and find peace.
He found hope and solidarity in his fans, and in the people who stood alongside him along the way. In Mexico, as tensions were rising and a world had seemingly gone mad, he spoke of unity, the power of immigrants, and the pride and solidarity of working alongside people who deserve the same human dignity as everyone else.
As real world atrocities began to loom ever larger, and immigrant communities were being hounded and rounded up by ICE, commercials advertising for ICE began to air on HBO, TNT, and TBS. Once again standing in solidarity with people around the world, Hangman stood tall with the fans of AEW and led a rally cry. “Fuck ICE airing commercials during Dynamite. Let ’em know.” And with a link to customer feedback forms, AEW fans worked en masse to get ICE ads off the air. And we succeeded.
And then, at AEW All In Texas, in front of a crowd that had never stopped believing, Hangman did what Hangman does best. He rose to meet his moment of redemption.
The match against Jon Moxley was the culmination of years of storytelling, years of struggle, years of watching a cowboy try to find his way home. When his hand was raised in victory, when the championship was placed around his waist, something shifted in the air. Years of storytelling reached its peak. A community that found solidarity in every stumble, every doubt, every bottle of whiskey and lonely road, finally got to exhale together.
A redemption written in gold.
The cowboy won. And for one beautiful moment, we all won with him.
Women’s Wrestler of the Year: Toni Storm
The community left absolutely no doubt. Toni Storm has swept the awards across all promotions, not just as Wrestler of the Year, but Women’s Wrestler of the Year as well!
With Toni captivating audiences around the world, and mesmerizing new fans with her audacious promos, brilliant character work, and unparalleled ring work mixed with high risk high reward matches, Toni Storm has forever cemented her legacy as standing tall as the timeless one, becoming the standard bearer for what the best in wrestling could be, and the gold she could hold.
This is what happens when talent meets moment. When a performer who has worked for years, who has honed every aspect of their craft, finally gets the platform and the creative freedom to show the world exactly what they can do. Storm took that opportunity and turned it into something that will be remembered for generations.
Tag Team of the Year: Brodido
In a division overflowing with talent, where teams from every corner of the wrestling world compete for attention and recognition, one team rose above and catpured our hearts, along with Tag Team Championship gold.
Brody King and Bandito are, on the surface, two very different wrestlers and people. Brody King is giant and imposing, full of raw power and strength, intimiding and dominating any opponent he stands toe to toe with, often, before throwing them across the ring or catapulting himself into them. Bandido, the high flying technician, is a wrestler that embodies hope and optimism, drive and courage, with dazzling feats of athleticism that leave the crowd buzzing with an electric excitement.
Put these two together, and you have a team that embodies resilience, friendship, and electrifying energy. You also have a team comprised of someone who brings the best of Mexico, of heart and spirit, standing alongside a man who proudly wore an “ABOLISH ICE” shirt in Mexico City, and ultimately raised over $36,000 for families affected by ICE raids in Los Angeles. This is a team of thrilling excitement in wrestling, to be sure. But it is also a team that represents the best of who we are and who we can be. Compassionate, empathetic, full of optimism, while standing tall and firm for what’s right, for justice, and for hope.
Tag team wrestling, at its best, shows us what can happen when two people trust each other completely, when they build something together that neither could achieve alone. And this year, Brodido embodied everything that makes tag team wrestling special. The timing, the creativity, the way they could shift the momentum of a match with a single glance exchanged across the ring, and encapsulate the charm of friendship and victory, with celebratory arms raised at the end.
Brodido captured your hearts and your votes, proving that tag team wrestling remains one of the most thrilling corners of our sport. That even in the space of such giants as The Young Bucks, FTR, and The Hurt Syndicate, there’s room for people to come together, light a spark of passion and fortitude, and not only challenge the indomidable pillars of the status quo, but overcome them. And do it with a light of excitement and joy that brings the spirit of human connection together.
Match of the Year: Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley at AEW All In Texas
Some matches tell a story. This one finished one.
To understand why this match resonated so deeply with the community, you have to understand the years that led to it. You have to understand the countless episodes of AEW Dynamite where we watched Hangman Page struggle with his demons. The segments where Jon Moxley and the Deathriders brutally beat down the roster of All Elite Wrestling, all while holding the championship and what it represents, hostage. The spirits and embodiments of All Elite Wrestling standing diametrically opposed: one that believed in compassion, kindness, human dignity, and the real struggles of fighting through self-doubt to find an inner fire of courage, while the other stood angry, demanding, and disbelieving that anyone could truly love this company and this sport enough to deserve to carry it.
