The Official PWI 500 List for 2006, With a not so surprising No.1 Options

[BorneAgain]

1 John Cena
2 Kurt Angle
3 Edge
4 Samoa Joe
5 Mistico
6 Rey Mysterio Jr.
7 Brock Lesnar
8 Kenta Kobashi
9 Shawn Michaels
10 Jeff Jarrett
11 Taiyo Kea
12 Christian Cage
13 AJ Styles
14 Satoshi Kojima
15 Christopher Daniels
16 Bryan Danielson
17 Perro Aguayo Jr.
18 Rob Van Dam
19 King Booker
20 Jun Akiyama
21 Triple H
22 Ultimo Guerrero
23 Batista
24 Ric Flair
25 Kensuke Sasaki
26 Sting
27 Carlito
28 Dr. Wagner Jr.
29 Chris Benoit
30 Randy Orton
31 Tiger Mask IV
32 El Hijo Del Santo
33 Hiroyoshi Tenzan
34 Atlantis
35 CM Punk
36 KENTA
37 Shelton Benjamin
38 Abyss
39 Rey Bucanero
40 Jushin Liger
41 Mark Henry
42 Rhino
43 Hiroshi Tanahashi
44 Big Show
45 Dos Caras Jr
46 Chris Harris
47 Nigel McGuinness
48 Averno
49 Katsuhiko Nakajima
50 Kane
51 Bobby Lashley
52 Keiji Muto
53 James Storm
54 Mephisto
55 Kaz Hayashi
56 CIMA
57 Naomichi Marufuji
58 Black Warrior
59 Undertaker
60 Takeshi Rikio
61 Austin Aries
62 Hector Garza
63 Roderick Strong
64 John Bradshaw Layfield
65 Tarzan Boy
66 Masa Chono
67 Colt Cabana
68 Genichiro Tenryu
69 Doug Williams
70 Shocker
71 Milano Collection A.T.
72 Johnny Nitro
73 Brother Devon
74 Tokyo Magnum
75 L.A. Park
76 Brother Ray
77 Minoru Suzuki
78 Olimpico
79 Ikuto Jidaka
80 Brent Albright
81 Minoru Fujita
82 Negro Casas
83 Toshiaki Kawada
84 Mr. Aguila
85 Takeshi Morishima
86 Petey Williams
87 Paul London
88 Mitsuharu Misawa
89 Halloween
90 Matt Hardy
91 Akira Taue
92 Sabu
93 Damian 666
94 Monty Brown
95 Ultimo Dragon
96 Maximo
97 Takashi Sugiura
98 Umaga
99 Adam Pearce
100 Masato Tanaka
101 Matt Sydal
102 Kip James
103 Texano Jr.
104 Genki Horiguchi
105 B.G. James
106 Dragon Kid
107 Chris Sabin
108 Shinjiro Otani
109 Cibernetico
110 Minoru Tanaka
111 Finlay
112 Yuji Nagata
113 Jack Evans
114 Universo 2000
115 Akebono
116 Elix Skipper
117 Yoshihiro Tajiri
118 Seth Skyfire
119 Super Crazy
120 Yoshinobu Kanemaru
121 Gedo
122 D-Lo Brown
123 William Regal
124 La Parka
125 Taka Michinoku
126 Kenny Doane
127 Chris Hero
128 Vampiro
129 Razor Ramon H.G.
130 Shinsuki Nakamura
131 Giant Bernard
132 Ron Killings
133 La Mascara
134 Nicky Nemeth
135 Chet The Jet
136 Chase Stevens
137 Oriental
138 Charlie Haas
139 Juventud Guerrera
140 Mike Knox
141 Mikey Mondo
142 Senshi/Low-Ki
143 Andy Douglas
144 The Great Khali
145 Davey Richards
146 Koji Kanemoto
147 Johnny Jeter
148 Brian Kendrick
149 Sangre Azteca
150 The Sandman
151 Scott Steiner
152 Zorro
153 Gregory Helms
154 Manabu Nakanishi
155 Nunzio
156 Felino
157 Dr. X
158 Viscera
159 Homicide
160 Jado
161 Elijah Burke
162 Psicosis
163 C.W. Anderson
164 Eugene
165 Bobby Roode
166 Matt Striker
167 Aaron Stevens
