This is a list of both active and inactive Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards. The awards are voted for by fans of the magazine every year from 1972 onwards, expanding to more categories in later years. Unlike the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWI is largely a magazine written within the fictional realm of professional wrestling, or kayfabe, and the awards recognise this.
The PWI Wrestler of the Year Award recognizes the best professional wrestler of the year. Ric Flair has been voted wrestler of the year a record 6 times.
The PWI Tag Team of the Year Award recognizes the best tag team of the year. The Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk) have won a record 4 times.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher | |||
| 1973 | Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens | |||
| 1974 | Jimmy and Johnny Valiant | |||
| 1975 | Gene and Ole Anderson | |||
| 1976 | The Executioners (#1 and #2) | Gene and Ole Anderson | Chief Jay Strongbow and Billy White Wolf | Jimmy and Johnny Valiant |
| 1977 | Gene and Ole Anderson | Prof. Tanaka and Mr. Fuji | Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell | Ric Flair and Greg Valentine |
| 1978 | Ricky Steamboat and Paul Jones | The Yukon Lumberjacks (Yukon Eric and Yukon Pierre) | Mike Graham and Steve Keirn | Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell |
| 1979 | Ivan Putski and Tito Santana | Jerry and Johnny Valiant | Paul Jones and Baron Von Raschke | The Spoiler and Mark Lewin |
| 1980 | Jimmy Snuka and Ray Stevens | Mr. Wrestling and Mr. Wrestling II | The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) | Verne Gagne and Mad Dog Vachon |
| 1981 | The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy) | Rick Martel and Tony Garea | Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito | Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell |
| 1982 | Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell | Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito | Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) | Ole Anderson and Stan Hansen |
| 1983 | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | Kerry, Kevin, David Von Erich and Mike Von Erich | Jack and Jerry Brisco | |
| 1984 | The Fabulous Ones (Stan Lane and Steve Keirn) | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) | ||
| 1985 | Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams | Ivan and Nikita Koloff | The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) | |
| 1986 | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) | The Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) |
| 1987 | The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) | The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) |
| 1988 | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) | Demolition (Ax and Smash) | The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) |
| 1989 | The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) | Demolition (Ax and Smash) | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin) |
| 1990 | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | Doom (Ron Simmons and Butch Reed) | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | |
| 1991 | The Enforcers (Arn Anderson and Larry Zbyszko) | The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | Jeff Jarrett and Robert Fuller |
| 1992 | Terry Gordy and Steve Williams | The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) | Barry Windham and Dustin Rhodes | |
| 1993 | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | The Hollywood Blonds (Steve Austin and Brian Pillman) | Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster) | The Heavenly Bodies (Tom Prichard and Stan Lane) |
| 1994 | The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) | The Headshrinkers (Samu and Fatu) | The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) |
| 1995 | Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) | The Smoking Gunns (Billy and Bart Gunn) | Owen Hart and Yokozuna | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) |
| 1996 | The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustapha Saed) | |
| 1997 | The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash) | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) | Lex Luger and The Giant |
| 1998 | The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn) | Sabu and Rob Van Dam | Mankind and Kane | Brothers of Destruction (The Undertaker and Kane) |
| 1999 | Kane and X-Pac | The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) | The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) | Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) |
| 2000 | The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) | Edge and Christian | KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) | |
| 2001 | The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) | Brothers of Destruction (Undertaker and Kane) | The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) | The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) |
| 2002 | Billy and Chuck | Booker T and Goldust | 3 Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) | Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit |
| 2003 | Team Angle (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) | America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) | The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) | Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Guerrero) |
| 2004 | America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) | La Résistance (Sylvain Grenier and Robert Conway) | Charlie Haas and Rico | |
| 2005 | MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro) | The Naturals (Chase Stevens and Andy Douglas) | Road Warrior Animal and Heidenreich | America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) |
| 2006 | A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels | Paul London and Brian Kendrick | D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H) | The Big Show and Kane |
| 2007 | Paul London and Brian Kendrick | Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) | Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark Briscoe) | Deuce 'n Domino |
| 2008 | Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm)[4] | John Morrison and The Miz | Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes | The Latin American Xchange (Homicide and Hernandez) |
| 2009 | Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon)[5] | Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm) | Chris Jericho and The Big Show | D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels & Triple H) |
| 2010 | The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin)[6] | The Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith)[6] | Kings of Wrestling (Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero)[6] | Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm)[6] |
| 2011 | Beer Money, Inc. (Bobby Roode and James Storm) | Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) | Air Boom (Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston) | Kings of Wrestling (Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero) |
The PWI Match of the Year Award recognizes the best match of the year. Shawn Michaels has won the award a record 11 times: Michaels had a 4-year win streak from 1993 to 1996 and then had a 7-year win streak from 2004 to 2010.
| Year | Date | Match | Championship | Event | Location | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | January 14 | Bruno Sammartino wins battle royal | Battle Royal in Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Battle royal | |
| 1973 | May 24 | Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Harley Race | NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
Kansas City, MO | ||
| 1974 | January 27 | Jack Brisco vs. Dory Funk, Jr. | NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
Tokyo, Japan | ||
| 1975 | March 17 | Bruno Sammartino vs. Spiros Arion | WWWF Heavyweight Championship |
New York, NY | ||
| 1976 | April 26 | Bruno Sammartino vs. Stan Hansen | WWWF Heavyweight Championship |
New York, NY | ||
| 1977 | April 30 | Bruno Sammartino vs. Billy Graham | WWWF Heavyweight Championship |
Baltimore, MD | ||
| 1978 | February 20 | Billy Graham vs. Bob Backlund | WWWF Heavyweight Championship |
New York, NY | ||
| 1979 | August 21 | Harley Race vs. Dusty Rhodes | NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
Tampa, FL | ||
| 1980 | August 9 | Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko | Showdown at Shea | Flushing, NY | Steel Cage match | |
| 1981 | May 2 | André the Giant vs. Killer Khan | Rochester, NY | |||
| 1982 | June 28 | Bob Backlund vs. Jimmy Snuka | WWF Heavyweight Championship |
New York, NY | Steel Cage match | |
| 1983 | June 10 | Ric Flair vs. Harley Race | NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
St. Louis, MO | ||
| 1984 | May 6 | Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich | NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions | Irving, TX | |
| 1985 | March 31 | Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff |
WrestleMania | New York, NY | ||
| 1986 | July 26 | Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes | NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
The Great American Bash 1986 | Greensboro, NC | Steel Cage match |
| 1987 | March 29 | Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat | WWF Intercontinental Championship |
WrestleMania III | Pontiac, MI | |
| 1988 | February 5 | Hulk Hogan vs. André the Giant | WWF Championship | The Main Event | Indianapolis, IN | |
| 1989 | May 7 | Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair | NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
WrestleWar | Nashville, TN | |
| 1990 | April 1 | Hulk Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior | WWF Championship and WWF Intercontinental Championship |
WrestleMania VI | Toronto, Ontario | |
| 1991 | May 19 | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) vs. Sting and Lex Luger |
WCW World Tag Team Championship |
SuperBrawl | St. Petersburg, FL | |
| 1992 | August 29 | Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog | WWF Intercontinental Championship |
SummerSlam 1992 | London, England | |
| 1993 | May 17 | Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty | WWF Intercontinental Championship |
Monday Night Raw | New York, NY | |
| 1994 | March 20 | Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels | WWF Intercontinental Championship |
WrestleMania X | New York, NY | Ladder match |
| 1995 | April 2 | Diesel vs. Shawn Michaels | WWF Championship | WrestleMania XI | Hartford, CT | |
| 1996 | March 31 | Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels | WWF Championship | WrestleMania XII | Anaheim, CA | Iron Man match |
| 1997 | March 23 | Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin | WrestleMania 13 | Rosemont, IL | No Disqualification Submission Match | |
| 1998 | June 28 | The Undertaker vs. Mankind | King of the Ring 1998 | Pittsburgh, PA | Hell in a Cell match | |
| 1999 | January 24 | Mankind vs. The Rock | WWF Championship | Royal Rumble 1999 | Anaheim, CA | "I Quit" match |
| 2000 | April 2 | Dudley Boyz vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Edge and Christian |
WWF Tag Team Championship |
WrestleMania 2000 | Anaheim, CA | Triangle Ladder match |
| 2001 | April 1 | Dudley Boyz vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Edge and Christian |
WWF Tag Team Championship |
