Top 100 Wrestlers Of 2018: 20-1
Who was the best wrestler of the year?
In honor of the PWI 500, we’ve decided to present our own ranking of the greatest wrestlers over the past year.
(Full disclosure: Juan Bautista suggested compiling a list of 500 wrestlers by himself, but we can’t afford to lose any more writers to death.)
Our ranking differs from the PWI 500 because we use math. Well, at least we try to. Sam Gladen pitched the idea that we all submit our own list of the top 100 wrestlers of 2018, and each ranking represents points. For example, #1 = 100 points, #2 = 99 points, etc.
At the end, we’d calculate who had the most points and assign ranking from there.
Find 100-81 here.
Find 80-61 here.
Find 60-41 here.
Find 40-21 here.
So, without further ado, here are 20-1.
20. Bobby Fish (273 points)
Bobby Fish didn’t really compete too much this year due to suffering multiple tears in his knee. Still, at age 39, I thought he did a really good job of A – staying relevant as an on-screen entity, B – needing just six months to make a full recovery and C – maximizing his minutes when he returned. His antics in the War Games match in LA made him a standout competitor and reminded everybody just what he brings to the table as the Undisputed Era’s lead agitator. – Jack Goodwillie
19. Ronda Rousey (279 points)
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey had the best rookie year in the history of pro wrestling. Ignore her awkward appearance at the Royal Rumble and dismiss the notion that she doesn’t work a full-time schedule. Since her in-ring debut at WrestleMania 34 to winning the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam to tearing the house down with Charlotte at Survivor Series, the UFC Hall of Famer has proven that she was born for the squared circle. – John Corrigan
18. Tyler Bate (290 points)
Everybody likes to say how good Tyler Bate is for his age, but I’ll say he’s just really good, period. Much of his work this year has been spent in a tag team with Trent Seven, but over that time I’ve really seen his promos begin to improve as he matures into his career and what he’ll become long term. It seemed like WWE flirted with the idea of making him a 205 Live fixture, but while Mustafa Ali managed to break out as a member of Smackdown now, I still feel like that’s the exception and not the rule, as those guys usually die a death in the eyes of the fans. – Jack Goodwillie
17. Adam Cole (292 points) / Pete Dunne (292 points)
Welp, I did make Cole the No. 1 pick in The Wrestling Estate Fantasy Draft for a reason. He simply has it all going on for him: The look, the psychology, the athleticism and the promos in recent years became more of a strength for Adam than anyone could have imagined. How far Cole ascends on this list in the years that follow will depend on several factors, many of which will sadly be out of his control. – Jack Goodwillie
Meet Pete, the longest-reigning active champion in WWE between NXT and the main roster. And guess what? He’s only 25. Of course, I’m very high on what Dunne can do in the ring, as he was one of my top draft picks in The Wrestling Estate Fantasy Draft, but as far as the body of work goes, he’s really been booked like the Ric Flair of NXT UK; making his opponents look as strong as can be before putting them down with The Bitter End or a submission hold. He somehow turned babyface after being undermined by The Undisputed Era earlier in the year, but that said, has made it work in transforming from troublemaker to legitimate in-ring badass. – Jack Goodwillie
16. Kota Ibushi (297 points)
Japan’s Golden Boy and the best all-around athlete in wrestling today. A wonderful pro wrestler. – Steven Jackson
15. Ricochet (323 points)
Ricochet is one of those guys who really enhanced their brand by making the jump to WWE. The Velveteen Dream match at Takeover: Chicago II was one of my favorites of the year, and who can forget the Adam Cole match later that summer, winning the North American Championship and then the cage dive in Los Angeles? I was among the big critics of Ricochet’s infamous match with Will Ospreay a couple years back but make no mistake, he was among NXT’s standout performers and a ton of fun to watch this year. – Jack Goodwillie
14. Seth Rollins (338 points)
