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* Note: This show is available on our FREE tier, but all future WON HOF episodes will be available exclusively on our $5 tier.  Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame season is here! Rich offers an overview of the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, covering its criteria, last year's inductees, candidates who dropped off the ballot, new candidates, wrestler eligibility by region, and more. This is the first in a series of shows focused on the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. Future episodes will highlight specific categories and regions with special guests, plus additional shows discussing candidates throughout the next several weeks. Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame Archives Visit our WON HOF Collection at https://www.patreon.com/collection/112554 for a full archive of all past shows and written pieces on the WON HOF. I FOLLOWED THE HISTORICAL PERFORMERS ERA CANDIDATES (Seven maximum) * Ole Anderson * Afa & Sika Anoa'i * Bob Armstrong * Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson w/J.J. Dillon * British Bulldogs (Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith) * June Byers * Wild Bull Curry * Junkyard Dog * Bill Dundee * Cowboy Bob Ellis * Pampero Firpo * Black Gordman & Great Goliath * Archie "Mongolian Stomper" Gouldie * Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart) * Sputnik Monroe * Dick Murdoch * Iron Sheik * Sweet Daddy Siki * Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood * Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon * Kevin & Kerry & David Von Erich I FOLLOWED THE MODERN PERFORMERS IN U.S/CANADA CANDIDATES (Six maximum) * Dave Batista * Booker T * Mark & Jay Briscoe * Edge/Adam Copeland * Bill Goldberg * Gunther/Walter * Jeff Jarrett * Samoa Joe * Matt & Jeff Hardy * Kane * Becky Lynch * Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks * Jon Moxley * Kevin Nash & Scott Hall * Randy Orton * Seth Rollins * Trish Stratus * Rick & Scott Steiner I FOLLOWED WRESTLING IN JAPAN CANDIDATES (Five maximum) * Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan * Yoshiaki Fujiwara * Hayabusa * KENTA * Masaaki Mochizuki * Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi * Kyoko Inoue * Tam Nakano * Zack Sabre Jr. * Great Sasuke * Meiko Satomura * Io Shirai/Iyo Sky * Tiger Jeet Singh * Yoshihiro Takayama * Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada I FOLLOWED WRESTLING IN MEXICO CANDIDATES (Three maximum) * Angel Blanco & Dr. Wagner * Sangre Chicana * Colosso Colosetti * El Dandy * Los Espantos * El Hijo del Santo & Octagon * La Parka AAA * Mascarita Sagrada * Volador Jr. I FOLLOWED WRESTLING IN EUROPE/AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND/PACIFIC ISLANDS/AFRICA (Five maximum) * Dominic DeNucci * George Gordienko * Steve Grey * Billy Joyce * Killer Karl Kox * Andreas Lambrakis * Gilbert Leduc * Ted Boy Marino * Marc Mercier * Le Petit Prince * The Royal Brothers (Bert Royal & Vic Faulkner) * Adrian Street * Tibor Szakas * Jose Tarres * Otto Wanz NON-WRESTLERS (Seven maximum) * Dave Brown (U.S. & Canada modern) * Zane Bresoff (U.S.& Canada modern) * Bob Caudle (U.S. & Canada historical) * Joe Higuchi (Japan) * Jim Johnston (U.S. & Canada modern) * Salvador Lutteroth III (Mexico) * Larry Matysik (U.S.& Canada historical) * James Melby (U.S. & Canada historical) * Gorilla Monsoon (U.S. & Canada historical) * Rossy Ogawa (Japan) * Reggie Parks (U.S. & Canada modern) * Morris Sigel (U.S. & Canada historical) * Tony Schiavone (U.S. & Canada modern) * George Scott (U.S. & Canada historical) * Kevin Sullivan (U.S. & Canada historical) * Mike Tenay (U.S. & Canada modern) * Ted Turner (U.S. & Canada modern) * Jesse Ventura (U.S. & Canada historical) * Roy Welch (U.S. & Canada historical) * Stanley Weston (U.S. & Canada historical) * Grand Wizard (U.S & Canada historical) * Koichi Yoshizawa (Japan)

Dory Funk Jr. — an all-time great whose longevity was almost unparalleled in the wrestling industry — has passed away at 85 years old. The death of Funk was announced on Tuesday by Brian Blair and the Cauliflower Alley Club, who extended their condolences to Funk’s wife Marti and the rest of heir family. Blair […]

One of the most prominent figures in the history of the NWA and All Japan Pro Wrestling has died.

