INDEPENDENT
PWI 500 Top 10 Best Wrestlers of 2018 Revealed
Since 1991, Pro Wrestling Illustrated has released a “PWI 500” list. This list is created to name the top 500 wrestlers from around the world for the respective year. PWI has releases a list once a year. This list is portrayed in a “kayfabe” style, meaning a person’s in-ring wrestling persona is ranked. As reported first by Cultaholic, this years PWI 500 Top 10 has been revealed.
PWI 500 Top 10
10: The Miz
The Miz ranked number ten last year as well in the PWI 500 Top 10. Lately, with his feud with Daniel Bryan, The Miz has been one of the better parts of SmackDown Live. His ability to cut a promo better than anyone else has made him a staple of WWE in recent years. At the forefront of WWE’s talent, The Miz is looking like the man who will dethrone AJ Styles for the WWE championship.
9: Tetsuya Naito
For those unfamiliar with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Naito is one of the most charismatic and skilled performers in Japan. He was NJPW Intercontinental champion earlier this year, but lost the belt to Chris Jericho. Naito had a Wrestle Kingdom 12 main event against Kazuchika Okada but lost. He has since picked up his momentum again and has put on some spectacular matches this year.
8: Cody
Cody was number thirty-three last year in the PWI 500. The main reason he is on this list is because he is the mastermind behind “All In.” All In is the biggest independent show put together in history. It is mainly funded by Cody himself, along with Nick and Matt Jackson. Cody was ROH World champion late last year. At All In, Cody will face Nick Aldis for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight championship.
7: Roman Reigns
Despite the fan hate and losing a few spots from last year’s ranking, you can’t argue Roman’s success in recent months. He main evented WrestleMania 34; He had an entertaining match at Greatest Royal Rumble; and most importantly, he is the current Universal champion. His in-ring skill is often overlooked. Which is a shame, because he really is one of the better performers in WWE.
6: Braun Strowman
The biggest difference between last year’s list and this year. Braun Strowman was number thirty-four last year, and is now sixth in the PWI 500 Top 10. He is the current Money in the Bank briefcase holder. He also won the inaugural Greatest Royal Rumble. His recent unstoppable tour of destruction grants him a spot in the top 10.
5: Seth Rollins
Rollins hasn’t won a top tier title since 2015, but he has stayed consistent with his in-ring capabilities. Even though he hasn’t held a world title in almost three years, Rollins has stayed in the upper mid-card/main event scene ever since. He is, without argument, one of the best in-ring performers in the world.
4: Brock Lesnar
The fact that Lesnar has made less than twenty appearances in WWE this year, and still manages to make it this high on the list, shows how great he really is. He is often seen as the “final boss” of WWE; Every Superstar tries to build up enough momentum to overthrow the “Beast Incarnate,” only to fail miserably. For most of 2018 (and 2017) Lesnar was Universal champion, but lost to Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.
3: Kazuchika Okada
Many fans thought Okada would top the PWI 500 Top 10 again this year, but he has fallen just short. Okada is coming off the end of a legendary run with the IWGP Heavyweight championship before losing it to Kenny Omega at Dominion. He has put on several “match of the year” candidates with some of the best wrestlers from around the world. Kazuchika Okada is deservingly part of the elite group of competitors from around the world.
2: AJ Styles
This is Styles’ second year in a row as runner up. He is the current WWE champion; One of the longest reigns in SmackDown history. Styles is wonderful to watch in the ring. He is known to put on awe inspiring matches with just about anyone. AJ rightfully deserves this spot among the best in the world (not like CM Punk… never like CM Punk).
1: Kenny Omega
Currently IWGP’s Heavyweight champion, Kenny Omega takes the top spot in the PWI 500 Top 10. This man brings a level of realism to a sport that is often criticized for being “too fake.” Omega can make any move look utterly devastating. He has made Dave Meltzer lose his mind and break his “5 Star” scale and be awarded a 5 1/2 stars and a 6 star match this year. The former front man for the infamous Bullet Club has proven, in-ring and out, that he rightfully deserves the number one spot in the world.
