Seth Rollins top PWI 500.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated revealed that Seth Rollins took the top spot in their annual PWI 500 list. This marks the second time Rollins has been at the top of the list, previously topping the PWI 500 in 2015. Rollins finished fifth last year. 2018 was topped by Kenny Omega.
Rollins had a strong year in terms of in-ring accomplishments as he won the 2019 Royal Rumble and defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 35 to capture the WWE Universal Title. The eligibility period runs from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, which means Rollins' SummerSlam victory over Brock Lesnar would not have been factored into the decision making. Rollins was also an Intercontinental Champion and Raw Tag Team Champion during the eligibility period.
No. 1 in the 29th annual @OfficialPWI #PWI500 is WWE Universal champ @WWERollins! Download the issue right now or pre-order the print edition at https://t.co/ylNeV87zar! pic.twitter.com/m238dDD5br
— PWI (@OfficialPWI) August 29, 2019
The WWE Universal Champion told PWI, "As difficult as it can be, this is all I ever wanted — to be in this position, to be having this conversation with you — talking about being the absolute best wrestler on the entire planet. I don’t think there is a single part of me that would trade any second of it.”
Rollins first appeared in the PWI 500 in 2008, finishing at No. 88. He has appeared on the list every year since, never falling outside of the Top 100. He has been in the Top 20 in each of the last six years.
PWI 500 Top 10
1. Seth Rollins
2. Daniel Bryan
3. AJ Styles
4. Kofi Kingston
5. Kazuchika Okada
6. Johnny Gargano
7. Roman Reigns
8. Kenny Omega
9. Hiroshi Tanahashi
10. Will Ospreay
