PWI 500

The PWI 500 — 2008

The complete Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 for 2008 — all five hundred places, as published. Randy Orton took the number one spot.

PWI 500, 2008 — all 500 places
Rank	Wrestler	GOAT	Evidence
1	Randy Orton	97.91	Calibrated
2	Kurt Angle	97.99	Calibrated
3	Triple H	98.94	Calibrated
4	Samoa Joe	96.26	Calibrated
5	Adam Copeland	66.43	Provisional
6	The Undertaker	99.38	Calibrated
7	Shawn Michaels	99.86	Calibrated
8	Nigel McGuinness	56.57	Provisional
9	John Cena	99.37	Calibrated
10	Shinsuke Nakamura	74.47	Provisional
11	Takeshi Morishima	55.16	Provisional
12	Ultimo Guerrero	59.60	Provisional
13	Bryan Danielson	96.49	Calibrated
14	Christian Cage	95.07	Calibrated
15	Batista	95.98	Calibrated
16	Keiji Mutoh	62.34	Provisional
17	Místico	59.71	Provisional
18	Jeff Hardy	97.49	Calibrated
19	Ric Flair	99.79	Calibrated
20	Hiroshi Tanahashi	66.35	Provisional
21	AJ Styles	97.33	Calibrated
22	Perro Aguayo, Jr.	56.31	Provisional
23	Montel Vontavious Porter	53.04	Provisional
24	CM Punk	98.11	Calibrated
25	Tomko	51.00	Provisional
26	El Mesias	52.54	Provisional
27	Jay Lethal	64.29	Provisional
28	Dr. Wagner Jr.	58.31	Provisional
29	Chris Jericho	97.96	Calibrated
30	Kensuke Sasaki	58.55	Provisional
31	Austin Aries	56.57	Provisional
32	Cibernetico	53.02	Provisional
33	Kane	79.65	Provisional
34	Booker T	95.05	Calibrated
35	Mr. Kennedy	49.19	Provisional
36	Chavo Guerrero	55.67	Provisional
37	Umaga	52.30	Provisional
38	Robert Roode	51.97	Provisional
39	Suwama	55.45	Provisional
40	John Bradshaw Layfield	57.22	Provisional
41	Matt Hardy	69.07	Provisional
42	James Storm	55.89	Provisional
43	John Morrison	53.56	Provisional
44	Adam Pearce	52.78	Provisional
45	Kaz	48.79	Provisional
46	CIMA	53.03	Provisional
47	Minoru Suzuki	56.30	Provisional
48	Petey Williams	54.38	Provisional
49	Jay Briscoe	56.52	Provisional
50	Mark Briscoe	70.94	Provisional
51	Big Show	60.36	Provisional
52	Claudio Castagnoli	63.49	Provisional
53	Giant Bernard	50.90	Provisional
54	The Miz	68.45	Provisional
55	William Regal	55.80	Provisional
56	Finlay	51.84	Provisional
57	Yuji Nagata	57.40	Provisional
58	Chris Hero	52.95	Provisional
59	Rey Mysterio	97.16	Calibrated
60	Eric Young	61.17	Provisional
61	Rhino	54.60	Provisional
62	Shelton Benjamin	64.08	Provisional
63	Carlito	53.58	Provisional
64	Scott Steiner	80.36	Provisional
65	Mark Henry	78.57	Provisional
66	Chuck Palumbo	51.16	Provisional
67	Homicide	53.39	Provisional
68	Averno	52.04	Provisional
69	Chris Sabin	55.76	Provisional
70	Alex Shelley	55.61	Provisional
71	Zorro	49.99	Provisional
72	Hernandez	52.17	Provisional
73	Dos Caras, Jr.	50.99	Provisional
74	Jimmy Jacobs	52.71	Provisional
75	Orlando Colon	49.09	Provisional
76	Kofi Kingston	57.45	Provisional
77	Alan Stone	49.08	Provisional
78	Brother Ray	51.17	Provisional
79	Cody Rhodes	96.29	Calibrated
80	Lance Cade	51.09	Provisional
