GWE 2026 Reaction Thread

[Monch Wrestling]

AJ and Joe ranking so high clearly suggest Danielson is gonna be #1.

[Tetsujin]

7 minutes ago, Matt D said:

We're down to Danielson, Funk, Flair for the top.

I'd add Misawa and Kobashi to the race. Probably won't win, but maybe they rank higher than some of those. Hansen can be another favourite-killer.

[El McKell]

I definitely think Kobashi is beating Terry Funk & that Danielson is #1.

And I think Mick Foley has to be #17, surely

[El McKell]

My Prediction for the top 5 is it'll be  Danielson, Flair, Kobashi, Misawa, Tenryu in some order

[Matt D]

2 minutes ago, El McKell said:

I definitely think Kobashi is beating Terry Funk & that Danielson is #1.

I think this is very possible. We're in a year of charismatic aces doing very, very well. We're in a year where the territories are not. But we also saw some downstream dropping for All Japan guys like Kikuchi. I think I'd still lean for Funk over Kobashi but we shall see. There just seemed to be such a groundswell for Punk. But then it's clear there are a ton of ballots we didn't see.

[El McKell]

I wouldn't read anything into Kikuchi or Fuchi or any other lesser All Japan guys dropping when 00s NOAH guys saw an increase in support: Takayama, KENTA, Marufuji. 

[Matt D]

6 minutes ago, El McKell said:

I wouldn't read anything into Kikuchi or Fuchi or any other lesser All Japan guys dropping when 00s NOAH guys saw an increase in support: Takayama, KENTA, Marufuji. 

Fair enough. It’s good things are still interesting down the stretch then.

[Boss Rock]

I had Joe at 57. It’s funny, his career kinda mirrors Dustin’s. High early peak, a long stretch of rough years, then a late-career renaissance. Though I think it’s worth pointing out that his WWE run wasn’t completely bereft good matches as he had good chemistry with Brock. But it’s been his AEW run that’s proven he can still be a killer. And hey, that early peak (2005 especially) is an all-timer.

A.J was my number 12. One of the most complete pro wrestlers you’ll see. Can do the fast-paced workrate heavy matches but can also give you something slower and more grounded. Can be both an exceptional babyface and a real prick of a heel. Not only one of the greatest offensive wrestlers ever, but one of the greatest bumpers and sellers as well. No matter who he was up against, he would almost always make them look good. Jinder Mahal, Bully Ray, Shane McMahon, and Abyss? Got really good to great matches out of all of them. Had a claim in both the mid 2000’s and the mid to late 2010’s as best in the world. Booking occasionally hampered him, but he made the most of everything he was given (ironic that WWE, “land of the giants” and reliant on part-timers treated him far better than TNA ever did). I recall Batista once referred to him as a “car crash wrestler” and that always seemed like a gigantic misreading of A.J.

I had Jumbo at 14. Admittedly I'm not a huge fan of his early career work. But 1986-1992 is one of the greatest runs of any wrestler I've seen. Grumpy Jumbo had an almost unmatched level of fire and intensity in everything he did. Legitimately looked like he was beating the shit out of his opponents. He was also the perfect foil to the rising four pillars and undoubtedly made Misawa in those first few matches.

[Boss Rock]

1 hour ago, Makai Club #1 said:

He was also a really awkward Okada opponent in an era where he had great matches with everyone.

The 2014 matches are certainly not to a level you'd expect, but I think the Dominion and King of Pro Wrestling matches in 2015 are great.

[darren]

55 minutes ago, El McKell said:

My Prediction for the top 5 is it'll be  Danielson, Flair, Kobashi, Misawa, Tenryu in some order

Foley being top 17 is so far from where I thought he’d place I don’t know where I am with my predictions, but Misawa doesn’t feel like top 5.
Going to say Eddie Guerrero jumps into the top 5.

[Boss Rock]

I forget where Grimmas posted the schedule but I recall that everything wraps up in June, so are there only 5 drops today? Or just the 3 already posted?

[Grimmas]

10 minutes ago, Boss Rock said:

I forget where Grimmas posted the schedule but I recall that everything wraps up in June, so are there only 5 drops today? Or just the 3 already posted?

5 today and tomorrow. 

[ShittyLittleBoots]

Didn't submit a ballot this year, but been following the reveals passionately. Can't believe it's already 10 years since the 2016 voting

Here's my top-10 prediction, in order & based on seeing how the results have fared out:

1) Danielson
2) Funk
3) Kobashi

4) Bret
5) Flair
6) Misawa
7) Tenryu
8) Tanahashi
9) Eddie
10) Kawada

[Boss Rock]

25 minutes ago, Grimmas said:

5 today and tomorrow. 

Thanks!

[Matt D]

Rey continues to feel like the ultimate coalition candidate to me. I don't think younger fans have the same connection to Eddie. We shall see.

[Microstatistics]

#20

Samoa Joe

Marveling at that 81.67% ballots statistic, it explains how he made it so far. Had him at #73. The mid-2000s peak is famous and because of NXT/WWE and especially AEW, he has the longevity now as well.

#19

Jumbo Tsuruta

Similar to Hashimoto, another guy I'm not as high on as I used to be. Put him at #38 due to an 80s lull but few were better in the 70s and early 90s.

#18

AJ Styles

My #18 too so bullseye. Easily one of the greatest American wrestlers. I'd rate TNA > NJPW > WWE in terms of runs, with the WWE tenure peaking super early but he was never less than very good.

[ZubazKid]

2 hours ago, Matt D said:

Somehow, Foley persists.

Somehow, Foley persists is my new motto of resolution. Car in the shop? Kid driving you nuts? Dog shit on the floor? 
 

Somehow, Foley persists.

I’d love to use it in real life, but no one would know what the hell I’m talking about.

I have no idea how the hell he got this high, but I’m not sure he’s done yet. Grimmas said #20 & #15 don’t have a #1 vote & Foley seems a good candidate for a lot of votes without a #1.

[Grimmas]

Today: 20-16

Tomorrow: 15-11

Saturday: 10-6

Sunday: 5-3

Monday: 1-2

[El McKell]

Vader's gotta be a stronger candidate for not getting a number 1 vote than Mick Foley, no?

[Boss Rock]

I recall someone once saying that Vader is the wrestler everyone agrees is great but no one would call the GOAT.

I knew Tanahashi would make the top 20, but I'm really interested in seeing how much farther he can push.

[ohheylook]

10 minutes ago, Grimmas said:

Today: 20-16

Tomorrow: 15-11

Saturday: 10-6

Sunday: 5-3

Monday: 1-2

I’m too old for this shit