According to wrestling veteran and longtime journalist Bill Apter, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio is his WWE Wrestler of the Year for 2025.
On the final episode of *The Wrestling Time Machine*, host Mac Davis spoke with WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long and wrestling journalist Bill Apter about Dominik Mysterio’s incredible year. Bill Apter named “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio as his WWE Wrestler of the Year 2025 and explained why he made this choice:
> “If I had to pick a wrestler of the year today, on this date, October 28th, 2025, it would be Dominik Mysterio. If you look at the way he has grown in terms of a person, in terms of a character, from this tall, lanky kid who didn’t know much except what his Daddy did… he’s exceptional at this point. He’s become a big heel, and he’s the guy I pick for WWE Wrestler of the Year 2025.”
You can watch the full episode of *The Wrestling Time Machine* below:
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### Other Top Candidates for WWE Wrestler of the Year 2025
While Dominik Mysterio has made a strong case for himself, several other wrestlers have also had standout years and can be considered contenders for WWE Wrestler of the Year 2025.
#### Dominik Mysterio’s Remarkable Year
Dominik’s success this year has been extraordinary. He captured the WWE Intercontinental Championship and also became the AAA Mega Champion, which is the highest accolade in AAA wrestling. This achievement is particularly notable as WWE acquired AAA around the WrestleMania 41 season, further cementing Dominik’s status as a top star.
#### Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins has had a monumental 2025. He headlined the first night of WrestleMania 41, aligned himself with Paul Heyman, formed The Vision, and took on the leadership of rising stars Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Rollins also won the Money in the Bank briefcase for the second time in his career before capturing the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2025. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury stalled his momentum later in the year.
#### Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes is another strong candidate for WWE Wrestler of the Year. He headlined his fourth WrestleMania this year and participated in a SummerSlam match against John Cena that many are calling a match of the year candidate. Rhodes regained the WWE Championship after losing it at WrestleMania 41 and notably topped the PWI 500 list again, making him only the fourth wrestler in history to achieve back-to-back number one rankings. The others include Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and John Cena.
#### Jey Uso
Jey Uso might be a more controversial pick, but his victory in the 2025 Royal Rumble and subsequent World Heavyweight Championship win at WrestleMania 41 place him among the biggest names in wrestling this year.
#### CM Punk
CM Punk continues to enjoy a highly successful run since his WWE return. Although his World Heavyweight Championship reign at SummerSlam was brief—lasting only five minutes—Punk headlined WrestleMania for the first time in his career. Beyond titles, his overall value and presence in WWE remain significant and impactful.
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### Women’s Division Spotlight: Iyo Sky
On the women’s side, Iyo Sky emerges as a dark horse candidate for one of the best wrestlers of 2025. From an in-ring performance standpoint, she has outshined many of her male counterparts and is widely regarded as one of the top performers globally, regardless of gender. Iyo’s greatest moment came at WrestleMania 41, marking a milestone in her career.
Rhea Ripley remains an important figure in WWE, but due to a lack of championship dominance this year, she is less likely to be in contention for Wrestler of the Year 2025.
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With such a stacked field, the race for WWE Wrestler of the Year 2025 is as exciting as ever—whether it be Dominik Mysterio’s rise, Seth Rollins’ resilience, Cody Rhodes’ championship pursuits, or the breakthrough performances from CM Punk and Iyo Sky.
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*Quotes sourced from Sportskeeda Wrestling.*
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**Watch the full episode of The Wrestling Time Machine here:**
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