The wrestling world is buzzing after the Hodge Trophy finalist list dropped, without Gable Steveson or AJ Ferrari in sight. Fans were quick to react, questioning the snubs and debating who truly deserved the honor. Was it absolute dominance or historic achievements that mattered most? With heated opinions flying, the discussion isn’t just about who won—it’s about who should have. So, did the committee get it right?

Mitch Mesenbrink, Carter Starocci, and Wyatt Hendrickson—the debate is heating up. Fans now have a say, but the big question remains: Who truly deserves wrestling’s highest honor? Each finalist has a case, but with voting open, will dominance, historic wins, or sheer grit decide the winner? The battle is on!

In a nutshell, the debate boils down to one key question: Is it about the best opponent you beat, or the depth of competition you conquered along the way? Christian Pyles, a respected voice in wrestling, laid out both cases while in conversation with ‘FloWrestling’ and shared the post on Instagram.

As the final winner is going to be announced soon, Pyles reveals his thoughts. For Wyatt, his dominance is undeniable. “He had the highest dominance of any other candidate—5.12 higher than Carter Starocci, higher than Mitchell,” Pyles pointed out. Not to mention, he led all candidates in pins with 13 and beat the greatest wrestler in the bracket, Gable Steveson. “There’s no higher quality of competition than Gable, and he beat him,” Pyles emphasized. Add to that his victory over national champion Greg Kerkvliet the night before, and Wyatt’s case for the Hodge looks bulletproof. From a sportsmanship standpoint, too, Wyatt is as classy as they come.

But then there’s Carter Starocci. Just as undefeated, just as dominant, with 5 NCAA Division I wrestling titles. “His bonus rate against All-Americans was higher, and he bonused six of the ten All-Americans he faced, while Wyatt was four of nine,” Pyles explained. Starocci also took down a national champion—not once, but twice. His confidence and personality have drawn comparisons to AJ Ferrari and Jordan Burroughs, but when it comes to sheer performance, he makes a compelling argument.

As Pyles put it, “Despite all the facts, when I think of the whole year, I’m leaning towards Carter.” With voting set to close on March 29 at 5 PM EST and the winner announced on April 1, the countdown is on. Will dominance or competition depth decide it? Fans are about to find out. But before that, fans are in a heated debate about who is best and whom they will choose.

Debate Heats Up Over Hodge Trophy Finalists

The final voting for the Dan Hodge Trophy has sparked heated discussions among wrestling fans, especially with Gable Steveson and AJ Ferrari not making the cut. While some believe Wyatt Hendrickson’s season-defining victory over one of the top wrestlers in the country solidifies his case, others argue that Mitch Mesenbrink’s sheer dominance should not be overlooked.

“I would’ve given it to Messenbrink myself. While Hendrickson beat arguably the best wrestler in the country, I’d still take Stevenson 99 times out of 100.” The conversation around Hendrickson’s win is undeniable, but for many, it comes down to sustained excellence throughout the season rather than a singular performance. Another fan wrote, “I’d vote for Mesenbrink. Absolute dominance for every match of the season. Nobody in his weight class could hang with him or take him to deep waters.” While Mesenbrink’s ability to impose his will on every opponent makes a strong case, some believe the criteria should extend beyond just an undefeated record.

“Wyatt, no question. Comparing All-Americans to a literal Olympic champion is wild. Winning five titles in and of itself isn’t impressive. If anything, we learned this year that Starocci could be taken to the limit by TWO FRESHMEN,” one fan sums up. Hendrickson’s resume is undoubtedly impressive, but when put against the legacy of someone like Steveson, the debate only intensifies. “Recency bias for Wyatt is crazy high. Mitch dominated ALL season. He was NEVER in a position where you thought, ‘Oh shit, this is close.’ We all tuned in to watch him go off and he delivered every match,” a fan considered Misenbrink to vote for. A flawless season often weighs heavily in award considerations, and for Mesenbrink’s supporters, his ability to maintain his dominance is what truly sets him apart.

“I say give it to Wyatt and Carter. It wouldn’t be the first time they gave it to two people and they both accomplished something absolutely outstanding this year.” The idea of co-winners has historical precedent, making some wonder if this could be the best way to settle the growing debate. With the Hodge Trophy decision looming, fans remain divided. Should dominance throughout the season be valued over a high-profile victory? Is recency bias playing a role in the discussions? One thing is clear—this year’s debate is far from over.