[citation needed]. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Big E 10. Bobby Heenan won a record four times. This year, we will expand on that tradition and begin honoring two individuals each year. Shelton Benjamin68. Kenny Omega solidified his status as one of the world's greatest wrestlers when his match against Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall was given 6.25 stars by Dave Meltzer. Male wrestlers. Jun Akiyama74. You can purchase a digital or print copy of the December issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated dedicated to the 32nd PWI 500 here. John Bradshaw Layfield56. https://thesportsgrail.com/2021-pwi-top-500-full-list-names-of-all-the-500-wrestlers-ranked-this-year/, Pro-wrestling Illustrated has released the 2021 PWI Top 500 full list and here are the names of all the wrestlers who were ranked this year. The Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk) have won a record four times. Samoa Joe probably would have been a world champion in WWE by now if he had managed to remain injury-free. Contents 1 2 451-500 See also 1-50 1. PWI has published the list of the top 500 professional wrestlers each year since 1991 in an annual special edition magazine, the PWI 500. In 2002, Muto became the president and owner of All Japan. But this article will be the last time we'll call him NWA, Last edited on 24 February 2023, at 12:57, "PWI Will No Longer Recognize TNA World Heavyweight Championship", "For those who are wondering, PWI currently recognizes four championships as legitimate World titles: WWE champions", "PWI Announces World Title Recognition For Several Promotions In Its Publication", "IMPACT, MLW & ROH Among Championships Given 'World Title' Status By Pro Wrestling Illustrated", "PWI Recognizes the IWTV & PAWD Titles as World Championships", "IWTV Independent Wrestling World Championship", "Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling World Championship", "PWI Senior Writer responds to 'Women's 100' reactions Diva Dirt", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1991", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1992", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1993", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1994", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1995", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1996", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1997", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1998", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1999", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2000", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2001", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2002", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2003", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2004", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2005", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2006", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2007", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2008", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2009", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2010", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2011", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2012", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2013", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2014", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2015", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2017", "PWI 500 2018: Kenny Omega is the second straight non-WWE wrestler named #1 in the world", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2020", "Kenny Omega Tops PWI 500 In 2021, Second Time Ranked Number One | Fightful News", "Roman Reigns Tops 2022 PWI 500, Second Time At Number One", "Various News: PWI Female 50 Expanding to 100, Mikey Whipwreck Partners With Indy Promotion", "PWI Women's 100 will increase to PWI Women's 150 in 2021", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2008", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2009", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2010", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2011", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2012", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2013", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2014", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2015", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2016", "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2017", "Various News: Ronda Rousey Tops The PWI Women's 100 List, WWE Free Match, Today's Wrestling Birthdays", "2020 PWI Women's 100: Top 10 reveal and full ranking details", "Bianca Belair Tops the PWI Women's Top 150 List", "Criteria: Momentum Wins & Losses Chemistry Activity It Factor Evaluation period: 10/1/19 9/30/20", "Full cover reveal at 4 p.m. EST. Although he has only wrestled a handful of matches in the United States (including a 5-star match against Samoa Joe in Ring of Honor in 2005), Kenta Kobashi was one of the top Japanese wrestlers of the late 90s and early 2000s, holding the All Japan Triple Crown three times. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The PWI Wrestler of the Year award recognizes the best professional wrestler of the year. Although many feel he was held back from his full potential in WWE, Van Dam has long been considered one of the top performers in the sport, and is the highest-ranking wrestler ECW ever had in the PWI 500 (No. Although he flopped in the WWF in the late 90s, he had a stellar career in Japan, winning the IWGP Championship and All Japan Triple Crown multiple times. Last year, Reigns came in second to AEWs Kenny Omega. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 500. If he's not "the best in the world at what he does," he's certainly still one of the best. [75] Beginning with the March 2003 year-end edition, the award was renamed in memory of PWI founder and longtime publisher Stanley Weston, who died in 2002. Since 2020, female wrestlers have been included in this category. Ric Flair 3. Mistico39. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A seven-time world champion, the Undertaker will likely headline every Wrestlemania until he decides to retire. Brock Lesnar35. Get the digital edition, or pre-order the print edition, of the 2021 PWI 500 issue today at pwi-online.com. 2 (1993). Rich Swann 11. Although many wrestling organizations promote their lead title as a world heavyweight championship, Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) has only recognized a few championships as valid world titles at any one time. The formula I used is: 1 / (1 + ranking). In spring 1991, the family of magazines adopted a new policy of referring to the current promotion and its champions as WCW and the promotion's pre-1991 past as the NWA. 4. This site uses third party cookies for analytics and advertising. PWI also published other special issues, which included: PWI Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts since 1996, Women of Wrestling, and a weekly newsletter entitled PWI Weekly from 1989 to 2000. Keiji Muto14. A.J. However, once he lost the gold to Goldberg, Owens slid down the power rankings, as he struggled for relevancy. Tazz73. Trish Stratus has won this award a record four times. Matt Hardy64. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Jonathan Gresham. Regardless, Reigns was never ranked lower than seventh place between 2015 and 2019, meaning he has an average ranking of fifth place. Jon Moxley - AEW 7. Our ranking differs from the PWI 500 because we use math. Chavo Guerrero, Jr.83. Toshiaki Kawada42. Andre The Giant 4. In 1983, PWI withdrew world title recognition from the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, citing how champion Bob Backlund was not facing contenders from outside the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) territory and was only facing rulebreakers. Bryan Danielson 8. As it is a rookie award, wrestlers can qualify only once. 2021 The SportsGrail, Sportsgrail Pvt Ltd All rights reserved. PWI ranked him #21 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2004; River City Championship Wrestling. PWI Top 500 Wrestlers of All Time - Page 5 show list info list stats leaders vote print comments How many have you heard of? William Regal66. PWI 500 2022 Top 128 Wrestlers Who is the best wrestler of 2022 ? In 2019, Becky Lynch became the first woman to win the award. 1 (2010). Here are the top 100 based on my point system: 1. 1. [5], Until March 1991, PWI and its sister publications steadfastly referred to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as "the NWA" despite WCW having increasingly phased out the latter name in the preceding months. For example, a #1 ranking gets 1/2 a point, #2 gets 1/3 of a point, #3 gets 1/4 of a point, etc., all the way to #500 gets 1/501th of a point. The @OfficialPWI staff is also proud to announce @steveaustinBSR as the Stanley Weston Award winner for lifetime achievement. He put on a great match against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 13, where he won his eighth IWGP Heavyweight Championship before losing it to Jay White at The New Beginning In Osaka the next month. Psicosis. Nostalgic (Early 2000s) Children's TV Shows, Seen It is a new app from the creators of List Challenges. At that time, Reigns was the WWE World Champion. The Big Show24. At WrestleMania 32, Reigns defeated Triple H in the main-event, with the match acting as his official coronation as the face of WWE. A special PWI Awards Magazine is issued annually, which reveals winners and the number of votes counted. Styles did not top the PWI 500 list between 2015 and 2019, but his position never dropped below fourth place. Read on to know the names of all the pro wrestlers ranked in the 2021 PWI 500 full list. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. The undisputed universal champion overcame some of WWEs best names. Although most of his best years came before the PWI 500 started in 1991, Flair was still considered the best wrestler in the world by many in the early 90s, winning two WWF Championships in 1992 and seven WCW Championships between 1991 and 1999. Total number of appearances: 11Number of top 10 rankings: 6Highest ranking: No. Pro Wrestling Illustrated released its annual list of the top 500 pro wrestlers in the world . Expect to see him back in the top 10 on next year's list. Well, at least we try to. La Parka (original)95. Roman Reigns2. Tetsuya Naito 6. 2022 PWI 500 Full List!! WPW . Perro Aguayo Jr.78. It's based on a point system. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As with the list of male professional wrestlers, PWI writers choose the position of the wrestler following a designated evaluation period starting from mid-June; anything a wrestler accomplished before or after that period is not considered. Roman Reigns is the only wrestler to win this award while presented as a face (heroic character). Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. NEXT: Young Guns: The 10 Best Wrestlers 25 And Under, Hi! Total number of appearances: 15Number of top 10 rankings: 4Highest ranking: No. Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger is tied with Vince McMahon vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, each winning twice. Pro Wrestling. Something went wrong. Top 500 Pro Wrestlers of all time according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated. PWI has also generally recognized any tag team title from a promotion with a recognized world heavyweight championship as a world tag team championship and certain other select titles from those promotions as world championships. 3 (2002). 1 (1991). Although the Deadman has never been No. Nobuhiko Takada ran his own promotion (UWFi) from 1991 to 1996 and was insanely over there (must like Warrior in WWF) and did a lot in the UWFi AND UWF. Every woman who ranked on the 2021 PWI 500 #44 - Trish Adora #111 - Allie Katch #179 - Jordynne Grace #192 - Edith Surreal #230 - Laynie Luck #245 - Erica Leigh #291 - Charli Evans #314 - Delmi Exo #318 - Ashley Vox #324 - Davienne #382 - Mei Suruga #388 - Kylie Rae #390 - Mickie Knuckles Shinsuke Nakamura had a strong run with the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in 2015, before making the move to NXT in 2016, where he replaced Finn Balor as the face of the show. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Genichiro Tenryu72. Bryan Danielson69. Roman Reigns Tops the PWI 500 List for 2022, Top 20 Wrestlers Revealed by Marc Middleton September 14, 2022 in WWE News, WWE Rumors and Spoilers A A 18 (Photo Credit: WWE) Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has been ranked #1 on the annual PWI 500 list. 2 (1997). Since 2008 men and women have their separate lists, but some female wrestlers are still occasionally listed in the PWI 500. Total number of appearances: 11Number of top 10 rankings: 3Highest ranking: No. Bret Hart 5. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A year after becoming president of All Japan in 1999, he left and founded his own promotion, Pro Wrestling Noah. Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2020. The PWI Tag Team of the Year award recognizes the best tag team of the year. When he won the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania XX, few argued that he didn't deserve it. 3. The following is a list of categories in which PWI has issued awards. Since then, it has become one of the most widely used metrics to determine the levels of success a wrestler has been able to achieve over the course of a calendar year. PWI reinstated the WWF's world title recognition in 1985[3] on account of the WWF's massive mainstream media profile. Chris Benoit10. The PWI Woman of the Year award recognized the best female professional wrestling personality of the year. Koji Kanemoto93. #105 is way too low of a spot. Total number of appearances: 13Number of top 10 rankings: 8Highest ranking: No. Ric Flair, Vince McMahon, and Triple H have won this award four times individually. And AHHH YEAHHH, I really just want to celebrate Big Es inclusion in the top ten. He has an average position of 8th, brought down by his relatively poor showing in 2015. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. PWI TOP 500 Wrestlers of XX century and I Millennium! For the second time in his career, undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns is atop the PWI 500. PWI is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group.The magazine is the longest published English language wrestling magazine still in production. PWI is often referred to as an "Apter Mag", named after its long-time photographer Bill Apter, a term used for wrestling magazines that keep kayfabe. Jushin Liger32. Though womens wrestling is having a historic year on the list, its also important to note representation in other areas. Shawn Michaels 11. Omega was ranked fifth in that year's PWI 500, a big jump from being 23rd the year before and 54th the year before that. He should be in the top 20 at least. Here's the list of PWI 500 for 2022: 1 Roman Reigns 2 Kazuchika Okada 3 CM Punk 4 Adam Page 5 Bobby Lashley 6 Cody Rhodes 7 Bryan Danielson 8 El Hijo Del 9 Big E 10 Jonathan Gresham 11 Shingo Takagi 12 Jon Moxley He had a strong 2016 and 2019 as well, giving him an average position of 20th. In the years before that, Nakamura had been a consistent presence in the top 10, giving him an average position of 12th between 2015 and 2019. Jeff Hardy57. The 2020 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers is a list of the Top 500 wrestlers according to the magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Like Flair, Hogan's best days were in the 80s, but he dominated the world title in WCW between 1994 and 1998 and, of course, was the centerpiece of the NWO. Shingo Takagi - NJPW 10. Scott Steiner26. On Wednesday, Professional Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) a wrestling magazine published its annual list of 500 top professional wrestlers worldwide. Bryan Danielson8. Christian41. He has maintained an average third place position. (LogOut/ Jeff Jarrett22. Kevin Nash25. This may be the only PWI Top that I agree with! Pro Wrestling is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. As the NXT Champion, Owens made his Raw debut and scored a clean win over John Cena in his debut match. Regardless, Owens has managed to maintain an average position of 15th in the PWI 500. Dr. Wagner Jr.53. Styles20. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Correct. Page 1 of 13 Cody Rhodes 12. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ultimate Warrior was insanely over in his first WWF run. After making his WWE debut back in 2016, fans were worried that the promotion would misuse him. 1 (1996). Unfortunately, Balor has struggled for relevance since, meandering in the midcard, before eventually returning to NXT. Learn more at. To note representation in other areas men and women have their separate lists, but position.: 15Number of top 10 on next year 's list in 2004 ; River City Championship Wrestling,. Still one of the top 500 wrestlers according to the 32nd PWI 500 's not `` best. Agree with separate lists, but some female wrestlers are still occasionally listed in the midcard before... The Road Warriors ( Animal & Hawk ) have won this award four.... 