The 2026 WINC Wrestler Draft

What in the event you were starting a brand recent wrestling promotion, and to start out your roster, you bought to select from the complete number of wrestlers, industry-wide? That is the query we asked 4 members of the Wrestling Inc. staff in what we’re calling the first-ever WINC Wrestler Draft! 4 of the WINC crew took turns making 4 selections (for a complete of 16 picks). All known wrestlers were available for this exercise, though they’d to be chosen one after the other — in the event you desire a tag team, you’ve to select one team member and hope the opposite continues to be there when the draft gets back to you!

While there’s technically just one criterion here — who would you select on your promotion — there are a variety of questions that went into the picks. For one thing, we’re assuming this draft takes place immediately, today — does that rule out stars who’re currently injured, or affected by a popularity downswing? How do you value established star power over future potential, or veteran leadership over youth? Who you choose says loads about what you value in wrestling usually, though you never know when another person could snipe your chosen goal.

Our recent promotion owners are ready! Let the 2026 WINC Wrestler Draft officially begin!

As WINC’s Wrestler of the 12 months for 2025, it seemed only fitting that IYO SKY also emerged as our first overall draft pick. As her last name suggests, SKY is not afraid to take her wrestling to recent heights, whether that be by flying within the air, lasting over an hour in a Royal Rumble, or by going hardcore with trash cans, ladders, and other weapons. Watching SKY at work within the ring is mesmerizing, and whilst a heel, she makes it hard for fans to boo her – she’s just that good.

In-ring work aside, SKY’s resume itself solidifies her as a shining candidate for any promotion. In WWE, SKY is a two-time world champion, with multiple more reigns with tag team gold under her belt. Before that, she ruled STARDOM as its “Ace,” spending greater than 1,000 days as the corporate’s world champion and lots of more with tag and trios titles. Wherever you set her on the cardboard, SKY has proven that she will be able to not only adapt, but thrive.

Written by Ella Jay

She is “The Eradicator,” a multi-time women’s world and tag champion, and everybody’s favorite “Mami:” this promoter is snatching Rhea “Bloody” Ripley as her first pick!

Obviously, I could not let the rival company steal the long-lasting RHIYO pairing from right underneath my nose, but over-competitiveness aside, Ripley is a write-in for any promotion’s top girl. The Australian icon has an enormous case for being the very best women’s wrestler in North America immediately (bar one woman, who we’ll discuss shortly), and he or she’s not even 30 years old yet! This versatile player blends charisma with powerhouse wrestling, a recognizable brand with effortless athleticism, and sheer aura with in-ring flexibility. Ripley hasn’t really met a competitor she will be able to’t make a halfway decent match with, which, combined along with her viral out-of-ring presence and youth in comparison with the remainder of the industry, makes her a no brainer first round draft pick for any promoter.

Written by Angeline Phu

I’m not drafting for current starpower. I’m drafting for potential star power. The sky is the limit for Oba Femi, and I wish to get in on the bottom floor. He is not only an enormous mean guy, who’s strong enough to toss most competitors around; he talks about himself like a living myth. In a world of wrestlers attempting to be “just a few guy,” and even worse, “relatable,” there isn’t a one quite like “The Ruler.” 

He’s about to point out what he can do on the fundamental roster, in the event you have not been watching his charming work on “WWE NXT.” I do not know what you call it, “Moxie,” “Spunk,” “Razzle-Dazzle,” whatever you ought to call it, Femi’s got it.

Written by Ross Berman

I understand the argument against using a primary round draft pick on Roman Reigns, but at a certain point we’re just overthinking things. There’s just one biggest star within the industry immediately, and it’s “The Tribal Chief.” Is he going to be around on a regular basis? No. Does he move the needle when he’s around? Greater than anyone else. I’ll draft for the long run later; for now, I’ll gladly take “The OTC” fourth overall.

Written by Miles Schneiderman

The duality of “Hangman” Adam Page is solely unmatched. On one hand, he may be an endearing, sometimes anxious, beer-drinking cowboy. Then again, he can have an intense anger, that when aggravated, may or may not lead to him lighting a fireplace or choking opponents by a series. Fans never know which side of Page’s character they are going to get on any given night, but that is the wonder – he keeps them on their toes. And even despite the “bad” traits on paper, fans can not help but root for Page, regardless of what situation he’s in.

His versatility translates to his in-ring work as well. On any given night, Page can wow fans with a technical masterpiece. He may also turn up the warmth to deliver Texas Death or cage matches. Whatever we would need, we trust in Page.

Written by Ella Jay

He may be an “American Nightmare,” but he’s a dream employee for any promotion. My second round draft pick goes to the one and only, two-time Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes!

If I didn’t pick Ripley first, I’d’ve picked Rhodes, for lots of the same reasons. Rhodes is the complete package. He may be very versatile, and while he won’t be as fresh as Ripley, he makes up for his age with years of experience in each mainstream and independent promotions. Rhodes seamlessly blends old- and new-school techniques in his moveset, and while he’s probably the most thoughtful and real storytellers within the wrestling space immediately (I still get chills once I watch clips of Rhodes ending the story), he isn’t afraid to get a bit silly. Despite his recent title loss, Rhodes is the face of WWE (and this promotion) for a reason.

Written by Angeline Phu

Okay, perhaps I’m drafting for starpower, just a bit bit. Becky Lynch is that correct mix of mainstream star, seasoned in-ring veteran, and young enough to still have plenty more years left in her tank. I used to be a bit bit surprised nobody else picked “The Man,” but the present WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion is an undeniable pick for me.

She will be able to wrestle, she will be able to talk, and she will be able to drop a promotion’s name on the red carpet. She’s as near the whole package as a wrestler can get in 2026, and he or she’d find a way to assist any young talent get their footing. “The Man” is just hitting her prime.

Written by Ross Berman

I’m not leaving this round and not using a top female star, and “Timeless” Toni Storm suits the bill perfectly. Just hearken to how AEW crowds reply to her, versus most other women’s division acts in that company. She’s 30 years old, she doesn’t appear to get injured despite revolutionizing women’s death match wrestling, and he or she’s already perfected the gimmick that she’ll be known for eternally; give me “The Timeless One.”

Written by Miles Schneiderman

While a lot of our other draft picks take a more intense or high-flying approach to their work, Orange Cassidy likes to slow things down, and albeit, we appreciate the change of pace.

Cassidy’s more relaxed approach to wrestling has been in a position to create a number of the most entertaining, yet odd sequences within the ring. Still, we embrace the odd, since the last item we would like is boring performances. And along with his hands in his pockets, sunglasses on his face, Cassidy has inspired life into even probably the most serious of opponents. When also potentially paired with the over-the-top treasure that’s former world champion Toni Storm, choosing Cassidy was a no brainer.

Written by Ella Jay

Seth, will you come to my promotion this summer?

Viral hockey romance reference aside, Seth “Freaking” Rollins just isn’t only a spectacular third pick — he’s a needed locker room addition. Rhodes and Rollins have had many rivals, but their years-long heated rivalry with one another is something that can provide this promotion the boost it must get off the bottom.

Outside of Rhodes, though, Rollins is an known innovator. “The Visionary” has been involved in several groundbreaking storylines, and he’s all the time able to push the boundaries on what is feasible, out and in of the ring. His dedication to wrestling is second to none, and when given the chance to go hog-wild (perhaps we’ll bring back a little bit of Tyler Black?), Rollins can turn any feud right into a must-see spectacle. He may be an older dog, but Seth Rollins is brimming with ideas for brand new tricks.

Written by Angeline Phu

With every match, Kendal Grey shows increasingly more promise. Very like my earlier pick, Oba Femi, Grey is a preternaturally gifted athlete who’s destined for greatness, and I need to get in on the bottom floor. If I’m drafting for a hypothetical promotion, then I would like that promotion to have someone like Grey, who effortlessly, fluidly makes audiences say “WOW! I didn’t know someone could do this!”

She won’t be an acrobat, but she is one in all the best grapplers that WWE has, and Gabe Sapolsky’s Evolve promotion was right to construct their women’s division round her. Like many wrestling promoters within the twenty first Century, I’m simply taking a very good idea Gabe Sapolsky had, and running with it.

Written by Ross Berman

There’s loads of reasons to take Swerve Strickland here, but one and just one reason puts it over the sting: I have been dying for some time now to see Strickland feud with Roman Reigns, and with Roman in my promotion already, it is time to usher in the person I see as his perfect foil. Swerve is already a top star in AEW, but a fundamental event feud with Reigns would put him over the highest, especially if he goes over. He’s in his prime and at the peak of his game, and he’s just the guy to carry the fort down while Roman is off shooting a movie or whatever.

Written by Miles Schneiderman

By her own admission, Chelsea Green won’t ever say no to any ideas thrown her way. In consequence, Green has participated in several wild yet entertaining matches and moments in her profession, resembling being slammed face-first right into a dumpster, crashing through two tables after being tossed off a ladder, and even being dunked right into a bucket of apples.

Whatever crazy ideas WINC had in mind, big or small, we all know that Green can be up for doing them, and doing them well. Green’s fearless and successful efforts have earned her a large number of praise across the industry from seasoned veterans, her peers, and fans, making her an excellent candidate for quite a lot of programming slots. As an added bonus, Green has undergone formal acting classes, which has equated to phenomenal character work and facial expressions. 

Written by Ella Jay

She is the blueprint, the conversation, PWI’s #1 female wrestler of 2025, and Sports Illustrated’s Female Wrestler of the 12 months. Like her or not, Mercedes Moné is that girl, and he or she is the proper competitor to round out this promoter’s draft picks.

Moné has had over 15 years of wrestling experience, and he or she’s still improving. Ever since leaving WWE, Moné has reinvented herself to grow to be the most effective women’s wrestlers to ever do it — if not the very best, period. Her moveset — a mix of lucha, submission-based offense, and an iconic attitude — is her biggest draw, and he or she, like Ripley, can find in-ring chemistry with quite a lot of talent. She may be the proper heel to go against Ripley’s babyface while being a flexible gatekeeper to any woman trying to make it big on this promotion. Moné has struck gold, but something tells me her stocks will just keep rising.

Written by Angeline Phu

Dominik Mysterio is just the most effective things in wrestling immediately. People like to hate him, they hate to like him, and so they just cannot get enough of this mustachioed brat. There really appears to be nothing “Dirty Dom” cannot do. With Dominik Mysterio, you get greater than only a famous name; with famous connections, you get the most effective characters in pro wrestling. There are only a few heels like Dominik. He’s what MJF aspires to be. He’s a sniveling and conniving as he’s cherubic. Between the patron saint of dirtbags in Dominik Mysterio and the self-serious, larger-than-life persona of Oba Femi, I feel I’ve covered all of wrestling’s most significant bases.

Written by Ross Berman

That is, admittedly, a little bit of a risk. We’re getting dangerously near a full yr since WrestleMania 41, aka the last time Bianca Belair wrestled, and there is still no word on when she may be back. But a finger injury surely cannot be career-ending, and assuming we’re getting her back sooner fairly than later, Belair represents incredible value with my last pick. She’s one in all my favorite wrestlers on the WWE roster who repeatedly puts on bangers with everyone she comes across, and though Angie sniped Mercedes Mone from me, I feel positive taking her WrestleMania 37 opponent. Belair is an absolute physical specimen who can do amazing things within the ring, and he or she’s got mic skills and charisma on top of that. I’d book her against Toni Storm faster than a heartbeat and wait for the cash to roll in while Toni makes suggestive comments about Bianca’s hair. Let’s go.

(Please come back within the Rumble, Bianca, we’d like you)

Written by Miles Schneiderman

The ultimate draft results are as follows:

• Ella Jay: IYO SKY, Adam Page, Orange Cassidy, Chelsea Green
• Angeline Phu: Rhea Ripley, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Mercedes Mone
• Ross Berman: Oba Femi, Becky Lynch, Kendal Grey, Dominik Mysterio
• Miles Schneiderman: Roman Reigns, Toni Storm, Swerve Strickland, Bianca Belair

Whose draft do you think that was the very best? Tell us within the comments!