168 Robbie McAllister
169 Konnan
170 Jay Lethal
171 Justin Credible
172 Eric Young
173 Nitro
174 Mike Mizanin
175 Tommy Dreamer
176 Rory McAllister
177 Jody Fleisch
178 Tony Mamaluke
179 Sonjay Dutt
180 Heavy Metal
181 Black Tiger IV/Rocky Romero
182 Orlando Jordan
183 Val Venis
184 Al Snow
185 Kikutaro
186 Charly Manson
187 Chavo Guerrero Jr.
188 Taiji Ishimori
189 Misterioso II
190 Kenzo Suzuki
191 Trevor Murdoch
192 Volador Jr.
193 Ares
194 Tatsuhito Takaiwa
195 Scorpio
196 Jinsei Shinzaki
197 Rob Conway
198 Ryo Saito
199 El Terrible
200 Osamu Nishimura
201 Nick Mitchell
202 Balls Mahoney
203 Blue Panther
204 Ken Kennedy
205 Bull Buchanan
206 Don Fuji
207 Joey Mercury
208 Dick Togo
209 Hooligan
210 Mikami
211 Claudio Castagnoli
212 Lizmark Jr.
213 Super Dragon
214 Silver King
215 Jonny Storm
216 Gene Snitsky
217 Kohei Suwama
218 B.J. Whitmer
219 Chris Masters
220 Mr. Niebla
221 Brother Runt
222 Kohei Sato
223 Vito
224 El Canek
225 Shark Boy
226 Electro Shock
227 Sal Rinauro
228 Kid Kash
229 Brazo De Plata
230 Ricky Marvin
231 Jamie Noble
232 Takao Omori
233 Raven
234 Roadkill
235 Lance Cade
236 Antifaz Del Norte
237 Kudo
238 El Dandy
239 El Samurai
240 Mascara Sagrada
241 Masao Inoue
242 Gordon XXX
243 Hirooki Goto
244 Virus
245 Mohammed Yone
246 Jimmy Yang
247 Paul Birchall
248 Alex Shelley
249 Tamon Honda
250 Super Delfin
251 Stevie Richards
252 Sho Funaki
253 Test
254 Naruki Doi
255 Ricky Reyes
256 El Sagrado
257 Takuma Sano
258 Tatanka
259 The Boogieman
260 Masaaki Mochizuki
261 Jimmy Jacobs
262 David Young
263 Romeo Roselli
264 Steve Corino
265 Arik Cannon
266 Mick Foley
267 Yutaka Yoshie
268 Danny Doring
269 Arkangel De La Muerte
270 Masato Yoshino
271 Kevin Nash
272 NOSAWA
273 Chad Collyer
274 Tiger Mask I
275 Harry Smith
276 Lance Hoyt
277 Mazada
278 A-1
279 Ace Steel
280 Hombre Sin Nombre
281 Scotty 2 Hotty
282 Yoshinara Ogawa
283 Chris Cage
284 Machete
285 Johnny Parisi
286 Ryouji Sai
287 Tank Toland
288 Joey Ryan
289 Mike Quackenbush
290 Chad Toland
291 Ruckus
292 Great Sasuke
293 Shad Gaspar
294 El Generico
295 Delirious
296 Matt Bentley
297 Akira
298 Simon Diamond
299 Necro Butcher
300 El Angel
301 Jake Gymini
302 Sterling James Keenan
303 Tony Kozina
304 M-Dogg 20
305 Arch Kincaid
306 Miyawaki
307 Alebrije
308 Jesse Gymini
309 Kevin Matthews
310 Derrick Neikirk
311 Antonio Thomas
312 Sylvan Grenier
313 Eddie Colon
314 Tyson Dux
315 Octagon
316 Cody Hawk
317 Hallowicked
318 Toru Owashi
319 Jimmy Rave
320 Tony Santareli
321 Milanito Collection A.T.
322 Simon Dean
323 Mike Taylor
324 Scott Lost
325 Intocable
326 Shinjitsu Nohashi
327 Mark Briscoe
328 Chris Bosh
329 Shane Storm
330 Jay Briscoe
331 Alan Stone
332 Johnny Devine
333 Lash LeRoux
334 Excalibur
