I think your small text is right. The more times Wolf has not been announced the more support this thread has got since people began to realize he wasn't as "obvious" as they thought. He's always had a lot of support but after Lucas a lot of people just figured Wolf must be next and will be announced well before the ballot ends. They took him for granted but with each passed opportunity more of these people have wandered in here.
I'll be honest, I was one of those people who hoped he'd be announced before this thread reached 10k. Wouldn't be the first time I thought he'd get an announcement though. Just about every chance Wolf's had I always hoped and at least believed a little bit. I even yet believe that this thread may become irrelevant in the next 24 hours despite no evidence of any such thing happening. I'm certainly hopeful of it and I want to believe what I hope.
In fact, a combination of being busy and believing Wolf is coming soon has kept me off of Smash. I don't really have the time nor desire to play it until we get a new DLC character. Part of the reason for this is pretty silly actually. I like to look at my character data and see my top 5 most used characters. I pretty much determine this by KO count however and every time I get 1000 KOs with a character I like to record the date and what they're KO to Fall ratio is as well as how much damage they've given too so I can figure what % damage they average a KO. Yes, I'm a bit crazy perhaps... but it gets worse. I actually stopped playing in part because I wanted to make sure Wolf is the fifth character on my "list". I've already gotten 4 characters to reach the 1000 KO milestone and Wolf is just such a beloved main that it wouldn't feel right if he wasn't the top 5 for me. I know if he was in the game from the beginning he'd have a 1000 KOs already and probably be my second most used again or at least way up there. See, I told you it gets crazier, heh. Pretty OCD I guess or something. It's not like I have to though, but it is convenient about now since I've been very busy anyways. Plus, it's kind of a way to keep my hope high. It's like a test or a superstition or something. I'm holding off on Smash and strengthening my belief in Wolf at the same time. I'm practically predicting his imminent arrival. It's like I'm setting the table for him before he's even said he'll come to dinner, lol. Pretty ridiculous, but I love the feeling of feeling so ready already... (wasn't that a lyrical little last sentence there~)