Ryan is joined by Joe Lanza from The Flagship Wrestling Podcast to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of KENTA. Listen to The Flagship wherever you get podcasts: http://theflagshippodcast.com/ Order the “Baseball Prospectus 2026”: https://amzn.to/4foRc3y Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. LINK DUMP: All KENTA vs Marufuji Singles Matches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhZRr7VfZpg&t=5022s KENTA vs Low Ki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9EsybuVctM KENTA vs Kanemaru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jciyeUNLaS0 KENTA vs SUWA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wHjdH-7fSs KENTA vs McGuiness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdsBa9_XzpY Ryan's Data Archive: Noah Attendance 2000-2014: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tIYhEtpTU7EBQy5D2CgDvhW3-lNEcoy5cnApdhjGsHw/edit?usp=sharing Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing WON HOF Results - 2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zeZq4xg61b2pP-LYpHTRoJ8kYnWWG0gXfxfjz88imLA/edit?usp=sharing

Ryan is joined by Joe Lanza from The Flagship Wrestling Podcast to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of KENTA. Listen to The Flagship wherever you get podcasts: http://theflagshippodcast.com/ Order the “Baseball Prospectus 2026”: https://amzn.to/4foRc3y Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. LINK DUMP: All KENTA vs Marufuji Singles Matches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhZRr7VfZpg&t=5022s KENTA vs Low Ki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9EsybuVctM KENTA vs Kanemaru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jciyeUNLaS0 KENTA vs SUWA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wHjdH-7fSs KENTA vs McGuiness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdsBa9_XzpY Ryan's Data Archive: Noah Attendance 2000-2014: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tIYhEtpTU7EBQy5D2CgDvhW3-lNEcoy5cnApdhjGsHw/edit?usp=sharing Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing WON HOF Results - 2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zeZq4xg61b2pP-LYpHTRoJ8kYnWWG0gXfxfjz88imLA/edit?usp=sharing

Ryan is joined by Adam Berger to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of Kane Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. LINK DUMP: • Read Adam Berger's article "Who Are the Biggest Wrestling PPV Draws of All-Time?": https://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2022/10/31/who-are-the-biggest-wrestling-ppv-draws-of-all-time/ • Kane's Debut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASmdxXaOzd4 • Team Hell No & Ryback vs. The Shield: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObS3sjWZoEg Ryan's Data Archive: • United States PPV Attendance 1989-2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dXcW5T3BhRxea-XLp1XVHiRxACHMWiVqq4-x_ICFjuU/edit?usp=sharing • Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing • WON HOF Results - 2025: • https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zeZq4xg61b2pP-LYpHTRoJ8kYnWWG0gXfxfjz88imLA/edit?usp=sharing

Ryan is joined by Lionmark Luke to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of Andreas Lambrakis. Read Luke's article "Andreas Lambrakis & Haralambos Karpozilos: Two (Nearly) Forgotten Stars From the Rest of the World" on voicesofwrestling.com Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel. LINK DUMP: Andreas Lambrakis vs. Gorgeous George: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW1K32RIwTU Phil Lyons's Lambrakis research: http://wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=005209;p=0 https://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2024/11/15/andreas-lambrakis-haralambos-karpozilos-two-nearly-forgotten-stars-from-the-rest-of-the-world/ Ryan's Data Archive: United States PPV Attendance 1989-2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dXcW5T3BhRxea-XLp1XVHiRxACHMWiVqq4-x_ICFjuU/edit?usp=sharing Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing WON HOF Results - 2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zeZq4xg61b2pP-LYpHTRoJ8kYnWWG0gXfxfjz88imLA/edit?usp=sharing

Listen to The Ballot - A Wrestling Hall of Fame Podcast on RedCircle

Ryan is joined by Lionmark Luke to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of Andreas Lambrakis. Read Luke's article "Andreas Lambrakis & Haralambos Karpozilos: Two (Nearly) Forgotten Stars From the Rest of the World" on voicesofwrestling.com Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel. LINK DUMP: Andreas Lambrakis vs. Gorgeous George: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW1K32RIwTU Phil Lyons's Lambrakis research: http://wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=005209;p=0 https://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2024/11/15/andreas-lambrakis-haralambos-karpozilos-two-nearly-forgotten-stars-from-the-rest-of-the-world/ Ryan's Data Archive: United States PPV Attendance 1989-2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dXcW5T3BhRxea-XLp1XVHiRxACHMWiVqq4-x_ICFjuU/edit?usp=sharing Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing WON HOF Results - 2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zeZq4xg61b2pP-LYpHTRoJ8kYnWWG0gXfxfjz88imLA/edit?usp=sharing

Ryan is joined by John Pollock from POST Wrestling to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of Gunther/Walter. Plus, they discuss the passing of Ted Turner and his importance to pro wrestling. Listen to POST Wrestling on all available podcast platforms or go to postwrestling.com for wrestling coverage. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/post-wrestling/id1328332258 Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. LINK DUMP: Walter vs Daisuke Sekimoto: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7gfv1t Walter vs Ilja Dragunov: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x814kfz Ryan's Data Archive: United States PPV Attendance 1989-2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dXcW5T3BhRxea-XLp1XVHiRxACHMWiVqq4-x_ICFjuU/edit?usp=sharing Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing WON HOF Results - 2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zeZq4xg61b2pP-LYpHTRoJ8kYnWWG0gXfxfjz88imLA/edit?usp=sharing

