In the world of professional wrestling fandom, nobody has a shortage of opinions—and at Cageside Seats, our Wrestler Rankings showcase what YOU think matters most. But here’s where it gets interesting: your voice directly influences our annual competition for the coveted Cageside Cup, awarded to the standout Performer of the Year.
Every week, we invite you to participate by posting your top five performers from the most recent set of televised and streamed events, spanning January 18-24, 2026. These include flagship shows like Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Impact, AEW’s Dynamite and Collision, ROH on HonorClub, as well as major promotions like CMLL and AAA, along with weekend specials and beyond. Your votes help determine who truly captivated audiences and impressed critics, whether through in-ring excellence, storytelling, or sheer star power.
But first, let’s take a quick look back at last week’s results, as they have significant implications for the ongoing race for the Cageside Cup. The latest tallies show some noteworthy movement in the rankings, revealing shifts that could define the race for top honors.
For instance, a standout performer this week was the wrestler who successfully held and defended the TNA World Championship in the same week—an impressive feat that edged out WWE’s United States champion, who also delivered a stellar match, this time in London. Such back-to-back title defenses highlight how top champions continue to define the week’s storylines.
Meanwhile, some fans speculate about AEW’s utilization of the 'Timeless' starlet, but her recent matches have been compelling enough for many to vote her into a tie for third place, alongside a highly popular SmackDown star who gained massive popularity during shows in the UK.
The new AEW Trios Champions didn’t just win—they steadily secured spots between fifth and seventh in our rankings, demonstrating their dominance and the importance of teamwork in modern wrestling.
In other notable shifts, our 'Career Killer' made a significant impact, delivering some impactful chops to AJ Styles, and then rounding out the top ten after a successful title defense as TNA’s Knockouts champion. The final spot was a close race, split between the newly crowned CMLL Japan Women’s Champion and the current Undisputed WWE Title contender, sparking discussions about how titles and storylines are dynamically changing.
Here’s how our Week 39 rankings look as of this publication:
- Mike Santana
- Carmelo Hayes
- Toni Storm (tie)
- Trick Williams (tie)
- Hangman Page
- Mike Bailey
- Kevin Knight
- Gunther
- Lei Ying Lee
- Hazuki (tie)
- Sami Zayn (tie)
Remember, these weekly points are the stepping stones towards crowning the year’s top wrestler in the Cageside Cup. The full rules and scoring system are detailed on our website, but the key idea is simple: cast your five votes, avoid picking the same superstar twice (you can split your votes among multiple wrestlers), and get ready for the next round of results.
And with the upcoming Royal Rumble approaching, it’s the perfect time to revisit our full standings for the Performer of the Year. The rankings are dynamic—meaning they change weekly—and reflect a mix of sheer performance, popularity, and storylines that resonate with fans like you.
Want to jump in? Check out our detailed 'how-to' guide online, ask questions in the comments, and make your voice heard in this vibrant wrestling community. After all, your opinion could be the difference in crowning this year’s ultimate champion.
We look forward to your ballots and will be back in just one week with the latest results and another chance to vote. Until then, stay tuned and keep your passion for wrestling alive!
Curious to see more? Browse through topics like AEW, Impact Wrestling, New Japan, WWE’s various brands, and independent promotions on our site, and stay engaged with updates from your favorite shows and performers.
