Earlier today, Pro Wrestling Illustrated released its annual PWI 500 edition, and sitting at the top of the rankings is WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. Taking the number one spot is usually considered a huge honor by whoever the recipient is, and it no doubt is for Rollins, who is doing it for the third time. This time, however, may feel a little bit sweeter based on the company he is keeping at the top of the list.
Just behind Rollins as the number two ranked wrestler is Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, and at number three is AEW International Champion Jon Moxley. Collectively, the three men were known as The SHIELD in WWE, and their initial run took place from 2012 until 2014. Out of the gate, the trio debuted as mercenaries for now former WWE and AEW star CM Punk but quickly splintered off on their own, capturing the WWE Tag Team Titles and eventually moving on to dominating the main event picture.
Rollins took to social media just now to share a photo of the three men’s first touching, which they routinely did after beating down their opponents.
Moxley, Reigns, or his wiseman, Paul Heyman, have not issued any public statements regarding the unique rankings honor.
Just below The SHIELD, WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther took the number four spot, and AAA Mega Champion El Hijo de Vikingo rounded out the top five. Interestingly, AEW World Champion MJF ranked lower than Vikingo, barely missing out on a top-five spot. Even still, this is Friedman’s first time cracking the top ten in the PWI 500, so a move into the top spots could be in the cards next year during the “bidding war of 2024.”
The 2023 PWI 500 issue is now available to purchase online or on stands. The full top ten list was officially announced earlier this morning on Busted Open Radio.