WrestleMania X-Seven | Houston, TX | TLC Match |
| 2002 | March 17 | The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan | WrestleMania X8 | Toronto, Ontario | ||
| 2003 | September 16 | Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar | WWE Championship | SmackDown! | Raleigh, NC | 60-minute Iron Man match |
| 2004 | March 14 | Triple H vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels |
World Heavyweight Championship |
WrestleMania XX | New York, NY | Triple Threat Match |
| 2005 | April 3 | Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle | WrestleMania 21 | Los Angeles, CA | ||
| 2006 | April 2 | Shawn Michaels vs. Vince McMahon | WrestleMania 22 | Rosemont, IL | No Holds Barred Match | |
| 2007 | April 23 | John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels | Raw | London, England | ||
| 2008 | March 30 | Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels[7] | Career | WrestleMania XXIV | Orlando, FL | Career Threatening Match |
| 2009 | April 5 | The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels[8] | WrestleMania XXV | Houston, TX | ||
| 2010 | March 28 | The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels | Streak vs Career | WrestleMania XXVI | Phoenix, Arizona | Career vs. Streak Match |
| 2011 | July 17 | CM Punk vs. John Cena | WWE Championship | Money in the Bank 2011 | Rosemont, IL |
The PWI Feud of the Year Award recognizes the best feud of the year in professional wrestling. Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger are tied with Vince McMahon vs. Steve Austin each winning twice. Ric Flair and Vince McMahon have won this award 4 times individually.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff | Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes | The Sheepherders (Luke Williams and Butch Miller) vs. The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) | The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton) vs. The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) |
| 1987 | Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger) vs. The Super Powers (Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff) and The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat | Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Rich and Austin Idol | Brian Adias vs. Kevin Von Erich |
| 1988 | Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger | Rick Rude vs. Jake Roberts | Kerry Von Erich vs. Jerry Lawler | The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) vs. The Mega Bucks (Ted DiBiase and André the Giant) |
| 1989 | Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk | Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage | Skandor Akbar's Devastation Inc. vs. Eric Embry | Roddy Piper vs. Rick Rude |
| 1990 | Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger | Hulk Hogan vs. Earthquake | The Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude | Chris Adams vs. Steve Austin |
| 1991 | The Ultimate Warrior vs. The Undertaker | Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter | Sting vs. Cactus Jack and Abdullah the Butcher | Lex Luger vs. Ron Simmons |
| 1992 | The Moondogs (Spot and Cujo) vs. Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett | Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage | The Ultimate Warrior vs. Papa Shango | Rick Rude vs. Ricky Steamboat |
| 1993 | Bret Hart vs. Jerry Lawler | Rick Rude vs. Dustin Rhodes | Cactus Jack vs. Vader | Tony Anthony vs. Tracy Smothers |
| 1994 | Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart | Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan | Randy Savage vs. Crush | Sabu vs. Terry Funk |
| 1995 | Axl Rotten vs. Ian Rotten | Harlem Heat (Stevie Ray and Booker T) vs. The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) | Jeff Jarrett vs. Razor Ramon | Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage |
| 1996 | Eric Bischoff vs. Vince McMahon | Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage | The Undertaker vs. Mankind | Jamie Dundee vs. Wolfie D |
