The ever random and insane PWI top 500 2005 edition

[Dave Youell]

:|

1 Batista
2 John Cena
3 Satoshi Kojima
4 Triple H
5 JBL
6 Kurt Angle
7 AJ Styles
8 Edge
9 Shelton Benjamin
10 Hiroyoshi Tenzan
11 Jeff Jarrett
12 Ultimo Guerrero
13 Chris Benoit
14 Rey Misterio Jr
15 Eddie Guerrero
16 Kenta Kobashi
17 Christopher Daniels
18 Mistico
19 Kane
20 Booker T
21 Tiger Mask IV
22 Samoa Joe
23 Petey Williams
24 Hijo Del Santo
25 Chris Jericho
26 Undertaker
27 Kensuke Sasaki
28 Monty Brown
29 Randy Orton
30 Christian
31 The Big Show
32 Naomichi Marufuji
33 Muhammad Hassan
34 Shawn Michaels
35 L.A. Park
36 Paul London
37 Abyss
38 Rey Bucanero
39 Jushin Liger
40 C.M. Punk
41 Carlito
42 Mitsuharu Misawa
43 Dr Wagner Jr
44 William Regal
45 Raven
46 Toshiaki Kawada
47 Hector Garza
48 Chavo Guerrero Jr
49 Tajiri
50 Ron Killings
51 Ric Flair
52 Shocker
53 Shijiro Otani
54 Matt Morgan
55 Bobby Rude
56 Eugene
57 Masa Chono
58 Jeff Hardy
59 Michael Shane
60 Eric Young
61 Elix Skipper
62 Austin Aries
63 Robert Conway
64 Perro Aguayo Jr
65 KENTA
66 Doug Basham
67 Chris Harris
68 Charlie Haas
69 Chris Sabin
70 Averno
71 James Storm
72 Danny Basham
73 Kaz Hayashi
74 Joey Mercury
75 The Hurricane
76 American Dragon
77 Mephisto
78 Hardcore Holly
79 Frankie Kazarian
80 Johnny Nitro
81 Spanky
82 Brent Albright
83 Gene Snitsky
84 Takeshi Rikioh
85 Negro Casas
86 Orlando Jordan
87 Spike Dudley
88 Simon Dean
89 Heidenreich
90 Chase Stevens
91 Matt Cappotelli
92 Rosey
93 Maven
94 Sylvan Grenier
95 Colt Cabana
96 Andy Douglas
97 Johnny Jeter
98 B.G. James
99 Keiji Muto
100 James Gibson
101 Donovan Morgan
102 Mr. Niebla
103 Alex Shelley
104 Tyson Tomko
105 Billy Kidman
106 Konnan
107 Jun Akiyama
108 Sho Funaki
109 Elijah Burke
110 Michael Modest
111 Mr. Aguila
112 Tenryu
113 Steve Corino
114 Tank Toland
115 Kid Kash
116 Chris Masters
117 Rene Dupree
118 Mark Jindrak
119 Shark Boy
120 Aaron Stevens
121 Sonjay Dutt
122 Tokyo Magnum
123 The Outlaw
124 Nigel Mcguinness
125 Daivari
126 Juvenud Guerrera
127 Chad Toland
128 Nunzio
129 Viscera
130 Atlantis
131 Koji Kanemoto
132 Antonio Thomas
133 Kenzo Suzuki
134 Steven Richards
135 Val Venis
136 Romeo Roselli
137 Scotty 2 Hotty
138 Doug Williams
139 Shannon Moore
140 Jimmy Rave
141 Akio
142 Oriental
143 D Lo Brown
144 Psicosis
145 Trevor Rhodes
146 Rocky Romero
147 Adam Pierce
148 Seven
149 CW Anderson
150 Jamal
151 Danny Inferno
152 Super Delphin
153 Garrison Cade
154 Abismo Negro
155 Blaster Lashley
156 Lance Hoyt
157 Rhino
158 Homicide
159 Taka Michinoku
160 Dos Caras Jr
161 Chad Collyer
162 Vampiro
163 Rikishi
164 Tatsuhito Takaiwa
165 Johnny swinger
166 Bison Smith
167 Black Warrior
168 Blue Panther
169 Sonny Siaki
170 Dick Togo
171 Ace Steel
172 Elektro
173 Low-Ki
174 Seth Skyfire
175 Giant Bernard
176 Jimmy Jacobs
177 Ricky Reyes
178 Taiyo Kea
179 Puma
180 Matt Stryker
181 Gedo
182 Latin Lover
183 Ray Gonzalez
184 Akira Taue
185 Simon Daimond
186 Harry Smith
187 Julio Dinero
188 Todd Shane
189 Skayde
190 Mike Shane
191 Cima
192 Danny Daniels
193 Jack Evans
194 Glamor Boy Shane
195 Steve Lewington
196 Osamu Nishimura
197 Alebrije
198 Hotstuff Hernandez
199 David Young
200 M Dogg 20
201 Tyson Dux
202 Kevin Northcutt
203 Josh Daniels
204 Eddie Colon
205 Yuji Nagata
206 Tony Kozina
207 BJ Whitmer
208 Chuck Palumbo
209 Ultimo Dragon
210 B Boy
211 Masada
212 Jinsei Shinzaki
213 John Walters
214 Dr X
215 Scott D'Amore
216 Mike Kruel
217 Ricky Banderas
218 Jay Lethal
219 Minoru Tanaka
220 Felino
221 Heavy Metal
222 Mike Mondo
223 Josh Prohibiton
224 Vance Nevada
225 Deuce Shade
226 Bronco
227 Blue Meanie
228 Dragon Kid
229 Tony Jones
230 TJ Wilson
231 Rodney Mack
232 Rodrick Strong
233 Sean Casey
234 Manabu Nakanishi
235 Tarzan Boy
236 Jerelle Clark
237 Slash Venom
238 Pantera
239 Masato Tanaka
240 Shane Ballard
241 Joe E Legend
242 Quackenbush
243 Dean Jablonski
244 Toru Yano
245 Great Sasuke
246 Cody Hawk
247 Diamante
248 Shannon Ballard
249 Milano Collection AT
250 Frank Parker
251 Vinny Massaro
252 Mike Taylor
253 Rod Steel
254 Jado
255 Mac Johnson
256 Turbo
257 Alastar " A-1" Ralphz
258 Striker
259 Takashi Yoshida
260 D-Ray 3000
261 Minoru Fujita
262 Babi Slymm
263 Amazing Red
264 Apolo
265 Prince Nana
266 Mikey Batts
267 Predator
268 Chicano
269 Chet Jablonski
270 Gran Hamada
271 Webster Dauphiney
272 Eric Matlock
273 Chris Hamrick
274 Biggie Biggs
275 The Stro
276 Eric Alexander
277 Quiet Storm
278 Slyk Wagner Brown
279 Ken Anderson
280 Steve Madison
281 Tom Howard
282 Thunder
283 Arik Cannon
284 Arch Kincaid
285 Kevin Dunn
286 Onyx
287 Mana
288 Naphtali
289 Scotty Mac
290 Daniel Puder
291 Human Tornado
292 Juggernaut
293 Ray Gordy
294 Seth Shai
295 Vordell Walker
296 Steve Demarco
297 Brad Bradley
298 Alex Arion
299 Joel Maximo
300 Teddy Hart
301 Boomer Payne
302 Kirby Marcos
303 Tim Warcloud
304 Jose Maximo
305 Apocalypse
306 Tommy Williams
307 Ken Doane
308 Frank Murdoch
309 Da Beast
310 Mike Fox
311 Sterling James Keenan
312 Marty Wright - boogeyman
313 Rob Eckos
314 Jason Rumble
315 Dusty wolfe
316 Adam Firestorm
317 Quinn Magnum
318 Cru Jones
319 Brian Black
320 Andrew Ryker
321 Rico Suave
322 Michelle Starr
323 Robin Knightwing
324 J J Perez
325 Dennis Gregory
326 N8 Mattson
327 Fred Sampson
328 Steve Mack
329 El Nene
330 Chasyn Rance
331 Claudio Castagnoli
332 Danny Doring
333 Sedrick Strong
334 Joey Knight
335 Ladies Choice
