GWE 2026 Reaction Thread

[DR Ackermann]

Based on various number 1 blurbs, a lot of new voters are factoring a lot of criteria beyond the in-ring. I don't think it was every formally stated that in-ring should be the sole criteria, but to me that is what we are supposed to base this on and the original intent/spirit of the process.

[El Boricua]

It penalizes wrestlers due to language barriers, which is why promos and other stuff not in ring aren't the focus. In ring charisma would count. 

[jihadidas]

First time poster (@avinashdash1997 on X for identification), hello everyone! Last year we had the Greatest Match Ever project, with 1334 matches in consideration. Granted, the sample size was only 60 voters (much smaller than this GWE project), but the Top 30 GWE according to the GME project would look something like this:

#	Wrestler	# of matches in GME project	# of matches in Top 100
1.	Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan	50	6
2.	Mitsuharu Misawa	40	7
3.	Toshiaki Kawada	40	4
4.	Kenta Kobashi	38	8
5.	Ric Flair	37	7
6.	Genichiro Tenryu	37	3
7.	Jerry Lawler	31	3
8.	Jumbo Tsuruta	28	2
9.	Stan Hansen	26	3
10.	Akira Taue	25	3
11.	Terry Funk	24	6
12.	El Hijo Del Santo	24	3
13.	CM Punk	23	4
14.	Kazuchika Okada	22	3
15.	Shawn Michaels	22	2
16.	Yoshiaki Fujiwara	22	1
17.	Shinya Hashimoto	21	0
18.	AJ Styles	21	0
19.	Aja Kong	20	4
20.	John Cena	20	4
21.	Antonio Inoki	20	1
22.	Bret Hart	19	3
23.	Mick Foley/Cactus Jack/Mankind/Dude Love	19	1
24.	Vader	19	0
25.	Akira Hokuto	18	4
26.	Kiyoshi Tamura	18	4
27.	Tatsumi Fujinami	18	2
28.	Devil Masami	18	1
29.	Rey Mysterio/ Rey Misterio	18	1
30.	Kenny Omega	18	1

 

Ricky Steamboat lands at #31 with 17 entries and SIX matches in Top 100.

[HeadCheese]

50 minutes ago, DR Ackermann said:

Based on various number 1 blurbs, a lot of new voters are factoring a lot of criteria beyond the in-ring. I don't think it was every formally stated that in-ring should be the sole criteria, but to me that is what we are supposed to base this on and the original intent/spirit of the process.

I think think in ring work is the main focus but, other emotional attachment factors help too.

For example - I think promos can helps someones case even if I don't speak their language but, it doesn't really hurt a case much I think. Dr. Wagner Jr made my number 1, his growly enthusiastic promos get me excited despite me not knowing what he is saying.

My take on the intent of the project is more the attempt at discovery, looking at what you value in wrestling, and celebrating wrestling.

[Matt D]

The project is in-ring. If a wrestler can leverage out of ring aspects in their in-ring work, great. Otherwise, not great. If we did a bad job of disseminating that information, that’s on us, I guess. 

[Microstatistics]

#22

El Hijo del Santo

My #3. Part of my wrestling holy trinity as the best Mexican wrestler, alongside the best American wrestler (Shawn Michaels) and best Japanese wrestler (Kenta Kobashi). The lack of a Top 20 finish is disappointing, but the mammoth points per vote is immense. Endlessly versatile with great matwork, great high flying, and great power moves, but I'm starting to think brawling was his real hallmark, to the point where he might be better at it than anyone else.

#21

Randy "Macho Man" Savage

Singularly charismatic, I will give him that. His performance in the WM3 IC title is tremendous and the "Nothing means Nothing" promo might be the greatest in history.

[ohtani's jacket]

Thank the heavens and the stars that Macho Man finished ahead of Punk. I'm thrilled that Santo is overtaking Liger too. The top 20 has some overrated mofos in it, though. 

[ZubazKid]

I’m stunned to see Foley make the top 20. And I like Foley! Everybody likes Foley! My guess is that universal appeal is what drove him this high.

I thought I was high on Samoa Joe, but he’s guaranteed to finish at least 22 spots higher than I had him.

Really surprised to see them both ahead of Macho Man, even though I think 21 is a good finish for him.