Adam Page versus Jon Moxley at AEW All In Texas was a defining clash of the titans of AEW, where the outcome would lay the foundation of what AEW would become as it rocketed to its future. Moxley represented everything that stood in Hangman’s way, the violence, the chaos, the question of whether the good guys can really win when the world seems determined to prove otherwise. Hangman was the breath of fresh air we so desperately needed. He was our guy, our cowboy, our story, our hope, and our revolution.
The fight at All In Texas laid bare everything within both men. Bloodied, grizzled, breathless, and focused, these two clashed through chains, glass, nails, and chairs, and beat each other relentlessly. Neither man was one to back down from a fight, and neither man would, unless he so utterly succumbed to the determination and pain wrought forth by the one who stood against him. Finally, good triumphed, and as Hangman Page finally found his redemption, we too, found ours.
Feud of the Year: Jon Moxley vs. Adam Page
The best feuds feel personal. They make you choose sides, hold your breath, and wonder how it could possibly end. Jon Moxley versus Adam Page gave us all of that and more.
This wasn’t just about a championship. This was about ideals. This was about what kind of champion AEW deserved, what kind of leader could take the company into its next chapter. Moxley brought violence and certainty, the belief that strength was all that mattered. Page brought hope and vulnerability, the idea that you could struggle and fail and still find your way back to the light.
This community recognized a rivalry that transcended championships. It became about the very soul of All Elite Wrestling. Every promo, every confrontation, every moment where these two men shared the screen felt charged with something bigger than any single match could contain.
And that’s what the greatest feuds do. They make you care about the outcome not just as fans, but as people who have invested in these characters, who have followed their journeys, who want to see this story reach a satisfying conclusion. Jon Moxley versus Hangman Page delivered all of that and more.
Moment of the Year: Adam Page Wins AEW Men’s World Championship at All In Texas
There’s a reason you voted for this moment.
When Hangman’s hand was raised in Texas, something shifted. Not just in the arena, but in living rooms and bars and wherever wrestling fans were gathered to watch. Years of storytelling reached their peak. People who had followed every stumble, every doubt, every raging fire, every bottle of whiskey, and the long and lonesome road, finally got to exhale together.
This is what long-term storytelling can achieve when it’s done right. This is what happens when a company trusts its fans to follow a story that takes years to tell, and trusts that the payoff will be worth the wait. The cowboy won. And for one beautiful moment, we all won with him.
Redemption was earned. Justice was served. Wrongs were righted, and the feeling was finally and undoubtedly, completely restored.
Breakout Star: Kyle Fletcher
In many ways, 2025 was a year of reinvention, and this couldn’t be more true for someone like Kyle Fletcher. Undergoing a complete transformation, we saw the blonde haired future star, break away from the shadows of his brethren and become The Protostar, a man ripped to shredded stature, clad in dazzling pink and silver, and standing tall as a fully formed star of his own design.
Kyle’s journey this year has been a masterclass in organic growth. It wasn’t just about the gold, though that 114 day championship reign was a breathtaking run of workhorse performances against legends like Dustin Rhodes, Tomohiro Ishii, and Mark Briscoe. It was about the feeling he left us with every time he stepped into the ring. Whether he was battling through the grueling Blue League of the Continental Classic or standing tall as the focused edge of the Don Callis Family, Kyle moved with the self-assuredness of a man who knew he was ready to take every opportunity he sought, and he refused to wait for it.
The Kyle Fletcher we see now is a physical marvel, an imposing presence who manages to look both dominant and regal while clad in his signature pink and sparkles. There is a new, sharp arrogance to his walk, but it never feels hollow because it has been so meticulously earned through sweat and excellence. This year has shown that not only has Kyle Fletcher become the resonant Breakout Star for wrestling fans, his relentless proving ground has carved a space for him to be a Breakout Star for himself. In just the span of a single year, the Protostar has become a a supernova.
Most Improved: Harley Cameron
Harley Cameron has spent 2025 proving that she is one of the most versatile and gifted performers in the world of professional wrestling. Her evolution from the bright, comedic energy of her QTV days into a history making champion with a groundswell of momentum behind her has been a joy to witness. She has masterfully taken every opportunity to showcase her growth, turning her natural charisma and drive into an energy that reflects the work spent tirelessly training to improve her athleticism, pacing, rhythm, and character work. This year, Harley found the perfect rhythm between her larger-than-life personality and the grit required to compete at the highest level of the women’s division.
The brilliance of Harley lies in her ability to weave her immense outside talents into the fabric of her wrestling. With talents that span ventriloquism, singing, musicianship, and acting, she commands the stage and draws crowds in to the delight of Harley’s world. Her mastery of ventriloquism provided some of the year’s most viral moments, most notably the debut of “Mini Moné.”, a muppet built in the fashion of Mercedes Moné. With hilarious, endearing, and sharp witted commentary from the mouth of a muppet, she demonstrated a creative depth that is as delightful as it is impressive. She has a gift for making every segment feel like a high-production spectacle, proving that she is a world-class entertainer in every sense of the word.
The pinnacle of this transformative year was the historic moment Harley transitioned from a standout personality to a foundational champion. By aligning with Willow Nightingale to form The Babes of Wrath, she created a partnership defined by infectious energy and undeniable chemistry. Their hard work and synergy culminated in them becoming the first-ever AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions, a milestone that forever etches Harley’s name into the history books. From her early days finding her footing to standing tall with gold around her waist, Harley Cameron has defined what it means to improve, to excel, and to shine.
Best Heel: Ricochet
A-HAAAAAA! That unmistakable shout has become the soundtrack to one of the most entertaining transformations of the year. Pricochet hasn’t just turned a corner, this man took all of his arrogance and sardonic wit and double moonsaultedover it. He spent 2025 leaning into a delightful, supreme confidence that makes every appearance feel like a party where he is the only guest of honor. This version of Ricochet is having the absolute time of his life, winking at the crowd while reminding us all that he is physically capable of things the rest of us can only do in video games.
In the ring, his athleticism becomes a weapon. When facing opponents who loom larger than life, he ragdolls, bouncing and flipping around the canvas with a theatrical flair that makes his opponents look like monsters and himself look like a master of physics.
He is a man who is cartoonishly arrogant, finding himself with The Demand, challenging towering titans like Bobby Lashley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Samoa Joe. And yet, this arrogance is well earned, with the skills in the ring and on the mic to back it up. As the inaugural National Champion, he has taken this to the stage of Ring Of Honor, and will carry it to international stages as well, representing AEW in promotions all around the world, challenging them to bring their best to face the best, in Ricochet.
Ricochet brought his A-Game to AEW in 2025, proving to everyone that he could be just as playful and prickish on the microphone as he is undeniably athletic and talented in the ring. And with this, Ricochet has claimed his throne as the Best Heel by proving that you can be the smartest, fastest, and most stylish person in the room, and have a blast while doing it.
Best Faction: Don Callis Family
When Don Callis isn’t busy shining his glitter shoes, stepping on legos, or avoiding crying babies during long haul flights between shoes, he’s building one of the greatest and star packed factions the wrestling world has ever seen.
Featuring the star power of Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Hechicero, Josh Alexander, Mark Davis, Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta, Brian Cage, Lance Archer, Wardlow, and El Clon, the Don Callis family has grown equally in numbers as it has in prestige. Adorned in championship gold, the Don Callis family has become a formiddable force in All Elite Wrestling, and like snakes in the grass, its members stand poised to strike down any who stand in their way, including at times, members of their own faction.
This is a group that brings chaos, strategy, and decible breaking entertainment to every show they touched. When the brown note music hit, you knew something was about to happen. Don Callis would scream “YO SOY HECHICEROOOOO” as the camera zoomed in ever closer on his looming maw of a mouth. Or Kyle Fletcher, clad in pink and sparkles, would acerbically state his claims for TNT Championship gold while demanding people acknowledge him with his full name. Or Okada and Takeshita would circle around each other like vipers waiting to strike with a venemous disposition. That anticipation, that energy, that sense that anything could go wrong at any moment, that’s what great factions create.
This year, the Don Callis Family were a story unto themselves, a group with their own dynamics, their own tensions, their own goals that sometimes aligned and sometimes pulled in different directions. Don Callis himself, with his gift for manipulation and his endless scheming, tied everything together into something that felt genuinely threatening.
