The annual PWI 500 list, published by Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine, has been released for 2025. This year, the top spot goes to Cody Rhodes, who has achieved the rare feat of topping the list for the second consecutive year.
For the second year in a row, Cody Rhodes is at the pinnacle of professional wrestling, according to PWI's kayfabe-based rankings. The evaluation period for this year's list, from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, was a banner year for Rhodes. During this time, he cemented his status as a main-event player by holding the Undisputed WWE Championship for the entire period.
Rhodes's back-to-back number one ranking puts him in a very exclusive club. He is only the fourth wrestler in the history of the PWI 500 to achieve this, joining legends like Bret Hart, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and John Cena. This accomplishment highlights not only his in-ring success but also his incredible popularity and status as a central figure in WWE.
The rest of the top ten is a diverse mix of talent from multiple promotions, showcasing the global nature of modern wrestling. The full top ten for the 2025 PWI 500 is as follows:
1. Cody Rhodes (WWE)
2. Jon Moxley (AEW)
3. GUNTHER (WWE)
4. "Hangman" Adam Page (AEW)
5. Hirooki Goto (NJPW)
6. Jey Uso (WWE)
7. Swerve Strickland (AEW)
8. Seth Rollins (WWE)
9. Místico (CMLL)
10. Will Ospreay (AEW, NJPW)
This year's list reflects the varied landscape of professional wrestling, with top spots occupied by stars from WWE, AEW, and major Japanese and Mexican promotions like New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). The list also features a significant jump for Místico, whose high ranking is a testament to his continued success in Mexico.
The 2025 PWI 500 reaffirms the dominance of Cody Rhodes, but also signals a broader shift in the wrestling industry. While WWE wrestlers hold four spots in the top 10, AEW is also strongly represented with three. The inclusion of wrestlers from NJPW and CMLL in the top ten demonstrates that PWI continues to value and recognize talent from promotions outside of the mainstream U.S. landscape.
As always, the rankings will undoubtedly spark conversation and debate among fans, as some will argue for different placements based on their own criteria. However, the PWI 500 remains a respected tradition, offering a unique, kayfabe-centric look at the year in professional wrestling.
