Observing the Observer: WON Hall of Fame 2025

In this year’s Observing the Observer, BT and Gene Jackson sit down for the STSPod annual deep dive into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame ballot, a tradition that BT has kept going for seven of the past nine years which, in wrestling math, counts as consistency. This episode covers everything from ballot quirks to surprise inductions to the names that still can’t crack the Hall after years of being included on the ballot. BT and Gene open the show with their personal picks across every category: Historical, Modern, Japan, Mexico, Europe, and Non-Wrestlers before breaking down the 2025 class and reacting to the surprises, snubs, and “who in the hell is this guy?” moments. Topics include: • Their full ballots and reasoning behind each choice • Why JYD and Sputnik Monroe STILL aren’t in (and will they ever be?) • The AJ Styles rule and why they refuse to vote for currently active wrestlers • The case for Bill Dundee, the Steiner Brothers, Sabu, Adrian Street, and more! • CM Punk and Cody Rhodes going in while still active and why it feels “wrong” • The Observer’s influence on fans, voting patterns, and entire generations of wrestling fandom • The Young Bucks already being Hall of Famers before the Hart Foundation, Arn & Tully, and the Von Erichs and why that makes Gene physically ill Plus: • Podcasting philosophy • Why wrestling fans at conventions are usually unbearable • And why neither host is trying to “get over” anymore—they’re just here to talk wrestling and have a good time. BT and Gene give honest, unfiltered takes you won’t hear anywhere else and whether you agree with them or not, it’s guaranteed to be entertaining. FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE RETRO WRESTLING CONTENT: Check out our Patreon at www.patreon.com/retrowrestlingarchive