Pro Wrestling Illustrated

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"PWI" redirects here. For other uses, see PWI (disambiguation).
Pro Wrestling Illustrated

The Miz on the October 2011 cover.
Publisher Stu Saks
Frequency Monthly
Publisher Kappa Publishing Group
First issue September 1979
Country United States
Language English
Website www.pwi-online.com
ISSN 1043-7576

Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) is an American internationally sold professional wrestling magazine. PWI is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.[1]

History

The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979. The magazine soon became known for not breaking kayfabe in its articles as it traditionally treated all "angles", or storylines, as real. However, in more recent years, the magazine has taken an editorial approach between kayfabe and "Shoot" writing, differentiating between on-screen feuds and controversies behind the scenes. PWI is not limited to covering only prominent professional wrestling promotions, as it also covers multiple independent promotions in the United States. PWI also publishes other special issues, which include: Pro Wrestling Illustrated Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts since 1996, Women of Wrestling, and a weekly newsletter entitled PWI Weekly from 1989 to 2000. It was eventually acquired by Golden Boy Enterprises.

PWI has given out annual awards and recognitions since its inception. These awards had previously been given out by another Victory Sports Magazine property- Sports Review Wrestling. PWI has also given out monthly rankings for the big promotions, some select independents, and an overall rankings in singles and tag teams. Additionally, readers are given the ability vote for the winners of the year-end awards with ballots being included in special year-end issues. A special PWI Awards magazine is issued annually, which reveals winners and the number of votes counted. The following is a list of categories in which PWI has issued awards.

  • Wrestler of the Year (since 1972)
  • Tag Team of the Year (since 1972)
  • Match of the Year (since 1972)
  • Feud of the Year (since 1986)
  • Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (since 1972)
  • Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (since 1972)
  • Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (since 1978)
  • Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (since 1972)
  • Rookie of the Year (since 1972)
  • Stanley Weston Award (since 1981)
  • Comeback of the Year (since 1992)
  • Woman of the Year (since 1999)
  • Manager of the Year (1972 to 1999)
  • Girl Wrestler of the Year (1972 to 1976)
  • Midget Wrestler of the Year (1972 to 1976)
  • Announcer of the Year (1977)

PWI world championship status

PWI has granted many championships world title status over the years. The following shows which championships were recognized by the magazine’s editors as world titles.[2] According to the latest PWI Almanac, PWI also recognizes select world title reigns from 1905 - July 1948, prior to the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance.

Championships Dates
NWA World Heavyweight Championship January 5, 1948 - January 11, 1991;
June 19, 2002 - May 13, 2007
AWA World Heavyweight Championship May 18, 1960 - December 12, 1990
WWE World Heavyweight Championship April 29, 1963 – present
WCW World Heavyweight Championship January 11, 1991 - March 26, 2001
ECW World Heavyweight Championship August 27, 1994- April 11, 2001
World Heavyweight Championship (WWE) September 2, 2002 – December 16, 2013
TNA World Heavyweight Championship May 13, 2007 – present

PWI 500

PWI has published its list of the top 500 professional wrestlers each year since 1991 in an annual special edition magazine called the PWI 500. PWI writers choose the position of the wrestler following a designated evaluation period, which spans June 1 of last year through May 31 of this year. Anything a wrestler accomplished before or after that period--whether it's winning a world title or doing an opening match job--is not considered. Also, they follow a criteria that includes win-loss record, championships won, quality of competition, major feuds, prominence within a wrestler's individual promotion(s), and overall wrestling ability.[3] As of 2013, only Jushin Liger has appeared in every edition of the PWI 500.[4] In 1993, Jacqueline Moore was the first woman to be ranked in the list, she was #249. Here are the top ten ranked wrestlers for each year:

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1991[5] Hulk Hogan Lex Luger Ric Flair Randy Savage Sting Scott Steiner Ricky Steamboat Steve Williams Arn Anderson Rick Steiner
1992[6] Sting Randy Savage Rick Rude Bret Hart Ricky Steamboat Jerry Lawler Scott Steiner The Ultimate Warrior Steve Austin
1993[7] Bret Hart Big Van Vader Shawn Michaels Sting Yokozuna Ric Flair Lex Luger Rick Rude Mr. Perfect Scott Steiner
1994[8] Hulk Hogan Ric Flair Big Van Vader Shawn Michaels Steve Austin Razor Ramon Sting Ricky Steamboat Owen Hart
1995[9] Diesel Shawn Michaels Sting Bret Hart Sabu Hulk Hogan Big Van Vader Randy Savage Razor Ramon Mitsuharu Misawa
1996[10] Shawn Michaels The Giant Kenta Kobashi Ahmed Johnson Kevin Nash Rey Mysterio Hulk Hogan Sabu Ric Flair
1997[11] Dean Malenko Mitsuharu Misawa Steve Austin Diamond Dallas Page Lex Luger The Undertaker Shinya Hashimoto The Giant Jushin Liger Chris Benoit
1998[12] Steve Austin Bill Goldberg Mitsuharu Misawa The Undertaker Kenta Kobashi Booker T Ken Shamrock Chris Jericho
1999[13] Rob Van Dam Rey Mysterio, Jr. The Rock Diamond Dallas Page Keiji Mutoh The Undertaker Goldberg Taz
2000[14] Triple H The Rock Chris Benoit Kenta Kobashi Jeff Jarrett Justin Credible Mike Awesome Jushin Liger Chris Jericho Kensuke Sasaki
2001[15] Kurt Angle Steve Austin Keiji Mutoh Booker T Triple H Scott Steiner Kane Rhyno
2002[16] Rob Van Dam The Undertaker Keiji Mutoh Chris Jericho Eddie Guerrero Kurt Angle Edge Yuji Nagata The Rock Triple H
2003[17] Brock Lesnar Triple H Kurt Angle Keiji Mutoh Chris Jericho The Big Show Booker T Kenta Kobashi Eddie Guerrero Rob Van Dam
2004[18] Chris Benoit Eddie Guerrero Triple H Kenta Kobashi Randy Orton Toshiaki Kawada John Cena A.J. Styles Shawn Michaels Chris Jericho
2005[19] Batista John Cena Randy Orton Triple H JBL Kurt Angle A.J. Styles Edge Shelton Benjamin Hiroyoshi Tenzan
2006[20]