336 Rory Fox
337 Vik Dalishus
338 Billy Bax
339 Lightning
340 Vto Thomaselli
341 Scotty Charisma
342 Zach Gowen
343 Nasdaq
344 Hangman Hughes
345 Mace
346 Axl Rotten
347 Dow Jones
348 Robbie Dawber
349 Bruce Steele
350 Sal Thomaselli
351 Hentai
352 Bamm Bamm Penders
353 KC Thunder
354 EC Negro
355 Mike tobin
356 Aaron Idol
357 Alyx Winters
358 Marc Ash
359 Lash Leroux
360 Rockin Rebel
361 John Rambo
362 Nikita Allanov
363 Japanese Pool Boy
364 Andy Baker
365 Dropkick Murphy
366 Greg Matthews
367 Derrick Heikirk
368 Tim Flowers
369 Bryan Logan
370 Apollo Kahn
371 Mace Mendoza
372 Delirious
373 Dru Onyx
374 Hallowicked
375 Devon Storm
376 Matt Logan
377 T Rantula
378 Lotus
379 Glen Osbourne
380 Balls Mahoney
381 Buff-E
382 Conrad Kennedy III
383 Diabolico
384 Mr Ooh La La
385 Quinson Valentino
386 Sebastian Dark
387 Shirley Doe
388 Brent Dail
389 Jigsaw
390 Hook Bomberry
391 Crazy J
392 Frankie Capone
393 Chris Taylor
394 Cheetah Master
395 Gran Akuma
396 CJ O'Doyle
397 Scottie Gash
398 Krazy K
399 Eddie Guapo
400 The Bouncer
401 Cody Steele
402 Shawn Patrick
403 George South Sr
404 Aden Chambers
405 Ryan O'reilly
406 J-Rocc
407 Glenn Spectre
408 Supreme Lee Great
409 Jeff Starr
410 Eddie Kingston
411 Greg Spitz
412 Don Basher
412 Mozart Fontaine
413 Huracan Castillo
414 Sexxxy Eddie
416 K-Pusha
417 Roman
418 Chase Del Monte
419 Tony Givens
420 Invader I
421 K-Murda
422 Dean Radford
423 Luiz Ortiz
424 PT Hussla
425 Shawn Osborne
426 Kevin Knight
427 JP Black
428 Johnny Maxx
429 Mike Dell
430 Indiana Kidd Jr
431 Brian Soscia
432 John Curse
433 J-Busta
434 Rod Steele
435 Eric Everlast
436 Larry Huntley
437 Scott Zenzen
438 DJ P ROC
439 Snatch Haggins
440 Mega
441 Billy Bart
442 Russell Simpson
443 Johnny Graham
444 Darin Childs
445 Shawn Christopher
446 Icarus
447 Justin Idol
448 Handsome Jimmy
449 Jt Lightning
450 Franky the Mobster
451 Andre Lyonz
452 Kevin Baker
453 Jolly Roger
454 Charles Mercury
455 Tommy Suede
456 Gutter
457 Marcus Dillon
458 Danger
459 Daron Smythe
460 Leslie Leatherman
461 Mister Zero
462 Quinten Lee
463 Adam Booker
464 Sean Allen
465 Freak Nasty
466 Darkness Crabtree
467 Jack Thriller
468 Dexter Poindexter
469 Kevin Grace
470 Josh Cody
471 Shawn Cook
472 Shorty Smalls
473 Tony Golden
474 Nova Cain
475 Brian Danzig
476 Terry Alan
477 Powerhouse Hughes
478 Viper
479 Ultramantis Black
480 Bruiser Graham
481 Hellcat
482 Ric Gunner
483 Phil Atlas
484 Forsaken
485 Gino Martino
486 John Cabbie
487 Gotti
488 Will Christianson
489 Jimmy Cash
490 Brian Costello
491 Toy Dodson
492 Brother Clay
493 Eric Draven
494 Aaron Devil
495 Damian Dragon
496 Lord Zoltan
497 JV Insanity
498 CJ Summers
499 Bert Williams
500 Nick Nemeth

