List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards
This is a list of both active and inactive Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) awards. The awards are voted on by readers of the magazine every year from 1972 onwards, expanding to more categories in later years. Unlike the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 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.
Tag Team of the Year
The PWI Tag Team of the Year award recognizes the best tag team of the year. The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) have won a record four times.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher | |||
| 1973 | Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens | |||
| 1974 | Jimmy and Johnny Valiant | |||
| 1975 | Gene and Ole Anderson | |||
| 1976 | The Executioners (#1 and #2) | Gene and Ole Anderson | Chief Jay Strongbow and Billy White Wolf | Jimmy and Johnny Valiant |
| 1977 | Gene and Ole Anderson | Prof. Tanaka and Mr. Fuji | Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell | Ric Flair and Greg Valentine |
| 1978 | Ricky Steamboat and Paul Jones | The Yukon Lumberjacks (Yukon Eric and Yukon Pierre) | Mike Graham and Steve Keirn | Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell |
| 1979 | