PWI Weekly for January 6, 2025
Pinfalls And Promises: Wrestler Resolutions For 2025
WELCOME WRESTLING FANS to the first PWI Weekly of 2025. The Times Square ball has long since dropped and the wrestlers you love (and love to hate) are hoping that this year will be their year.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of New Year’s Resolutions that we think some of the industry’s best should have made for the 12 months ahead. Whether they stick to them remains to be seen. But hey … every wrestler deserves a fresh start.
CODY RHODES
Resolution: Prove 2024 was not a fluke.
He won the Royal Rumble, finished “the story” at WrestleMania, and took the top spot in the “PWI 500.” What’s left for “The American Nightmare” to prove? That he can keep the momentum going! This year, Rhodes needs to show why he’s not just a champion but the champion. Consistency and high-profile wins could cement this grandson of a plumber as one of the greatest of all-time.
ORANGE CASSIDY
Resolution: Win the big one.
Just a few weeks ago, we dedicated the PWI Weekly to wrestling’s great underdogs. In that edition, we highlight Darby Allin as AEW’s top underdog—but we could just as easily have picked Orange Cassidy. “The King Of Sloth Style” has come close to becoming World champion on a couple of occasions; but to date, he hasn’t broken through. We’d like to see that change this year. Although fans love to watch a chase, eventually, even the underdog needs to bite.
STREET PROFITS
Resolution: Focus or go it alone.
No one can deny the charisma or the talent of Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford. And yet, something just seems off. We aren’t saying there’s jealousy over who gets the spotlight. Rather, it seems that many fans are clamoring for Ford to break out on his own. To his credit, Ford has indicated no such thing. But still, the notion persists. In 2025, we’d like to see this talented tandem refocus their tag team aspirations or finally call it quits to pursue singles careers.
CHRIS JERICHO
Resolution: Consider a retirement plan.
Far be it from us to say when a wrestler should hang up their boots—particularly someone with the storied career of Jericho. But time catches up with everyone. In recent years, it feels (and sounds) like the AEW audience has grown weary of the Winnipeg native. At 54 years old, Jericho has reached the age where most wrestlers are earning favor with crowds; but Jericho seems to be doing the opposite. Perhaps some time away might remind fans why they used to love him.
MERCEDES MONE
Resolution: Time to level up!
Trash talk only works when you back it up. Luckily for Mone, then, that she can usually do so. Her TBS title reign is proof of this. And yet, it doesn’t feel enough. For someone with such a considerable ego, we have to believe that holding the “secondary” women’s championship belt in AEW simply isn’t enough. It’s hard to take someone’s claim to be the “best” in a promotion seriously when someone else is that promotion’s Women’s World champion. It’s time for “The CEO” to put her Mone where her mouth is and challenge for the top prize.
TNA WRESTLING
Resolution: Offer a reinvigorated Knockouts division.
Once the pinnacle of women’s wrestling in the United States, the Knockouts division seemed to lose some of its luster in 2024. Jordynne Grace and Masha Slamovich have done an admirable job carrying the division. But now, with WWE and AEW stockpiling many of the industry’s top performers, the Knockouts roster has begun to feel a tad thin at times. Still, with vacancies come opportunities. As our annual “Women’s 250” will attest, there are plenty of talented women out there. We’d like to see more of them get a shot in TNA.
SHOTA UMINO
Resolution: Stay humble.
The New Japan Pro-Wrestling product has everything it takes to capably lead the vaunted brand. With his good looks, charisma, and in-ring skills, Umino seems poised to take a massive leap in 2025. But we feel like we should caution that in his position, egos can spiral out of control. We’d hate to see that happen here. If he can remain grounded and continue to hone his craft, the fans should be fully in his pocket before the year is out. He just needs to keep upping his game and not get lost in the hype.
A MESSAGE FROM PWI STAFF
Here’s the thing about resolutions in wrestling: They’re just like the ones we make at home. Easy to declare, hard to stick to. I’ve seen countless wrestlers promise change, only to fall right back into their old habits as soon as the bell rings. But that’s what makes this sport beautiful. Wrestling is a reflection of life. It’s messy, unpredictable, and full of people trying their best to be better. Will this year be any different? Probably not. But there’s something exciting about watching them try.
So, here’s to 2025. May our heroes remain noble, the rulebreakers stay dirty, and the fans be passionate. Happy New Year.