Earlier this year, it looked like Seth Rollins would top this list after his tremendous performance in the Gauntlet match on Raw and subsequent Intercontinental Title matches. But then he got stuck in a never-ending series with Dolph Ziggler and an extremely disappointing feud with Dean Ambrose. If anyone could use a change of pace from WWE, and perhaps start fresh in AWE, Rollins is a sleeper pick. – John Corrigan
13. Sami Callihan (343 points)
Unrivaled intensity and charisma. Brings out the best in everyone and fantastic to watch. – Steven Jackson
12. Samoa Joe (345 points)
WENDYYYYYY! Samoa Joe absolutely killed it on the mic this year, bringing a darker, mature edge to WWE TV as he stalked AJ Styles’ family and then chastised fans for celebrating Jeff Hardy in spite of his past personal demons. – John Corrigan
11. Matthew Riddle (358 points)
The King of Bros and the King of the Indies, Riddle is a mega star. Great matches everywhere he goes, and he’s beloved by everyone. – Steven Jackson
10. Daniel Bryan (362 points) / Charlotte (362 points)
Who would have thought Daniel Bryan would even make this list? His miraculous return to active competition was the feel-good story of the year, although it took him several months to build up steam. Then a few days before Survivor Series, the leader of the Yes! Movement reinvented himself once again, turning heel and winning the WWE Championship from AJ Styles in a shocking turn of events. Since then, Bryan has become the most captivating man in WWE, berating the fans for their fickle nature and pollution. – John Corrigan
Given the explosion of women’s main events across WWE in 2018, the definitive main event wrestler of the division ought to rank very high on this list. Charlotte’s pedigree, dominant look, and confidence in the ring mean she’s still the top dog, even with UFC fighters and suddenly-hot-former-sidekicks fighting for the spotlight. The biggest possible Women’s Title match still must go through Charlotte. – David Gibb
9. Becky Lynch (363 points)
Becky Lynch was to 2018 what Daniel Bryan was to 2013 or CM Punk was to 2011: the hottest, most undeniable star in the business’ biggest company. Her promos and matches were consistently among the best in wrestling, especially over the last six months of the year. As we head into 2019, the question lingers whether she’ll continue her rise onto the all-time Mount Rushmore of women’s wrestlers. – David Gibb
8. Cody (374 points)
Made history with The Young Bucks producing “ALL IN” and conquered the NWA all while serving as one of the figureheads of the 2018 iteration of Bullet Club. – Steven Jackson
7. Fenix (377 points)
Being introduced to the masses as someone else’s younger brother or son is usually not a recipe for success and main event credibility in the United States. Fenix, however, has asserted himself as a wrestler and a force entirely distinct from his brother, Pentagon Jr. His skillset and connection to the fans are reminiscent of a young Jeff Hardy, but based on his 2018, if Fenix hits his ceiling, he could be a taller Rey Mysterio. – David Gibb
6. Kazuchika Okada (393 points)
The end of the generation-defining reign in NJPW. Emotional matches, beautiful storyteller who truly cemented his legacy. – Steven Jackson
5. Kenny Omega (397 points)
Untouchable match quality and an incredible streak of outstanding performances. One of the greatest years for any wrestler in history. – Steven Jackson
4. Johnny Gargano (421 points)
Reinvented the babyface dynamics for the modern era. WWE’s greatest storyteller and part of the most important feud in NXT history. – Steven Jackson
3. AJ Styles (441 points)
The rock of WWE’s roster. Reliable, adaptable and enjoyable. AJ is in a league of his own. – Steven Jackson
2. Tommaso Ciampa (448 points)
The greatest heel in years, the other half of the most important feud in NXT history and Gargano’s perfect antagonist. – Steven Jackson
1. Pentagon Jr. (475 points)
Since his match against Vampiro at the inaugural Ultima Lucha, Pentagon has emerged as the business’ best big-match artist not working full-time for WWE or New Japan. Everything he does in the ring feels brutal and important, and his transcendent connection with the fans everywhere he’s worked makes him arguably the wrestler to watch in 2019. – David Gibb
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