Ryan is joined by John Pollock from POST Wrestling to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of Gunther/Walter. Plus, they discuss the passing of Ted Turner and his importance to pro wrestling. Listen to POST Wrestling on all available podcast platforms or go to postwrestling.com for wrestling coverage. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/post-wrestling/id1328332258 Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. LINK DUMP: Walter vs Daisuke Sekimoto: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7gfv1t Walter vs Ilja Dragunov: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x814kfz Ryan's Data Archive: United States PPV Attendance 1989-2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dXcW5T3BhRxea-XLp1XVHiRxACHMWiVqq4-x_ICFjuU/edit?usp=sharing Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing WON HOF Results - 2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zeZq4xg61b2pP-LYpHTRoJ8kYnWWG0gXfxfjz88imLA/edit?usp=sharing

Listen to The Ballot - A Wrestling Hall of Fame Podcast on RedCircle

Ryan is joined by Fred Morlan from The Good, The Bad & The Hungee AEW Podcast to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of returning candidate, Booker T. Then, they discuss the Observer Awards and their role in a HOF conversation. Follow Fred Morlan on Bluesky; @flagrantstats.bsky.social Listen to Fred Morlan on "The Good, The Bad, & The Hungee AEW Podcast" Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. LINK DUMP: Booker T vs. Bret Hart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCbux5JPp3A United States PPV Attendance 1989-2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dXcW5T3BhRxea-XLp1XVHiRxACHMWiVqq4-x_ICFjuU/edit?usp=sharing Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel.

Ryan is joined by Arturo Galletti from The P[w]rescription podcast to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of Los Espantos. Follow Arturo Galletti on Twitter; @AmericanNumbers Listen to Arturo Galletti on The P[w]rescription Podcast Check out Arturo's WON HoF Reference Guide Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel. LINK DUMP: Espanto I vs. El Santo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yDFJMD8_KM Ryan's Data Archive: United States PPV Attendance 1989-2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dXcW5T3BhRxea-XLp1XVHiRxACHMWiVqq4-x_ICFjuU/edit?usp=sharing Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing WON HOF Results - 2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zeZq4xg61b2pP-LYpHTRoJ8kYnWWG0gXfxfjz88imLA/edit?usp=sharing

Ryan is joined by Scott Edwards to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of Tam Nakano. Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. Watch Scott's "Tam Nakano's Legacy: A Personal Look at STARDOM's Twilight Dream | Five Star" Video Ryan's Stardom Attendance Research: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1e4L0czWWhPRyh0ap2AdGLfOPUAjJq6iWfhIgHro-Hdg/edit?usp=sharing LINK DUMP: Tam Nakano vs Saya Kamitani: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp4Q22HbQlw Tam Nakano vs Giulia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLI0P-uK_q8 Tam Nakano vs Arisa Hoshikli: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7tabdp Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel.

Ryan is joined by wrestling historian Phil Lions to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of French Catch star, Le Petit Prince. Follow Phil Lions on Twitter @Phil_Lions Phil Lions Pro Wrestling History Research Guide Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. LINK DUMP: Le Petit Prince Match Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-NXRyL_vtH025qgxuK3984DwO12GMLJh Le Petit Prince Facebook Page (run by his Daughter): https://www.facebook.com/PetitPrinceDanielDubail Le Petit Prince Advert: https://x.com/Phil_Lions/status/1930968552799871351 Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel.

Ryan is joined by Fred Morlan from The Good, The Bad & The Hungee AEW Podcast to discuss the WON Hall of Fame case of returning candidate, Booker T. Then, they discuss the Observer Awards and their role in a HOF conversation. Follow Fred Morlan on Bluesky; @flagrantstats.bsky.social Listen to Fred Morlan on "The Good, The Bad, & The Hungee AEW Podcast" Leave a comment, question, or reaction at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568. LINK DUMP: Booker T vs. Bret Hart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCbux5JPp3A United States PPV Attendance 1989-2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dXcW5T3BhRxea-XLp1XVHiRxACHMWiVqq4-x_ICFjuU/edit?usp=sharing Combined Wrestling Awards Chart: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0FN6CzPkpZ4tlRIA6WMUixiFQpO1W18CuncIp1N6A/edit?usp=sharing Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel.

Mistico has responded to being named Wrestler of the Year in the 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards. In addition to Mistico being voted Wrestler of the Year, CMLL won Promotion of the Year, Salvador Lutteroth III was voted Promoter of the Year, and Mascara Dorada won Best Flying Wrestler. Mistico was asked by Mas Lucha […]

CMLL’s historic 2025 was discussed on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzalez addressed the world’s oldest wrestling promotion winning the 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Award for Promotion of the Year, saying that what CMLL accomplished over the past year was historic. “What CMLL did and accomplished this last year […]

Ryan is joined by Curtis Spears from the Okada's Shorts podcast to discuss the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame case of Zack Sabre Jr. LINK DUMP: Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel.

Ryan previews the 2026 HOF season of The Ballot with an introduction of all the first-time nominees. Plus some news! Call the Hotline at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568 Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel.

Ryan previews the 2026 HOF season of The Ballot with an introduction of all the first-time nominees. Plus some news! Call the Hotline at 9495-BALLOT or 949-522-5568 Subscribe to The Ballot wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to the Count Out! Youtube channel.

Listen to The Ballot - A Wrestling Hall of Fame Podcast on RedCircle