The 2025 VOW 30 Under 30: Introduction & Honorable Mentions

We at Voices of Wrestling have assembled an all-star panel to create the most comprehensive 30 Under 30 list in wrestling for 2025.

Inspired by the critically acclaimed FSM 50, our aim is to deliver a list that is as informed and far-reaching as possible. Our diverse panel includes experts deeply embedded in a wide range of wrestling styles from around the world, including American television wrestling, lucha libre, deathmatch, joshi, and much more.

Any wrestler under the age of 30 was eligible for inclusion. As in previous years, panelists were asked to evaluate candidates based on a blend of wrestling skill, match quality, drawing power, accomplishments, and long-term potential. These criteria were intentionally unranked, giving each voter the freedom to weigh them as they saw fit in order to create the most balanced and representative list possible.

The 2025 VOW 30 Under 30 Panelists

Below, you’ll find our panelists listed in alphabetical order:

• Adam Berger: Voices of Wrestling Contributor.
• Alan4L: Host of ProWres Paradise at Pro Wrestling Torch.
• John Carroll: John is the host of the once-again-a-real-podcast-kind-of Wrestling Omakase on the Voices of Wrestling podcasting network. They also do random puro writing (mainly NJPW previews) for the very same website, host panels about Japanese wrestling and offering Japan travel advice at anime conventions, and are generally known as VOW’s resident annoying weeb. Someone had to vote for the Inaba sisters!
• Jesse Collings: Host of the Gentlemen’s Wrestling Podcast and contributing writer at Voices of Wrestling.
• Dalton: Dalton is a mononymous wrestling fan who prides himself on being as knowledgeable on the goings on in pro wrestling as possible. When he’s not watching his eleventh hour of CMLL this week or creating the next iteration of the ThunderVerse, you can find him plugging away on spreadsheets until the heat death of the universe.
• Foos: Host of the Club Lucha podcast and editor of some of the best wrestling edits on Twitter and TikTok.
• Gerard Di Trolio: Gerard is the co-host of the Emerald FlowShow on the Voices of Wrestling Podcast Network and a contributor to Voices of Wrestling.
• Tyler Forness: Tyler Forness has been contributing with Voices of Wrestling for 7 years, including hosting the AEW podcast The Good, The Bad, & The Hungee. He currently is the Minnesota Vikings and Florida Gators beat writer for A to Z Sports, and has been full time in sports media for nearly four years.
• Joe Gagne: Host of the 5 Star Match Game.
• Ricardo Gallegos: Born and raised in Mexico City, Ricardo Gallegos is the host of the Lucha Jobbers podcast, VOW member, film journalist, and film critic.
• Chris Gascoigne: Chris previously did some reviews for Voices Of Wrestling and he has his own blog at kenkapuro.blogspot.com. His X handle is @Showfnwhole.
• Kelly Harrass: Kelly Harrass is the co-host of VOW’s joshi podcast, Jumping Bomb Audio. This is Kelly’s retirement home following his time working in the WWE review mines. Find Kelly on social media under the name comicgeekelly.
• Warren Hayes: You can listen to the Mr. Warren Hayes Show podcast for reviews and coverage of wrestling news, available on all podcast platforms and on YouTube, where he livestreams multiple times a week.
• Liam Jones: Liam Jones knows ball but often doesn’t get to talk about it because he’s too busy watching TNA shows for You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me, the premier TNA History Retrospective Podcast.
• Rich Kraetsch: Rich Kraetsch is the Managing Editor at VoicesofWrestling.com, co-host of The Flagship Podcast, and one-half of FlagshipPatreon.com.
• Case Lowe: Case Lowe is co-host of Voices of Wrestling’s Open the Voice Gate podcast, the premier podcast for English language of Dragongate. July will mark 10 years since Lowe began covering the promotion for the website. He also co-hosts Those Days: A Michinoku Pro Retrospective podcast, which can be found on the Open the Voice Gate feed.
• Fred Morlan: Fred is a co-host of Voices of Wrestling’s AEW podcast, The Good, the Bad, and the Hungee. You can read his writing on Voices of Wrestling as well as his Patreon, Flagrant Wrestling.
• Griffin Peltier: Griffin is Voices of Wrestling’s resident lucha libre, WrestleMania Weekend, and c-show connoisseur. Watch his 10-hour Armstrong Brothers comp on his YouTube channel Hollywd’s Wrestling Rewind.
• JoJo Remy: Former columnist and podcaster; kick and elbow enthusiast.
• Chris Samsa: Chris Samsa is a professional wrestling statistician and analyst based in Chicago, Illinois. He is renowned for his in-depth statistical research and data-driven insights into the world of professional wrestling, particularly focusing on New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).
• Andrew Sinclair: Andrew Sinclair is a long-time contributor to Voices of Wrestling, focusing on TNA Wrestling for his sins. He occasionally dabbles in coverage of the indies, NOAH and Big Japan.
• Mike Spears: Mike Spears has created Dragon System related content for more than a decade, including co-hosting Open The Voice Gate with Case Lowe since 2016. As someone on the ground of the Dragon Gate/Stronghearts split he still feels dutybound to cover GLEAT to many questions of his mental health. Along with Dragon System coverage, he co-hosts the acclaimed Those Days – A Michinoku Pro Retrospective podcast with Lowe. Mike does other wrestling related content under the Spearsovations banner and was a former host of Everything Elite.
• Brady Trappett: Brady has been writing for the site for almost three years, he has reviewed every DEADLOCK Pro Wrestling show of 2025 and released a primer to bring people up to speed.
• Paul V: Listen to the Emerald Flowshow.
• Paul Wedding: @PaulEWedding, pwfg.substack.com

Special Thank You!

A special thank you to panelist Griffin Peltier who helped assemble our voting panel, calculating totals, creating graphics, and drove this project to be what it is today. Show your support for Griffin by subscribing to his YouTube channel or by purchasing tickets, hotels, or flights from our various schedule & event pages including WrestleMania Weekend, SummerSlam Weekend, All In Texas, AEW, and WWE.

The VOW 2025 30 Under 30 Honorable Mentions

Not everyone can make the final cut, even with strong resumes and bright futures ahead. A lot of tough decisions had to be made, and some names we really like just missed out.

These are the wrestlers who received at least one vote but didn’t make the Top 30.

Akihiro Sahara

Age: 24
Years Active: 1
Promotion: Dragongate
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Made his debut in September 2024
Highest Panel Ranking: 30
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Akihiro Sahara is already very good and a lot of fun given his inexperience. He has a particular physical charm that makes him a very likable “super” heavyweight and is downright endearing to see. As Dragongate moves somewhat into a heavier roster with prominent youngsters like Madoka Kikuta and Yoshiki Kato, I am excited to see Sahara through his hat into the ring of big men. He’s already shown in matches with Shuji Kondo and Toru Owashii that he can work his size incredibly well. It’ll be interesting to see where he is next spring.” – Mike Spears

Alpha Wolf

Age: 26
Years Active: 13
Promotion: Pro Wrestling NOAH
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, KAOZ Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 22
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“NOAH has gone through a lot of changes in the last 12 months. Some good, some bad. What has remained a constant are the show-stealing performances from Los Golpeadores’ team of Dragon Bane and Alpha Wolf. You can always count on them to deliver a burst of spectacular high-flying action and even a nice dose of dumb jock wrestling. Although it’s difficult to separate them at this stage of their career, Alpha Wolf in particular pops the eye a little bit more for me: besides possessing wild athletic skills for his size, there’s a strong badass charisma in him that keeps growing with each performance.” – Ricardo Gallegos

Aoi

Age: 22
Years Active: 4
Promotion: JTO
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: JTO Girls Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 2
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Just 22 years of age and already highly decorated in terms of championship in her home promotion of JTO. Aoi has a unique look and presence and is full of charisma. A real prodigy of the Joshi scene and we’ll definitely hear more from her in the near future.” – Chris Gascoigne

“Aoi is one of the most unique wrestlers in the entire world today- a rail-thin joshi who looks like she could get blown over by a gust of wind who’s also one of the tallest wrestlers in the scene at the same time at 5’7/170 cm, and despite her skinny frame absolutely loves to mix it up with male wrestlers, the JTO product is just full of contradictions. Her incredibly intense charisma draws you in the moment you see her (in a “oh my god who the fuck is that” sort of way- the first time I saw her I immediately did a deep dive to try and find as many of her matches that made tape as I could), and combined with her somewhat androgynous look she just really stands out immediately. 