| 1997 | Diamond Dallas Page vs. Randy Savage | Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart | Hollywood Hogan vs. Roddy Piper | Sabu vs. Taz |
| 1998 | Vince McMahon vs. Steve Austin | nWo Wolfpac vs. nWo Hollywood | Ric Flair vs. Eric Bischoff | The Rock vs. Ken Shamrock |
| 1999 | Triple H vs. The Rock | Jerry Lynn vs. Rob Van Dam | Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan | |
| 2000 | Triple H vs. Kurt Angle | Booker T vs. Jeff Jarrett | Edge and Christian (Edge and Christian) vs. The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) | |
| 2001 | Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon | Booker T vs. The Rock | Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle | Edge vs. Christian |
| 2002 | Eric Bischoff vs. Stephanie McMahon | Kurt Angle vs. Edge | Triple H vs. Stephanie McMahon | Trish Stratus vs. Molly Holly |
| 2003 | Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle | Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon | Steve Austin vs. Eric Bischoff | Jeff Jarrett vs. Raven |
| 2004 | Triple H vs. Chris Benoit | Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley | Christian and Trish Stratus vs. Chris Jericho | Matt Hardy vs. Kane |
| 2005 | Matt Hardy vs. Edge and Lita | A.J. Styles vs. Christopher Daniels | Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero | Batista vs. Triple H |
| 2006 | John Cena vs. Edge | D-Generation X (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) vs. The McMahons (Shane and Vince McMahon) | Sting vs. Jeff Jarrett | Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James |
| 2007 | Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe | Batista vs. The Undertaker | John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels | John Cena vs. Randy Orton |
| 2008 | Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels[9] | Kurt Angle vs. A.J. Styles | The Undertaker vs. Edge | Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm) vs. The Latin American Xchange (Homicide and Hernandez) |
| 2009 | Randy Orton vs. Triple H[10] | CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy | Main Event Mafia vs. TNA Frontline | Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett |
| 2010 | Nexus vs. WWE[6] | Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon[6] | Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson[6] | John Cena vs. Batista[6] |
| 2011 | CM Punk vs. John Cena | Randy Orton vs. Christian | Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett | Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark Briscoe) vs. All Night Express (Kenny King and Rhett Titus) |
The PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year Award recognizes the best face or heroic professional wrestler of the year as voted by readers of the magazine. Sting has won this award a record 4 times. Rob Van Dam was the only wrestler ever to win the award as a heel.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Jack Brisco / Fred Curry | |||
| 1973 | Chief Jay Strongbow | |||
| 1974 | Billy Robinson | |||
| 1975 | Mil Máscaras | |||
| 1976 | Wahoo McDaniel | Chief Jay Strongbow | Mr. Wrestling II | Ivan Putski |
| 1977 | André the Giant | Dusty Rhodes | Bob Backlund | Mil Máscaras |
| 1978 | Dusty Rhodes | André the Giant | Ricky Steamboat | Bob Backlund |
| 1979 | Ivan Putski | Mr. Wrestling II | ||
| 1980 | Mr. Wrestling II | Dusty Rhodes | André the Giant | Bruno Sammartino |
| 1981 | Tommy Rich | Bob Backlund | Dusty Rhodes | |
| 1982 | André the Giant | Tommy Rich | Hulk Hogan | |
| 1983 | Jimmy Snuka | Dusty Rhodes | David Von Erich | The Junkyard Dog |
| 1984 | Kerry Von Erich | Hulk Hogan | Dusty Rhodes | Sgt. Slaughter |
| 1985 | Hulk Hogan | Magnum T.A. | Kerry Von Erich | Tito Santana |
| 1986 | Roddy Piper | Hulk Hogan | Ricky Morton | Nikita Koloff |
| 1987 | Dusty Rhodes | Randy Savage | ||
| 1988 | Randy Savage | Sting | Lex Luger | |
| 1989 | Hulk Hogan | Ric Flair | The Ultimate Warrior | |
| 1990 | Sting | The Ultimate Warrior | Lex Luger | |
| 1991 | Sting | Hulk Hogan | Sid Justice | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) |
| 1992 | The Ultimate Warrior | The Undertaker | Ron Simmons | |
