Favorite Wrestlers
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Tier 1: Core
- Tier 2: Secondary
- Tier 3: Access Barrier
- Tier 4: Radar
- Tier 5: Peripheral
- Wrestling-Related Works
Introduction
I judge wrestlers for this list based entirely on their in-ring performance.
There are wrestlers I like for non-ring aspects (such as, and primarily, Brody King), but they are not on this list, because that does not motivate me to track down their matches.
There are also wrestlers who I’ve enjoyed watching that don’t make this list because I do not actively seek out their matches.
Methodology
I do not have a rigorous quantification method for how I rank wrestlers. This is mostly vibes-based. However, I do have several dimensions that I am conscious of when evaluating wrestlers, each with differing levels of relative importance:
- Aura 🔴 most important
- The undefinable essence of a person, including my general impression of how they move and command themself.
- Strength 🟠 medium importance
- Physical power. Useful for basing and holds.
- Agility 🟢 high importance
- Speed and ability to maneuver deftly.
- Flight 🟢 high importance
- Aerial ability.
- Endurance ⚫️ marginal
- Fighting spirit.
- Strategy 🔵 low importance
- An intelligence measure applying to technique and use of technique, most visible in holds and hold escapes.
- Aesthetic 🟢 high importance
- External presentation, such as costumes and makeup.
- Charisma 🟠 medium importance
- Ability to command a crowd and express internal landscape, including selling.
Tier 1: Core
I am actively tracking down archived matches and will plan around watching their new matches live.
Bandido
the one who sparked it all
- Favorite Elements
- hair, aura, mask, entrance costumes, gimmick, representation of his heritage, theme music (“Los Más Buscados”), bright sunshine personality, enthusiasm, smile (yes you can tell even with the mask on), voice, giving back to community
- Favorite Match
-
- Bandido vs. Jon Moxley (review)
- AEW/CMLL/NJPW/Stardom Forbidden Door 2026 • June 28, 2026
- Favorite Move
- throwing someone down so hard that he pops several feet into the air
Komander
- Favorite Elements
- mask, entrance costumes (especially the fact that the Virgen de Guadalupe is always on his back), theme music (“Master And…”), aerial ability, soft chill personality
- Favorite Match
-
- Komander vs. El Hijo del Vikingo (review)
- ROH Supercard of Honor 2023 • March 31, 2023
- Favorite Move
- springboard tijeras to poisonrana
Titán
MY DEMON!!!
- Favorite Elements
- mask designs, scar, aura, intensity
- Favorite Match
-
- Titán vs. Ricochet (review)
- CMLL Fin de Semana Internacional • January 16, 2026
- Favorite Move
- when he grabs the ropes and hauls himself up onto the turnbuckles by flipping up in one go, but also, when he locks his opponent with a bridge
Templario
- Favorite Elements
- tattoos, theme music (“Guerrero Templario” but the remixed version they play live which I can’t find a recording of), entrance costumes, gimmick, calm aura, kind eyes, base skills, giving back to community
- Favorite Match
-
-
Serious answer:
Templario vs. Bandido (review) - CMLL Fin de Semana Internacional, Day 3 • January 18, 2026
-
Silly answer:
Templario vs. Hechicero vs. Soberano Jr. (review) - NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2026, Day 3 • February 22, 2026
-
Serious answer:
- Favorite Move
- kick spinning like a b-boy to get back onto his feet
Tier 2: Secondary
I might not necessarily be actively tracking down their matches, but if I come across one, it gets prioritized in my to-watch list, and I will usually stay tuned for live matches they’re in.