335 Ryan Reeves
336 Larry Sweeney
337 Fuerza Guerrera
338 Suwa
339 Dice Domino
340 B-Boy
341 Fergal Devitt
342 Kevin Steen
343 Shannon Moore
344 Human Tornado
345 Zumbido
346 Julio Deniro
347 Puma/TJ Perkins
348 Prince Nana
349 Ray Gordy
350 Jigsaw
351 Mr. Mexico
352 Shuji Kondo
353 Cassidy Riley
354 Bradley Jay
355 Tigre Blanco
356 Katsushi Takemura
357 Icarus
358 Mac Daddy Johnson
359 Emil Sitochi
360 Tony Rivera
361 Naofumi Yamamoto
362 Gran Akuma
363 Tigre Metalico
364 Scorpio Sky
365 Spud
366 Gran Hamada
367 Niles Young
368 Antonio Banks
369 Kennichiro Arai
370 Steve Douglas
371 Joker
372 Men’s Teioh
373 Quicksilver
374 Josh Daniels
375 Eddie Kingston
376 Blue Demon Jr.
377 Jack Crist
378 Mikey Batts
379 Sonny Siaki
380 Amigo Suzuki
381 Rene Dupree
382 Abismo Negro
383 David Crist
384 Jack Bull
385 Skayde
386 Eric Perez
387 Maxime Boyer
388 Chessman
389 Freakin’ Deacon
390 Turbo
391 Danny Gimondo
392 Sabian
393 Shane Matthews
394 Pantera
395 Shigeo Okumura
396 Deuce Shade
397 Jagged
398 Matt Styker
399 Derek Frazier
400 Ryuji Ito
401 Vries Kastelein
402 Sexxxy Eddie
403 Yoshiaki Yago
404 Danny Daniels
405 Nick Gage
406 Scorpio Jr.
407 Travis Tomko
408 Tasutoshi Goto
409 Tracey Smothers
410 Matt Morgan
411 Norman Smiley
412 Frankie Kazarian
413 Billy Maverick
414 Andre Lyonz
415 Justice Pain
416 Trent Acid
417 Extreme Tiger
418 Adam Flash
419 John McChesney
420 Bryan Logan
421 Teddy Hart
422 Conrad Kennedy III
423 Ric Converse
424 Dos Caras
425 Bolen
426 Riki Choshu
427 Equinox
428 Chaz
429 Tengkwa
430 Nick Berk
431 Rodney Mack
432 Darren Burridge
433 Black Thunder
434 Crossbones
435 Francisco Ciatso
436 Josh Abercrombie
437 Joey Knight
438 Freak Nasty
439 Darin Corbin
440 Xavier
441 Crazy Boy
442 Kahagas
443 Ryan Cruz
444 Troy Lords
445 Andrew Dalton
446 Eric Everlast
447 Jon Moxley
448 Andy Boy Simmonz
449 Lance Steel
450 Chasyn Rance
451 Shirley Doe
452 Bruiser
453 Robin Knightwing
454 Frank Parker
455 Nate Mattson
456 Mike Kruel
457 Quinn Magnum
458 Sinn
459 Mickey Gambino
460 Jarrelle Clark
461 The Stro
462 Marshall Gambino
463 Pepper Parks
464 Cheech
465 Stronko
466 Jason Static
467 Preston Quinn
468 Glenn Spectre
469 Tony Givens
470 Darin Childs
471 Beau James
472 Don Paysan
473 Roughhouse O’Reilly
474 Dennis Gregory
475 Brian Ash
476 Cloudy
477 Billy Bart
478 G.Q. Gallo
479 Vito Thomaselli
480 Shawn Cook
481 Mikal Adryan
482 Don Basher
483 Sal Thomaselli
484 Boomer Payne
485 Johnny Graham
486 Matt Riviera
487 Larry Huntley
488 Seth Shai
489 Kevin Knight
490 Horrowshow
491 Masacara Purpura
492 Brian Christopher
493 Wataru Inoue
494 Kamikaze Kid
495 Robert Anthony
496 Shawn Christopher
497 Phil Davis
498 Eddie Edwards
499 Sean Davis
500 Mike Paige

