The PWI 500 list is out, with Roman Reigns ranking first in this year’s edition. The Tribal Chief was followed by Kazuchika Okada, CM Punk and Hangman Adam Page while Bobby Lashley rounded off the top 5. As is the case every year, social media will be abuzz with fierce debates regarding the positioning of talent.
For those unaware, PWI follows a unique criteria to rank wrestlers based on their in-ring achevements (win-loss records, title reigns etc), influence on the promotion and industry, technical ability in the ring and opponent competitiveness. Their evaluation period was from July 1 2021 to June 30, 2022 so anything beyond that date will be reflected in next year’s edition.
Reigns has continued to dominate WWE with his historic run as a champion. The Tribal Chief unified both world titles in a lacklustre WrestleMania main event against Brock Lesnar and looks set to carry the title as champion until next year’s Showcase of the Immortals.
That is not to say others didn’t enjoy sensational years. CM Punk won his first world title in nearly a decade in May at Double or Nothing while Hangman Adam Page main evented multiple pay-per-views as world champion. Bobby Lashley was WWE Champion till September, helping his case for making it to the top 5. The following five, in order, are Cody Rhodes, Bryan Danielson, El Hijo del Vikingo, Big E and Jonathan Gresham.
The top 20 of the list is as follows:
1: Roman Reigns
2: Kazuchika Okada
3: CM Punk
4: Hangman Adam Page
5: Bobby Lashley
6: Cody Rhodes
7: Bryan Danielson
8: El Hijo del Vikingo
9: Big E
10: Jonathan Gresham
11: Shingo Takagi
12: Jon Moxley
13: Matt Cardona
14: Josh Alexander
15: Hiroshi Tanahashi
16: MJF
17: Seth Rollins
18: Adam Cole
19: Kenny Omega
20: Drew McIntyre