John Cena

 Kurt Angle Edge Samoa Joe Mistico Rey Mysterio Brock Lesnar Kenta Kobashi Shawn Michaels Jeff Jarrett
2007[21] Edge Mistico Kurt Angle The Undertaker Shawn Michaels Christian Cage Perro Aguayo, Jr. Bobby Lashley Takeshi Morishima
2008[22] Randy Orton Kurt Angle Triple H Samoa Joe Edge The Undertaker Shawn Michaels Chris Jericho John Cena Shinsuke Nakamura
2009[23] Triple H Chris Jericho John Cena Edge Randy Orton Nigel McGuinness Hiroshi Tanahashi CM Punk Sting Último Guerrero
2010[24] A.J. Styles John Cena CM Punk Randy Orton Chris Jericho Batista Shinsuke Nakamura The Undertaker Kurt Angle Sheamus
2011[25] The Miz Randy Orton John Cena Kane Takashi Sugiura Alberto Del Rio Mr. Anderson Rey Mysterio Eddie Edwards CM Punk
2012[26] CM Punk Bobby Roode Daniel Bryan Sheamus Jun Akiyama Davey Richards Kurt Angle Mark Henry Alberto Del Rio
2013[27] John Cena CM Punk Hiroshi Tanahashi Bully Ray Kazuchika Okada Sheamus Jeff Hardy Alberto Del Rio Dolph Ziggler Kevin Steen

PWI Top 50 Females

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2008[28] Awesome Kong Beth Phoenix Gail Kim Mickie James MsChif Sara Del Rey Roxxi Laveaux Melina Michelle McCool Candice Michelle
2009[29] Mickie James Angelina Love Melina MsChif Tara Awesome Kong Beth Phoenix Michelle McCool Maryse Taylor Wilde
2010[30] Michelle McCool Mercedes Martinez Cheerleader Melissa Eve Torres Madison Rayne Mickie James MsChif Maryse
2011[31] Madison Eagles Mercedes Martinez Mickie James Natalya Madison Rayne Cheerleader Melissa Tara Sara Del Rey
2012[32] Gail Kim Beth Phoenix Cheerleader Melissa Sara Del Rey Jessicka Havok Layla Miss Tessmacher Saraya Knight Mercedes Martinez Tara
2013[33] Cheerleader Melissa Mickie James Saraya Knight Jessicka Havok Kaitlyn Gail Kim Kacee Carlisle Tara AJ Lee Mercedes Martinez

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.thebignewsday.com/images/wrestling/wwe/the-miz-tops-pwi-500.jpg| Ownership change back to Kappa Publishing. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  2. ↑ "The New PWI". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Retrieved 2012-08-16. 
  3. ↑ http://prowrestlingillustrated.blogspot.com.es/2011/08/pwi-500-1-100.html
  4. ↑ "Wrestlers with Most PWI 500 entries". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-03-29. 
  5. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1991". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  6. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1992". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  7. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1993". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  8. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1994". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  9. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1995". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  10. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1996". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  11. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1997". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  12. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1998". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  13. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1999". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  14. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2000". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  15. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2001". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  16. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2002". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  17. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2003". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  18. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2004". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  19. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2005". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  20. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2006". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  21. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2007". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  22. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2008". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  23. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2009". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  24. ↑ ""PWI 500": 1–100". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2010-07-30. Retrieved 2010-09-09. 
  25. ↑ ""PWI 500": 1–100". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2011-08-09. 
  26. ↑ Pro Wrestling Illustrated 33 (7): 12–27. 2012. ISSN 1043-7576. 
  27. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2013". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2013-08-22. 
  28. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2008". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  29. ↑ "PWI Female 50 2009 Revealed". Diva Dirt. September 10, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2013. 
  30. ↑ "First Look: PWI Female 50 2010 Revealed". Diva Dirt. 2010-09-09. Retrieved 2010-07-25. 
  31. ↑ "PWI Female 50 2011 Revealed". Diva Dirt. 2011-09-09. Retrieved 2011-09-10. 
  32. ↑ "2012 PWI Female 50 Revealed". Diva Dirt. 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2012-10-18. 
  33. ↑ "2013 PWI Female 50 list revealed". Ringbelles. Retrieved October 25, 2013. 
  • 2005 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts.

External links

PWI awards
Current awards
  • Wrestler of the Year
  • Tag Team of the Year
  • Match of the Year
  • Feud of the Year
  • Most Popular Wrestler
  • Most Hated Wrestler
  • Most Improved Wrestler
  • Most Inspirational Wrestler
  • Rookie of the Year
  • Stanley Weston Award
  • Comeback of the Year
  • Woman of the Year
Discontinued awards
  • Manager of the Year
  • Girl Wrestler of the Year
  • Midget Wrestler of the Year
  • Announcer of the Year
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