She’s been wrestling for about four years at this point but is still only 22 years old, but she also already talked about maybe wanting to retire after she got her dream match with El Desperado at TAKATaichi Mania this year (though ultimately said she would keep wrestling until she can actually BEAT Despe, so maybe she’ll be around a while yet after all!). She feels like someone who could break out at any moment if she got a big spot in STARDOM, but on the other hand it’s been four years already and STARDOM has barely used her (she hasn’t appeared there at all since 2022 in fact) despite their very obvious relationship with JTO. So yeah- there’s simply a lot of ways her career could go from here! All I know though is that Aoi already kicks ass despite wrestling for a very tiny promotion, and if she ever does make the STARDOM jump that so many other JTO wrestlers have made I truly believe she could be one of the biggest women’s stars in the country. That potential to be a breakthrough star is definitely there, making her an easy pick for my list.” – John Carroll

Aran Sano

Age: 22
Years Active: 2
Promotion: Osaka Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Osaka Tag Festival 2025 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 21
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Aran Sano shocked the Osaka Pro fanbase by winning the Tag Festival 2025 alongside Tigers Mask after defeating strong opponents. He then challenged unsucessfully twice for the Tag and Singles titles, however Sano showed his true potential, which could make him one of the most promising talents in the japanese independent wrestling scene.” – Chris Gascoigne

“I’ve had my eyes on this guy ever since I saw his incredible performance in a match with Zeus just a few months into his career. This has been a breakout year for him, winning Osaka Pro’s tag tournament and also challenging TORU for the OPW Title.” – Paul Wedding

Axiom

Age: 28
Years Active: 12
Promotion: WWE
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: WWE NXT Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 18
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Axiom is in the midst of a run as the best in-ring tag team WWE has had in years. He and partner Nathan Frazer held the NXT Tag Team Championship for nearly a full year, putting on highlight matches with a dizzying variety of teams ranging from Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura, to The Hardy Boyz, to Cedric Alexander & Je’Von Evans. They’ve now moved to the main roster, where they’ve already had solid matches with DIY & Street Profits.” – Fred Morlan

Aya Sakura

Age: 28
Years Active: 2
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Sendai Girls Junior Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 25
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Aya feels a little overshadowed at times by her fellow young Cosmic Angels member Sayaka Kurara (who I do have ranked quite a bit higher than her), but she has her own star potential as well. The High Kick Angel does indeed throw some very nice kicks, and she’s already developed an awesome interpromotional & generational rivalry with Evolution’s Chi Chi despite being just two years into her career. She captured the Sendai Girls Junior Title from the wrestling Barbie earlier this year, and though I have her ultimate ceiling a little lower than Sayaka’s, who knows what the future ultimately holds for her. Hell, maybe she turns on Sayaka someday and it takes off- it’s sure worked for a couple other people on my list!” – John Carroll

Azusa Inaba

Age: 17
Years Active: 2
Promotion: JTO
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: JTO Girls Champion, New Blood Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 9
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Azusa Inaba, the younger sister of Tomoka, is only 17 years of age, but already wrestled 200 matches in her short career. Don’t get fooled by her age, she is already wrestling like someone older than her, she has good striking and is a good technician. Overall Azusa can be one of the greatest Joshi wrestlers in the future.” – Chris Gascoigne

“Both the Inaba sisters are outstanding for their ages and experience levels, but Azusa being just 17 years old and two years into her career is insane given how great she is already. Her team of young delinquents with Rina in STARDOM has future Goddesses champions written all over them, and her quest to finally beat her big sister Tomoka resulted in a great match on the TAKATaichi Mania show. And again, she’s this good already and she’s only seventeen years old. How could she NOT make my list?” – John Caroll

Bron Breakker

Age: 27
Years Active: 4
Promotion: WWE
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: WWE Intercontinental Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 9
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Feels like a lot is riding on Breakker being a success. He is practically the only WWE wrestler pushed on the men’s side of the main roster that feels fresh and new, and could one day step into the role of being one of the most popular wrestlers in the world. Breakker is one of the most physically gifted wrestlers to come down the road in years and also has a natural, Steiner-infused aura. Who knows if WWE will permit him to grow to his full ability, but he is easily one of the most exciting pure prospects in the industry.” – Jesse Collings

“Somehow, his ascension to the main roster of WWE has made him more compelling than the time they tried to “make him” in NXT. He’s transitioned perfectly into an explosive ass kicker that the main roster audience buys as legitimate.” – Warren Hayes

“This guy is a great young hoss and feels like he’s figured out his game. He’s a great powerhouse worker and has figured out how to get charisma across as a jerk heel.” – Fred Morlan

Cappuccino Jones

Age: 24
Years Active: 2
Promotion: WWE ID
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: CPW 918 Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 30
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Will the WWE ID program work out in the long run? It’s too early to tell but the WWE ID prospects have already made an impact on WWE’s new developmental to developmental show EVOLVE. Cappuccino Jones is the most charismatic out of the WWE ID group and the sky’s the limit for this young wrestler. His match with Kzy during WrestleMania Weekend had me pining for a Japan run for Jones but I’m not sure if that’s on the cards with the WWE ID program.” – Griffin Peltier

Chanyota

Age: 28
Years Active: 2
Promotion: P.P.P. Tokyo
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 16
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Chanyota gets better year after year and that’s why Rossy Ogawa and Marigold booked her a lot this year. She now quit her main job as a adult video star and focussed her wrestling career even more, which was a good decision by her. She has a great presence, has good power and there is room for improvement to become a better wrestler over the next months and years.” – Chris Gascoigne

Crowchester

Age: Under 30
Years Active: 7
Promotion: German Wrestling Federation, Unlimited Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: GWF Berlin Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 30
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Daichi Sato

Age: 16
Years Active: 4
Promotion: DDT Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: HEAT UP Universal Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 15
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“He’s only 16 years old, but already four years into his wrestling career. Daichi Sato’s recent switch from Pro Wrestling HEAT UP to DDT Pro Wrestling was a step into the right direction of gaining more eyeballs on him. Sato is a big dude with good striking who could easily become a star for the DDT brand in the future.” – Chris Gascoigne

Daiju Wakamatsu

Age: 27
Years Active: 5
Promotion: Active Advance Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: 2AW Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 25
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“One of the best bleeders in the current Japanese deathmatch scene.” – Kelly Harrass

“I don’t know at what position I had him last year, but I have the feeling he got downcycled a bit this year. Wakamatsu was one of the hottest deathmatch guys last year. This year he’s just..there wrestling. He still got many matches in BJW, but he feels a bit cold now after losing the Deathmatch tournament to Akira on New Year’s Eve. He’s still a good talent and the time is on his side, too.” – Chris Gascoigne

Daiki Odashima

Age: 24
Years Active: 1
Promotion: Pro Wrestling NOAH
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Made his debut in September 2024
Highest Panel Ranking: 30
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Dani Luna

Age: 26
Years Active: 8
Promotion: TNA Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champion, DPW Women’s World Champion, RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Champion, DPW Battle of the Best 2024 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 14
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Daniel Garcia

Age: 26
Years Active: 8
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: AEW TNT Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 24
Last Year’s Ranking: 10

“Garcia feels like he has hit his head several times on the glass ceiling in AEW. Despite possessing strong in the ring ability and growing confidence on the mic, he seems to be consistently passed over in focus in AEW as Tony Khan gets distracted by pushing others. Garcia is still young enough that there is still time for him to stew in the midcard, but an honest push upwards towards the main event should be on the horizon in the next year or two.”  – Jesse Collings

“He hasn’t had the followup from last year when I had him squarely in the top 10. Some of that is booking, some of that appears to be motivation. However, Garcia is still loaded with potential.” – Tyler Forness

“What an off year for Daniel Garcia. I’ve been a fan of Garcia’s since his early runs on the Ontario indie scene and he has loads of potential but that doesn’t seem to be the case in All Elite Wrestling. His moment with Bryan Danielson a few years ago feels like his peak in this company and unfortunately they might not reach that level with Garcia again. We’ll see where he goes with this company but I think he may have received a bigger push in NXT if he jumped during the much publicized contract negotiation period.” – Griffin Peltier

Dragon Bane

Age: 25
Years Active: Pro Wrestling NOAH
Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, KAOZ Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 23
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Similar to his brother, Dragon Bane is an impressive high flyer brimming with confidence who often steals the show at NOAH (or at least the undercard/midcard). At this stage, Los Golpeadores could easily become the best tag team in the world, but I’m certain Dragon Bane could also become a big single star when the time comes. At only 25 years of age and 12 years of in-ring experience, there’s high hopes for the future of this outstanding luchador.”  – Ricardo Gallegos

Dragon Dia

Age: 26
Years Active: 6
Promotion: Dragongate
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Open The Brave Gate Champion, King of Gate 2024 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 5
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“I’d argue that no one has done more in their own promotion to rewrite their narrative over their last twelve months than Dragon Dia. The cognitive disconnect between those who follow him day in and day out in Dragongate and those who have only awareness through his guest work I think is going to be at play with his position on this list. In Dragongate, his New Japan appearances are viewed as such a massive success that he became one of the most popular people on the roster (and this is after the “peak” run of D’Courage where him and Yuki Yoshioka were literally the main characters of the promotion for a twelve month period), and he shattered the “Dragon Ceiling.”

For a promotion that is so “dragon” centered, it may be surprising to know that figures like Dragon Kid and Ultimo Dragon have NEVER been top of the card mainstays. One might identify Dragon Kid as a mascot of the Dragon System, and they wouldn’t be incorrect, but he’s only had two Dream Gate shots in his entire career, and neither were the actual main event of the shows (Kobe World 2006 famously had a CIMA/Kishiwada No-Ropes Match as a main event, his other challenge was at Dead or Alive 2019, a show that the Dream Gate rarely headlined). A great thing about Dragon Kid is that he never really needed the Dream Gate, so it never was a question of him ever becoming champion.