| 1993 | Lex Luger | Sting | Bret Hart | Dustin Rhodes |
| 1994 | Sting | Bret Hart | The Undertaker | Hulk Hogan |
| 1995 | Shawn Michaels | Sting | Diesel | |
| 1996 | Randy Savage | Sycho Sid | The Undertaker | |
| 1997 | Sting | Steve Austin | Ric Flair | Diamond Dallas Page |
| 1998 | Steve Austin | Goldberg | The Rock | |
| 1999 | The Rock | Steve Austin | Goldberg | Mankind |
| 2000 | Rob Van Dam | Chris Jericho | Goldberg | |
| 2001 | Rob Van Dam | The Rock | Kurt Angle | |
| 2002 | Hulk Hogan | Booker T | The Rock | |
| 2003 | Kurt Angle | Steve Austin | Rob Van Dam | Rey Mysterio |
| 2004 | John Cena | Chris Benoit | Eddie Guerrero | Eugene |
| 2005 | Batista | A.J. Styles | Rey Mysterio | |
| 2006 | Samoa Joe | John Cena | Rey Mysterio | Sting |
| 2007 | John Cena | The Undertaker | Sting | CM Punk |
| 2008 | Jeff Hardy[11][12] | Shawn Michaels | Samoa Joe | The Undertaker |
| 2009 | John Cena[6] | Sting | ||
| 2010 | Randy Orton[6] | Rob Van Dam[6] | Daniel Bryan[6] | |
| 2011 | CM Punk | Edge | Randy Orton | |
The PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year Award recognizes the best heel or villainous professional wrestler of the year. Greg Valentine and Triple H have won this award a record 3 times. In 2010, the award was given to a stable, The Nexus, for the first time.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Sheik | |||
| 1973 | "Superstar" Billy Graham | |||
| 1974 | The Great Mephisto | |||
| 1975 | Greg Valentine | |||
| 1976 | Stan Hansen | Ox Baker | Terry Funk | The Spoiler |
| 1977 | Ken Patera | Ric Flair | Superstar Billy Graham | Nick Bockwinkel |
| 1978 | Ric Flair | Ken Patera | Victor Rivera | Bob Orton, Jr. |
| 1979 | Greg Valentine | Terry Funk | Ken Patera | Ivan Koloff |
| 1980 | Larry Zbyszko | Greg Valentine | Ernie Ladd | Hulk Hogan |
| 1981 | Ken Patera | Don Muraco | Nick Bockwinkel | Roddy Piper |
| 1982 | Ted DiBiase | Blackjack Mulligan | Superstar Billy Graham | Buzz Sawyer |
| 1983 | Greg Valentine | Masked Superstar | Kevin Sullivan | Michael Hayes |
| 1984 | Roddy Piper | Kevin Sullivan | Tully Blanchard | The Iron Sheik |
| 1985 | Chris Adams | Ted DiBiase | Big John Studd | |
| 1986 | Paul Orndorff | Ric Flair | Col. DeBeers | Rick Rude |
| 1987 | Ric Flair | André the Giant | The Honky Tonk Man | Lex Luger |
| 1988 | André the Giant | Barry Windham | Eddie Gilbert | Ted DiBiase |
| 1989 | Randy Savage | Terry Funk | Rick Rude | Lex Luger |
| 1990 | Earthquake | Ric Flair | Eddie Gilbert | |
| 1991 | Sgt. Slaughter | The Undertaker | Lex Luger | Jake Roberts |
| 1992 | Rick Rude | Ric Flair | Jake Roberts | The Moondogs |
| 1993 | Jerry Lawler | Big Van Vader | Yokozuna | Shawn Michaels |
| 1994 | Bob Backlund | Owen Hart | Big Van Vader | Jerry Lawler |
| 1995 | Jerry Lawler | Kevin Sullivan | The Gangstas | Davey Boy Smith |
| 1996 | Hollywood Hogan | Goldust | Jerry Lawler | The Giant |
| 1997 | Bret Hart | Hollywood Hogan | Owen Hart | Curt Hennig |
| 1998 | Hollywood Hogan | Vince McMahon | Eric Bischoff | Bret Hart |
| 1999 | Diamond Dallas Page | Triple H | The Undertaker | The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) |
| 2000 | Kurt Angle | Steven Richards | Jeff Jarrett | |
| 2001 | Steve Austin | Booker T | Kurt Angle | Shane McMahon |
| 2002 | Chris Jericho | The Un-Americans (Christian, Lance Storm, and Test) | Triple H | |
| 2003 | Triple H | Kane | Vince McMahon | Test |
| 2004 | John "Bradshaw" Layfield | Kurt Angle | Jeff Jarrett | |
| 2005 | Edge | Jeff Jarrett | Muhammad Hassan | |
| 2006 | Edge | Jeff Jarrett | Randy Orton | King Booker |
| 2007 | Randy Orton | Kurt Angle | The Great Khali | Robert Roode |
| 2008 | Chris Jericho[13] | Edge | Randy Orton | Kurt Angle |
| 2009 | Randy Orton[14] | CM Punk[6] | Chris Jericho | |
| 2010 | The Nexus[6] | The Miz[6] | Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff[6] | |
| 2011 | The Miz | Christian | R-Truth | Kurt Angle |
The PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year Award recognizes the most improved professional wrestler of the year. Currently, Candice Michelle is the only woman to ever win this award.
The PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Award recognizes the most inspirational professional wrestler of the year as voted by readers of the Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine.[6] The award has been given yearly since 1972, and in this time, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan and Eddie Guerrero are the only people to have won the award more than once, with all three winning twice.
The PWI Rookie of the Year Award recognizes the best professional wrestler of the year who, in that year, had their first year in the business. As it is a rookie award, wrestlers can qualify only once.
The PWI Stanley Weston Award recognizes lifetime achievement by a professional wrestling personality.[27] It has been given yearly since 1981 by professional wrestling magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The award was originally known as the PWI Editor's Award.[27] 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.
† indicates a posthumous award.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Bruno Sammartino |
| 1982 | Lou Thesz |
| 1983 | The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth)† |
| 1984 | David Von Erich (David Adkisson)† |
| 1985 | Dan Shocket |
| 1986 | Verne Gagne |
| 1987 | Paul Boesch |
| 1988 | Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish)† Adrian Adonis (Keith Franke)† |
| 1989 | Gordon Solie (Francis Labiak) |
| 1990 | Buddy Rogers (Herman Rohde, Jr.) |
| 1991 | The Fabulous Moolah (Lillian Ellison)[27] |
| 1992 | Stanley Weston |
| 1993 | André the Giant (André Rousimoff)† |
| 1994 | Captain Lou Albano |
| 1995 | Ricky Steamboat (Richard Blood) |
| 1996 | Danny Hodge |
| 1997 | Arn Anderson (Martin Lunde) |
| 1998 | Bobo Brazil (Houston Harris)† |
| 1999 | Owen Hart† |
| 2000 | Fred Blassie |
| 2001 | Johnny Valentine (John Wisniski, Sr.)† |
| 2002 | Jim Ross |
| 2003 | Bret Hart |
| 2004 | Pat Patterson (Pierre Clemont) |
| 2005 | Eddie Guerrero† |
| 2006 | Harley Race |
| 2007 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| 2008 | Ric Flair[28] |
| 2009 | Vince McMahon |
| 2010 | Killer Kowalski† |
| 2011 | Randy Savage† |
The PWI Comeback of the Year Award, given yearly since 1992 by professional wrestling magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated, recognizes the most impressive comeback by a professional wrestler during the year as voted by readers of the magazine. Hulk Hogan, Rob Van Dam and Sting have won this award twice.
