PWI 500

The PWI 500 — 2005

The complete Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 for 2005 — all five hundred places, as published. Batista took the number one spot.

PWI 500, 2005 — all 500 places
Rank	Wrestler	GOAT	Evidence
1	Batista	95.98	Calibrated
2	John Cena	99.37	Calibrated
3	Satoshi Kojima	57.74	Provisional
4	Triple H	98.94	Calibrated
5	John Bradshaw Layfield	57.22	Provisional
6	Kurt Angle	97.99	Calibrated
7	AJ Styles	97.33	Calibrated
8	Adam Copeland	66.43	Provisional
9	Shelton Benjamin	64.08	Provisional
10	Hiroyoshi Tenzan	56.66	Provisional
11	Jeff Jarrett	64.80	Provisional
12	Ultimo Guerrero	59.60	Provisional
13	Chris Benoit	72.30	Provisional
14	Rey Mysterio	97.16	Calibrated
15	Eddie Guerrero	98.64	Calibrated
16	Kenta Kobashi	67.08	Provisional
17	Christopher Daniels	59.71	Provisional
18	Místico	59.71	Provisional
19	Kane	79.65	Provisional
20	Booker T	95.05	Calibrated
21	Tiger Mask IV	54.77	Provisional
22	Samoa Joe	96.26	Calibrated
23	Petey Williams	54.38	Provisional
24	El Hijo del Santo	59.35	Provisional
25	Chris Jericho	97.96	Calibrated
26	The Undertaker	99.38	Calibrated
27	Kensuke Sasaki	58.55	Provisional
28	Monty Brown	50.28	Provisional
29	Randy Orton	97.91	Calibrated
30	Christian Cage	95.07	Calibrated
31	Big Show	60.36	Provisional
32	Naomichi Marufuji	54.13	Provisional
33	Muhammad Hassan	48.84	Provisional
34	Shawn Michaels	99.86	Calibrated
35	L. A. Park	54.48	Provisional
36	Paul London	53.62	Provisional
37	Abyss	56.24	Provisional
38	Rey Bucanero	53.05	Provisional
39	Jushin Liger	63.16	Provisional
40	CM Punk	98.11	Calibrated
41	Carlito Carribean Cool	48.62	Provisional
42	Mitsuharu Misawa	66.62	Provisional
43	Dr. Wagner Jr.	58.31	Provisional
44	William Regal	55.80	Provisional
45	Raven	57.27	Provisional
46	Toshiaki Kawada	58.43	Provisional
47	Hector Garza	54.54	Provisional
48	Chavo Guerrero	55.67	Provisional
49	Tajiri	53.24	Provisional
50	Ron Killings	52.99	Provisional
51	Ric Flair	99.79	Calibrated
52	Shocker	54.27	Provisional
53	Shinjiro Otani	52.60	Provisional
54	Mark Jindrak	50.60	Provisional
55	Bobby Roode	65.92	Provisional
56	Eugene	51.55	Provisional
57	Masa Chono	52.07	Provisional
58	Jeff Hardy	97.49	Calibrated
59	Michael Shane	50.67	Provisional
60	Eric Young	61.17	Provisional
61	Elix Skipper	50.58	Provisional
62	Austin Aries	56.57	Provisional
63	Robert Conway	48.69	Provisional
64	Perro Aguayo, Jr.	56.31	Provisional
65	Hideo Itami	54.59	Provisional
66	Doug Basham	50.83	Provisional
67	Chris Harris	51.21	Provisional
68	Charlie Haas	54.17	Provisional
69	Chris Sabin	55.76	Provisional
70	Averno	52.04	Provisional
71	James Storm	55.89	Provisional
72	Danny Basham	49.16	Provisional
73	Kaz Hayashi	52.28	Provisional
74	Joey Mercury	50.59	Provisional
75	Hurricane Helms	51.30	Provisional
76	American Dragon	50.16	Provisional
77	Mephisto	51.72	Provisional
78	Hardcore Holly	51.84	Provisional
79	Frankie Kazarian	60.54	Provisional
80	Johnny Nitro	50.59	Provisional
81	Spanky	50.72	Provisional
82	Brent Albright	50.74	Provisional