Last fall changed everything for Dragon Dia, the internal perceived success of his New Japan work led the company to put a rocket to his back. After winning the Brave Gate at Kobe World, he convincingly won the 2024 King of Gate tournament and challenged YAMATO in a title vs title match that main evented Final Gate. His previous reputation of being a 3 ¾ star general was shattered with first the King of Gate final match against Kota Minoura and that Final Gate match. It may not make sense with his usage in other companies, but amongst his home base, Dragon Dia is an absolute success and someone I expect to one day hold the Dream Gate, something that cannot be said about his mentor and his principal.” – Mike Spears

“Dia could stand to have a little more charisma, but has stood out from a lot of his Dragongate peers due to his success in singles matches, both in Dragongate and in other promotions. He’s a natural babyface that can sell and string together some nice comeback sequences.” – Jesse Collings

Drilla Moloney

Age: 28
Years Active: 12
Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 14
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“I’m going to be the high man on Moloney, but he’s got the charisma, he’s got his body in great shape to be a heavyweight, and the in-ring work is good right now and getting better. He looks and carries himself like a star.” – Tyler Forness

“The first time I saw Drilla Moloney I wondered if he was the son of Killing Joke frontman Jaz Coleman. But seriously, he’s got all of the tools to be a star, though while New Japan seems willing to make him a heavyweight, I am not sure just how far they will push him.” – Gerard Di Trolio

El Hijo del Vikingo

Age: 28
Years Active: 12
Promotion: Lucha Libre AAA World Wide
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: AAA Mega Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 27
Last Year’s Ranking: 16

“I can’t give up on Vikingo just yet – he was too phenomenal prior to his injury, and I can’t worry about what will happen to him in the WWE ecosystem, where he’ll probably be yelled at to focus on the hard cam rather than, you know, being one of the most dynamic wrestlers ever. The Kenny Omega match will always be in the back of my head.” – Fred Morlan

El Hijo del Villano III

Age: 28
Years Active: 11
Promotion: Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Champion, CMLL World Tag Team Title #1 Contendership Tournament Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 25
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“El Hijo del Villano III is one of my favourite young tag team wrestlers in Mexico today. He fits like a glove whether he’s teaming with his brother, Zandokan Jr., Hijo de Stula Jr., or whoever else they pair him with. There’s nothing wrong with being a tag team specialist.” – Griffin Peltier

Gaia Hox

Age: 25
Years Active: 9
Promotion: Freelancer
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: 666 Locomotive Class Champion, TTT Indie United Six Man Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 8
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Taiwan’s Finest made it to my list the second year in a row, but this year he made the Top-10. Hox is a regular for FREEDOMS and even had dates with bigger companies such as NOAH and Dragongate. He has the looks, great athleticism and the heel character who is perfect to boo against.” – Chris Gascoigne

Galeno del Mal

Age: 23
Years Active: 6
Promotion: Pro Wrestling NOAH, Lucha Libre AAA World Wide
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: GHC National Champion, The Crash Tag Team Champion, TWC Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 10
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Galeno del Mal comes from not one, but 2 different wrestling DYnasties, the Wagners and The Morenos. His father, uncle and grandfather, Dr WagnerJr, Silver King and Dr Wagner are legendary figures in Mexican lucha libre. His mother, Rossy Moren,o and his aunts Esther, Cynthia, and Alda Moreno, are icons in women’s lucha libre as well. He was basically born to be luchador and at age 23 he is on the right path. Galeno del Mal often teams with his older brother, El Hijo de Dr Wagner Jr and is the current GHC National Champion of NOAH, the same title his brother held just a few years ago. Galeno del Mal is a huge person and he has the potential to be one of the best heavyweights of his generation.” – Foos

Genta Yubari

Age: 25
Years Active: 3
Promotion: JTO
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: JTO Openweight Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 20
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Maybe Genta Yubari should be higher up my list, especially for this year’s performance. Yubari became a JTO Openweight titleholder and defended the championship six times so far. He is the leader of JTO’s big heel faction and thus one of the most successful young wrestlers of JTO. He has the typical great evil look and very good heel charisma to become one of the most hateful wrestlers on the Japanese indy circuit.” – Chris Gascoigne

Hanan

Age: 20
Years Active: 8
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Goddesses of Stardom Champion, New Blood Tag Team Champion, Goddesses Of Stardom Tag League 2024 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 22
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Hanan is the future of Stardom. At only 20 years old she’s already so talented and I have no doubt that she’s being positioned as the future ace of the company.” – Kelly Harrass

Harutoki

Age: 26
Years Active: 6
Promotion: Dotonbori Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: WDW Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 19
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Harutoki is probably the #2 in Dotonbori Pro after Yuto Kikuchi and his improvement over the last years brought NOAH to the scene. The ark booked Harutoki the most this year and he even had singles matches with NOAH’s biggest names. With only 26 years of age Harutoki could probably become even better and if he could make a permanent switch to NOAH, he could be one of the most interesting wrestlers in their junior heavyweight division.”  – Chris Gascoigne

Hazuki

Age: 27
Years Active: 10
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: SPARK Joshi World Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 20
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Consistently one of the most fun wrestlers to watch in joshi.” – Kelly Harrass

Homare

Age: 20
Years Active: 1
Promotion: Dragongate
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Rey De Parejas 2025 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 20
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Dragongate’s Homare debuted last September, turned heel immediately, and has been a force to be reckoned with ever since. He gets my vote over his contemporary, the pudgy and lovable Akihiro Sahara, due to his insane performance on 3/30 in Kobe in which he wrestled three times in one night in matches that were all great in their own way. He showcased in the main event of that show that despite his lack of experience and his young age (20) that he can already work a high-level Dragongate main event. The sky is the limit for this kid.” – Case Lowe

“If everything goes right, this should be the lowest Homare will ever be on this list. Much like the now damned Takuma Fujiwara, this guy at the age of 21 has figured out wrestling to a degree where I wonder what else would he be doing in his life. The first part of his career (debuting last September) had him restrained in his work to mostly doing his spots and selling. Still, it changed drastically in 2025 and specifically in Dragongate’s homebase of Kobe Sambo Hall. Across a series of tournaments (first the Young Dragons’ Cup, then the Rey de Parejas final day and the Open The Brave Gate decision tournament), Homare became an absolute star in that building. Belying his youthful good looks is a connection that will act as a propellant whenever he gets that first face turn.” – Mike Spears

HYO

Age: 28
Years Active: 8
Promotion: Dragongate
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Open The Brave Gate Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 11
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“HYO finally getting it together and becoming one of the most popular wrestlers in Dragongate is one of the fun sub-stories of Dragongate. A career underachiever finds something that connects him greatly to the crowd and that added confidence leads to booking success and him stepping up his game with his in-ring work. Sometimes that crowd connection becomes a bit indulgent/too close to Kuroshio Tokyo Japan for my tastes, but I will always find a spot for HYO as long as he’s eligible.” – Mike Spears

“HYO is a workhorse and probably the most consistent performer in Dragongate. HYO can always be counted on to have a strong performance really in whatever he is doing, and has excelled in both singles and multi-man matches over the past year. It would not surprise me at all if he eventually ends up being pushed as a top singles wrestler over the next year.” – Jesse Collings

“A ball of charisma, Hyo is also a fantastic worker. He is a potential main eventer, but his floor is extremely popular midcarder, and that’s far from a bad thing.” – Fred Morlan

IBUKI

Age: 28
Years Active: 2
Promotion: JTO
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: JTP Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 30
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“IBUKI’s heel turn last summer was another step in his career where he could grow a lot. He joined JTO’s top heel faction Myo-o and became a reliable tag team partner and thus he’s now a two time JTO Tag Team Champ.” – Chris Gascoigne

Isaiah Moore

Age: 28
Years Active: 10
Promotion: Freelancer
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: RPW Cruiserweight Champion, PWK North American Champion, PWASD Cruisercore Champion, PWASD Junior Heavyweight Champion, GLWA Heavyweight Champion, PWK Champion, RCW Heart of the Revolution Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 21
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“The 28-year-old Isaiah Moore is a staple on the Midwest indie scene, frequently wrestling across his native Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Minnesota. A smooth high-flyer, Moore’s body has started to fill out in recent years, giving him a major-league look. Moore’s work is crisp and dynamic but has lacked a certain next level that’s prevented him from moving up the ladder as rapidly as some of his contemporaries. He was booked on an episode of TNA iMPACT in May, so the major leagues are finally getting an eye on Moore. By this time next year, I’m pretty sure he’ll be a more known commodity in the scene.” – Rich Kraetsch

Je’Von Evans

Age: 21
Years Active: 7
Promotion: WWE
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 17
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a worker in WWE with this much dynamism. If they don’t take that away from him for inscrutable reasons, Evans will establish himself as one of the best workers in the company. He has charisma potential that, if it pans out, should make him a top star wherever he ends up.” – Fred Morlan

Jet Wei

Age: 28
Years Active: 7
Promotion: Kyushu Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 12
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Jet Wei earned his roster spot in Japan at Kyushu Pro after showing his skills there. Wei is a great babyface and he is a charismatic man with a good offense. His outings at NJPW’s Wrestle Dontaku Pre-Show were not that meaningful, however a good step in the right direction to get more attention, which he definitely needs to get bookings outside of Kyushu now.”  – Chris Gascoigne