81	Sonjay Dutt	52.12	Provisional
82	Brother Devon	52.83	Provisional
83	The Great Khali	53.39	Provisional
84	Sting	98.80	Calibrated
85	El Hijo del Santo	59.35	Provisional
86	Kenta Kobashi	67.08	Provisional
87	Mitsuharu Misawa	66.62	Provisional
88	Seth Rollins	98.46	Calibrated
89	Masato Tanaka	54.67	Provisional
90	Naomichi Marufuji	54.13	Provisional
91	Santino Marella	52.14	Provisional
92	Hardcore Holly	51.84	Provisional
93	Satoshi Kojima	57.74	Provisional
94	Ron Killings	52.99	Provisional
95	Curry Man	47.42	Provisional
96	Trevor Murdoch	50.90	Provisional
97	Hideo Itami	54.59	Provisional
98	Charly Manson	50.54	Provisional
99	Elijah Burke	49.34	Provisional
100	Toshiaki Kawada	58.43	Provisional
101	Nick Dinsmore	50.03	Provisional
102	Chessman	51.14	Provisional
103	Roderick Strong	63.77	Provisional
104	Abyss	56.24	Provisional
105	Mephisto	51.72	Provisional
106	Festus	49.34	Provisional
107	Davey Richards	57.31	Provisional
108	Rocky Romero	53.29	Provisional
109	Atlantis	53.67	Provisional
110	El Condor	47.19	Provisional
111	Brian Kendrick	54.90	Provisional
112	Negro Casas	54.49	Provisional
113	Halloween	50.27	Provisional
114	Tommy Dreamer	78.01	Provisional
115	Rey Bucanero	53.05	Provisional
116	Paul London	53.62	Provisional
117	Jerry Lynn	54.89	Provisional
118	Wataru Inoue	48.37	Provisional
119	Jushin Liger	63.16	Provisional
120	Brent Albright	50.74	Provisional
121	Blue Demon, Jr.	53.64	Provisional
122	Shark Boy	50.91	Provisional
123	Hector Garza	54.54	Provisional
124	Blitz	46.90	Provisional
125	Jamie Noble	51.01	Provisional
126	Matt Morgan	53.62	Provisional
127	Black Reign	46.86	Provisional
128	Black Warrior	52.13	Provisional
129	Kevin Owens	74.64	Provisional
130	Johnny Devine	50.02	Provisional
131	Paul Burchill	49.08	Provisional
132	Kip James	48.62	Provisional
133	Sangre Azteca	48.90	Provisional
134	Snitsky	46.75	Provisional
135	Togi Makabe	52.18	Provisional
136	Erick Stevens	49.00	Provisional
137	Masato Yoshino	50.03	Provisional
138	Mr. Niebla	52.79	Provisional
139	B. G. James	50.07	Provisional
140	Zack Ryder	52.96	Provisional
141	Curt Hawkins	50.49	Provisional
142	Juventud Guerrera	54.14	Provisional
143	Sami Zayn	73.95	Provisional
144	Jimmy Wang Yang	48.93	Provisional
145	Jack Evans	51.63	Provisional
146	Mr. Aguila	50.07	Provisional
147	Jesse	47.33	Provisional
148	Joe Doering	51.96	Provisional
149	Vladimir Kozlov	50.58	Provisional
150	Lance Hoyt	49.79	Provisional
151	Mike Knox	50.27	Provisional
152	B.J. Whitmer	50.58	Provisional
153	Joey Matthews	50.13	Provisional
154	Big Daddy V	47.23	Provisional
155	Masahiro Chono	52.33	Provisional
156	Delirious	51.12	Provisional
157	Mike Quackenbush	51.44	Provisional
158	Milano Collection A. T.	50.98	Provisional
159	Shannon Moore	52.05	Provisional
160	Jimmy Rave	50.23	Provisional
161	Rellik	46.33	Provisional
162	Necro Butcher	50.24	Provisional
163	Eddie Colon	48.44	Provisional
164	Yoshihiro Takayama	51.85	Provisional
165	Deuce	47.27	Provisional
166	Matt Striker	47.55	Provisional
167	Chicano	48.66	Provisional
168	Mike DiBiase	47.54	Provisional
169	Domino	47.18	Provisional
170	Steve Corino	53.27	Provisional
171	Shawn Spears	54.89	Provisional
172	Marco Corleone	50.52	Provisional
173	Bryan Logan	48.57	Provisional
174	Yoshinobu Kanemaru	50.37	Provisional
175	Glen Osbourne	50.88	Provisional
176	Manabu Nakanishi	53.03	Provisional
177	Shad Gaspard	49.75	Provisional
178	Go Shiozaki	53.86	Provisional
179	Eric Perez	46.81	Provisional
180	Rory Fox	48.15	Provisional
181	Dragon Kid	51.24	Provisional
182	Toru Yano	50.69	Provisional
183	Joey Ryan	51.01	Provisional
184	Charlie Haas	54.17	Provisional
185	JTG	50.80	Provisional
186	Kevin Nash	79.85	Provisional
187	Ted DiBiase, Jr.	52.14	Provisional
188	Human Tornado	48.15	Provisional
189	Nic Nemeth	69.75	Provisional
190	Chris Harris	51.21	Provisional
191	Volador, Jr.	52.39	Provisional
192	La Sombra	51.40	Provisional
193	Heath Miller	45.80	Provisional
194	Super Crazy	52.81	Provisional
195	Consequences Creed	48.47	Provisional
196	Rory McAllister	48.23	Provisional
197	D. H. Smith	47.58	Provisional
198	Robbie McAllister	49.17	Provisional
199	Ruckus	49.07	Provisional
200	PAC	63.25	Provisional
201	Katsuhiko Nakajima	53.38	Provisional
202	Jigsaw	49.18	Provisional
203	Scott Lost	47.81	Provisional
204	Rob Eckos	49.70	Provisional
205	Ricky Reyes	50.06	Provisional
206	Billy Bax	48.33	Provisional
207	Tiger Mask IV	54.77	Provisional
208	Matt Cross	51.55	Provisional
209	El Sagrado	46.89	Provisional
210	Stevie Richards	51.81	Provisional
211	Tatsumi Fujinami	54.14	Provisional
212	L. A. Park	54.48	Provisional
213	Rikishi	77.62	Provisional
214	Ryusuke Taguchi	51.32	Provisional
215	Evan Bourne	50.37	Provisional
216	Jay Bradley	48.87	Provisional
217	Josh Prohibition	47.85	Provisional
218	Shinjiro Otani	52.60	Provisional
219	Drew McIntyre	75.43	Provisional
220	D-Lo Brown	52.05	Provisional
221	Elix Skipper	50.58	Provisional
222	Jake Hager	47.84	Provisional
223	Chris Masters	51.05	Provisional
224	Sheik Shawn Davari	46.08	Provisional
225	Naruki Doi	52.23	Provisional
226	Sheamus	75.53	Provisional
227	Low Ki	54.51	Provisional
228	Kid Kash	52.05	Provisional
229	Hiromi Horiguchi	46.00	Provisional
230	2 Cold Scorpio	52.99	Provisional
231	Ace Steel	49.52	Provisional
232	Adam Flash	48.35	Provisional
233	Kenzo Suzuki	49.54	Provisional
234	Hiroyoshi Tenzan	56.66	Provisional
235	Ricky Vega	45.12	Provisional
236	Teddy Hart	49.29	Provisional
237	Minoru Fujita	50.39	Provisional
238	La Mascara	51.02	Provisional
239	Puma	47.34	Provisional
240	Heavy Metal	51.57	Provisional
241	T. J. Wilson	46.58	Provisional
242	Tarus	46.80	Provisional
243	Balls Mahoney	51.10	Provisional
244	Danny Doring	50.58	Provisional
245	Colt Cabana	53.34	Provisional
246	Chris Cage	48.56	Provisional
247	Josh Daniels	49.00	Provisional
248	KUDO	46.89	Provisional
249	La Parka	52.47	Provisional
250	Sabu	58.98	Provisional
251	Takeshi Rikio	50.22	Provisional
252	Chad Collyer	49.81	Provisional
253	Jason Blade	47.40	Provisional
254	El Olympico	44.81	Provisional
255	Masaaki Mochizuki	51.31	Provisional
256	Pepper Parks	49.11	Provisional
257	Damian 666	48.82	Provisional
258	Matt Logan	46.91	Provisional
259	Ephesto	47.23	Provisional
260	Christian York	50.70	Provisional
261	Mike Mondo	50.13	Provisional
262	Rob Conway	52.40	Provisional
263	Shocker	54.27	Provisional
264	Nunzio	50.41	Provisional
265	Xavier	47.09	Provisional
266	Vito	45.40	Provisional
267	Kenny Dykstra	47.70	Provisional
268	Chris Joel	44.60	Provisional
269	Alex Koslov	49.82	Provisional
270	Gran Akuma	48.81	Provisional
271	Ron Zombie	45.37	Provisional
272	Icarus	48.76	Provisional
273	Derek Frazier	45.87	Provisional
274	Noriega	44.51	Provisional
275	Lince Dorado	50.37	Provisional
276	Intocable	48.82	Provisional
277	Jun Akiyama	58.13	Provisional
278	Eddie Kingston	64.58	Provisional
279	Madman Pondo	47.42	Provisional
280	Scott Cardinal	44.40	Provisional
281	Michael Sain	44.40	Provisional
282	Lizmark, Jr.	48.78	Provisional
283	Shingo Takagi	55.97	Provisional
284	Super Hentai	46.17	Provisional
285	Chad Parham	45.16	Provisional
286	Maximo	49.86	Provisional
287	Kevin Dunn	45.16	Provisional
288	Mean Marcos	44.30	Provisional
289	Hallowicked	49.21	Provisional
290	Kotaro Suzuki	49.54	Provisional
291	Brazo De Plata	46.59	Provisional
292	Joe Bravo	45.00	Provisional
293	Phoenix Star	44.99	Provisional
294	Brain Damage	45.80	Provisional
295	Ricky Landell	45.87	Provisional
296	Bam Neely	45.67	Provisional
297	Felino	51.95	Provisional
298	Larry Sweeney	45.48	Provisional
299	Joker	44.89	Provisional
300	Devon Moore	48.28	Provisional
301	Ricky Marvin	49.93	Provisional
302	Zokre	46.50	Provisional
303	Bobby Fish	53.35	Provisional
304	Tank Toland	49.54	Provisional
305	Helios	45.49	Provisional
306	Black Pain	44.00	Provisional
307	Pelle Primeau	44.78	Provisional
308	Naoya Ogawa	51.57	Provisional
309	Chuck Taylor	51.02	Provisional
310	Bruiser	43.97	Provisional
311	Rhett Titus	51.23	Provisional
312	Abismo Negro	50.19	Provisional
313	Blue Panther	52.50	Provisional
314	Savio Vega	51.84	Provisional
315	Ultimo Dragon	56.57	Provisional
316	Kevin Thorn	48.21	Provisional
317	Frederick of Hollywood	44.66	Provisional
318	Val Venis	53.90	Provisional
319	Tom Brandi	49.32	Provisional
320	Mitch Ryder	44.58	Provisional
321	TAKA Michinoku	53.82	Provisional
322	Damian 666	48.82	Provisional
323	Tyson Dux	51.86	Provisional
324	Aden Chambers	47.31	Provisional
325	Crazy Boy	44.49	Provisional
326	Adam Flash	48.35	Provisional
327	Taku Iwasa	43.69	Provisional
328	Incognito	43.68	Provisional
329	Anthony Bravado	43.67	Provisional
330	Thunder	48.75	Provisional
331	Andrew Ryker	45.17	Provisional
332	Spike Dudley	52.89	Provisional
333	Jorge Rivera	43.59	Provisional
334	The Atomic Dogg	44.36	Provisional
335	Lightning	47.71	Provisional
336	Bryan Kelly	43.57	Provisional
337	Judas Young	45.30	Provisional
338	Taiyo Kea	52.83	Provisional
339	Kaz Hayashi	52.28	Provisional
340	Hi-Jinx	43.49	Provisional
341	Sterling James Keenan	47.56	Provisional
342	Arik Cannon	50.17	Provisional
343	Shane Hagadorn	44.26	Provisional
344	Pantera	47.44	Provisional
345	Kassidy James	45.20	Provisional
346	Max Von Bauer	43.39	Provisional
347	Doug Williams	52.40	Provisional
348	Al Snow	53.13	Provisional
349	Sinn Bowdee	44.16	Provisional
350	John McChesney	48.28	Provisional
351	Shayne Hawke	44.67	Provisional
352	Truitt Fields	45.28	Provisional
353	John Kermon	44.66	Provisional
354	Cruzz	43.28	Provisional
355	Orlando Jordan	51.26	Provisional
356	Robert Anthony	49.59	Provisional
357	Ultramantis Black	46.41	Provisional
358	Steve Lewington	47.10	Provisional
359	Johnny Kashmere	47.44	Provisional
360	Shaggy 2 Dope	46.03	Provisional
361	Mikey Whipwreck	49.52	Provisional
362	Yoshihiro Tajiri	53.48	Provisional
363	Mike Kruel	48.75	Provisional
364	N8 Mattson	48.90	Provisional
365	Takashi Iizuka	47.00	Provisional
366	Noel Rodriguez	43.09	Provisional
367	Gran Apolo	48.76	Provisional
368	Afa Jr.	48.54	Provisional
369	Qenaan Creed	45.91	Provisional
370	Diabolico	43.80	Provisional
371	Shane Storm	44.99	Provisional
372	Johnny Curtis	49.19	Provisional
373	Kahagas	49.81	Provisional
374	Romeo Roselli	48.87	Provisional
375	Bobby Dempsey	45.17	Provisional
376	Rudy Switchblade	45.81	Provisional
377	Jim Duggan	51.69	Provisional
378	Trent Acid	47.22	Provisional
379	Kafu	43.86	Provisional
380	Jerry Lawler	78.48	Provisional
381	Shiima Xion	47.95	Provisional
382	Atlas DaBone	42.87	Provisional
383	Scott Wright	44.17	Provisional
384	Navajo Warrior	45.58	Provisional
385	Sal Rinauro	47.96	Provisional
386	Robin Knightwing	46.93	Provisional
387	Scott Zenzen	44.91	Provisional
388	Joey Knight	46.96	Provisional
389	Sean Waltman	48.35	Provisional
390	Jamin Olivencia	48.38	Provisional
391	Kevin Grace	45.11	Provisional
392	BxB Hulk	51.62	Provisional
393	Sho Funaki	50.67	Provisional
394	Azrieal	47.88	Provisional
395	J. D. Michaels	44.16	Provisional
396	Richard Rondon	42.67	Provisional
397	Titán	51.14	Provisional
398	Antonio Thomas	49.22	Provisional
399	Ace Darling	50.27	Provisional
400	Colin Delaney	47.87	Provisional
401	Larry Huntley	43.89	Provisional
402	Chasyn Rance	47.79	Provisional
403	Rycklon	42.50	Provisional
404	Billy Roc	43.29	Provisional
405	Nate Bash	43.48	Provisional
406	Iceberg	46.69	Provisional
407	Armando Estrada	42.47	Provisional
408	Charles Evans	44.09	Provisional
409	Mike Reed	44.66	Provisional
410	Johnny Gargano	66.22	Provisional
411	Jumping Jeff Jeffrey	42.40	Provisional
412	Jonny Puma	44.80	Provisional
413	Benjamin Sailor	43.36	Provisional
414	The Stro	47.87	Provisional
415	Leslie Leatherman	44.61	Provisional
416	Freak Nasty	44.68	Provisional