[Disturbed316]

Who the hell is number 3?

[Volare]

new japan??

[Dave Youell]

Ok a few from the 1st fifth that stick out to me:

1 Batista
2 John Cena

They are both over, but as actual wrestlers…….gimmie a break

34 Shawn Michaels

I don’t get this at all he’s been the WWE’s MVP this year IMO

45 Raven

A NWA Champ shouldn’t be this low

58 Jeff Hardy

He’s been suspended for how fucking long? The hasn’t had a good match in ages! Why’s he even in the top 500! Let alone Top 100

95 Colt Cabana

This man should be higher, he’s a god

[Funky Fly]

HUH?

[LK]

How the hell is Jeff Jarret ahead of Benoit, Christian and Christopher Daniels just to name a few?

[Joey Slugs]

1 Batista/2 John Cena :rofl: I guess when you're the only major federation, shit like this happens.

11 Jeff Jarrett :roll: Ahead of Chris Daniels??? Riiiiiight.

40 C.M. Punk :rant: 40th?!?!?

45 Raven :wtf: NWA Champ needs to be in the top 5 automatically

51 Ric Flair :lol: He's wrestled what? Three times this year?

86 Orlando Jordan :nono: How the fuck is he even on the list? Much less the top 100

[Dave Youell]

The really stupid thing about the PWI list is that alot of it is based on matches wrestled and the win/loss record. That's not the whole of the point strucutre, but it is a part of it.

So in a business where everything is pre-planned and worked, they make a list based on those results :|

[CYCLOPTERSAURUS]

Muto is below Rosey, Orlando, Maven, Hardcore Holly, BG James, etc.? What? And did I just see Viscera on there?

Is this a joke? Who comes up with this crap? do they draw names from a hat? It's like every single one of them is wrong in any way you could possibly rate a wrestler.

[The Greater Power]

Credit: WX

Every year, the Pro Wrestling Insider magazine gives out an annual list of the 500 best wrestlers today. It is not tallied on workrate alone, however, as win-loss records, quality of opposition, and other criteria come into play. The 2005 PWI 500 looks like this:

[The Mackem]

165 Johnny swinger

I think that's the lowest WWE contracted wrestler that I can see, excluding Ultiom Dragon whose contract status is a bit wierd. If memory serves he's on a development deal and can't have been on anything more than the odd Velocity appearance.

Still, the list is something to talk about.

[Sadistic]

Must be a joke. It's the worst list I've ever seen. Why is Batista number 1? why is John Cena on the list? This must be 'most popular wrestlers'.

[NoRoolz]

^ Puder is at #290.

Yeah I don't agree with this list at all, with the main blunders being already mentioned.

[NoRoolz]

#368: Tim Flowers

[Mike the Metal Ed]

These are worse than the FIFA World Rankings. What a joke.

[Mike the Metal Ed]

#368: Tim Flowers
:eek: Even with his arthritic back?

[redoneja]

PWI has lost all credibility

[The Mackem]

LOL @ Tim Flowers

[Dave Youell]

PWI has lost all credibility
When did it have any? I just post them for shits and giggles

[PorkSoda]

284 Arch Kincaid. This guy talks goofy :)

448 Handsome Jimmy. It's Johnny. They got his name wrong :rofl: :lol: :rofl:

They got Chase Del Monte there as well. HAHA! And Ronald MCdonald

[KayfabeMan]

The PWI 500 list is an actual joke.

There is NO structure to their list, "win / loss" records or otherwise. They often turn to promoters just for help with putting the list together, thus certain promoters having a number of their own talents listed there.

They used to have one promoter from Florida help them with the list, and after a while he ran out of names - so he just started making some up. He would use inside jokes in the list, including nicknames for friends and other workers, family, etc. - and here is a really funny fact about that: THEY MADE THE FUCKING LIST.

