Pro Wrestling Illustrated senior writer Dan Murphy was Jim Ross’ guest on this week’s Ross Report podcast. During the discussion, Murphy revealed the Top 10 wrestlers on this year’s annual PWI 500 list, which covers the period of June 2016-17.
The top spot on this year’s PWI 500 went to IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada, the ‘ace’ of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Eight of the Top 10 spots were awarded to WWE Superstars this year, with IWGP United States Champion Kenny Omega cracking the top 5 as the other NJPW star in the Top 10.
Kazuchika Okada
AJ Styles
Kevin Owens
Roman Reigns
Kenny Omega
Shinsuke Nakamura
Dean Ambrose
Samoa Joe
Bobby Roode
The Miz
In topping this year’s list, Kazuchika Okada becomes the first-ever Japanese wrestler to rank #1 in the PWI 500 and the first wrestler to not be from WWE, WCW or TNA.