83	Gene Snitsky	49.38	Provisional
84	Takeshi Rikio	50.22	Provisional
85	Negro Casas	54.49	Provisional
86	Orlando Jordan	51.26	Provisional
87	Spike Dudley	52.89	Provisional
88	Simon Dean	48.86	Provisional
89	Jon Heidenreich	48.85	Provisional
90	Chase Stevens	49.64	Provisional
91	Matt Cappotelli	48.25	Provisional
92	Rosey	49.05	Provisional
93	Maven	49.71	Provisional
94	Sylvain Grenier	51.89	Provisional
95	Colt Cabana	53.34	Provisional
96	Andy Douglas	49.55	Provisional
97	Johnny Jeter	50.01	Provisional
98	B. G. James	50.07	Provisional
99	Keiji Mutoh	62.34	Provisional
100	James Gibson	47.33	Provisional
101	Donovan Morgan	50.75	Provisional
102	Mr. Niebla	52.79	Provisional
103	Alex Shelley	55.61	Provisional
104	Tyson Tomko	48.55	Provisional
105	Billy Kidman	53.02	Provisional
106	Konnan	77.87	Provisional
107	Jun Akiyama	58.13	Provisional
108	Sho Funaki	50.67	Provisional
109	Elijah Burke	49.34	Provisional
110	Michael Modest	51.07	Provisional
111	Mr. Aguila	50.07	Provisional
112	Genichiro Tenryu	54.81	Provisional
113	Steve Corino	53.27	Provisional
114	Tank Toland	49.54	Provisional
115	Kid Kash	52.05	Provisional
116	Chris Masters	51.05	Provisional
117	Rene Dupree	50.00	Provisional
118	Mark Jindrak	50.60	Provisional
119	Shark Boy	50.91	Provisional
120	Aaron Stevens	49.71	Provisional
121	Sonjay Dutt	52.12	Provisional
122	Tokyo Magnum	51.02	Provisional
123	The Outlaw	46.97	Provisional
124	Nigel McGuinness	56.57	Provisional
125	Khosrow Daivari	46.90	Provisional
126	Juventud Guerrera	54.14	Provisional
127	Chad Toland	47.66	Provisional
128	Nunzio	50.41	Provisional
129	Viscera	48.77	Provisional
130	Atlantis	53.67	Provisional
131	Koji Kanemoto	54.63	Provisional
132	Antonio Thomas	49.22	Provisional
133	Kenzo Suzuki	49.54	Provisional
134	Steven Richards	52.36	Provisional
135	Val Venis	53.90	Provisional
136	Romeo Roselli	48.87	Provisional
137	Scotty 2 Hotty	51.85	Provisional
138	Doug Williams	52.40	Provisional
139	Shannon Moore	52.05	Provisional
140	Jimmy Rave	50.23	Provisional
141	Akio	47.44	Provisional
142	El Oriental	48.91	Provisional
143	D-Lo Brown	52.05	Provisional
144	Psicosis	52.24	Provisional
145	Trevor Rhodes	47.35	Provisional
146	Rocky Romero	53.29	Provisional
147	Adam Pearce	52.78	Provisional
148	Seven	48.69	Provisional
149	C. W. Anderson	51.49	Provisional
150	Jamal	47.66	Provisional
151	Danny Inferno	47.25	Provisional
152	Super Delfin	51.79	Provisional
153	Garrison Cade	48.36	Provisional
154	Abismo Negro	50.19	Provisional
155	Blaster Lashley	46.43	Provisional
156	Lance Hoyt	49.79	Provisional
157	Rhino	54.60	Provisional
158	Homicide	53.39	Provisional
159	TAKA Michinoku	53.82	Provisional
160	Dos Caras, Jr.	50.99	Provisional
161	Chad Collyer	49.81	Provisional
162	Vampiro	52.03	Provisional
163	Rikishi	77.62	Provisional
164	Tatsuhito Takaiwa	51.19	Provisional
165	Johnny Swinger	50.13	Provisional
166	Bison Smith	49.82	Provisional
167	Black Warrior	52.13	Provisional
168	Blue Panther	52.50	Provisional
169	Sonny Siaki	49.60	Provisional
170	Dick Togo	50.67	Provisional
