Posted By James Walsh on 09/24/26


Former AEW world champion MJF ranked in the top spot of Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual Top 500 list for 2026. The long-time publication’s top ten were as follows…

1. MJF
2. Cody Rhodes
3. CM Punk
4. Mistico
5. Konosuke Takeshita
6. Hangman Adam Page
7. Yota Tsuji
8. Trick Williams
9. Oba Femi
10. Gunther

Here is PWI’s criteria…

IN-RING ACHIEVEMENT-W-L records, championships, tournaments won.
INFLUENCE-Visibility and prestige within a promotion and/or the industry.
TECHNICAL ABILITY-Quality of moves, matches, and in-ring storytelling.
COMPETITION-Success against the most varied and highest quality opponents.
ACTIVITY-Minimum 10 singles (non-tag) matches total; or, barring this, six such matches in separate months.