Add another accolade to Bayley's list.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated revealed that the reigning SmackDown Women's Champion took the top spot in the annual PWI Women's 100. Bayley has had a record-setting year, surpassing the 365-day mark as the SmackDown Women's Champion. She's beaten just about everyone on Raw and SmackDown during her reign and headlined Survivor Series in a triple threat match against Shayna Baszler and Becky Lynch.
Bayley was sixth in 2019 while Lynch was named number one. Ronda Rousey (2018), Asuka (2017), Charlotte Flair (2016), Nikki Bella (2015) are other recent #1's. Mickie James, who is still on the roster, took the top spot in 2009.
This year, the top five was rounded out by Lynch at number two, Asuka at three, Charlotte Flair at four, and Sasha Banks at five. This was the first time Bayley had cracked the top four, and was left out of the top 10 altogether in 2018.
The criteria for ranking includes win-loss record, technical ability, influence on the sport, success against the highest grade of competition, success against the most diverse competition, and activity.
Congratulations to @itsBayleyWWE for ranking #1 in this year's PWI Women's 100! Preorder your print copy of this exciting issue at https://t.co/O8TDpHJexm pic.twitter.com/0HztapTl1k
— PWI (@OfficialPWI) October 15, 2020
Here is a look at the top ten:
1. Bayley
2. Becky Lynch
3. Asuka
4. Charlotte Flair
5. Sasha Banks
6. Hikaru Shida
7. Tessa Blanchard
8. Riho
9. Io Shirai
10. Mayu Iwatani
Bayley would comment on the spot, saying she wanted the cover all to herself.
Now if only I got the cover all to myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Bayley-bration, 500 days of Bayley, the year of the Bayley, it just keeps getting better -- https://t.co/Dpjvryrm0O
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) October 15, 2020
Bayley is set to defend her SmackDown Women's Title inside Hell in a Cell against Sasha Banks on October 15.