171	Ace Steel	49.52	Provisional
172	Elektro	46.13	Provisional
173	Low Ki	54.51	Provisional
174	Seth Skyfire	48.37	Provisional
175	Giant Bernard	50.90	Provisional
176	Jimmy Jacobs	52.71	Provisional
177	Ricky Reyes	50.06	Provisional
178	Taiyo Kea	52.83	Provisional
179	Puma	47.34	Provisional
180	Matt Stryker	49.28	Provisional
181	Gedo	51.24	Provisional
182	Latin Lover	51.23	Provisional
183	Ray Gonzalez	51.69	Provisional
184	Akira Taue	52.85	Provisional
185	Simon Diamond	49.61	Provisional
186	Harry Smith	49.57	Provisional
187	Julio Dinero	49.32	Provisional
188	Todd Shane	48.54	Provisional
189	Skayde	47.64	Provisional
190	Mike Shane	48.45	Provisional
191	CIMA	53.03	Provisional
192	Danny Daniels	48.77	Provisional
193	Jack Evans	51.63	Provisional
194	Glamour Boy Shane	48.78	Provisional
195	Steve Lewington	47.10	Provisional
196	Osamu Nishimura	51.25	Provisional
197	El Alebrije	48.58	Provisional
198	Hotstuff Hernandez	49.34	Provisional
199	David Young	49.83	Provisional
200	M-Dogg 20	47.02	Provisional
201	Tyson Dux	51.86	Provisional
202	Kevin Northcutt	48.36	Provisional
203	Josh Daniels	49.00	Provisional
204	Eddie Colon	48.44	Provisional
205	Yuji Nagata	57.40	Provisional
206	Tony Kozina	49.39	Provisional
207	B.J. Whitmer	50.58	Provisional
208	Chuck Palumbo	51.16	Provisional
209	Ultimo Dragon	56.57	Provisional
210	B-Boy	48.76	Provisional
211	Masada	50.81	Provisional
212	Jinsei Shinzaki	51.28	Provisional
213	John Walters	47.23	Provisional
214	Dr. X	47.15	Provisional
215	Scott D'Amore	49.29	Provisional
216	Mike Kruel	48.75	Provisional
217	Ricky Banderas	50.51	Provisional
218	Jay Lethal	64.29	Provisional
219	Minoru Tanaka	53.84	Provisional
220	Felino	51.95	Provisional
221	Heavy Metal	51.57	Provisional
222	Mike Mondo	50.13	Provisional
223	Josh Prohibition	47.85	Provisional
224	Vance Nevada	49.01	Provisional
225	Deuce Shade	46.08	Provisional
226	Bronco	46.29	Provisional
227	The Blue Meanie	49.95	Provisional
228	Dragon Kid	51.24	Provisional
229	Tony Jones	48.44	Provisional
230	T. J. Wilson	46.58	Provisional
231	Rodney Mack	49.37	Provisional
232	Roderick Strong	63.77	Provisional
233	Sean Casey	48.88	Provisional
234	Manabu Nakanishi	53.03	Provisional
235	Tarzan Boy	50.11	Provisional
236	Jerrelle Clark	46.89	Provisional
237	Slash Venom	45.88	Provisional
238	Pantera	47.44	Provisional
239	Masato Tanaka	54.67	Provisional
240	Shane Ballard	47.50	Provisional
241	Joe E. Legend	50.23	Provisional
242	Mike Quackenbush	51.44	Provisional
243	Dean Jablonski	47.02	Provisional
244	Toru Yano	50.69	Provisional
245	The Great Sasuke	54.76	Provisional
246	Cody Hawk	49.18	Provisional
247	Diamante	45.70	Provisional
248	Shannon Ballard	47.44	Provisional
249	Milano Collection A. T.	50.98	Provisional
250	Frank Parker	48.46	Provisional
251	Vinny Massaro	47.62	Provisional
252	Mike Taylor	46.20	Provisional
253	Rod Steel	46.99	Provisional
254	Jado	50.49	Provisional
255	Mac Johnson	45.59	Provisional
256	Turbo	46.17	Provisional
257	A-1	46.18	Provisional
258	Striker	46.58	Provisional
259	Takashi Yoshida	44.77	Provisional
260	D-Ray 3000	46.08	Provisional
261	Minoru Fujita	50.39	Provisional
262	Babi Slymm	44.70	Provisional
263	The Amazing Red	51.78	Provisional
264	Apolo	46.32	Provisional
265	Prince Nana	48.06	Provisional
266	Mikey Batts	45.40	Provisional
267	The Predator	47.84	Provisional
268	Chicano	48.66	Provisional
269	Chet Jablonski	46.69	Provisional
270	Gran Hamada	51.21	Provisional
271	Webster Dauphiney	44.57	Provisional
272	Eric Matlock	44.57	Provisional
273	Chris Hamrick	47.81	Provisional
274	Biggie Biggs	47.00	Provisional
275	The Stro	47.87	Provisional
276	Eric Alexander	45.27	Provisional
277	Quiet Storm	47.71	Provisional
278	Slyck Wagner Brown	46.90	Provisional
279	Ken Anderson	49.04	Provisional
280	Steve Madison	46.20	Provisional
281	Tom Howard	47.75	Provisional
282	Thunder	48.75	Provisional
283	Arik Cannon	50.17	Provisional
284	Arch Kincaid	47.11	Provisional
285	Kevin Dunn	45.16	Provisional
286	Onyx	47.61	Provisional
287	Mana the Polynesian Warrior	45.09	Provisional
288	Naphtali	46.42	Provisional
289	Scotty Mac	45.60	Provisional
290	Daniel Puder	44.27	Provisional
291	Human Tornado	48.15	Provisional
292	Juggernaut	46.94	Provisional
293	Ray Gordy	45.57	Provisional
294	Seth Shai	45.98	Provisional
295	Vordell Walker	46.92	Provisional
296	Steve DeMarco	44.96	Provisional
297	Brad Bradley	45.77	Provisional
298	Alex Arion	47.23	Provisional
299	Joel Maximo	48.48	Provisional
300	Teddy Hart	49.29	Provisional
301	Boomer Payne	46.41	Provisional
302	Kirby Marcos	44.08	Provisional
303	Tim Warcloud	44.07	Provisional
304	Jose Maximo	48.65	Provisional
305	Blackheart Apocalypse	47.30	Provisional
306	Tommy Williams	44.00	Provisional
307	Ken Doane	43.99	Provisional
308	Frank Murdoch	45.78	Provisional
309	Da Beast	44.76	Provisional
310	Mike Foxx	43.97	Provisional
311	Sterling James Keenan	47.56	Provisional
312	The Boogeyman	48.89	Provisional
313	Rob Eckos	49.70	Provisional
314	Jason Rumble	46.58	Provisional
315	Dusty Wolfe	48.71	Provisional
316	Adam Firestorm	46.72	Provisional
317	Quinn Magnum	47.05	Provisional
318	Cru Jones	45.27	Provisional
319	Brian Black	43.80	Provisional
320	Andrew Ryker	45.17	Provisional
321	Rico Suave	46.18	Provisional
322	Michelle Starr	48.56	Provisional
323	Robin Knightwing	46.93	Provisional
324	J.J. Perez	45.08	Provisional
325	Dennis Gregory	47.72	Provisional
326	N8 Mattson	48.90	Provisional
327	Fred Sampson	44.48	Provisional
328	Steve Mack	44.66	Provisional
329	El Nene	43.67	Provisional
330	Chasyn Rance	47.79	Provisional
331	Claudio Castagnoli	63.49	Provisional
332	Danny Doring	50.58	Provisional
333	Sedrick Strong	44.38	Provisional
334	Joey Knight	46.96	Provisional
335	Ladies' Choice	45.37	Provisional
336	Rory Fox	48.15	Provisional
337	Vik Dalishus	43.56	Provisional
338	Billy Bax	48.33	Provisional
339	Lightning	47.71	Provisional
340	Vito Thomaselli	45.62	Provisional
341	Scotty Charisma	43.48	Provisional
342	Zach Gowen	48.45	Provisional
343	Nasdaq	43.46	Provisional
344	Hangman Hughes	44.19	Provisional
345	Mace	47.30	Provisional
346	Axl Rotten	50.34	Provisional
347	Dow Jones	43.39	Provisional
348	Robbie Dawber	43.37	Provisional
349	Bruce Steele	43.37	Provisional
350	Sal Thomaselli	45.20	Provisional
351	HENTAI	44.09	Provisional
352	Bamm Bamm Penders	43.30	Provisional
353	K. C. Thunder	47.85	Provisional
354	E. C. Negro	44.60	Provisional
355	Mike Tobin	45.07	Provisional
356	Aaron Idol	43.26	Provisional
357	Alex Winters	43.26	Provisional
358	Marc Ash	48.48	Provisional
359	Lash LeRoux	48.96	Provisional
360	Rockin' Rebel	47.65	Provisional
361	John Rambo	49.82	Provisional
362	Nikita Allanov	44.97	Provisional
363	Japanese Pool Boy	45.28	Provisional
364	Andy Baker	43.16	Provisional
365	Dropkick Murphy	43.88	Provisional
366	Greg Matthews	43.09	Provisional
367	Derrick Neikirk	44.76	Provisional
368	Tim Flowers	43.07	Provisional
369	Bryan Logan	48.57	Provisional
370	Apollo Khan	43.80	Provisional
371	Mace Mendoza	44.39	Provisional
372	Delirious	51.12	Provisional
373	Dru Onyx	45.81	Provisional
374	Hallowicked	49.21	Provisional
375	Devon Storm	51.18	Provisional
376	Matt Logan	46.91	Provisional
377	T. Rantula	50.13	Provisional
378	Lotus	42.90	Provisional
379	Glen Osbourne	50.88	Provisional
380	Balls Mahoney	51.10	Provisional
381	Buff-E	44.39	Provisional
382	Conrad Kennedy III	44.19	Provisional
383	Diabolico	43.80	Provisional
384	Mr. Ooh La La	47.46	Provisional
385	Quinson Valentino	42.79	Provisional
386	Sebastian Dark	42.79	Provisional
387	Shirley Doe	45.50	Provisional
388	Brent Dail	42.77	Provisional
389	Jigsaw	49.18	Provisional
390	Hook Bomberry	44.50	Provisional
391	Crazy J.	42.70	Provisional
392	Frankie Capone	44.48	Provisional
393	Chris Taylor	42.68	Provisional
394	Cheetah Master	49.31	Provisional
395	Gran Akuma	48.81	Provisional
396	C. J. O'Doyle	44.40	Provisional
397	Scottie Gash	43.39	Provisional
398	Krazy K	43.38	Provisional
399	Eddie Guapo	42.59	Provisional
400	The Bouncer	44.78	Provisional
401	Cody Steele	42.57	Provisional
402	Shawn Patrick	43.30	Provisional
403	George South, Jr.	43.36	Provisional
404	Aden Chambers	47.31	Provisional
405	Ryan O'Reilly	42.49	Provisional
406	J-Rocc	45.10	Provisional
407	Glenn Spectre	43.79	Provisional
408	Supreme Lee Great	44.59	Provisional
409	Jeff Starr	44.20	Provisional
410	Eddie Kingston	64.58	Provisional
411	Greg Spitz	44.31	Provisional
412	Don Basher	45.63	Provisional
413	Mozart Fontaine	45.34	Provisional
414	Hurricane Castillo, Jr.	46.78	Provisional
415	Sexxxy Eddie	46.05	Provisional
416	K-Pusha	42.30	Provisional
417	Roman	44.10	Provisional
418	Chase Del Monte	46.61	Provisional
419	Tony Givens	43.07	Provisional
420	Invader #1	48.97	Provisional
421	K-Murda	42.27	Provisional
422	Dean Radford	42.27	Provisional
423	Luis Ortiz	43.57	Provisional
424	P. T. Hustla	42.20	Provisional
425	Shawn Osborne	46.73	Provisional
426	Kevin Knight	50.94	Provisional
427	J. P. Black	44.28	Provisional
428	Johnny Maxx	44.07	Provisional
429	Mike Dell	43.47	Provisional
430	Indiana Kidd, Jr.	44.92	Provisional
431	Brian Soscia	42.88	Provisional
432	John Curse	43.40	Provisional
