Pro Wrestling Illustrated

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Joe McCoy · Public domain · source
Title	Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Frequency	Monthly
Format	Print and digital
Category	Professional wrestling
Firstdate	1979
Country	United States
Language	English

Pro Wrestling Illustrated Pro Wrestling Illustrated is an American magazine covering professional wrestling that debuted in 1979. It reports on wrestlers, promotions, events, and industry developments across North America, Japan, Mexico and other regions, offering features, interviews, rankings and behind‑the‑scenes analysis. The magazine has been influential in chronicling the careers of performers associated with World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and numerous regional promotions.

History

Pro Wrestling Illustrated was founded amid the territorial era dominated by the National Wrestling Alliance and regional promoters like World Class Championship Wrestling and Georgia Championship Wrestling. Early issues reflected the transition from territorial cards to national television exposure caused by figures associated with Vince McMahon and the expansion of the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s. As the industry shifted during the Monday Night Wars between WWF and WCW, the publication adjusted coverage to include personalities from Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and independent scenes featuring performers who later worked for Ring of Honor and All Elite Wrestling. Through the 1990s and 2000s it chronicled the rise and fall of promotions, the globalization of talent through NJPW exchanges and the crossover of wrestlers into Hollywood and mainstream entertainment.

Publication and Format

Published monthly, the magazine combines feature journalism with photo spreads, statistical compendia and issue‑specific cover stories focusing on marquee names such as John Cena, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk and Kazuchika Okada. Regular sections historically included news briefs, editorial columns, match and event reviews of major shows like WrestleMania, Starrcade, SummerSlam and Bound for Glory, and directories of champions across promotions like Impact Wrestling and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. The publication has used color photography, longform interviews with idols such as Randy Savage and contemporary stars like Kenny Omega, and archival pieces on pioneers including Gorgeous George and Bruno Sammartino. In later decades the brand expanded to digital platforms, podcasts, and social media presences that interact with audiences who follow promotions such as NXT and independent circuits.

Awards and Rankings

The magazine is best known for its annual awards and rankings, including its signature "PWI 500" listing which ranks the top male singles wrestlers and has featured names like Triple H, AJ Styles, Seth Rollins and Rey Mysterio. Other lists have covered tag teams, women's competitors—highlighting talents such as Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Bayley—and historical retrospectives on hallmarks like the King of the Ring lineage. PWI's awards historically include categories for Wrestler of the Year, Match of the Year, Feud of the Year and Most Inspirational Wrestler, often recognizing performances at events like Wrestle Kingdom and NJPW Wrestle Kingdom cards. These rankings have been referenced by promotions, commentators and historians when contextualizing careers and booking choices.

Editorial Staff and Contributors

Contributors to the magazine have ranged from long‑time wrestling journalists to photographers and statisticians who document title histories and match records. Notable editorial figures and columnists have analyzed creative decisions involving bookers associated with Jim Cornette and commentators from series such as Monday Night Raw and SmackDown!. Photographers and interviewers have profiled managers and personalities like Paul Heyman, Jim Ross, Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes, while statistical contributors have compiled data comparable to wrestling archives that track reigns across promotions like Progress Wrestling and Combat Zone Wrestling.

Controversies and Criticism

The publication has faced criticism over methodology in its rankings, debates about kayfabe versus shoot reporting, and disputes over perceived biases toward large promotions such as WWE or regions like Mexico City's lucha libre scene. Some industry figures have contested placements on lists such as the PWI 500, citing discrepancies in criteria when comparing performers from scripted televised programs to independent circuits and international tours for CMLL or Dragon Gate. Editorial choices on cover subjects and award recipients have occasionally sparked public disagreements with talents and promoters, provoking commentary on industry forums and calls for transparency in evaluation standards.

Influence and Legacy

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has been a reference point for historical research, fan debate and promotional publicity, with its awards and rankings frequently cited by broadcasters, podcasters and historians examining careers of icons such as André the Giant and modern stars like Roman Reigns. Its chronicling of title histories, feuds and landmark matches has contributed to the archival record used by museums, documentaries and books on wrestling history, and its features have helped introduce breakout performers from independent promotions such as EVOLVE and IPW to wider audiences. The magazine’s blend of journalism, statistics and visual presentation helped professional wrestling maintain a continuity of narrative across eras from territorial cards to global pay‑per‑view spectacles.

Category:Professional wrestling magazines