List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards


This is a list of both active and inactive Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards which are voted on by Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers every year from 1972 onwards, expanding to more categories in later years.
Unlike other wrestling magazines and websites, PWI is largely a magazine written within the fictional realm of professional wrestling and the awards recognize this.

Active awards

Wrestler of the Year

The PWI Wrestler of the Year award recognizes the best professional wrestler of the year. Ric Flair has won the award a record six times, and remains the only wrestler with more than three wins; he also established the record for most consecutive wins with three from 1984 to 1986, with AJ Styles later tying that record in 2016–2018. Since 2020, female wrestlers have been included in the following category.
YearWinnerRunner-upSecond runner-upThird runner-up
1972Pedro Morales
1973Jack Brisco
1974Bruno Sammartino
1975Mr. Wrestling II
1976Terry FunkBruno SammartinoNick BockwinkelPaul Jones
1977Dusty RhodesSuperstar Billy GrahamBob BacklundHarley Race
1978Dusty Rhodes Bob BacklundRicky SteamboatHarley Race
1979Harley RaceDusty RhodesJimmy SnukaBob Backlund
1980Bob BacklundHarley RaceVerne GagneThe Iron Sheik
1981Ric FlairBob BacklundTommy RichDusty Rhodes
1982Bob Backlund Ric FlairHulk HoganJimmy Snuka
1983Harley Race Nick BockwinkelAndré the GiantBob Backlund
1984Ric Flair Hulk HoganKerry Von ErichRick Martel
1985Ric Flair Hulk HoganRick MartelSgt. Slaughter
1986Ric Flair Hulk HoganRandy SavageNikita Koloff
1987Hulk HoganRic FlairRandy SavageSteve Williams
1988Randy SavageJerry LawlerLex LugerRic Flair
1989Ric Flair Hulk HoganLex LugerRicky Steamboat
1990StingThe Ultimate WarriorHulk HoganLex Luger
1991Hulk Hogan Lex LugerBret HartSting
1992Ric Flair Ron SimmonsRick RudeBret Hart
1993VaderBret HartShawn MichaelsYokozuna
1994Hulk Hogan Bret HartRazor RamonRic Flair
1995DieselShawn MichaelsStingHulk Hogan
1996The GiantShawn MichaelsRic FlairAhmed Johnson
1997Lex LugerStone Cold Steve AustinThe UndertakerDiamond Dallas Page
1998Stone Cold Steve AustinGoldbergDiamond Dallas PageThe Rock
1999Stone Cold Steve Austin The RockStingTaz
2000The RockTriple HBooker TKurt Angle
2001Stone Cold Steve Austin Kurt AngleThe RockRob Van Dam
2002Brock LesnarRob Van DamTriple HThe Undertaker
2003Kurt AngleBrock LesnarTriple HA.J. Styles
2004Chris BenoitRandy OrtonEddie GuerreroA.J. Styles
2005BatistaJohn CenaA.J. StylesSamoa Joe
2006John CenaSamoa JoeRey MysterioEdge
2007John Cena Kurt AngleBatistaRandy Orton
2008Triple HKurt AngleRandy OrtonSamoa Joe
2009Randy OrtonJohn CenaChris JerichoKurt Angle
2010Randy Orton Rob Van DamJohn CenaSheamus
2011CM PunkJohn CenaDavey RichardsBobby Roode
2012CM Punk SheamusAustin AriesJohn Cena
2013Daniel BryanJohn CenaBully RayRandy Orton
2014Brock Lesnar Daniel BryanA.J. StylesJohn Cena
2015Seth RollinsJay LethalRoman ReignsJohn Cena
2016A.J. StylesRoman ReignsKevin OwensDean Ambrose
2017A.J. Styles Kazuchika OkadaKenny OmegaCody
2018A.J. Styles Kenny OmegaCodySeth Rollins
2019Adam ColeChris JerichoSeth RollinsKofi Kingston
2020Jon MoxleyBayleyChris JerichoSasha Banks
2021Kenny OmegaRoman ReignsBianca BelairBig E
2022Roman ReignsJon MoxleyBianca BelairCody Rhodes
2023Seth Rollins GuntherWill OspreayMJF
2024Cody RhodesGuntherWill OspreayBryan Danielson
2025Cody Rhodes Mercedes MoneJon MoxleySeth Rollins

Woman of the Year

The PWI Woman of the Year award recognized the best female professional wrestling personality of the year. Originally known as Girl Wrestler of the Year, it was rendered defunct in 1976 and its history would be subsumed into the current award when women have again bestowed their category in 2000. The award went on hiatus in 2020, and several female wrestlers were nominated for Wrestler of the Year but the award returned again in 2021. Trish Stratus has won this award a record four times. AJ Lee is the only wrestler to win the award three times consecutively. Mickie James is the only wrestler to have won the award competing for two different organizations.
YearWinnerRunner-upSecond runner-upThird runner-up
1972Marie LaVerne
1973Joyce Grable
1974Rachel Dubois
1975Ann Casey
1976Sue GreenKitty AdamsEarly DawnVicki Williams
2000Stephanie McMahonLitaChynaMajor Gunns
2001LitaStephanie McMahonStacy KeiblerTorrie Wilson
2002Trish StratusStephanie McMahonStacy KeiblerTorrie Wilson
2003Trish Stratus Stephanie McMahonVictoriaTorrie Wilson
2004VictoriaTrish StratusStacy KeiblerMolly Holly
2005Trish Stratus Christy HemmeMelinaLita
2006Trish Stratus Dixie CarterMickie JamesLita
2007Candice MichelleBeth PhoenixGail KimKaren Angle
2008Awesome KongBeth PhoenixMickie JamesMichelle McCool
2009Mickie JamesAngelina LoveTaraMichelle McCool
2010Michelle McCoolAngelina LoveMadison RayneMadison Eagles
2011Mickie James Kelly KellyBeth PhoenixMadison Eagles
2012AJ LeeGail KimEve TorresSara Del Rey
2013AJ Lee Cheerleader MelissaDixie CarterKaitlyn
2014AJ Lee PaigeStephanie McMahonJessicka Havok
2015Sasha BanksNikki BellaCharlottePaige
2016Charlotte FlairSasha BanksBayleyBecky Lynch
2017AsukaAlexa BlissCharlotte FlairSienna
2018Becky LynchRonda RouseyAsukaTessa Blanchard
2019Becky Lynch Tessa BlanchardShayna BaszlerBrandi Rhodes
2021Britt BakerBianca BelairMickie JamesDeonna Purrazzo
2022Bianca BelairJade CargillThunder RosaBritt Baker
2023Rhea RipleyToni StormBianca BelairAthena
2024Toni StormLiv MorganRhea RipleyJordynne Grace
2025Mercedes Moné