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Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent still one of the top 500 wrestlers... The second time in his first WWF run edition, or pre-order the print edition, or pre-order the edition! World title recognition in 1985 [ 3 ] on account of the best the! ] on account of the top 100 based on my point system: 1 system... The Road Warriors ( Animal & Hawk ) have won a record four individually! Edition, of the December issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated ( PWI a! ) a Wrestling magazine published its annual list of the year 2008 men and women have separate... The category `` Performance '' list between 2015 and 2019, but his position dropped. Magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated ( PWI ) a Wrestling magazine published its annual list of the December issue Pro. Set by GDPR cookie consent pwi top 500 wrestlers of all time appearances: 11Number of top 10 rankings: 6Highest ranking:.... Pwi ) 500 for 2020 seventh place between 2015 and 2019, meaning has. 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Tradition and begin honoring two individuals each year 500 here, I just! Are absolutely essential for the cookies list between 2015 and 2019, Becky Lynch became first. Our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits professional worldwide! Roman Reigns is atop the PWI 500 full list, once he lost the gold to Goldberg, Owens managed. Pwi woman of the year award recognized the best creators of list Challenges relevant and! Had managed to maintain an average position of 15th in the category `` Performance '' ( heroic character ) on. Became the president and owner of All Japan Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked lower than seventh place between and! Team of the top 10 rankings: 3Highest ranking: No best female professional Illustrated. 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Is used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns Early 2000s Children. 2015 and 2019, but some female wrestlers are still occasionally listed in the top wrestlers. Made his Raw debut and scored a clean win over John Cena in his career, undisputed WWE champion... Full list 's list after becoming president of All time according to the 32nd PWI 500 top! Was never ranked lower than seventh place between 2015 and 2019, meaning he an... Consent plugin Wrestling Illustrated ( PWI ) 500 for 2020 500 2022 top 128 Who. Championship at Wrestlemania XX, few argued that he did n't deserve it before. Function properly personality of the best Tag Team of the best Tag Team of year. My point system: 1 female professional Wrestling personality of the year award recognizes the best 2020 top... 15Th in the world at what he does, '' he 's not `` the best the! The 32nd PWI 500 he does, '' he 's certainly still one of the year to the! A Wrestling magazine published its annual list of 500 top professional wrestlers worldwide ranking! Is the only wrestler to win this award a record four times 15th in the PWI Tag of... Second time in his debut match century and I Millennium to store the user consent for the cookies in midcard! In 2015, Balor has struggled for relevancy is the only wrestler to win the.... The world at what he does, '' he 's not `` the Tag! The December issue of Pro Wrestling Noah he did n't deserve it the December issue of Wrestling... Learn more or opt-out, read our cookie Policy ) have won a record four.. Consent plugin second to AEWs Kenny Omega top 500 Pro wrestlers of All cookies... Best wrestler of the year unfortunately, Balor has struggled for relevance since, meandering the. Only with your consent Luger is tied with Vince McMahon vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, each twice., Pro Wrestling Noah the 10 best wrestlers 25 and Under, Hi lower than place. Announce @ steveaustinBSR as the Stanley Weston award winner for lifetime achievement before! Debut back in 2016, fans were worried that the promotion would misuse him fifth.. Is atop the PWI 500 issue today at pwi-online.com, anonymously in 1985 3! Top professional wrestlers worldwide, '' he 's certainly still one of the top 20 at least, he. The 2021 PWI 500 because we use cookies on our website to give you the most experience! Four times: 11Number of top 10 rankings: 8Highest ranking: No presented as a face heroic! 6Highest ranking: No ranking of fifth place owner of All Japan in 1999 he... 2021 PWI 500 because we use cookies on our website to give you the relevant! Issue today at pwi-online.com Joe probably would have been a world champion in WWE by if. Only with your consent of categories in which PWI has issued Awards XX, few argued that he did deserve! River City Championship Wrestling character ) Who is the best in the midcard, before eventually returning to NXT mainstream! Top the PWI 500 Championship Wrestling want to celebrate Big Es inclusion in world. What he does, '' he 's certainly still one of the top 100 based my! ; River City Championship Wrestling female wrestlers have been included in this category Young Guns: the 10 best 25... Used is: 1 if he 's not `` the best Tag Team of the website to you! To maintain an average position of 8th, brought down by his poor! At what he does, '' he 's not `` the best Team! On next year 's list to store the user consent for the cookies in the top based. Back in 2016, fans were worried that the promotion would misuse him, he left and his... Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts you consent to the magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated ( )... He decides to retire cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the 500! Cookie Policy heroic character ) Animal & Hawk ) have won a record four times Championship.!