[Open the Muggy G...]

Milano is at 321 and 71. The fuck?

[BorneAgain]

Milano is at 321 and 71. The fuck?

Its likely an error from the original source, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla website. I'd have to see the issue to correct it.

[Youth N Asia]

The PWI 500 is the laziest list ever put together. Seems like every year tag teams are listed within 10 of each other. They randomly place someone sonewhere then remember to add the guy they're teaming with

479 Vito Thomaselli
483 Sal Thomaselli

228 Kid Kash
231 Jamie Noble

73 Brother Devon
76 Brother Ray

61 Austin Aries
63 Roderick Strong

46 Chris Harris
53 James Storm

And this year they weren't as bad about it as they've been in the past.

[FroGG_NeaL]

Why the fuck is Lesnar in the top 10?

[JHawk]

August-July, right? So Cena, kayfabe-wise, is a viable number one despite sucking.

Angle number 2?

[Hunter's Tor...]

Milano is at 321 and 71. The fuck?

I think they've mixed up Milano Collection A.T with Milanito Collection A.T, who is a smaller version of Milano.

[pochorenella]

9 Shawn Michaels

(IMG:http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/style_emoticons/default/ylsuper.gif)

Shawn was totally awesome in 2005 so I'm happy with this ranking, although I'm not sure about the time period used for criteria.

[Guest_Flang_*]

Milano is at 321 and 71. The fuck?

Its likely an error from the original source, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla website. I'd have to see the issue to correct it.

Yep, it's Milanito Collection A.T. in 321.

[razazteca]

84 Mr. Aguila

I cannot believe Mr. Aguila is ranked this high! Just 2 weeks ago on the CMLL at Arena Coliseo on FSN-espanol show Mr. Aguila was sloppy as hell in a match where Mistico had to take what seemed like 2 minutes to call out the spots and Mr. Aguila still stood at the ropes not knowing when or where to bump. Mr. Aguila is by far the weakest member of Perros del Mal.

Damian 666 & Halloween > Mr. Aguila!!!!!

[EVIL~! alkeiper]

The PWI 500 is a kayfabed list for the most part. It makes the assumption that wrestling is a real sport and ranks wrestlers based on in-ring accomplishments.

[Hasbeen1]

It's too top-heavy with foreign wrestlers, or those who wrestle primarily in other countries. Around 50 in the top 100, only around 10 in the bottom 100. They should do separate lists, in kayfabe rankings there's no way to compare especially the Japanese.

[razazteca]

I think its funny that Mistico is one spot above Rey Mysterio.

[Hasbeen1]

I looked at the American companies only, thought it was interesting the top 10 had 5 TNA and 5 WWE (all 3 brands). Top 50 was 27-17 WWE to TNA. It does point out there is some talent in TNA, now if the company as a whole could just get its act together.

[UseTheSledgehamm...]

The rankings of CHIKARA wrestlers is absurd.

STING - #26. Hahahaha.

[GODSON]

I looked at the American companies only, thought it was interesting the top 10 had 5 TNA and 5 WWE (all 3 brands). Top 50 was 27-17 WWE to TNA. It does point out there is some talent in TNA, now if the company as a whole could just get its act together.

TNA only have 2 in the top 10.

Instead of getting mad, people should go out and buy the magazine. The PWI 500 is always a great issue and a must for every wrestling fan.

[Annabelle]

The PWI 500 is a kayfabed list for the most part. It makes the assumption that wrestling is a real sport and ranks wrestlers based on in-ring accomplishments.

but one year malenko was #1. which year was this?

[cabbageboy]

I'm still not sure why Malenko was #1 in 1997. He really didn't have much in terms of accomplishments that year aside from maybe a US title reign of little note.

That year has an odd 500. I mean UT was #6 in it behind DDP and Lex Luger. What the fuck did either of them do in 1997? Luger had a 1 week title reign but that's about all he did. DDP didn't win anything in terms of titles that year until Starrcade, which wouldn't be in the grading period. Meanwhile Bret Hart was only #20, though I guess he was inactive from June 1996 till Nov. 1996.

One that angered me was 1999, when Austin beat out RVD for #1 (RVD was #2). I mean what more did RVD have to do? He didn't lose a singles match during that entire June 98-June 99 period. Austin lost to Kane during that period, also UT a few times, Mankind, hell I think he even lost to Vince and Shane.

[Hasbeen1]

I looked at the American companies only, thought it was interesting the top 10 had 5 TNA and 5 WWE (all 3 brands). Top 50 was 27-17 WWE to TNA. It does point out there is some talent in TNA, now if the company as a whole could just get its act together.

TNA only have 2 in the top 10.

Instead of getting mad, people should go out and buy the magazine. The PWI 500 is always a great issue and a must for every wrestling fan.

Top 10 primarily or completely wrestling in the U.S.
1 John Cena
2 Kurt Angle
3 Edge
4 Samoa Joe
6 Rey Mysterio Jr.
9 Shawn Michaels
10 Jeff Jarrett
12 Christian Cage
13 AJ Styles
15 Christopher Daniels

[Hasbeen1]

I'm still not sure why Malenko was #1 in 1997. He really didn't have much in terms of accomplishments that year aside from maybe a US title reign of little note.

That year has an odd 500. I mean UT was #6 in it behind DDP and Lex Luger. What the fuck did either of them do in 1997? Luger had a 1 week title reign but that's about all he did. DDP didn't win anything in terms of titles that year until Starrcade, which wouldn't be in the grading period. Meanwhile Bret Hart was only #20, though I guess he was inactive from June 1996 till Nov. 1996.

