The Paradigm Shift appears to have continued. Pro Wrestling Illustrated has released its annual list of their top 500 wrestlers in the world for 2020 and current AEW Champion Jon Moxley has earned the coveted #1 spot.
PWI tweeted the following regarding the accolade:
Since the cover is already making its way around online, no point in waiting any longer: Congratulations to @AEWrestling's @JonMoxley on being the #1 ranked wrestler in this year’s PWI 500! Preorder your print copy now at https://t.co/EuUXs75XJB pic.twitter.com/O0JrkyvJ6U
— PWI (Pro Wrestling Illustrated) (@OfficialPWI) August 27, 2020
This year marks the 30th annual edition of the famous PWI 500 list. The wrestlers from 1-25 are as follows:
- Jon Moxley
- Adam Cole
- Chris Jericho
- Drew McIntyre
- Tetsuya Naito
- Kazuchika Okada
- Cody Rhodes
- Seth Rollins
- Kofi Kingston
- AJ Styles
- Keith Lee
- Brock Lesnar
- Kenny Omega
- Roman Reigns
- Nick Aldis
- Bray Wyatt
- Kota Ibushi
- Rush
- Braun Strowman
- Jacob Fatu
- Will Ospreay
- MJF
- Aleister Black
- Kento Miyahara
- WALTER
According to information from Heel by Nature, the evaluation period for this year’s PWI 500 is July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020. The criteria for ranking 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
Moxley is scheduled to defend the AEW Championship against MJF at “All Out” on September 5. Check out what Moxley has been up to in AEW as of late:
Last year, Seth Rollins topped the PWI 500 as its No. 1 wrestler.
Editor’s Opinion:
While I don’t agree with the pick, I can certainly understand the reason for the award. Moxley has had an amazing year in AEW and ascended to the top in rapid fashion. He has done a good job representing the company in a positive manner and I can see why PWI would recognize him as the top wrestler in the world. Congratulations to him on this tremendous honor!
Do you agree that Jon Moxley is the best wrestler in the world? If not, who would you put in that place? Leave us a comment below, or post a comment on our Facebook page! Also, be sure to sign up for our newsletter!