And as much as it pains me to write so positively about Don Callis, he has indeed created and cultivated a faction that has dominated professional wrestling at large, one that has become as decorated as it is formiddable, and as entertaining as it is calculating.
While celebrating the well deserved accolades of this year, may he spill red wine on his cream shirt, find caviar fallen in his shoe, and stub his pinky toe on his ornately glittery shoes, just enough that he can’t stop grimacing every time he takes a step to the the entrance tunnels ready to bask in the lights of a begrudgingly well earned victory. Because gosh darnit, he’s earned it.
Best Promo: Toni Storm, “Condemn To Mediocrity”
“Timeless” Toni Storm and Mariah May crafted one of the most profound stories in the history of the industry. This cinematic, golden Hollywood storyline arc set a new standard for the depth and emotional stakes of storytelling around the squared circle. And as their trilogy neared its curtain call, the expectations for a flawless performance reached a fever pitch. As Renee Paquette sat between Toni Storm and Mariah May, with just a few words, Toni stopped the wrestling world in its tracks.
The magic of this segment lived in the sheer, cold elegance of her delivery. Toni chose a devastating path by offering Mariah May the one thing a rising star fears most. She offered the gift of being forgotten. By condemning her former protégé to a lifetime of mediocrity, Toni began to write the ending of Mariah’s story well before the curtain call of the Hollywood Ending. It was a masterclass in psychological storytelling. It showcased Toni’s unique ability to be both absurdly funny and genuinely chilling in the same breath.
As the ebb and flow of life in wrestling has taken both onto different journeys after their Hollywood Ending, many fans have taken this promo to be prophetic in hindsight. She revealed a woman who is fiercely protective of her spotlight and gifted at commanding it. With the rise and fall of a powerful star, Toni Storm stands tall above the wreckage of an understudy turned betrayer, continuing onto greatness of her own cinematic design. And with it, she has left the gold standard of promos with this segment, yet again, writing the blueprint for destined greatness.
Best Technical Wrestler: Zack Sabre Jr.
There’s wrestling, and then there’s what Zack Sabre Jr. does.
Watching ZSJ work is like watching a master craftsman at work, someone who has studied every detail of their discipline and can execute with precision that seems almost unfair. His submission holds look like poetry, his transitions flow like water, his understanding of leverage and positioning makes opponents who outweigh him by significant margins look helpless.
This year, the wrestling community celebrated a technician unlike any other. Someone who makes the mat into a canvas, who reminds us that there’s always more to learn about this beautiful sport, who proves that size and strength are only part of the equation when you have technique and intelligence on your side.
ZSJ represents a style of wrestling that rewards attention, that gives you more the more carefully you watch. And this community, with their votes, made it clear they appreciate what he brings to the table.
Best Booker: Tony Khan
Behind every great story is someone holding the pen.
In December of 2024, Tony Khan made a promise that 2025 would be the best year yet for AEW, and boy, did he deliver. He approached this year with a renewed focus and a hands-on intensity that resonated through every episode of Dynamite, Collision, and across the spectacular slate of PPV events. By taking a more direct role in the creative process and streamlining his vision, he ensured that the storytelling remained sharp and the vision stayed clear. This dedication transformed the landscape of the promotion, proving that his passion for the art of professional wrestling is the driving force behind the company’s incredible success.
The high peaks of 2025 have been nothing short of breathtaking. We witnessed the historic crowning of the first-ever AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions, a move that breathed new life and prestige into the division. The saga between Timeless Toni Storm and Mariah May reached a cinematic conclusion that moved the entire industry, while the intense rivalry between Hangman Page and Jon Moxley provided a gritty, emotional backbone for the year. From the high-stakes drama of the Continental Classic to the record breaking atmosphere of All In Texas, Tony Khan curated a year of “can’t miss” programming that reminded us all why we fell in love with this sport.
It is a long running joke when these awards come around, that ROH Tony Khan and AEW Tony Khan would be battling it out for Booker of the Year. Indeed, the WrestleJoy Awards have Tony Khan, AEW Tony Khan, and ROH Tony Khan on the podium, respectively. With this, they have all culminated into the best professional wrestling of the year, whether it’s on the grand stage of AEW, or the gritty proving grounds of Ring of Honor, Tony Khan has truly brought an elite focus and excitement, bringing wrestling all across the board, to new and greater heights.