Joe Alonzo

Age: 28
Years Active: 9
Promotion: Freelancer
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: AAW Heritage Champion, NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 25
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Joe Alonzo is one of pro wrestling’s best heels. Point blank. A man who makes being detestable an art form, Alonzo is impossible to root for and very easy to hate. The type of classic heels that are a real lost art in today’s pro wrestling world. There’s nothing “cool” about Joe Alonzo. You wouldn’t be caught dead rooting for the guy because he’s such a prick. The role comes naturally for Alonzo, who has picked up many enemies in his short time in wrestling. Various maturity issues have prevented Alonzo from reaching higher highs in the business, but the cream will eventually rise to the top, and Alonzo is just that good. If he can right some of the wrongs of his earlier career, Alonzo could work for any major promotion in the world as a top heel.” – Rich Kraetsch

Junya Matsunaga

Age: 28
Years Active: 4
Promotion: Pro Wrestling ZERO1
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 24
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Junya Matsunaga would have been the face and future of Pro Wrestling ZERO1, no doubt about it. Nevertheless, the whole situation of ZERO1 and Tochigi Pro Wrestling after the traumatic Shinjiro Otani incident. Matsunaga left ZERO1 for Tochigi, but just for some weeks. Now he’s officially back with the new and blue ZERO1, which is not as popular as the version before. Still, Matsunaga has all the tools for becoming the man in ZERO1 and I hope he will get his chances down the line again.” – Chris Gascoigne

Kaito Ishida

Age: 29
Years Active: 9
Promotion: GLEAT
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: G-REX Champion, G-INFINITY Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 26
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“The lone gem remaining on the other side of the Dragon System split. Due to GLEAT’s paywall, the company has completely drifted away from the cognoscenti.That’s generally not a bad thing (the promotion has been middling at best), but getting the G-REX belt back on Ishida was the exact right thing for the promotion. There will always be the comparison of what he could have been doing in Dragongate at this time, but he’s not lost his fastball. If only the remainder of his supporting cast under thirty weren’t utter disappointments.” – Mike Spears

KANON

Age: 28
Years Active: 5
Promotion: DDT Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: KO-D Six Man Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 27
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“One of TAKA Michinoku’s JTO boys, KANON made the jump to DDT full time in 2022. He spent the last several years as part of the heel stable DAMNATION T.A. before the group finally turned on him in February, leading to him forming the new Strange Love Connection team with MAO a short time later. KANON has been a bit of a divisive figure in DDT fandom since his babyface turn, with it often seeming like his push has been a little ahead of his crowd reactions. However, his recent outstanding performance against Kazusada Higuchi in the King of DDT finals might end up being a major turning point for his career.” – John Carroll

Kazumasa Yoshida

Age: 29
Years Active: 4
Promotion: Big Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Niigata Junior Heavyweight Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 6

Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Maybe Yoshida looks like an oddball surrounded by some of the people here, but that he’s appearing here is owed to the fact that he became a better wrestler over the last months and showed some more character. Him announcing a “small“ Ikkitousen with the younger guys in the roster was kinda cool and he deserved to be in the Ikkitousen with all those big names this year though.” – Chris Gascoigne

Keigo Nakamura

Age: 25
Years Active: 5
Promotion: DDT Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: KO-D Ten Man Tag Team Champion, DDT Iron Man Heavy Metal Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 29
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“DDT’s Keigo Nakamura is my #30. I voted for Nakamura over the likes of Dragon Dia, Villano III Jr, Ryuki Honda, and DDT contemporary MAO because I wanted to be sure to represent this moment in time for Nakamura. He’s a fascinating wrestler who currently has my attention for his wildly different approach to wrestling. He sticks out in a major way in DDT, which I like. This could be short-lived, and when he’s back from his excursion, he could lose the creativity that currently drives his matches. I hope not, though. Right now, I’m very bullish on Nakamura both as a future DDT success story and a wrestling prospect at large. I hope this pick ages nicely.”  – Case Lowe

Kira

Age: 24
Years Active: 13
Promotion: Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Mexican National Women’s Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 12
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“While Kira hasn’t really received many singles opportunities, her work in a tag team with Skadi has been very impressive. They are the current CMLL National Women’s Tag Team Champions and are due for another defense here soon. I think both have improved working as a team and the potential is there for Kira to break out as the next big high flying tecnica for the Amazonas. She has a lot of ideas and is willing to take some big risks and they usually work out pretty well! I’m excited to see what is in Kira’s future.” – Foos

Kodai Nozaki

Age: 27
Years Active: 8
Promotion: Kyushu Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Kyushu Pro Champion, PWS Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 4
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Kodai Nozaki is undoubtedly the #1 wrestler in Kyushu Pro Wrestling, although he recently lost the Kyushu Pro Championship yet again, it’s very clear to see that Nozaki is the main man to get the strap back from Shuji Ishikawa. He looks a bit sedate in some of his matches, but still he is able to get a crowd going on the isle of Kyushu.” – Chris Gascoigne

“Kodai Nozaki is 5’7”, 286 lbs, and his Twitter handle is HEAVY TANK 911. This guy rocks.” – Griffin Peltier

Kohei Kinoshita

Age: 27
Years Active: 9
Promotion: Dove
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: KO-D Ten Man Tag Team Champion, DDT Iron Man Heavy Metal Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 7
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Kohei Kinoshita is literally wrestling everywhere in the japanese independent wrestling scene. The Dove Pro man recently announced his departure from Dove and becoming a „real“ freelancer after all those years. Kinoshita has a cool look and an explosive style of wrestling which made him one of my favourites of the „sleaze scene“ who is probably not known so much.” – Chris Gascoigne

Komander

Age: 26
Years Active: 13
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: ROH World Television Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 7
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Komander has profited the most from this AEW and CMLL relationship. While he’s always worked the Mexican indie scene as part of the AEW roster, he’s been working with CMLL stars like Mistico, Mascara Dorada, and Hechicero lately and it has really upped his game. Komander finally unlocked all his potential and he could become a big star in All Elite Wrestling. Now he just has to dump that geek Alex Abrahantes who makes this masked luchador come across as the biggest geek imaginable.” – Griffin Peltier

“Has quietly put together an impressive year, mainly working in Ring of Honor and doing strong work in various lucha matches on that show. His springboard no-look reveres hurricanrana is my favorite move in all of wrestling.” – Jesse Collings

“Komander has rounded out his game, improving his charisma and rounding out his game as a worker. He’ll be a lucha star for over a decade.” – Fred Morlan

“Komander spent a lot of time on the AEW and ROH undercards eating pins picking up experience against literally everyone. At age 26, he still has plenty of time to show what he has. In AAA Komander was able to capture both the AA Cruiserweight Championship and the AAA Tag Team Championship, however he never had a single successful defense for either championship on AAA TV. In ROH he was able to win the ROh World TV title and defend 5 times before dropping to Nick Wayne. Komander has shown a lot of improvement in ring and his rope walk does a great job of captivating and impressing audiences. His debut in Arena Mexico was nothing short of spectacular as he and Hologram were able to capture the crowd and get their support. Since then Komander has been featured on some independent lucha promotions with CMLL guys as well so I have the feeling he will be mixing it up with more CMLL talent in the future as well.” – Foos

Koshiro Asakura

Age: 27
Years Active: 1
Promotion: Big Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Made his debut in November 2024
Highest Panel Ranking: 10
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“This is maybe a bit controversial with just four months into his career, but Koshiro Asakura already made some waves. One of the newest rookies of Big Japan made his official debut against BJW legend Daisuke Sekimoto and had his first BJW World Strong Championship match against Champion Kamitani in April, which was a great match. Sure Asakura is still super green (who would have thought), but he’s a very promising rookie and could be one of the future BJW stars.” – Chris Gascoigne

Kosuke Sato

Age: 29
Years Active: 6
Promotion: Big Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: BJW Junior Heavyweight Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 28
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Kosuke Sato is finally on top of BJW’s Junior Heayvweight division after becoming champion at BJW’s biggest show of the year in May. Sato never really took off in his career and after missing a whole year in 2023, he became better and climbed up the rankings. He’s a tough wrestler who has a great style with crisp strikes in his repertoire.” – Chris Gascoigne

Kris Statlander

Age: 29
Years Active: 8
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 22
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Over the past year Kris Statlander has had some incredible matches and displayed growth as a well rounded performer. Her unique combination of power and athleticism allows her to effortlessly suplex and slam other women around the ring then nail a 450 when the situation calls for it. Her abrupt and unexplained transition back to babyface immediately after winning the program where she betrayed Willow and turned heel completely derailed her character arc, although it did facilitate her series of matches with Mercedes Mone which were among the best of her career. Statlander is highly talented and still has significant unrealized potential (particularly as a bully heel), but her recent usage raises questions as to whether it will ever be fully realized in AEW. Her ongoing storyline with Willow is a reason to hold out hope she’ll eventually receive a more prominent and consistent role within the division.” – Adam Berger

