HeelByNature.com is reader-supported. When you click on links or make purchases through our site, we or our affiliated partners may earn a commission. Additionally, our site features Sponsored Content, which helps us maintain and operate the website.
WWE Universal Champion Named #1 In This Year’s Edition
Pro Wrestling Illustrated published its 29th annual PWI 500 list for 2019, ranking the top 500 male wrestlers in the world.
Seth Rollins had the honor of ranking #1 in this year’s edition, with 6 of the top 10 being employed by WWE.
Seth Rollins released the following statement to PWI – “As difficult as it can be, this is all I ever wanted—to be in this position, to be having this conversation with you—talking about being the absolute best wrestler on the entire planet. I don’t think there is a single part of me that would trade any second of it.”
WWE.com covered this year’s issue congratulating Rollins on his achievement.
The criteria for the “PWI 500” (in order of importance) are as follows:
- Win-loss record
- Technical ability
- Influence on the sport
- Success against the highest grade of competition
- Success against the most diverse competition
- Activity
No. 1 in the 29th annual @OfficialPWI #PWI500 is WWE Universal champ @WWERollins! Download the issue right now or pre-order the print edition at https://t.co/ylNeV87zar! pic.twitter.com/m238dDD5br
— PWI (@OfficialPWI) August 29, 2019
Top 100 2019 Pro Wrestling Illustrated
1. Seth Rollins
2. Daniel Bryan
3. AJ Styles
4. Kofi Kingston
5. Kazuchika Okada
6. Johnny Gargano
7. Roman Reigns
8. Kenny Omega
9. Hiroshi Tanahashi
10. Will Ospreay
11. Samoa Joe
12. Jay White
13. Tommaso Ciarpa
14. WALTER
15. Cody Rhodes
16. Jay Lethal
17. Kota Ibushi
18. Adam Cole
19. Finn Balor
20. Jon Moxley
21. Ricochet
22. Fenix
23. Jeff Cobb
24. Kento Miyahara
25. Tetsyta Naito
26. Velveteen Dream
27. Braun Strowman
28. Pentagon Jr.
29. Johnny Impact
30. Bobby Lashley
31. Shinsuke Nakamura
32. Juice Robinson
33. Buddy Murphy
34. Aleister Black
35. The Miz
36. Drew McIntyre
37. Matt Taven
38. Randy Orton
39. Baron Corbin
40. Kevin Owens
41. Nick Aldis
42. Sanada
43. Zack Sabre Jr.
44. Adam Page
45. Tony Nese
46. Dolph Ziggler
47. Minoru Suzuki
48. Brian Cage
49. Rusev
50. Hirooki Goto
51. Robert Roode
52. Marty Scurll
53. Rey Mysterio Jr.
54. Pete Dunne
55. Ali
56. R-Truth
57. Dragon Lee
58. Jordan Devlin
59. Cedric Alexander
60. Jeff Hardy
61. EVIL
62. Jey Uso
63. Jimmy Uso
64. Kaito Kiyomiya
65. Low Ki
66. PAC
67. Shingo Takagi
68. Andrade
69. Matt Riddle
70. Sami Zayn
71. PCO
72. Big E
73. Tomohiro Ishii
74. Cesaro
75. Matt Jackson
76. Nick Jackson
77. Kushida
78. Naomichi Marufuji
79. Brody King
80. Austin Theory
81. Bandido
82. Roderick Strong
83. Chad Gable
84. Kyle O’Reilly
85. Sheamus
86. Xavier Woods
87. Drew Gulak
88. Rich Swann
89. Taichi
90. Suwama
91. Zeus
92. Rowan
93. Bobby Fish
94. Tama Tonga
95. Eddie Edwards
96. Minoru Tanaka
97. Tanga Loa
98. Dash Wilder
99. David Starr
100. Zack Ryder
If you wish to read the full list in the 2019 PWI 500 you can subscribe to PWI’s 500 digital magazine, or pick up a copy on newsstands.