433	J. Busta	42.87	Provisional
434	Rod Steel	46.99	Provisional
435	Eric Everlast	44.90	Provisional
436	Larry Huntley	43.89	Provisional
437	Scott Zenzen	44.91	Provisional
438	D. J. P. R. O. C.	41.99	Provisional
439	Snatch Haggis	43.30	Provisional
440	Mega	45.44	Provisional
441	Billy Bart	45.01	Provisional
442	Russell Simpson	42.97	Provisional
443	Johnny Graham	48.35	Provisional
444	Darin Childs	44.12	Provisional
445	Shawn Christopher	45.71	Provisional
446	Icarus	48.76	Provisional
447	Justin Idol	41.87	Provisional
448	Handsome Jimmy	42.60	Provisional
449	J. T. Lightning	45.42	Provisional
450	Frankie The Mobster	46.64	Provisional
451	Andre Lyonz	43.16	Provisional
452	Kevin Baker	41.78	Provisional
453	Jolly Roger	41.78	Provisional
454	Charles Mercury	41.78	Provisional
455	Tommy Suede	45.89	Provisional
456	Gutter	43.50	Provisional
457	Marcus Dillon	41.70	Provisional
458	Danger	44.27	Provisional
459	Daron Smythe	41.68	Provisional
460	Leslie Leatherman	44.61	Provisional
461	Mister Zero	42.41	Provisional
462	Quinton Lee	43.19	Provisional
463	Adam Booker	44.27	Provisional
464	Sean Allen	43.70	Provisional
465	Freak Nasty	44.68	Provisional
466	Darkness Crabtree	41.58	Provisional
467	Jack Thriller	43.30	Provisional
468	Dexter Poindexter	41.51	Provisional
469	Kevin Grace	45.11	Provisional
470	Josh Cody	41.50	Provisional
471	Shawn Cook	43.68	Provisional
472	Shorty Smalls	46.72	Provisional
473	Tony Golden	45.09	Provisional
474	Nova Cain	44.17	Provisional
475	Brian Danzig	45.59	Provisional
476	Terry Allen	45.18	Provisional
477	Powerhouse Hughes	41.40	Provisional
478	Viper	45.28	Provisional
479	Ultramantis Black	46.41	Provisional
480	Bruiser Graham	42.70	Provisional
481	Hellcat	45.91	Provisional
482	Ric Gunner	42.10	Provisional
483	Phil Atlas	45.99	Provisional
484	Forsaken	41.30	Provisional
485	Gino Martino	43.79	Provisional
486	John Cabbie	41.28	Provisional
487	Gotti	41.28	Provisional
488	Will Christianson	41.22	Provisional
489	Jimmy Cash	41.21	Provisional
490	Brian Costello	44.31	Provisional
491	Toy Dotson	43.26	Provisional
492	Brother Clay	41.18	Provisional
493	Eric Draven	42.47	Provisional
494	Aaron Devil	41.12	Provisional
495	Damian Dragon	43.69	Provisional
496	Lord Zoltan	48.45	Provisional
497	J. V. Insanity	41.10	Provisional
498	C. J. Summers	41.09	Provisional
499	Bert Williams	41.09	Provisional
500	Nick Nemeth	48.08	Provisional

The PWI 500 is used here as a record of who was visible in a given year, not as a vote on greatness — its density in recent decades is exactly the modern-era bias our own ranking corrects for. Why, in full.

The whole archive, 1991–2025 · The GOAT ranking

This page reproduces a published annual ranking as a matter of record. It is a free, unofficial fan reference — an unofficial fan tribute, made for fun. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to World Wrestling Entertainment, All Elite Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, or any official rights holder of the promotions, championships and performers named.