Hechicero
- Favorite Elements
- castigando a todos
- Favorite Match
-
- Hechicero vs. Bandido (review)
- ROH Death Before Dishonor 2025 • August 29, 2025
- Favorite Move
- taking the straps down and letting the titties out to show it’s serious now
Máscara Dorada II
- Favorite Elements
- consistency, smooth execution
- Favorite Match
-
- Máscara Dorada vs. Komander (review)
- CMLL Domingo Familiar • November 23, 2025
- Favorite Move
- shooting star press, but also? the way he nods tbh, it’s very emphatic
Xelhua
- Favorite Elements
- old-school aztec-inspired mask, power, precision, contorting people into obscene holds
- Favorite Match
-
- Xelhua vs. Lee Moriarty (review)
- ROH Death Before Dishonor 2025 • August 29, 2025
- Favorite Move
- cualquiera llave tbh
Maya World
- Favorite Elements
- attitude, energy, aesthetic
- Favorite Match
-
- Maya World vs. Mercedes Moné (review)
- AEW/CMLL/NJPW/Stardom Forbidden Door 2026 • June 28, 2026
- Favorite Move
- german suplex
Persephone
- Favorite Elements
- attitude, screaming, power, leggings
- Favorite Match
-
- Persephone & Mina Shirakawa vs. Miyu Yamashita & Yuka Sakazaki (review)
- ROH Supercard Of Honor 2025 • July 11, 2025
- Favorite Move
- not really a move per se but all her rage faces are so great and intense
The Beast Mortos
- Favorite Elements
- raaaaaawr, tattoos, base skills, apparently being the hottest masked wrestler alive, the fact that he’s also a lawyer and has been a nurse and veterinarian
- Favorite Match
-
- The Beast Mortos (as Black Taurus) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo (review)
- ROH Final Battle 2023 • December 15, 2023
- Favorite Move
- tornillo through the ropes
Yota Tsuji 辻 陽太
- Favorite Elements
- smiling like a gorilla does before it attacks you, power, hair, constantly wearing red and gold
- Favorite Match
-
- Yota Tsuji vs. Boltin Oleg (review)
- NJPW G1 Climax 36, Day 12 • August 6, 2026
- Favorite Move
- smacking the shit out of someone
Yutani
- Favorite Elements
- big heel energy, thigh band
- Favorite Match
-
- Yutani vs. Capitán Suicida (review)
- CMLL Super Viernes • February 6, 2026
- Favorite Move
- sticking out his tongue to rile up the crowd
Tier 3: Access Barrier
I have a strong interest in these wrestlers, but I don’t have access to their promotions or won’t watch their promotions (i.e., WWE and unfortunately therefore also AAA). I am still tracking down matches from promotions I do have access to.
El Hijo del Vikingo
when will my vikingo return from retirement
Penta El Zero Miedo
pls retvrn
Rey Fénix
we can forgive you, pls retvrn
Starlight Kid
pls I can’t afford another subscription
Tier 4: Radar
I have an interest in these wrestlers, but I am not really actively tracking down matches; I’m mostly just watching whatever I stumble on.
Andrade El Ídolo
Claudio Castagnoli
Kevin Knight
Mansoor
Mason Madden
“Speedball”
Mike Bailey
Mina Shirakawa
Queen Aminata
Viva Van
we stan a local legend
Tier 5: Peripheral
I am curious about these wrestlers, but have not yet started looking into them in earnest. Once I do start watching their matches, they will either be bumped into a higher tier or removed from this list based on how much I like them.
Athena
Bishop Kaun
unfortunately I do not enjoy the demand, so this is tough
Boltin Oleg
ボルチン・オレッグ
Candela
Drilla Moloney
El Clon
also interested in his work as Arez
Fuego
Garra Negra
Gringo Loco
independent
Hyan
IYO SKY
イヨ・スカイ
Janai Kai
independent
Kazuchika Okada
オカダ・カズチカ
Kenta Kobashi
小橋 建太
retired
La Catalina
Lee Moriarty
Mia Friday
independent
Mustafa Ali
Nick Wayne
Rohan Raja
Soberano Jr.
Stephanie Vaquer
Swerve Strickland
VENY
independent
Wheeler Yuta
Willow Nightingale
Yuka Sakazaki
坂崎 ユカ
Wrestling-Related Works
Other media that features wrestlers that I want to track down, but where I might not necessarily want to track down matches involving the wrestlers in it.