AAPW stars & guests in the PWI Top 500 Photo by Jason Wilkey |
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Since 1991, Pro Wrestling Illustrated has featured the top 500 men and women in the world of wrestling. Each year they've come up with a list that covers the major companies and the independent leagues. When the issue first started coming out, I had a subscription to the magazine and never missed one. But with the rise of the Internet, I'll admit I stopped buying PWI, Inside Wrestling, The Wrestler, and WWF (yeah back then the F was still there) magazines.
Who knew 20 years ago when I was reading those rankings that I would one day be able to lay claim to actually knowing wrestlers on the list? And I mean legitimately know, not just guys I've interviewed like the Miz, Lex Luger, or Hacksaw Duggan. Several AAPW wrestlers and guests made an appearance on this year's list.
We'll talk more about the top ranking guys on Thursday's From the Rafters Radio show. You can click this link to listen live at 7 p.m. CST or search us on iTunes. It's no surprise to me that CM Punk tops this year's list. It's a well deserved honor in my view. I'd like to share with you the folks I have had an opportunity to work with over the last 18 months or so with AAPW. If you've not heard some of these names, I'm sure you will in the not so distant future.
Matt Cross, El Generico, PAC, and Colt Cabana AAPW Main Event Photo by Brian Kelly |
Ace Hawkins & Brandon Espinosa AAPW Collision Photo by Jason Wilkey |
Other notables include Adam Pearce (62) who is the current NWA World's Heavyweight Champion. He's bringing that 10 pounds of gold to Marion, Illinois on September 22 and will defend it against Hatton. I'm looking forward to that match for several reasons and will talk more about it soon. I can't wait to meet him as well.
Mike Sydal (335) is a rising star, wrestling for AAPW and ROH among other companies. Mike has had several matches in AAPW and he's got a lot of energy. He's fun to watch and will continue to climb the ladder of success, much like his older brother Evan Bourne.
"Golden Boy" Greg Anthony vs. Heath Hatton AAPW Main Event Photo by Jason Wilkey |
Perhaps one of the biggest miscarriages of justice (thanks Gorilla Monsoon) is the fact that Sara Del Rey is ranked at 430. She's only the fourth woman to crack PWI's Top 500 in its 22 year history. I've only seen her wrestle live a couple of times for Chikara, and I can tell you she deserves a much better ranking. Of course, I'm sure the editors at PWI have a very difficult time coming up with this list and I don't envy them at all. You're never going to please everyone.
What are you thoughts on the list? Remember, listen to From the Rafters Radio and weigh in on the discussion via Facebook or Twitter (@RaftersRadio, @my123cents)
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