La Parka III

Age: 25
Years Active: 11
Promotion: Lucha Libre AAA World Wide
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: AULL Trios Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 8
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“As Brazo de oro Jr he was really good, as La Parka III the sky is the limit. Although this character has only existed for a month there is an air of excitement around him that others in AAA just do not have. The reactions new Parka is getting are incredible and fans are already mobbing him before and after shows for pictures. While he doesn’t yet have the refined charisma as the first two iterations of La Parka, La Parka III is certainly good enough in ring. His dance moves are good, but a little stiff, although I believe they will improve with time and experience. With how popular this character is it is possible La Parka III is the future face of the new AAA.” – Foos

Lee Moriarty

Age: 29
Years Active: 9
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: ROH Pure Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 27
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Leon Slater

Age: 20
Years Active: 6
Promotion: TNA Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: NORTH Champion, Y Division Champion, SOVPRO Commonwealth Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 6
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“An incredible amount of raw talent and already a great résumé for someone that turns 21 later this year. The biggest threat to his career isn’t living up to his potential but being lost in the shuffle of whatever the hell this TNA and WWE relationship is supposed to be.” – Gerard Di Trolio

Luke Jacobs

Age: 24
Years Active: 7
Promotion: Freelancer
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion, PROGRESS World Champion, RevPro Undisputed British Tag Team Champion, Infinite Promotions Heavyweight Champion, SAJ Openweight Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 11
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Luke Jacobs is a breath of fresh air. He’s intense, he hits hard, and he’s mean as hell. He is the class of the UK scene and at only 24 years old, he’s only going to get better.” – Brady Trappett

Maggie Lee

Age: 24
Years Active: 2
Promotion: TNA Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: AAW Women’s Champion, RPW Glamour Champion, MAW Women’s Champion, DREAMWAVE Women’s Champion, HCW Women’s World Champion, PWE Women’s Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 20
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“At just 24 years old, Maggie Lee is a wrestling prodigy who can adapt to any role. In the Chicagoland area alone, Lee has worked effectively as a detestable heel and a fiery babyface; that range at such a young age speaks well to her future projectability. Athletically, few women can match Lee, who has excellent height and bounce and can work a wide range of styles—in the last year, she’s really spread her wings and had some standout brawls and bloody matches that again put her head and shoulders above her peers, literally and figuratively. I was on record a few years ago saying I’d bet the house that Lee would be a major league pro wrestler in the next five years. She’s a signed TNA wrestler, but I don’t see that as her final stop. Lee will be on much more prominent national TV very soon. I guarantee it.” – Rich Kraetsch

Maika

Age: 27
Years Active: 6
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: World of Stardom Champion, Artist of Stardom Champion, 5STAR Grand Prix 2024 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 6
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Maika is another one of these “can’t believe she’s still under 30” picks where she feels like such a complete package already. She’s already held the World of STARDOM title, which can be both a blessing and a curse in a promotion that historically doesn’t go back to people for its top belts very much. Even after losing the red belt last July though she’s remained a top star in the company, getting her own unit and then representing her home promotion in a fiery interpromotional feud with Sendai Girls this year. Unfortunately she’s now going to miss a lot of time due to a nagging elbow injury (it sounds like she could even miss the entire rest of 2025) that finally needed surgery, but that’s more of a problem for her on next year’s list than this year’s as she wrestled nearly right up to the cutoff date. Either way, assuming she comes back as good as ever, she should be a beer-swilling top star in joshi for years to come.” – John Carroll

“The true ace of Stardom! Maika was that company’s MVP last year, delivering a great title run in the middle of some rocky booking.” – Kelly Harrass

Mariah May

Age: 26
Years Active: 6
Promotion: WWE
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: AEW Women’s World Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 17
Last Year’s Ranking: 30

“In the past year, May has been an essential component to a big storyline to help get Toni Storm over and played that role perfectly. While her Women’s World Championship run may have been a little lacklustre, the spot she had for the better part of this evaluation period has me curious  as to what her next steps will be.” – Warren Hayes

Megan Bayne

Age: 27
Years Active: 8
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: HOG Women’s Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 26
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Bayne looks like a star, has a unique look and skillset for the women’s division, and can work at a high level. She’s not all the way there yet, but she can lead a division very soon.” – Tyler Forness

Mei Seira

Age: 23
Years Active: 6
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: High Speed Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 27
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Wow, ready for this- Mei Seira is a 7-year veteran who’s only 23 years old. I know, shocking right? Joshi really does have a big edge when it comes to these lists given how young everybody starts. She’s an amazingly athletic, speedy high flyer who has great matches just about every time she gets a real opportunity- I don’t really see “future top star” here as I don’t think she quite has the charisma, but at minimum she’ll be a roster fixture in STARDOM for years to come.” – John Carroll

Mei Suruga

Age: 26
Years Active: 7
Promotion: ChocoPro
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Super Asia Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 24
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Mei has been putting in very strong work as the face of ChocoPro.” – Kelly Harrass

Mika Iwata

Age: 28
Years Active: 9
Promotion: Sendai Girls
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Sendai Girls World Champion, Wonder of Stardom Champion, Sendai Girls Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 9
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“One of the most underrated wrestlers in the world simply because of her slot (she’s the number three wrestler in Sendai Girls, already a smaller promotion, and does so many jobs that it’s kind of become a running joke), Mika brings a sheer intensity that is sadly lacking from a lot of modern professional wrestling. Between her kicks and her permanent sneer she looks like someone you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley no matter how many inches you may have on her. She also has to be in the running for prettiest rice field worker in the world, which must count for something.” – John Carroll

“Iwata is one of the single most underrated wrestlers in the world. Whether she’s being slept on by fans or her own home promotion, Iwata delivers every single time she goes out there. Her bitter feud with Saori Anou was one of the best of the last year.” – Kelly Harrass

Mike D Vecchio

Age: 29
Years Active: 12
Promotion: Freelancer
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: GWF World Champion, wXw European Champion, Superstar Wrestling Champion, TPW Proud Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 1
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“I saw Mike D live in 2023 for the first time at wXw’s 16 Carat Gold and I absolutely loved him from scratch. However he didn’t make my list last year, but he proved me wrong. He was booked by All Japan frequently, made the Champion Carnival this year and left quite a mark on fans and experts. Mike D has a great look, body, appearance overall and is insanely athletic for his size. One of the most exciting wrestlers and it’s not surprising that Stamford wants to sign him.” – Chris Gascoigne

“Let us pour one out for Mike D and his sad, early retirement. Oh, what could’ve been…” – Case Lowe

“A very fun “movez” guy who’s complete disdain for consistent selling makes him endearing.” – Jesse Collings

Mio Momono

Age: 27
Years Active: 9
Promotion: Marvelous
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Sendai Girls Tag Team Champion, AAAW Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 4
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“One of the very best wrestlers you’ll find in the joshi indies.” – Kelly Harrass

“Momono had a great year in lower visibility promotions and looks to be one of the best joshi workers for years to come.” – Fred Morlan

“One of the best underdog babyfaces in the business and one half of one of the best tag teams in the world.” – Paul Wedding

MIRAI

Age: 25
Years Active: 6
Promotion: Dream Star Fighting Marigold
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Marigold Twin Star Champion, Twin Star Cup Tournament Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 23
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“MIRAI has made an unusual number of jumps for a young Japanese wrestler who’s only been active since May 2019, first going from Tokyo Joshi to STARDOM in 2022 and then leaving as part of the Marigold exodus in 2024. She had a long reign with the Wonder of STARDOM title in 2023, holding it for exactly six months, but has not yet been able to find any singles title success in Marigold since jumping (though she was 1/2 of their first Twin Star tag champion team with Mai Sakurai). She’s still only 25 years old and likely has a strong career ahead of her, most recently coming up short in an excellent match against Utami Hayashishita for the Marigold World Title on their big Yoyogi show last month.” – John Carroll

Miu Watanabe

Age: 25
Years Active: 7
Promotion: Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Princess of Princess Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 7
Last Year’s Ranking: 27

“Miu did wonderfully in the past year as the face of TJPW. Her title run was as good as I was hoping it would be, with the incredible match against Ryo Mizunami as the highlight. One of the great joys of being a TJPW watcher is watching Miu keep getting better and better.” – Kelly Harrass

“Watanabe is hopefully not going to be overlooked here due to her place outside of the Stardom+Sareee ecosystem. She carried Tokyo Joshi Pro in 2024. She has tons of charisma, is a natural babyface, and has developed into a genuinely great worker. She’s also ridiculously strong – for all the talk of Megan Bayne and Bozilla, Miu Watanabe is the best hoss in women’s wrestling.” – Fred Morlan

Miyu Amasaki

Age: 23
Years Active: 3
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Artist of Stardom Champion, Future of Stardom Champion, New Year Competition League Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 28
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Miyu Amasaki this year at 23 years old and only three years into her wrestling career did something Kurt Angle was never able to do in his entire 20+ year career: have a 5-star match according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer newsletter. I believe that also made her the first ex-DG “gong kid” to have a 5-star Observer match as well. Miyu stands out right away for her look (at 5’4/162 cm she’s got that classic “tall for a joshi but not so tall you have to push her as TALL” size that the promotions tend to love) and has a bit of an understated charisma, to the point where you can definitely see the “future ace” potential there some fans have whispered about. And yes, I’m kidding a little bit on this five star match stuff given it was as 1/6th of a six-woman Artists of STARDOM tag title match, but I think she’s shown more than a few flashes in ring as well (her match where she lost the Future belt to Hina in February was pretty great too!). Sometimes her quest to do ten million variations of the DDT in the same match can look a little goofy, but she’s got plenty of time to develop in ring still of course.” – John Carroll