The PWI Woman of the Year Award recognizes the best female professional wrestling personality of the year. Trish Stratus has won this award a record 4 times. Mickie James is the only wrestler to have won the award competing for two different organisations.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Debra | Sable | Terri Runnels | Jacqueline |
| 2000 | Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley | Lita | Chyna | Major Gunns |
| 2001 | Lita | Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley | Stacy Keibler | Torrie Wilson |
| 2002 | Trish Stratus | |||
| 2003 | Victoria | |||
| 2004 | Victoria | Trish Stratus | Stacy Keibler | Molly Holly |
| 2005 | Trish Stratus | Christy Hemme | Melina | Lita |
| 2006 | Dixie Carter | Mickie James | ||
| 2007 | Candice Michelle[30] | Beth Phoenix | Gail Kim | Karen Angle |
| 2008 | Awesome Kong[31] | Mickie James | Michelle McCool | |
| 2009 | Mickie James | Angelina Love[6] | Tara | |
| 2010 | Michelle McCool[6] | Madison Rayne[6] | Madison Eagles[6] | |
| 2011 | Mickie James | Kelly Kelly | Beth Phoenix |
The PWI Midget Wrestler Of The Year Award, given yearly from 1972 through 1976 by professional wrestling magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated, recognizes the best midget wrestler of the year as voted by readers of the magazine. This award became defunct in 1976.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Little Bruiser | |||
| 1973 | Little Beaver | |||
| 1974 | Darlin` Dagmar | |||
| 1975 | Sky Low Low | |||
| 1976 | Lord Littlebrook | Sky Low Low | Cowboy Lang | Diamond Lil |
The PWI Manager of the Year Award recognizes the best manager of the year. Bobby Heenan has won a record 4 times. Lou Albano, James J. Dillon & Jim Cornette have each won 3 times.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Bobby Heenan | |||
| 1973 | The Grand Wizard | |||
| 1974 | Lou Albano | |||
| 1975 | George Cannon | |||
| 1976 | Bobby Heenan | Lou Albano | Fred Blassie | Gary Hart |
| 1977 | The Grand Wizard | Bobby Heenan | Lou Albano | Lord Alfred Hayes |
| 1978 | Arnold Skaaland | The Grand Wizard | Bobby Heenan | Gary Hart |
| 1979 | Arnold Skaaland | Lou Albano | Buddy Rogers | Oliver Humperdink |
| 1980 | Oliver Humperdink[32] | Arnold Skaaland | Lou Albano | The Great Mephisto |
| 1981 | Lou Albano | Arnold Skaaland | Oliver Humperdink | The Grand Wizard |
| 1982 | James J. Dillon | Arnold Skaaland | Sonny King | Jimmy Hart |
| 1983 | James J. Dillon | Adnan Al-Kaissie | Lou Albano | Paul Ellering |
| 1984 | Paul Ellering | Jimmy Hart | Jim Cornette | James J. Dillon |
| 1985 | Jim Cornette | Lou Albano | Paul Ellering | Bobby Heenan |
| 1986 | Lou Albano | Paul Ellering | Miss Elizabeth | Jim Cornette |
| 1987 | Jimmy Hart | James J. Dillon | Jim Cornette | Paul E. Dangerously |
| 1988 | James J. Dillon | Miss Elizabeth | Jim Cornette | Paul E. Dangerously |
| 1989 | Bobby Heenan | Gary Hart | Teddy Long | Skandor Akbar |
| 1990 | Teddy Long | Bobby Heenan | Ole Anderson | Jim Cornette |
| 1991 | Bobby Heenan | Harley Race | Alexandra York | Paul Bearer |
| 1992 | Paul E. Dangerously[33] | Mr. Perfect | Harley Race | Jim Cornette |
| 1993 | Jim Cornette | Harley Race | Mr. Fuji | Tammy Sytch |
| 1994 | Jimmy Hart | Ted DiBiase | Col. Robert Parker | Paul E. Dangerously |
| 1995 | Jim Cornette | Sherri Martel | Col. Robert Parker | Woman |
| 1996 | Sunny | Jimmy Hart | Jim Cornette | Bill Alfonso |
| 1997 | Bill Alfonso | Miss Jacquelyn | Paul Bearer | Ted DiBiase |
| 1998 | Paul Bearer | Bill Alfonso | Sunny | Paul Ellering |
| 1999 | Debra | Jimmy Hart | Bill Alfonso | Paul Bearer |
The PWI Girl Wrestler Of The Year Award recognizes the best girl wrestler of the year. This award became defunct in 1976.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Maria Laverne | |||
| 1973 | Joyce Grable | |||
| 1974 | Rachel Dubois | |||
| 1975 | Ann Casey | |||
| 1976 | Sue Green | Kitty Adams | Early Dawn | Vicki Williams |
The PWI Announcer of the Year Award recognizes the best announcer of the year. This award was only given in 1977, it then became defunct.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Gordon Solie | Vince McMahon | Bill Carlisle | Roger Kent |