The PWI 500 was released earlier today, and Kazuchika Okada has been named the number one wrestler on the planet. This is the first time in the history of the PWI 500 that a Japanese wrestler has been ranked in the top spot. Okada has held the IWGP Championship since June 19, 2016. He also wrestled a trilogy of matches against Kenny Omega (who is ranked number 5) this year that have garnered widespread acclaim.
Since its debut in 1991, the PWI 500 has been a constant source of controversy among wrestling fans. From forgetting to rank the Undertaker in 1991 to supposedly making up wrestlers to fill out their list, the PWI 500 has been as much a source of amusement as information. PWI’s lists are often controversial because of their decision to heavily base it on kayfabe — e.g. holding a world title for a long period of time or main eventing several big shows will automatically get a wrestler some brownie points.
Check out the top ten from the most recent PWI 500 (Jushin Liger is ranked number 263, continuing his streak of being ranked in every PWI 500):
- Kazuchika Okada
- A.J. Styles
- Kevin Owens
- Roman Reigns
- Kenny Omega
- Shinsuke Nakamura
- Dean Ambrose
- Samoa Joe
- Bobby Roode
- The Miz
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