Momo Watanabe

Age: 25
Years Active: 10
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Goddesses of Stardom Champion, Artist of Stardom Champion, International Women’s Cup Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 10
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“With SLK having ascended to the white belt and faction leader, Momo has officially taken the mantle of “biggest gap between her output and her push in STARDOM”. She did have a nice little Goddesses tag title reign alongside the since-departed Thekla, which ended with a very strong match against Hanan & Saya Iida at Dream Queendom last December. Her 2025 has been hurt a bit by injuries but also featured her wrestling Mercedes Mone on an AEW PPV, so a pretty high profile spot for her (though the match they had on a STRONG show the previous fall was actually better). But I’m sneaking her into the top 10 because she still has so much potential at only 25 years old (and again is already an 11-year veteran!)- she’s already been Wonder champion once and is probably overdue for a babyface turn that could instantly revitalize her position on the cards in STARDOM at any time. She’s so good in ring too, quietly one of the best in the world, and I’m quite sure she’ll deliver when (if?) they finally decide to run with her as a top star again.” – John Caroll

Natsupoi

Age: 29
Years Active: 10
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Wonder of Stardom Champion, Artist of Stardom Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 8
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“This will be the chaotic blonde haired gremlin Natsupoi’s last year of eligibility for 30 under 30 (she’ll hit the big 3-0 on July 19th), but she made it a damn good one. She captured the Wonder of STARDOM title for the first time last July, holding it through their big Sumo Hall show at the end of December where she lost it to Starlight Kid in one of the very best matches of the entire year. Add that to another strong reign with the Artist six-man belts alongside best friend/life partner Saori Anou & Tam Nakano, plus the fact that she and Saori are about to put on what looks like it will be a highly successful independent ten year anniversary show just before the voting period closes, and Poi was an easy top 10 pick for me. She’s been great ever since her Natsumi Maki days, and I doubt she’ll stop being great anytime soon.” – John Carroll

Nick Wayne

Age: 19
Years Active: 7
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: ROH World Television Champion, AEW World Trios Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 12
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Nick Wayne really is a prodigy being as good as he is as young as he is. He won’t be the age Kyle Fletcher is now (26) until 2032. If Nick maintains this rate of improvement and grows into his frame he has the potential to become one of the biggest stars in the world.” – Adam Berger

“He’s always going to be high on this list, because he’s still just 19 years old and has Will Ospreay upside. Can he ever get there? Who knows, but his sky high potential is incredible.” – Tyler Forness

Oba Femi

Age: 27
Years Active: 2
Promotion: WWE
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: WWE NXT Champion, WWE NXT North American Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 18
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“There are holes you can poke in Oba Femi’s game. But his look and raw ability is too great to ignore and I love a big guy like him. He is a real test of the WWE Performance Center. If he was anywhere other than WWE I think he would eventually “get it” and be a star. Time will tell what his ceiling is, but I wouldn’t give up on him yet.” – Gerard Di Trolio

Oskar Leube

Age: 26
Years Active: 6
Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: wXw World Tag Team Champion, PWH Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 29
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Owadasan

Age: 24
Years Active: 1
Promotion: Pro Wrestling NOAH
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 21
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Pantera Jr.

Age: 25
Years Active: 10
Promotion: Michinoku Pro
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: MPW Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Champion, 7th Fukumen World League Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 11
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“The son of El Pantera is maybe one of the more unknown Lucha Libre guys under 30 years of age. Pantera Jr. Already made his Japan debut in 2019 for Keiji Muto’s WRESTLE-1, last year he came back to the land of the rising sun and conquered Michinoku Pro. He won the 7th edition of the Fukumen World League and crowned himself the Tohoku Jr. Champion. He may have lost the title now, but he’s still rocking M-Pro with his great athleticism and awesome moves.” – Chris Gascoigne

Persephone

Age: 23
Years Active: 8
Promotion: Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: CMLL Universal de Amazones 2024 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 9
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Persephone is the most recent Campeona Universal de Amazones, this isn’t a title defended on a regular basis, but a tournament that is held every year. The previous winner is La Catalina, Persephone’s best rival so far. Persephone is not the most refined Amazona on the roster but at age 23 it is undeniable that she will be an important part of the division if she remains in CMLL. Persephone got a big opportunity at NJPW’s Wrestle Dynasty this year in a four way match against Willow Nightingale, Momo Watanabe, and Athena. I think she did a pretty good job there and hopefully is featured in other big international matches as well.” – Foos

“It’s just a matter of time that the WWE or AEW will come calling for Persephone. She has a great look, lots of star quality, and has been improving dramatically in the ring.” – Griffin Peltier

Ren Narita

Age: 27
Years Active: 7
Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: NJPW World Television Champion, NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 26
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Rhea Ripley

Age: 28
Years Active: 11
Promotion: WWE
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: WWE Women’s World Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 11
Last Year’s Ranking: 15

“A year in which one revives that old chestnut: “How are they not making her the biggest star in the company?”” – Warren Hayes

“Rhea is still a great worker and is obviously extremely over in WWE. I wish WWE would allow her to show off her in-ring ability more often, but I can say that for about ten different people in WWE, if not more.” – Fred Morlan

Riiita

Age: 27
Years Active: 3
Promotion: Dragongate
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 6
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“5’1″ and unironically one of the most talented wrestlers going today. My hope is that if DG makes another trip to America, they bring Riiita, because I think he would absolutely floor people.” – Case Lowe

“Everything Riiita touches turns to gold. A constant highlight of Dragongate, he’s going to have a long career as the beloved, undersized underdog.” – Paul Wedding

“Few wrestlers bring a smile to my face more than Riiita. Either him or Starlight Kid are the most talented wrestlers under 150 cm. Perhaps the most amusing “realest shooter in the locker room” answer, Riiita has maximized everything one can do on such a small frame. He’s an incredible technical wrestler at his core and then you have the precision speed and flying on top of that. We are probably one more strong Twin Gate match away from considering him and Kamei one of the best teams in the world.” – Mike Spears

Rina

Age: 18
Years Active: 6
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Future of Stardom Champion, New Blood Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 15
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Look, whatever you think of starting people off with wrestling training as kids (there’s, uh, some possible issues there for sure), it sure results in great 18-to-23 year old wrestlers, and Rina is yet another one on my list. An 18-year-old eight-year vet already, Rina has left her sisters Hanan & Hina in the dust over the last year in my opinion- not that they’re both not quite good in their own right too, but Rina showed in her Wonder of STARDOM title challenge against Starlight Kid back in February that she’s just on an entirely different level. She’s an incredibly charismatic heel who has come through every time they give her a big spot so far, and I think she’ll get even more of them soon enough.” – John Carroll

Ringo Yamaya

Age: 22
Years Active: 3
Promotion: Michinoku Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: MPW Tohoku Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 26
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Apple gimmicked Michinoku Pro wrestler with a wealth of potential” – Joe Gagne

“The masked apple boy Ringo Yamaya made my list this year after having some very good matches in his home company Michinoku Pro Wrestling. He’s only 22 years old and has his whole career in front of him. He desperately tried to win the Tohoku Jr. Title, however he was unsuccessful but instead won the Tohoku Tag titles alongside Rasse. He’s still very green in the ring, despite having some cool stuff in his move arsenal.” – Chris Gascoigne

Rising HAYATO

Age: 26
Years Active: 8
Promotion: All Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Champion, All Asia Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 17
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“After a somewhat lackluster first reign as the PWF World Jr. Heavyweight Champion, Rising HAYATO has redeemed himself with his tag team with Yuma Anzai. He has made great strides in his work and when he finally gets a singles title reign again, he is going to have a career defining one.” – Gerard Di Trolio

Ryoya Tanaka

Age: 26
Years Active: 2
Promotion: Dragongate
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Sou Ryou Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 19
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“The question is not “if” Ryoya Tanaka will one day headline Dragongate Kobe World, it’s “when”. The two-year pro who looks like he was created in a Dragongate-sponsored lab has lived up to his pre-debut hype early in his career. It feels like Tanaka, at this current point in time, is about to level-up his in-ring performances. There’s an energy when he’s in the ring right now that is really special. I expect him to make a huge leap from #19 on my list next year.” – Case Lowe

“Ryoya Tanaka has rarely taken a misstep in his two years in wrestling. I’d say he’s probably the most likely under thirty to break out in the next year for Dragongate. You’d be hard pressed to find a more “crisp” junior heavyweight working today. His next year will show if he is destined to be a top-of-the-line player or a solid member of a Twin or Triangle Gate team.” – Mike Spears

Ryuki Honda

Age: 25
Years Active: 6
Promotion: All Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 19
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Ryuki Honda has fallen prey to what many other in All Japan have recently – too much comedy. But after his great performance in this year’s Champion Carnival you are reminded that he is a great talent. Let’s hope he continues the latter of the former over the next year.” – Gerard Di Trolio