Across the Promotions
The WrestleJoy Year End awards celebrate excellence across the entire wrestling landscape, and this year, every major promotion produced performances worth recognizing.
AEW
Men’s Wrestler: Adam Page The anxious millennial cowboy finally found his way home. Adam Page captured the hearts of a community that never stopped believing in him, even when he lost faith in himself. His world title triumph at All In Texas was a victory and a catharsis. It brought years of storytelling, heartbreak, and resilience to a beautiful conclusion. The cowboy won, and for one shining moment in the Texas heat, we all won with him.
Women’s Wrestler: Toni Storm She is timeless, and she is undeniable. Toni Storm reinvented what it means to command attention in 2025. Her “Condemn To Mediocrity” promo left us speechless, while her unforgettable character work reminded us exactly why we fell in love with this art form in the first place. Whether she was captivating us with cinematic brilliance or delivering masterclasses between the ropes, Toni Storm proved that she is the gold standard of the women’s division.
Most Improved: Harley Cameron Harley Cameron showed us what true dedication looks like when it pays off. From a promising newcomer to a can’t-miss performer, she refused to settle for the background and emerged impossible to ignore. By forming “The Babes of Wrath” with Willow Nightingale and capturing the first-ever AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships, she proved that she isn’t just a star in the making. She is a star, here and now.
WWE
Men’s Wrestler: Gunther The Ring General dominated 2025 and dismantled the very concept of heroism. In a year where he held the World Heavyweight Championship twice, Gunther became the architect of our childhood nightmares. He retired the legendary Goldberg, he silenced the voice of the voiceless by main eventing SummerSlam against CM Punk, and in the final, shocking moments of the year at Saturday Night’s Main Event, he did the unthinkable: he made John Cena tap out. As the referee called for the bell, Gunther didn’t just defeat a man, he broke a myth, standing tall amidst a chorus of boos to remind us that in his ring, the mat is sacred, and mercy is nonexistent.
Women’s Wrestler: Iyo Sky When Iyo Sky ascends the turnbuckle, she leaves gravity, and expectations, far behind. As the “Genius of the Sky,” her 2025 was a masterpiece painted in air. Making history at WrestleMania 41, she delivered the first five star women’s match in WWE history, a dazzling display of aerial artistry that will be studied for generations. By becoming the first Japanese woman to win on the grandest stage of them all, she carried the Women’s World Championship for 132 days with a grace that belied the ferocity of her strikes. In a year of giants, Iyo Sky soared above them all.
Most Improved: Je’Von Evans The future has a name, and it is Je’Von Evans. Selected by none other than John Cena for the Iron Survivor Challenge, this twenty year old talent stepped up to the plate and he cleared the stadium. Known for an infectious “Young OG” energy that lights up the arena, Evans has combined raw athleticism with a maturity far beyond his years. His corner springboard twisting moonsault was a declaration that the next generation of talent has arrived. From a promising upstart in NXT to a standout performer who commands the spotlight, Je’Von Evans proved that when you have the talent to back up the hype, the only way to go is up.
NJPW
Men’s Wrestler: Konosuke Takeshita The “Alpha” has truly conquered the wrestling world. In a feat that defies the traditional boundaries of promotions, Konosuke Takeshita became the first wrestler contracted to both AEW and DDT to storm the gates of New Japan Pro Wrestling and win the grueling G1 Climax. But he didn’t stop there. By capturing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, he cemented his legacy as a global juggernaut, holding contracts with three major promotions simultaneously and excelling in all of them. Takeshita is a physical marvel, a perfect storm of speed, power, and intensity. In 2025, he walked a new path and blazed a trail of dominance that no one had ever dared to imagine.
Women’s Wrestler: Sareee To watch Sareee is to witness the “Sun God” in her most furious form. Operating as a freelancer, she carried the prestige of the IWGP Women’s Championship across the globe, defending its honor in NJPW, STARDOM, and Ring of Honor. Her trilogy of matches against Syuri was a masterclass in “Sareee-ISM”, a showcase of fighting spirit that left audiences breathless and opponents battered. Whether delivering her devastating Uranage or trading stiff strikes in the center of the ring, Sareee proved that you don’t need a single home to rule the world. You just need the heart of a lion and the will to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Most Improved: Callum Newman When the United Empire faced its darkest hour, losing its brightest stars and leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill, Callum Newman didn’t just step in, he stepped up. The “Prince of Pace” became the heartbeat of the faction, capturing the IWGP Tag Team Championships twice, at just 22 years old. With a speed that blurs the lines of reality and a fire ignited by the departure of his mentor Will Ospreay, Newman transformed from a young protege into a leader. He kept the flame of the United Empire burning bright, proving that even when the empire crumbles, a true prince can rebuild it with his own two hands.