You can tell the list is a joke in the sense that there are DOZENS of indy wrestlers who have VERY busy schedules, work with top quality opponents and hold numerous indy belts - and they haven't made the list at all [when there are 500 spots]. So all of that "criteria" bullshit goes right out the window.

[Kapoutman]

That list is more the "Top 500 wrestlers we've heard of" list. They do not seem to make any real research, as a lot of wrestlers probably more occupied and talented than "Bruiser Graham" or "Hellcat" didn't make it.

[Boondock Saint]

Puder? WTF!?

[Pepsi Man]

The PWI 500 started out when wrestling was a lot less exposed to the general public for what it is. Wrestlers weren't on television admitting it's a work, and shoot interviews were damn near unheard of. Pro Wrestling Illustrated was never, ever, in the time I read it, a "smart" magazine. Steve Austin and Goldberg have been atop the PWI 500, as has Hulk Hogan, if I remember correctly.

It's nothing new. It's how the PWI 500's always been.

[darkpower]

The PWI 500 started out when wrestling was a lot less exposed to the general public for what it is. Wrestlers weren't on television admitting it's a work, and shoot interviews were damn near unheard of. Pro Wrestling Illustrated was never, ever, in the time I read it, a "smart" magazine. Steve Austin and Goldberg have been atop the PWI 500, as has Hulk Hogan, if I remember correctly.

It's nothing new. It's how the PWI 500's always been.

Basically, as this has said, PWI is mostly all within kayfabe, so they mark it as if wrestling was real (though they sometimes break it when talking about ratings). I only read them when they make their "State Of The Game" issue, where they really break kayfabe.

[V]

lol a wrestler named Hentai, i'm guessing that's one of the jokes?

[Aussie Skier]

hmmm....

My main grievances are:
Shawn Michaels at 34...thats a joke really...he should b in the top 10, he's prolly the best worker in the WWE at the moment.

Big Show at 31...seriously...ahead of Michaels...wtf! Suppose he did have some big wins last year tho.

Kane at 19...WTF...I mean, he is @ a good spot in the list but again, how the hell can he be above michaels...

[Aussie Skier]

lol @ japanese Pool boy

[KayfabeMan]

Yeah, Japanese Pool Boy is a total gimmick worker.

Probably one of the most talked about guys when it comes to his gimmick, but he's just totally ridiculous. If you don't believe me, have a look for yourself:

http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/j/japanesepoolboy/01.jpg

[High Impact v.W.o]

lol a wrestler named Hentai, i'm guessing that's one of the jokes?
No he's a real wrestler apparantly, oh and JPB is pretty entertaining.

[kinglacoste]

8.edge?

[Vastardikai]

http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/s/shofunaki/10.jpg

+

http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/d/delwilkes/09.jpg

+

http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/d/dustinrhodes/05.jpg

=

http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/j/japanesepoolboy/01.jpg

[gyps213]

I'm one of those 'horrible people' who go to certain forums (not here, of course. You guys are by far the most intelligent posters I've had the pleasure of reading) just to mess with the masses so to speak. My favorite group of people are the Matt Hardy sheep. So, in a fit of boredom, I headed over there after I had read the list and saw a bunch of the teenyboppers complaining because Matt was left off the list while "Mr. Feces" was #8. When I asked them why they thought Matt should be on the list, since he was out injured/being a jackass most of the year, their reply was "BECAUSE HE'S MATT HARDY!!" Um, yeah. (on a side note, most of my posts there are pulled within 4 hours of me leaving them)

[Scootie Stankers]

looks like somebody is getting lazy

worst list ever


1) Shawn Michaels

nuff said

[Xero]

How the hell do you put Batista and Cena over Angle and Michaels? Their WrestleMania match ALONE deserves to be in AT LEAST the top five...

What marks wrote this list? More to the point, what do they take into consideration when ranking them?

"Well, Batista and Cena are the world champions of the biggest wrestling promotion in the world, so clearly they deserve the top two spots."

[weather vane]

No Johnny Devine? WTF!