“Ryuki Honda had a breakout run in an otherwise alternatively sleepy/dire Champion Carnival where pretty much no one else had anything of the sort (except maybe Madoka Kikuta who doesn’t even work for them!), and seems like a guy they really ought to get behind more than they have so far. They did send him through to the semifinals and give him a couple big wins over the two Yumas, but hopefully that’s the start of a bigger push for him rather than a high watermark for his year. He’s still only 25 years old so he has plenty of time to climb these rankings further should he continue to put on strong matches and eventually make it a little higher up the cards in All Japan.” – John Carroll

Ryuya Matsufusa

Age: 26
Years Active: 4
Promotion: Osaka Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Osaka Light Heavyweight Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 3
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Last year he started to make some waves in Japan, this year it’s all about him having some problems to become the top Light Heavyweight in Osaka Pro. And it’s even more interesting to see Matsufusa grinding his character.” – Chris Gascoigne

“Enjoy Ryuya in Osaka Pro while you can as he continues having fantastic main events as the promotion’s light heavyweight ace. it’s only a matter of time before he gets scooped up by a bigger promotion.” – Paul Wedding

Ryuya Takekura

Age: 29
Years Active: 6
Promotion: JTO
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 22
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“This year will be the last time I can include Takekura on my list. He was arguably the biggest home-grown-star TAKA Michinoku produced in his JTO promotion so far, that’s why he even dethroned TAKA back in 2021 as the King Of JTO. However his face turn, and thus his exit from Myo-o, made him a bit weaker in story canon. He found his master in Genta Yubari, who defeated him twice this year. Takekura is still a very good big man, but him only working JTO this year brought him back under the radar.” – Chris Gascoigne

Sayaka Kurara

Age: 24
Years Active: 1
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Cinderella Tournament 2025 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 16
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Sayaka Kurara has been wrestling for less than 18 months at this point and yet is already so freaking good- like many, she’s a huge testament to the quality of training in STARDOM at the moment. She’s got charisma for days, which she showed off as a focal point in the entire Saya vs. Tam storyline leading up to their epic retirement match at Yokohama Arena this year (her ability to sell both discomfort and yet also perhaps that she was tempted by Saya’s pursuit of her helped that part of the story immensely, ultimately resulting in a tag match that did US-style soap opera better than whatever slop they’re actually doing in the US these days), and her in ring has improved quickly enough for her to deliver an excellent World of STARDOM title match with Saya last month. Of all the people on the middle third of my list, I feel incredibly confident she’ll be in the top 10 before too long (and at 24 she has plenty of years to get there still), as she just has “future top joshi star” written all over her.” – John Carroll

Senka Akatsuki

Age: 19
Years Active: 1
Promotion: Marvelous
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Made her debut in October 2024
Highest Panel Ranking: 28
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Senka is something special to watch. She’s the best rookie going today and was able to bring a room of people to their feet by just struggling to get out of a pin attempt over WrestleMania weekend. Jump on the train now because she’s going to be huge.” – Kelly Harrass

Seri Yamaoka

Age: 18
Years Active: 1
Promotion: Dream Star Fighting Marigold
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Marigold Twin Star Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 25
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Shota Umino

Age: 28
Years Active: 8
Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 28
Last Year’s Ranking: 6

“In my blurb for Shota last year, I wrote that Umino had begun to overcome his identity crisis. I may have pulled the trigger a little too fast on that one. Whatever progress he seemed to have made was undercut by a noticeable lack of fire. And despite main eventing Wrestle Kingdom (and NJPW’s insistence that he’s a top guy) fans pushed back. What followed was, erm, a “repackaging” that felt designed to be a public humbling. Humbled, apparently, into making the New Japan Cup final and once again challenging for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Some humbling.” – Warren Hayes

“I won’t quit him. Even with the rough patch he’s gone through, there’s still something there with Shota.” – Tyler Forness

SUZAKU

Age: 28
Years Active: 5
Promotion: Osaka Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Osaka Pro 4th Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 24
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“With his recent victory in Osaka Pro’s Light Heavyweight Tournament, it feels like Oji Shiiba is finally wrestling at the level he should be at. His work is the cleanest it’s ever been, and he showed as much intensity and viciousness as I’ve ever seen from him in the tournament final against Matsufusa.” – Paul Wedding

Suzu Suzuki

Age: 22
Years Active: 6
Promotion: STARDOM
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: New Year Competition League Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 11
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Suzu is a huge riser for me, as she has a very unique charisma and appeal and has gotten over in STARDOM with her grungy/deathmatch vibes despite having a different body type than the promotion has generally preferred. Her match against Saya for the red belt at the start of 2025 made waves, and then her long turn angle that saw her ultimately leave Neo Genesis and start a brand new unit (Mi Vida Loca) was one of the best storylines they’ve run so far this year, culminating in a shockingly awesome grudge match between her and ex-partner Mei Seira at All Star Grand Queendom. She’s also yet another joshi wrestler in the “how is she only 22 years old” camp, giving her a lot more time to rise up even further on my list in future years.” – John Carroll

“A very good, very young wrestler that I think had a bit of a down year, but even so, her work warrants her being on this list. Here’s hoping we see Stardom let her work her hardcore/deathmatch style more often going forward because that’s where she truly shines.” – Kelly Harrass

“Suzuki feels like she’s been utterly lost in the shuffle in Stardom, but she’s still a wild brawler that is worth remembering.” – Fred Morlan

Suzume

Age: 26
Years Active: 5
Promotion: Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: International Princess Champion, Princess Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 26
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Suzume continues to kill it in the tag division with Endo and now she’s been given a chance to show how she’s grown as a singles wrestler as the International Princess Champion.” – Kelly Harrass

Takahiro Hirakimoto

Age: 28
Years Active: 2
Promotion: Dove Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 27
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Dove Pro’s recent graduate is now travelling across Japan and has gigs literally everywhere. After just being exclusive to Dove and Meriken Pro, YASSHI’s brainchild, he became a welcoming guest for promotions such as Dotonbori, Sportiva, HEAT UP and other indy companies. Hirakimoto is still very green, but he’s a promising talent with good strikes and intensity.” – Chris Gascoigne

Takuro Niki

Age: 24
Years Active: 5
Promotion: Active Advance Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: 2AW Openweight Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 14
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Takuro Niki is the most brightest prospect of Active Advance Pro-Wrestling and he showed that most recently with a lengthy 2AW Openweight title reign. What was missing in that reign was a win over 2AW figurehead Ayato Yoshida, but that’s desperately needed when they want to elevate Niki to become even with Yoshida. However Niki is now a welcoming guest in Tenryu Project, which is another step forward for him to get more bookings outside of his comfort zone.” – Chris Gascoigne

Tatsuya Hanami

Age: 28
Years Active: 7
Promotion: Active Advance Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 29
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Hanami was maybe one of the hottest youngsters in the indy scene when he started. Now almost eight years later he’s still young, still a good wrestler with a lot of fire and passion and good babyface presence, although he went on an european excursion last year, his star did not rise more.” – Chris Gascoigne

Tetsuya Goto

Age: 27
Years Active: 5
Promotion: Pro Wrestling Shi-En
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 17
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Sure Tetsuya Goto hasn’t played with the big guys yet. However, I am a fan of his. Goto is a Pro-Wrestling Shi-En guy who works for the bigger Kansai based companies such as Osaka Pro or Dotonbori. He’s also a regular participant for the Osaka shows of FREEDOMS or GLEAT for example. Goto is still young and very promising, he can keep up with high speed matches and he’s a good technical wrestler.” – Chris Gascoigne

Thunder Masami

Age: 19
Years Active: 1
Promotion: JTO
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: JTO Tournament 2025 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 13
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Maybe the brightest male star out of the TAKA Michinoku camp is Thunder Masami. The 19 year old Osaka native has the look of a movie star and the potential to become a star in the Indy scene, or maybe above that too. He already beat the top stars of JTO like Genta Yubari or TAKA Michinoku himself, which is a huge achievement for someone with just a year of pro-wrestling experience.” – Chris Gascoigne

Titus Alexander

Age: 24
Years Active: 7
Promotion: Freelancer
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: King of the Indies 2024 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 20
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Tommy Billington

Age: 23
Years Active: 7
Promotion: Freelancer
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Dungeon Wrestling Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 23
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Calling yourself the new Dynamite Kid means you have big shoes to fill. Luckily for Tommy Billington, he seems capable of handling the pressure. While he has worked for All Elite Wrestling on a few occasions over the last year, his best work has been happening in Kyushu Pro Wrestling and Winnipeg Pro Wrestling. He can tell he gets it by the look in his eyes when wrestling. He will be a force to be reckoned with when he puts it all together with a bit more experience under his belt.” – Griffin Peltier

Tomoka Inaba

Age: 22
Years Active: 5
Promotion: JTO
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Queen of JTO Champion, JTO Girls Tag Team Champion, JTO Girls Tag Team Tournament Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 5
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Tomoka Inaba is only 22 years old, but already a 5 year veteran. She is the most decorated wrestler in JTO history and she even won a championship outside of JTO, too. Tomoka is very charismatic, has great ring skills and her working Stardom regularly did a ton for her.” – Chris Gascoigne

“Inaba has a level of poise and understanding of her character and herself as a wrestler that many wrestlers her senior can never even hope to achieve.” – Kelly Harrass

