MJF, the AEW star everyone loves to hate, just officially grabbed the top spot on Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine’s prestigious PWI 500 list for 2026. This isn’t just a win; it is his first time ever landing at number one, finally beating out WWE’s Cody Rhodes, who held the top rank for a two-year reign in 2024 and 2025. It is a massive shake-up, signaling a real shift in the pecking order of professional wrestling.
The Rise of the Salt of the Earth
Let’s be real, MJF has been on the cusp, always a huge presence, but now he is officially the standard bearer. During the PWI 500’s evaluation period, running from August 2025 through July 2026, he wasn’t just talking the talk; he walked the walk, holding the AEW World Championship twice. This is a guy whose previous best on the PWI 500 was sixth place back in 2023. Think about that climb! He’s also the third AEW wrestler to hit the number one spot since the company began, joining legends like Jon Moxley in 2020 and Kenny Omega in 2021. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes, who landed at number two, missed out on making history, falling short of being the first wrestler to ever claim the PWI 500’s top spot for three consecutive years. That has gotta sting a little.
Roman Reigns’ Staggering Absence
The biggest bombshell from this PWI 500 reveal has to be the complete absence of Roman Reigns from the list. The dude is the reigning world heavyweight champion in WWE, for crying out loud! You’d think that alone would guarantee a spot. But no, Wrestle Ops reported that Reigns failed to meet Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s specific requirements for in-ring activity. This is wild when you consider he’s been number one on the PWI 500 twice before, and even landed at number two in both 2021 and 2023. The silver lining? He’s apparently been wrestling way more often since winning the world heavyweight title at WrestleMania 42. So, maybe he’s got a shot at regaining eligibility for the 2027 PWI 500. Still, not seeing the champ on this list is a huge talking point right now.
New Blood Shaking Up the Top 10
While MJF’s climb and Reigns’ snub dominate the headlines, the rest of the top 10 is loaded with talent and some serious fresh faces. The full list includes CM Punk at number three, Mistico at four, Konosuke Takeshita at five, “Hangman” Adam Page at six, Yota Tsuji at seven, Trick Williams at eight, Oba Femi at nine, and Gunther rounding out the top ten. What really jumps out is the emergence of WWE’s rising stars, Trick Williams and Oba Femi, both making their top 10 debuts. Williams is already a two-time United States champion, showing he’s not just a flash in the pan. And Oba Femi? That guy is a future world champion, no doubt. He’s already won the King of the Ring tournament and somehow beat Brock Lesnar twice since April. That’s a statement, plain and simple.
What does this all mean for next year? With MJF owning the top, Cody looking to reclaim his throne, and Roman Reigns presumably gunning to get back on the list, the competition is going to be absolutely brutal. We are just getting started, and the PWI 500 has already set the stage for an insane year ahead.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply