The top 10 wrestlers in the world according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated have been released, and for the second time, AEW World Champion Kenny Omega has topped the list.
As just announced by @AlCastlePWI on @BustedOpenRadio: Congrats to @KennyOmegamanX, who ranks #1 in the 2021 #PWI500—his second time topping the list.
Preorder your copy of our 31st annual "500" issue at https://t.co/EuUXs75XJB pic.twitter.com/pJ5JhImsvn
— PWI (Pro Wrestling Illustrated) (@OfficialPWI) September 8, 2021
We’ll have to wait until the issue comes out to see all 500 names, but as is tradition, PWI has released the top 10 names in the PWI 500. They are:
- Kenny Omega (AEW)
- Roman Reigns (WWE – SmackDown)
- Bobby Lashley (WWE – Raw)
- Drew McIntyre (WWE – Raw)
- Kota Ibushi (NJPW)
- Jon Moxley (AEW)
- Will Ospreay (NJPW)
- Finn Balor (WWE – SmackDown)
- Shingo Takagi (NJPW)
- Rich Swann (Impact)
As always, the PWI 500 takes kayfabe into account heavily when weighing the list, and the evaluation period is July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. PWI grades wrestlers based on win/loss record, technical ability, influence on the sport, success against the highest grade of competition, and success against the most diverse competition. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense that the list is largely comprised of current and former world champions.
This is Kenny Omega’s second time topping the PWI 500 — “The Cleaner” hit number 1 in 2018 as well. Omega was ranked #13 last year, with then-AEW World Champion Jon Moxley coming in at #1.
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