One that angered me was 1999, when Austin beat out RVD for #1 (RVD was #2). I mean what more did RVD have to do? He didn't lose a singles match during that entire June 98-June 99 period. Austin lost to Kane during that period, also UT a few times, Mankind, hell I think he even lost to Vince and Shane.

I think in some issues they tried to even out the top 10 to 25 or so with around the same number from WWF and WCW. I think they said things were equal with around 5 the year Malenko got it so they gave to the most skilled wrestler.

[pochorenella]

I'm still not sure why Malenko was #1 in 1997. He really didn't have much in terms of accomplishments that year aside from maybe a US title reign of little note.

That year has an odd 500. I mean UT was #6 in it behind DDP and Lex Luger. What the fuck did either of them do in 1997? Luger had a 1 week title reign but that's about all he did. DDP didn't win anything in terms of titles that year until Starrcade, which wouldn't be in the grading period. Meanwhile Bret Hart was only #20, though I guess he was inactive from June 1996 till Nov. 1996.

One that angered me was 1999, when Austin beat out RVD for #1 (RVD was #2). I mean what more did RVD have to do? He didn't lose a singles match during that entire June 98-June 99 period. Austin lost to Kane during that period, also UT a few times, Mankind, hell I think he even lost to Vince and Shane.

I think in some issues they tried to even out the top 10 to 25 or so with around the same number from WWF and WCW. I think they said things were equal with around 5 the year Malenko got it so they gave to the most skilled wrestler.

You are correct. I still have that PWI issue somewhere, and I remember they said they had to change their criteria just this once because they felt there was no absolute, clear-cut winner for that year, so instead they gave the nod to the wrestler they felt was the best and most skilled in the world. IIRC Misawa was ranked #2 that time beacuse they also said they felt it wasn't appropiate to give the top spot to a wrestler who didn't compete within the US.

[Black Lushus]

hasn't it already been established in the past that these PWI lists are rubbish?

[razazteca]

Milano is at 321 and 71. The fuck?

321 is the mascot/midget hense the "ito" at the end of the name.

[Hasbeen1]

hasn't it already been established in the past that these PWI lists are rubbish?

I wouldn't say rubbish. They do give some perspective on how a wrestler was pushed during a year, and give some updates on ones who may have left a particular area.

[GODSON]

In 1997 Malenko was rank number 1 but Luger actually won their wrestler of the year award.

[pochorenella]

In 1997 Malenko was rank number 1 but Luger actually won their wrestler of the year award.

Yes, that was terrible. Luger winning was no doubt fixed.

[Cheech Tremendou...]

In 1997 Malenko was rank number 1 but Luger actually won their wrestler of the year award.

Yes, that was terrible. Luger winning was no doubt fixed.

As opposed to their other awards, which are all legitimate, right?

[Jebus]

Looks like I'm gonna be the Luger defender here...how the hell did Luger do NOTHING in 1997? He was no doubt the top "active" face WCW had that year. Leading the troops vs. the nWo and a great win-loss record against them.

Definetely one of the most successful wrestlers of that year IMO...(lot of injuries that year though) until losing the title back to Hogan after which, yeah, he did nothing.

[cabbageboy]

Yeah but winning fucking WOTY in 1997? I mean come on, there was no one in WCW who should have won it. Hogan was mostly an inactive champion, and I guess Luger got a lame duck 1 week run but that's about it.

I can see that vote being legit in some ways, since WCW was much more popular in 1997 and thus would have more viewers and voters. Some of this stuff was utterly retarded though, like DDP/Macho winning Feud of the Year over Bret/Austin.

By the way, I think UT should have been Wrestler of the Year in 1997. He held the title from WM till SS that year, and after that was in the first HIAC. He tailed off in the later months of 97, but the previous stuff was possibly his peak as a worker and in terms of overness.

[pochorenella]

In 1997 Malenko was rank number 1 but Luger actually won their wrestler of the year award

Yes, that was terrible. Luger winning was no doubt fixed.

As opposed to their other awards, which are all legitimate, right?

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that, I was just stating my opinion. Ric Flair winning so many WOTY awards back in the 80's over Hulk Hogan was clearly a sign of fixed results IMO, because they were during the height of Hulkamania, so to speak. It could very well be PWI's clear bias over WCW. Hell, The Giant winning WOTY over Shawn Michaels back in 1996 had me angry like you wouldn't believe. But I could see where some results could've been legitimate.