By: “DragonKingKarl” Karl Stern (Patreon / Facebook / Email)

Webmaster & Writer - When It Was Cool

Podcast Host - Wrestling Observer, When It Was Cool

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (2025) Ballot and More!

For many years I have vote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame at the request of the editor Dave Meltzer who includes me in the ‘Wrestling Historian’ category of the annual voting. Over last year, I have tailored my DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show podcast to analyzing and discussing the ballot. This year, I decided to do something different: I would let A.I. analyze the ballot and give me its picks.

No, I am not actually letting ChatGPT A.I. engine actually vote for me (I hold the upmost respect for the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, so I intend to continue to let my vote count), still I thought it would be interesting to see what A.I. can glean from various online statistics, discussions, and anywhere else it can pull information from. Here are the results:

Dusty Rhodes - Photo by Karl Stern

Historical Performers Era (6 Maximum)

Selections:

  1. Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch (The Texas Outlaws) – Both were influential figures: Dusty Rhodes, as one of the greatest promo men and bookers in history, Murdoch as an elite worker. Their combined and individual significance across NWA, WWF, and Japan makes them clear choices.

  2. Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart) – Bret Hart’s individual resume already stands as Hall of Fame worthy; the team with Neidhart is one of the most remembered tag acts of the 1980s WWF boom.

  3. British Bulldogs (Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith) – Their influence on modern athletic tag wrestling cannot be overstated. Dynamite Kid’s work inspired generations globally, especially in Japan and Europe.

  4. Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood – Huge regional drawing team in the Carolinas with exceptional in-ring work; Ricky Steamboat alone is among the greatest babyfaces of all time.

  5. Junkyard Dog – Junkyard Dog was a key draw in Mid-South, particularly among African-American fans. His popularity and cultural importance were massive regionally and historically.

  6. Kevin, Kerry & David Von Erich – The Von Erichs defined an entire territory (World Class Championship Wrestling) and became pop-culture icons in Texas and Japan.

✅ Just Missed: Ole Anderson (as part of the Anderson lineage) and the Iron Sheik (major pop culture figure, but borderline on sustained main-event drawing power).

Rick & Scott Steiner remain strong on the ballot but ChatGPT does not agree. Photo by Karl Stern.

Modern U.S./Canada Performers (6 Maximum)

Selections:

  1. C.M. Punk – Tremendous draw in multiple eras (2011 WWE boom, AEW’s early peak), great promos, CM Punk has a lasting cultural impact.

  2. Edge (Adam Copeland) – Longevity, main-event consistency, crossover appeal, and excellence as both heel and face.

  3. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) – One of the best in-ring tag teams of the modern era, excelling across multiple promotions and styles (WWE, AEW, NJPW).

  4. Becky Lynch – Legitimately helped lead a women’s wrestling boom in WWE; carried WrestleMania 35’s main event, strong mainstream visibility.

  5. Jon Moxley – AEW’s cornerstone star, Jon Moxley consistently great worker, versatile, and among the most influential post-WWE success stories.

  6. Trish Stratus – Central to elevating women’s wrestling presentation in WWE; key mainstream name and long-term influence.

✅ Just Missed: Randy Orton (longevity and consistency, but not a major business mover), Cody Rhodes (likely a future lock), and the Briscoes (critical acclaim, but tragedy curtailed broader exposure).

Japan (3 Maximum)

Selections:

  1. Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada – Pioneers in women’s wrestling; Toyota is arguably the greatest female in-ring performer ever, and their AJW work remains legendary.

  2. Yoshiaki Fujiwara – A foundational worker in shoot-style wrestling, influencing generations and bridging traditional pro wrestling with MMA realism.

  3. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan – Multiple-time IWGP and All Japan tag champions, pillars of early-2000s New Japan; longevity, consistency, and significance in rebuilding NJPW post-2000s downturn.

✅ Just Missed: Io Shirai (still active prime years), Hayabusa (hugely influential but shorter top-run), Inoki & Sakaguchi (already represented by Inoki’s prior induction historically).

Mexico (3 Maximum)

Selections:

  1. El Hijo del Santo & Octagon – Huge mainstream stars in the 1990s AAA boom; Santo is a second-generation megastar with cultural permanence.

  2. Los Infernales (El Satanico, Pirata Morgan, MS-1) – Defined the modern rudo trio style; Satanico is among Mexico’s greatest workers ever.

  3. Sangre Chicana – Outstanding draw in Monterrey and Mexico City; legendary brawler with enduring influence.

✅ Just Missed: La Parka AAA (immensely popular, but less consistent top-tier work rate).

‘Exotic’ Adrian Street. Photo by: Karl Stern.

Europe/Australia/NZ/Pacific Islands/Africa (4 Maximum)

Selections:

  1. Otto Wanz – Key promoter and heavyweight champion in Europe; drew large gates in Austria and Germany; legitimate world title credibility.

  2. Adrian Street – Innovator in character and flamboyance; Adrian Street influenced modern presentation of gender performance and persona in wrestling.

  3. George Gordienko – One of the greatest technical wrestlers Europe produced; respected worldwide.

  4. Spyros Arion – Major star in Australia and Greece; strong historical case, though this is his last year of eligibility.

✅ Just Missed: Ted Boy Marino (important in Brazil’s scene, but lesser international influence).

Non-Wrestlers (7 Maximum)

Selections:

  1. Ted Turner – Without Turner’s TNT/TBS investment, WCW and the 1990s wrestling boom would not have occurred. His influence reshaped wrestling on television.

  2. Tony Schiavone – Voice of WCW, and later AEW; longevity and major presence through several eras.

  3. Mike Tenay – Intelligent, credible announcer with encyclopedic knowledge; key in WCW’s cruiserweight revolution and TNA’s early years.

  4. Rossy Ogawa – Founder of Stardom, pivotal in the rise of joshi’s modern renaissance.

  5. Larry Matysik – Key St. Louis wrestling figure; both booker and historian preserving one of wrestling’s most important markets.

  6. Jesse Ventura – Transformed color commentary and helped bring pro wrestling into pop culture through his crossover fame.

  7. Reggie Parks – Legendary championship belt designer; his work literally defined wrestling’s visual identity.

✅ Just Missed: Gorilla Monsoon (as announcer and executive, though often overshadowed by others already in), Jim Johnston (huge musical contributor, but niche compared to broader industry impact).

Check out our free podcast review of the 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame ballot below or join our Patreon for an extended version of the show!

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