TNA
Men’s Wrestler: Mike Santana Redemption is a road often walked alone, but for Mike Santana, the destination was shared with the world at Bound For Glory. Capturing the TNA World Championship while his daughter watched from ringside was the emotional crescendo of a journey that saw him rise from the ashes of his past. In a brutal Falls Count Anywhere match against Mustafa Ali, voted TNA Match of the Year, Santana was baptized in blood and emerged not just a survivor, but a king. Nearly three years sober, his reign is a testament to the power of personal demons conquered. Santana proved that the fight for your life makes the victory in the ring taste that much sweeter.
Women’s Wrestler: Lei Ying Lee History was made when Lei Ying Lee raised the Knockouts World Championship above her head. As the first Chinese champion in TNA history, she brought a unique fusion of striking martial arts and intense discipline to the Knockouts division. Her journey from China to America, navigating a new world and a new language, culminated in a reign defined by honor and ferocity. Lei Ying Lee stands as a beacon for dreamers everywhere, embodying the idea that no ocean is too wide and no barrier too high when you possess the spirit of a warrior.
Most Improved: Leon Slater They call him the “North Star,” and in 2025, Leon Slater shone brighter than any other. At just twenty years old, he became the youngest X Division Champion in TNA history, a feat anointed by the pioneer of the division himself, AJ Styles, who returned to declare Slater the future. Slater represents the evolution of the high-flying style, blending incredible agility with a ring IQ that rivals veterans twice his age. Defending his championship for over 160 days, he turned every match into a highlight reel, blazing across the screen and proving that the future of TNA is here, and it’s flying at supersonic speed.
ROH
Men’s Wrestler: Bandido In the rich history of Ring of Honor, few moments have felt as electric as Bandido winning the ROH World Championship at Dynasty. In a high stakes Title vs Mask match, the most charming luchador in the world put his identity on the line and fought with the heart of a hero. Celebrating with his family at ringside, mask intact and gold around his waist, was a moment of pure magic. With thirty eight successful defenses and becoming the first person not named MJF to win the Dynamite Diamond Ring, Bandido proved that honor, heart, and a little bit of high-flying wizardry are the true currency of champions.
Women’s Wrestler: Athena Dominance has a new name, and it is the “Forever Champion.” Athena has crossed the incredible milestone of one thousand days as ROH Women’s World Champion, a reign so historic it defies logic. Undefeated in sixty nine matches and headlining four PPV events, she has ruled Ring of Honor with an iron fist and a terrifying “Minion” army at her back. With her reign, Athena has elevated the women’s division of Ring of Honor to her level, demanding perfection from every challenger who dares to step into her proving ground. Her Forever Champion dynasty has been built on excellence and intimidation.
Most Improved: Red Velvet They said she couldn’t do it. They said the odds were insurmountable. But at Final Battle, Red Velvet stirred the pot and served up the biggest upset of the year. Overcoming a serious injury that threatened to derail her career, she returned with a vengeance to defeat Mercedes Moné, handing the CEO her first championship loss in AEW/ROH. From the harsh criticism of her early days to standing tall as a two time champion, Red Velvet’s journey is the ultimate underdog story. She proved that resilience is the most dangerous weapon of all, and that when you refuse to give up, you can cook up a victory against even the greatest in the world.
STARDOM
Women’s Wrestler: Saya Kamitani The “Golden Phoenix” has risen to the absolute apex of the wrestling world. Holding the World of STARDOM Championship for the entire year, Saya Kamitani defended the Red Belt with a passion that burned hotter than the sun. But it was her Career vs Career match against her mentor and rival, Tam Nakano, that defined her legacy. In a heartbreaking, beautiful conclusion to a years long story, Kamitani did what had to be done, retiring a legend to cement her own place in history. Becoming the first woman in fifty-two years to win the Tokyo Sports MVP Award, she proved that she is not just the future of Stardom, she is its undeniable present.
