Pro Wrestling Illustrated

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

Daniel Bryan on the March 2014 cover
Publisher Stu Saks
Frequency Monthly
Publisher Kappa Publishing Group
Country United States
Language English
Website www.pwi-online.com
ISSN 1043-7576

Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) is an American produced, internationally sold professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1972. PWI is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The magazine is the longest currently published English language wrestling magazine. The PWI publishes monthly issues and annual special issues such as their "Almanac and Book of Facts".

The PWI is often referred to as an "Apter Mag", named after its long time publisher Bill Apter, a term used for wrestling magazines that keep kayfabe, the illusion that professional wrestling is a competitive sport and not scripted entertainment. In recent years, the PWI has moved away from reporting on storylines as actual news and mixed in editorial comments on the behind the scenes workings. Each year, the company publishes year end events as well as their "Top 500 Wrestlers" as well as "Top 50 Female wrestlers" lists.

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.

PWI world championship status

The following shows which championships have been recognized by the magazine's editors as world titles.[1][2] According to the latest PWI Almanac, PWI also recognizes select world title reigns from May 4, 1905 – January 28, 1946, prior to the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in July 1948. As of August 21, 2016, only the WWE and WWE Universal Championships are recognized as world titles.

Championships Dates
NWA World Heavyweight Championship July 14, 1948 – January 11, 1991;
May 8, 2006 – May 13, 2007
AWA World Heavyweight Championship August 16, 1960 – December 12, 1990
WWE Championship April 25, 1963 – present
WCW World Heavyweight Championship January 11, 1991 – March 26, 2001
ECW World Heavyweight Championship July 6, 1999 – April 11, 2001
World Heavyweight Championship September 2, 2002 – December 16, 2013
TNA World Heavyweight Championship May 13, 2007 – June 29, 2015[3]
WWE Universal Championship August 21, 2016 – 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. 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 criterion that includes win-loss record, championships won, quality of competition, major feuds, prominence within a wrestler's individual promotion(s), and overall wrestling ability.[4] As of 2016, only Jushin Thunder Liger has appeared in every edition of the PWI 500.[5] In 1993, Miss Texas (Jacqueline Moore) was the first woman to be ranked in the list; she was No. 249. Here are the top ten ranked wrestlers for each year:

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1991[6] Hulk Hogan Lex Luger Ric Flair Randy Savage Sting Scott Steiner Ricky Steamboat Steve Williams Arn Anderson Rick Steiner
1992[7] Sting Randy Savage Rick Rude Bret Hart Ricky Steamboat Jerry Lawler Scott Steiner The Ultimate Warrior Stunning Steve Austin
1993[8] Bret Hart Big Van Vader Shawn Michaels Sting Yokozuna Ric Flair Lex Luger Rick Rude Mr. Perfect Scott Steiner
1994[9] Hulk Hogan Ric Flair Big Van Vader Shawn Michaels Stunning Steve Austin Razor Ramon Sting Ricky Steamboat Owen Hart
1995[10] Diesel Shawn Michaels Sting Bret Hart Sabu Hulk Hogan Big Van Vader Randy Savage Razor Ramon Mitsuharu Misawa
1996[11] Shawn Michaels The Giant Kenta Kobashi Ahmed Johnson Kevin Nash Rey Misterio, Jr. Hulk Hogan Sabu Ric Flair
1997[12] Dean Malenko Mitsuharu Misawa Stone Cold Steve Austin Diamond Dallas Page Lex Luger The Undertaker Shinya Hashimoto The Giant Jushin Thunder Liger Chris Benoit
1998[13] Stone Cold Steve Austin Goldberg Mitsuharu Misawa The Undertaker Kenta Kobashi Booker T Ken Shamrock Chris Jericho
1999[14] Rob Van Dam Rey Misterio, Jr. The Rock Diamond Dallas Page Keiji Mutoh The Undertaker Goldberg Taz
2000[15] Triple H The Rock Chris Benoit Kenta Kobashi Jeff Jarrett Justin Credible Mike Awesome Jushin Thunder Liger Chris Jericho Kensuke Sasaki
2001[16] Kurt Angle Stone Cold Steve Austin Keiji Mutoh Booker T Triple H Scott Steiner Mitsuharu Misawa Rhyno
2002[17] Rob Van Dam The Undertaker Keiji Mutoh Chris Jericho Eddie Guerrero Kurt Angle Edge Yuji Nagata The Rock Triple H
2003[18] Brock Lesnar Triple H Kurt Angle Keiji Mutoh Chris Jericho Big Show Booker T Kenta Kobashi Eddie Guerrero Rob Van Dam
2004[19] Chris Benoit Eddie Guerrero Triple H Kenta Kobashi Randy Orton Toshiaki Kawada John Cena A.J. Styles Shawn Michaels Chris Jericho
2005[20] Batista John Cena Satoshi Kojima Triple H John Bradshaw Layfield Kurt Angle A.J. Styles Edge Shelton Benjamin Hiroyoshi Tenzan
2006[21] John Cena Kurt Angle Edge Samoa Joe Místico Rey Mysterio Brock Lesnar Kenta Kobashi Shawn Michaels Jeff Jarrett
2007[22] Edge Místico Kurt Angle The Undertaker Shawn Michaels Christian Cage Perro Aguayo, Jr. Bobby Lashley Takeshi Morishima
2008[23] Randy Orton Kurt Angle Triple H Samoa Joe Edge The Undertaker Shawn Michaels Nigel McGuinness John Cena Shinsuke Nakamura
2009[24] Triple H Chris Jericho John Cena Edge Randy Orton Nigel McGuinness Hiroshi Tanahashi CM Punk Sting Último Guerrero
2010[25] A.J. Styles John Cena CM Punk Randy Orton Chris Jericho Batista Shinsuke Nakamura The Undertaker Kurt Angle Sheamus
2011[26] The Miz Randy Orton John Cena Kane Takashi Sugiura Alberto Del Rio Mr. Anderson Rey Mysterio Eddie Edwards CM Punk
2012[27] CM Punk Bobby Roode Daniel Bryan Sheamus Jun Akiyama Davey Richards Kurt Angle Mark Henry Alberto Del Rio
2013[28] John Cena CM Punk Hiroshi Tanahashi Bully Ray Kazuchika Okada Sheamus Jeff Hardy Alberto Del Rio Dolph Ziggler Kevin Steen
2014[29] Daniel Bryan Randy Orton John Cena A.J. Styles Bray Wyatt Roman Reigns Magnus Adam Cole Bully Ray
2015[30] Seth Rollins John Cena A.J. Styles Roman Reigns Shinsuke Nakamura Randy Orton Jay Briscoe Rusev Alberto El Patrón Kevin Owens
2016[31] Roman Reigns Kazuchika Okada Finn Bálor A.J. Styles Jay Lethal Kevin Owens Shinsuke Nakamura Seth Rollins Dean Ambrose John Cena

PWI Female 50

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2008[32] Awesome Kong Beth Phoenix Gail Kim Mickie James MsChif Sara Del Rey Roxxi Laveaux Melina Michelle McCool Candice Michelle
2009[33] Mickie James Angelina Love Melina MsChif Tara Awesome Kong Beth Phoenix Michelle McCool Maryse Taylor Wilde
2010[34] Michelle McCool Mercedes Martinez Cheerleader Melissa Eve Torres Madison Rayne Mickie James MsChif Maryse
2011[35] Madison Eagles Mercedes Martinez Mickie James Natalya Madison Rayne Cheerleader Melissa Tara Sara Del Rey
2012[36] Gail Kim Beth Phoenix Cheerleader Melissa Sara Del Rey Jessicka Havok Layla Miss Tessmacher Saraya Knight Mercedes Martinez Tara
2013[37] Cheerleader Melissa Mickie James Saraya Knight Jessicka Havok Kaitlyn Gail Kim Kacee Carlisle Tara AJ Lee Mercedes Martinez
2014[38] Paige AJ Lee Gail Kim Cheerleader Melissa LuFisto Angelina Love Ivelisse Velez Courtney Rush Natalya Charlotte
2015[39] Nikki Bella Paige Sasha Banks Santana Garrett Gail Kim Charlotte Naomi Cherry Bomb Courtney Rush Taryn Terrell
2016[40] Charlotte Sasha Banks Asuka Becky Lynch Bayley Jade Natalya Gail Kim Sexy Star Sienna

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The New PWI". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  2. ↑ "PWI Will No Longer Recognize TNA World Heavyweight Championship". wrestlingnewsworld.com. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  3. ↑ "PWI Online". wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  4. ↑ "PWI 500: 1–100". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. August 9, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Wrestlers with Most PWI 500 entries". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1991". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1992". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1993". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1994". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1995". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1996". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1997". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1998". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1999". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2000". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2001". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2002". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2003". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2004". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2005". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2006". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2007". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2008". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2009". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2010". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2011". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2012". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2013". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2014". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2015". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2008". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2009". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2010". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2011". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2012". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2013". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2014". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2015". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2016". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
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