Pro Wrestling Illustrated has once again released its annual list of the top 500 professional wrestlers, known as the PWI 500, a tradition that began in 1991. This highly anticipated list sparks endless debates among fans about the rankings and selections. As expected, the 2024 edition has garnered significant attention, especially around the Top 10 wrestlers.
This year’s Top 10 for the 2024 PWI 500 includes Cody Rhodes in the #1 spot, followed by AEW stars Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay in second and third place, respectively. We’re certain that fans will argue forever about the order of these three.
WWE’s Seth Rollins takes the #4 spot, while NJPW’s Tetsuya Naito comes in at #5 and Damian Priest at #6. MJF, another AEW representative, holds the #7 position, with Jon Moxley following closely at #8. WWE’s Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER ranks at #9, and Mistico rounds out the Top 10 at #10.
The blend of talent from AEW, WWE, and other promotions has fans buzzing about the selections. Cody Rhodes’ rise to #1 cements his dominant position in the industry, while the strong showing from AEW with Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay sparks conversation. The rankings of MJF and Jon Moxley are also sure to be hotly debated, as well as the WWE stars like Seth Rollins and GUNTHER.
This list is determined by a number of factors, but it remains to be seen how the public will respond this year. The rankings are based on a set of criteria that includes a wrestler’s win–loss record, championships earned, quality of competition, major feuds, prominence within their promotion(s), and overall wrestling skill.
As fans continue to discuss the 2024 PWI 500, anticipation builds for PWI’s upcoming Top 100 women’s list later this year, which is sure to add even more to the ongoing conversations about the best talent in professional wrestling.
What do you think of this year’s PWI list? Do you think they missed someone or got it all wrong? Let us know what you think in the comments section!