Most Improved: Bozilla A monster has arrived in Stardom, and her name is Bozilla. Standing tall at nearly six feet, this German powerhouse brought a level of physical dominance that the joshi scene had never encountered. At just twenty-one years old, the daughter of European legend Ulf Herman wasted no time in making her mark, immediately winning her block in the grueling Five Star Grand Prix. Bozilla represents a terrifying new era. She proved that the next generation of wrestling isn’t just technical or fast, sometimes, it’s an unstoppable force of nature that simply cannot be contained.
GCW
Men’s Wrestler: Effy Effy is fine, and thanks to him, GCW is more than fine, it’s fabulous. Capturing the GCW World Championship at the historic Hammerstein Ballroom, Effy embarked on a reign that was as chaotic and beautiful as the man himself. Defending the belt thirty eight times over three hundred and seven days, he proved to be a fighting champion for the outcasts, the weirdos, and the lovers of violence. Hosting the tenth “Big Gay Brunch” and championing LGBTQ wrestlers at every turn, Effy reminded us that you can be a deathmatch icon and a beacon of community love all at once. In a world of jagged edges, Effy is the glitter that holds it all together.
Most Improved: Billie Starkz If there is a wrestling show happening on planet Earth, there is a good chance Billie Starkz is on the card. “Space Jesus” spent 2025 proving she is the hardest working woman in the business. From winning the JCW World Championship to reaching the finals of the inaugural ROH Women’s Pure Championship tournament, and even making her CMLL debut, Billie was everywhere. At only twenty years old, she carries the veteran savvy of someone twice her age, adapting to every style and every promotion with a smile on her face and a reckless abandon in the ring. She is the present and the future, and she is just getting started.
MYSTERY WRESTLING
Men’s Wrestler: Cecil Nyx Cecil Nyx defined the year by concluding his epic, time bending rivalry with London Lightning in a Loser Leaves Mystery match that tugged at the heartstrings of every fan who followed the lore. But before that emotional curtain call, he gifted the world the “Extremely Ruled Iron Man Match.” A creation of his own chaotic genius, this bout against Lightning was a masterclass in comedic timing and physical storytelling that fans have hailed as one of the greatest moments in wrestling. His year was a marathon, quite literally. Cecil was a standout in the “World’s Longest Match,” a record breaking, near twenty four hour endurance test raising over thirty thousand dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society. In a performance for the ages, he spent twenty minutes wrestling himself in a hardcore segment, delivering chair shots and low blows to his own body with a commitment that borders on madness. From pinning children in “Falls Count Anyone” matches to breaking the boundaries of reality, Cecil Nyx proved that indie wrestling is alive, well, and wonderfully weird.
Women’s Wrestler: Abadon Abadon brought their unique brand of horror to Mystery Wrestling and GCW. Transitioning from five years in AEW, the “Living Dead Girl” proved that monsters can thrive anywhere. Making a splash at Big Gay Brunch and terrorizing opponents across the country, Abadon’s statement that they “love wrestling too much to stop” resonated with every fan who saw them. They reinvented themselves not by changing who they were, but by bringing their terrifying art to new canvases, proving that true character work transcends promotions.
Most Improved: Jason Exile The future of Mystery Wrestling burns bright in Jason Exile, a man who spent part of 2025 proving to the world that he is, in fact, “definitely alive.” In just two years, he has transformed from a wide eyed newcomer into a featured performer capable of going the distance. Trained by the steady hands of Evil Uno and Stu Grayson, Exile represents the next generation of talent that grows when given the platform to shine. Participating in the record breaking near twenty four hour charity match, he showed a stamina and spirit that earned the respect of veterans and fans alike. Jason Exile is proof that with the right training and the right heart, a mystery can turn into a legend in the making.
What You Made Possible
As we reflect on a stellar year of professional wrestling, we raise a glass to you. Here’s to the performers, athletes, and larger than life storytellers who made this year one of the most electrifying years in wrestling. And here’s to the fans who’ve rallied together to share in the excitement, deep dive into clues of long term storytelling, and breathlessly celebrate hard earned victories. And here’s to all of you, for voting on and participating in the WrestleJoy Year End Awards!
Professional wrestling is at its best when it is shared. Thank you for continuing to experience the joy, the excitement, and the electric thrills of every match and every moment alongside us. Whether you were cheering in the front row or discussing the latest plot twists from home, you helped make 2025 a year to remember. Here is to another year of magic in the ring!
We can’t wait to see what happens next.
