• Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales host Post Wrestling’s John Pollock on Wrestling Observer Radio (WOR).
  • Episode focuses on the 2025 WON Awards ballot and major wrestling news, including SmackDown developments.
  • Discussion also covers Hiroshi Tanahashi, New Japan, AEW & NXT ratings, and WWE creative shifts.

WOR episode: John Pollock joins to discuss the 2025 WON Awards ballot

On the Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales welcomed John Pollock of Post Wrestling to review his picks for the 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON) Awards ballot. The conversation weaves award predictions with reaction to the day’s biggest wrestling headlines.

What they covered

The hosts and Pollock covered a variety of topics in a fast-paced episode:

  • Big SmackDown news from the night’s show and its fallout.
  • Dave Meltzer’s feature on Hiroshi Tanahashi and reflections on his career.
  • An outlook on New Japan Pro Wrestling heading into the new year.
  • AEW and NXT ratings trends and what they mean for each promotion.
  • Recent WWE creative adjustments and possible directions for storylines.

Listen or watch the episode

You can listen to the full WOR episode (subscriber required for audio): WOR – 01/09/26 MP3. If you prefer video, the show is also available on F4WOnline’s YouTube channel.

Watch WOR on YouTube — F4WOnlineTV

Why this matters

The WON Awards are a major annual barometer within pro wrestling journalism, and this episode offers early insight into how insiders view the 2025 year in wrestling. With voices like Meltzer and Pollock weighing in, listeners get both ballot picks and context on the industry trends shaping those choices.

Quick takeaways

This edition of WOR blends award analysis with timely news: SmackDown’s big moments drive debate on booking and star positioning, New Japan’s direction and Tanahashi’s coverage draw international interest, and AEW/NXT ratings provide a snapshot of weekly audience shifts. WWE creative changes are discussed through the lens of awards and longer-term storytelling.

For fans tracking the 2025 awards race, the episode is a useful snapshot of how top observers are thinking heading into the voting period. Follow the links above to listen or watch, and expect follow-up conversations as the year and award season progress.

Image Referance: https://www.f4wonline.com/podcasts/wor-2025-won-awards-ballot-big-smackdown-news/