UPDATE: The full list of 500 names have been released.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual PWI 500 list is coming out today, and topping the list is WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion, Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Interestingly, he’s immediately followed by his former Shield brethren with Roman Reigns at #2 and Jon Moxley at #3. Together, the three represent the top three wrestling shows in the world in Raw, SmackDown and AEW Dynamite respectively.
As in past years, I will remind readers that the PWI 500’s criteria is nearly entirely based in kayfabe, and looks at the following factors:
- Win–loss record
- Championships won
- Quality of competition
- Major feuds
- Prominence within a wrestler’s promotion(s)
- Overall wrestling ability
With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the top to. The 2023 PWI 500 top 10 is as follows:
PWI 500 2023 top 10
- Seth Rollins (WWE)
- Roman Reigns (WWE)
- Jon Moxley (AEW)
- Gunther (WWE)
- Vikingo (AAA)
- MJF (AEW)
- Kazuchika Okada (NJPW)
- Orange Cassidy (AEW)
- Josh Alexander (Impact)
- Cody Rhodes (WWE)
That gives WWE four spots in the top 10, AEW with three, and then Impact, NJPW, and AAA with a spot each.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
