Dominik Mysterio, Stephanie Vaquer, and the AEW Resurgence: 2025 Awards

The Best of Wrestling in 2025: A Year Full of Surprises

2025 was a memorable year for professional wrestling fans, filled with unexpected moments and new talents that left an indelible mark. From the retirement of legends to the emergence of new stars, this year offered an unparalleled spectacle. Iconic figures appeared in new scenarios, a legend said goodbye, AEW resurfaced strongly, and new champions starred in some of the best matches of the year. John Cena embarked on a farewell tour that saw him briefly turn “heel” before falling to Gunther, marking the end of a legendary career. Seth Rollins joined Paul Heyman, deceiving the world with a fake injury to win his second World Heavyweight Championship, only to be forced to vacate the title due to a real injury. In NXT, stars like Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans, and Ricky Saints emerged, while the collaboration with TNA Wrestling generated great expectation. In AEW, “Hangman” Adam Page completed his redemption arc, becoming world champion. Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita shone with incredible performances, and Mercedes Moné continued to add championships to her record. The competition in the annual awards categories was fierce, with the voting panel struggling to find clear winners. Below are the winners of the 2025 wrestling awards, with analysis from our experts.

Wrestler of the Year: Dominik Mysterio

At WrestleMania 41, Dominik Mysterio received one of the biggest ovations from the public by winning the Intercontinental Championship. In addition, WWE acquired the Mexican wrestling promotion AAA, and Mysterio was key to leading that brand. At Worlds Collide in September, Mysterio triumphed over El Hijo del Vikingo.

His career began with a great responsibility, following the legacy of Eddie Guerrero and his father, Rey Mysterio. “Dirty Dom” has successfully channeled Guerrero’s strategies to deceive, cheat, and steal in the ring, and the audience can’t get enough. It’s clear that he is the present and the future of WWE.

Sachin Chandan

Wrestler of the Year: Stephanie Vaquer

Stephanie Vaquer had a meteoric rise in WWE, winning the NXT Women’s North American Championship in February and the NXT Women’s Championship in March, becoming the brand’s first double champion. Not content, Vaquer defeated Iyo Sky at WrestlePalooza to win the vacant Women’s World Championship and then defeated Tiffany Stratton to obtain the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship.

Team of the Year: FTR

In a relatively quiet year for tag team wrestling, AEW’s FTR proved their worth. They never needed to split up to reinvent themselves and elevated their game during 2025. In April, they turned “heel” against Adam Copeland and added Stokely Hathaway. In November, they were crowned three-time AEW tag team champions after defeating Brodido at Full Gear. Their matches are always of high quality and their work with the characters solidifies them as one of the best teams in history.

Match of the Year: John Cena vs. AJ Styles at WWE Crown Jewel

Few wrestlers understand Cena like Styles. At Crown Jewel 2025, Cena and Styles faced each other for the last time. Both rivals knew each other so well that they resorted to moves from their former opponents. Styles used moves from Sting, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, and Frankie Kazarian. Cena responded with moves from The Miz, Randy Orton, and Rusev. The most emotional moment was when Cena paid tribute to the late Bray Wyatt, using the “Sister Abigail”, with his eyes full of emotion. Cena won after a “Tombstone Piledriver” and an “Attitude Adjustment”. This match was a love letter to the fans who followed Cena and Styles’ careers, and the battles that built them.

Rookie of the Year: Stephanie Vaquer

Vaquer closed the year with the most victories in WWE, with 43. She was the first South American-born wrestler to win the WWE Women’s World Championship, captivating the audience with the same energy that made her a star in NXT and the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. Vaquer has shone on “Raw”, and seems to have a bright future in 2026.

Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year: Kyle Fletcher

The former Aussie Open member went solo in late 2023 and established himself as a top-tier wrestler in 2025. His rivalry with Will Ospreay culminated in a steel cage match at AEW Revolution, but Fletcher stood out as AEW TNT Champion. At 26 years old, he was ranked number 2 on ESPN’s list of the top 30 wrestlers under 30 and is almost certain to become an AEW champion soon.

Best Event of the Year: AEW Revolution

AEW had a stellar year with exceptional wrestling, but it was Revolution that stood out. The event featured classic and unique matches. The match between Toni Storm and Mariah May, the Kenny Omega and Takeshita match, and the steel cage match between Ospreay and Fletcher were memorable. Although other AEW events such as All In, All Out, Double or Nothing and Full Gear also offered great moments, Revolution stood out in 2025.

Best Storyline: Toni Storm vs. Mariah May

What began with references to Hollywood films like “All About Eve” and “Sunset Boulevard” ended with betrayal, violence, and an inevitable shadow. May won the Owen Hart Cup in 2024 with outfits inspired by Storm. This led to a shocking “heel” turn, when May betrayed Storm. May successfully defended her championship, but it depended on Storm’s finisher, the Storm Zero. Storm returned with amnesia, and won the rematch at AEW Grand Slam Australia. The saga ended with a final match in Los Angeles, full of violence. AEW had memorable storylines in 2025, but this saga was, in the words of Toni Storm, “the performance of a lifetime”.

Best Promoter: Paul Heyman

Heyman’s skill on the microphone has put him on par with the biggest stars in the industry, and 2025 was no different, as he was involved in two big moments. In WrestleMania 41, in a triple threat match between Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins, Heyman betrayed Punk and Reigns to join Rollins and form a new faction: “The Vision”. Months later, at SummerSlam, Heyman and Rollins surprised everyone by revealing that Rollins was not injured and would cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase against a weakened Punk. Heyman would later lead Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker in a betrayal of Rollins, showing his ruthless side once more. Heyman is the most important non-wrestler in WWE.