“I ranked her sister Azusa just ahead of her, but Tomoka Inaba is yet another “how is she already this good” joshi wrestler at only 22 years old with just under 6 years experience under her belt already. She’s already developed into a strong young wrestler with kicks you don’t want to mess with, and she’s obviously got plenty of runway left- a full time jump from JTO to STARDOM seems like a virtual lock at this point, especially with her teasing a major announcement at JTO’s annual anniversary show at Korakuen in July.” – John Carroll

Towa Iwasaki

Age: 26
Years Active: 7
Promotion: BURST Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 23
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“It was insane for me that I could include Towa Iwasaki yet again. He’s only 26 but started his career in 2017, a long time ago. After moving on from ZERO1, Iwasaki became a company founder when he created BURST Pro Wrestling, a pretty cool promotion with a lot of big names on their cards. However that wasn’t the best decision for his career I would say. Iwasaki could have been one of the top faces of ZERO1, but instead he chose to wrestle on a micro indie. He has star potential written all over him and maybe, just maybe, he will get some gigs outside of BURST to get more eyeballs on him, because he deserves it.” – Chris Gascoigne

Utami Hayashishita

Age: 26
Years Active: 6
Promotion: Dream Star Fighting Marigold
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Marigold World Champion, DREAM STAR Grand Prix Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 13
Last Year’s Ranking: 7

“I don’t understand her usage in Marigold – you’d think given her prior successes, she would have positioned as one of the top names in that new company, but that wasn’t the case at all. Still, her high level work in the past is sufficient to keep her above water on my list for now.” – Fred Morlan

VENY

Age: 26
Years Active: 9
Promotion: Freelancer
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: SEAdLINNNG Beyond The Sea Champion, Sendai Girls Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 11
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“VENY is one of the best wrestlers out there that is still a free agent. The fact that no one has snatched her up yet is absolutely shocking.” – Kelly Harrass

Villano III Jr.

Age: 26
Years Active: 12
Promotion: Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Champion, CMLL World Tag Team Title #1 Contendership Tournament Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 11
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Leaving AAA has been the best thing Villano III Jr. has done in his career. He went from a floundering undercarder to one of the most over young wrestlers on the CMLL roster. He is very creative in the ring and seemingly has a repertoire of new moves he is willing to pull out on a moment’s notice even if some of them don’t hit. A great rudo and I can’t wait for his return from injury.” – Griffin Peltier

“Although he is currently injured and been out for the last 5 months Villano II jr still occupies a spot on this list for the reason that his previous performances were so good they have me eagerly awaiting his return. In singles matches Villano II Jr boasts great matches with Titan and Flip Gordon in the last year, both among the best of the year. He is spectacular in a trio with his brother Hijo de Villano III and either Zandokan jr or Hijo de Stuka Jr. Multiple times a match Villano III Jr will have you in amazement with his high risk high reward offense and willingness to take moves that would strike fear into the hearts of less brave men. Villano III jr also shines as a tag team with his brother, together they are the current Arena Coliseo Tag Team Champions, a belt also held by their uncles, Villano I and II.” – Foos

Wheeler Yuta

Age: 28
Years Active: 11
Promotion: All Elite Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: AEW World Trios Champion, ROH Pure Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 27
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Xelhua

Age: 21
Years Active: 2
Promotion: Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Battle of Coacalco 2024 Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 3
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“Real ones know that CMLL’s feud between Xelhua and Guerrero Maya Jr was one of the best parts of a great company in 2024. No one wrestles quite like Xelhua in 2025. His favorite wrestler is Mil Mascaras and you can tell when you watch him work, although he might already have a stronger match catalogue than Mascaras ever had (I’m only half-joking).” – Case Lowe

“I’m showing a lot of bias putting Xelhua this high, but I think his ceiling is very, very high. He really understands the classic luchador aesthetic without being a parody or imitation of that archetype. Xelhua oozes the type of old school charisma that would fill arenas in the golden age of lucha or be featured on the covers of popular lucha magazines. Xelhua is also very effective at utilizing social media to connect with his fans, on top of building connections with the audience when inside the ring. He is very comfortable on the mic for someone who only started appearing on CMLL cards 2 years ago. Xelhua has already been able to lock up with other high level technicians like Guerrero Maya Jr, Negro Navarro, Avisman, and Hechicero, and I am excited to see who else he crosses paths with in the future. In addition to CMLL, Xelhua’s been featured on NJPW, Lucha Memes, and most recently ACTION DEAN. Very bright future ahead for Xelhua.” – Foos

Yuki Ueno

Age: 29
Years Active: 8
Promotion: DDT Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: DDT Universal Champion, KO-D Openweight Champion, DDT Iron Man Heavy Metal Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 6
Last Year’s Ranking: 22

Yurika Oka

Age: 21
Years Active: 5
Promotion: Sendai Girls Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Sendai Girls Tag Team Champion, AAAW Tag Team Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 23
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Yutani

Age: 24
Years Active: 5
Promotion: Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: N/A
Highest Panel Ranking: 26
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“I’m buying a lot of stock in Yutani now that he’s finally made it to the Arena Mexico main stage. He’s always had potential when competing for Big Lucha and GLEAT in the Black Generation but he’s finally putting it all together and knows how to command the audience now that he’s in CMLL. There is still some room for improvement in-ring but you can’t teach charisma and Yutani has it in spades.” – Griffin Peltier

Yuya Aoki

Age: 28
Years Active: 8
Promotion: Big Japan Pro Wrestling
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion
Highest Panel Ranking: 18
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

“It seems a little out of place to put Yuya Aoki in this list, but he’s still eligible so why not? Aoki is already a BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion by this time with a lengthy reign, but I still think he can achieve more, he’s a bit underrated maybe. Aoki has great in-ring skills, still he’s missing a bit of character, maybe to fully be recognized as a great wrestler.” – Chris Gascoigne

Zozaya

Age: 23
Years Active: 6
Promotion: Freelancer
Accomplishments Over The Last Year: Triple W Absolute Champion, Irish Junior Heavyweight Champion, Copa Nino Anonimo Winner
Highest Panel Ranking: 24
Last Year’s Ranking: NR

List Of Names That Received At Least One Vote:

• Adam Priest
• Akihiro Sahara
• Alpha Wolf
• Aoi
• Aran Sano
• Atlantis Jr.
• Axiom
• Aya Sakura
• AZM
• Azusa Inaba
• Bron Breakker
• Callum Newman
• Cappuccino Jones
• Chanyota
• Crowchester
• Daichi Sato
• Daiju Wakamatsu
• Daiki Odashima
• Dani Luna
• Daniel Garcia
• Dragon Bane
• Dragon Dia
• Drilla Moloney
• El Hijo del Vikingo
• El Hijo del Villano III
• Francesco Akira
• Gabe Kidd
• Gaia Hox
• Galeno del Mal
• Genta Yubari
• Hanan
• Harutoki
• Hazuki
• Hologram
• Homare
• HYO
• IBUKI
• Isaiah Moore
• ISHIN
• JACKY KAMEI
• Je’Von Evans
• Jet Wei
• Joe Alonzo
• Junya Matsunaga
• Kaito Ishida
• Kaito Kiyomiya
• KANON
• Kazumasa Yoshida
• Keigo Nakamura
• Kevin Knight
• Kira
• Kodai Nozaki
• Kohei Kinoshita
• Komander
• Kosei Fujita
• Koshiro Asakura
• Kosuke Sato
• Kris Statlander
• Kyle Fletcher
• La Parka III
• Lee Moriarty
• Leon Slater
• Luke Jacobs
• Mad Dog Connelly
• Madoka Kikuta
• Maggie Lee
• Maika
• MAO
• Mariah May
• Mascara Dorada
• Megan Bayne
• Mei Seira
• Mei Suruga
• Mika Iwata
• Mike D Vecchio
• Mio Momono
• MIRAI
• Miu Watanabe
• Miyu Amasaki
• MJF
• Mochizuki Jr.
• Momo Watanabe
• Natsupoi
• Neon
• Nick Wayne
• Oba Femi
• Oskar Leube
• Owada-san
• OZAWA
• Pantera Jr.
• Persephone
• Ren Narita
• Rhea Ripley
• Riiita
• Rina
• Ringo Yamaya
• Rising HAYATO
• Ryohei Oiwa
• Ryoya Tanaka
• Ryuki Honda
• Ryuya Matsufusa
• Ryuya Takekura
• Sareee
• Saya Kamitani
• Sayaka Kurara
• Senka Akatsuki
• Seri Yamaoka
• Shota Umino
• Shun Skywalker
• Starlight Kid
• SUZAKU
• Suzu Suzuki
• Suzume
• Takahiro Hirakimoto
• Takuro Niki
• Tatsuya Hanami
• Tetsuya Goto
• Thunder Masami
• Titus Alexander
• Tommy Billington
• Tomoka Inaba
• Toni Storm
• Towa Iwasaki
• Utami Hayashishita
• VENY
• Villano III Jr.
• Wheeler Yuta
• Xelhua
• Yuki Ueno
• Yuma Anzai
• Yuma Aoyagi
• Yurika Oka
• Yutani
• Yuya Aoki
• Zandokan Jr.
• Zozaya