417	Ali Akbar	42.30	Provisional
418	Luke Hawk	43.08	Provisional
419	Derek Wylde	47.64	Provisional
420	Milwaukee Mauler	43.07	Provisional
421	Robere Shields	42.27	Provisional
422	Omega	42.27	Provisional
423	Dan Eckos	44.16	Provisional
424	Hawaiian Lion	42.20	Provisional
425	Johnny Ova	43.46	Provisional
426	Zachary Shane	42.17	Provisional
427	Cody Deaner	59.71	Provisional
428	Ric Converse	45.50	Provisional
429	Mega	45.44	Provisional
430	Sami Callihan	55.17	Provisional
431	Soldier Ant	42.88	Provisional
432	Sean Royal	43.87	Provisional
433	Kombred	42.07	Provisional
434	Tank	47.63	Provisional
435	Hade Vansen	42.07	Provisional
436	Prince Nana	48.06	Provisional
437	Brodie Lee	47.19	Provisional
438	Rob Terry	50.79	Provisional
439	Fire Ant	41.97	Provisional
440	Dan Paysan	43.58	Provisional
441	Red Anderson	43.26	Provisional
442	Andy Dalton	44.27	Provisional
443	Zach Gowen	48.45	Provisional
444	Carlitos	41.90	Provisional
445	Dylan Starr	42.67	Provisional
446	Eric Everlast	44.90	Provisional
447	Ron Falco	44.64	Provisional
448	Joe Gibson	41.87	Provisional
449	Jeremy Wyatt	44.80	Provisional
450	Mister Saint Laurent	41.80	Provisional
451	Omar Akbar	41.80	Provisional
452	Shawn Cook	43.68	Provisional
453	Kenny King	54.32	Provisional
454	Kirby Mack	45.48	Provisional
455	Drew Blood	41.71	Provisional
456	Nate Laws	41.71	Provisional
457	Brian Soscia	42.88	Provisional
458	Shorty Smalls	46.72	Provisional
459	Crazy Rudy	41.68	Provisional
460	Ric Byrne	41.68	Provisional
461	T. J. Mack	45.00	Provisional
462	Maifu	43.26	Provisional
463	Mikal Judas	48.24	Provisional
464	Phil Shatter	48.73	Provisional
465	Robby Starr	42.37	Provisional
466	Saifu	43.17	Provisional
467	Phil Atlas	45.99	Provisional
468	Jimmy Olsen	42.70	Provisional
469	Mike Tobin	45.07	Provisional
470	Corporal Robinson	43.70	Provisional
471	Slim J	44.50	Provisional
472	Ryan McBride	45.17	Provisional
473	Chance Prophet	48.58	Provisional
474	Hiram Tua	48.27	Provisional
475	Mozart Fontaine	45.34	Provisional
476	Matt Riviera	50.45	Provisional
477	Hook Bomberry	44.50	Provisional
478	Mastiff	42.18	Provisional
479	Pinke Larue	41.38	Provisional
480	Chris Stone	41.38	Provisional
481	Supreme Lee Great	44.59	Provisional
482	Teddy Stigma	41.32	Provisional
483	Greg Marasciulo	41.30	Provisional
484	Blackheart Apocalypse	47.30	Provisional
485	Player Uno	47.11	Provisional
486	Jimmy DeMarco	44.56	Provisional
487	Wade Chism	45.30	Provisional
488	Tim Donst	47.64	Provisional
489	Leono	41.21	Provisional
490	Dre Blitz	41.20	Provisional
491	Igotta Brewski	42.37	Provisional
492	Larry Zbyszko	51.26	Provisional
493	Super Calo	49.49	Provisional
494	Marshall Gambino	44.37	Provisional
495	Hydra	41.12	Provisional
496	Mickey Gambino	42.47	Provisional
497	Worker Ant	41.10	Provisional
498	The Guy with Red Hair	41.09	Provisional
499	Kliff Hanger	41.88	Provisional
500	Kurt Adonis	41.08	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.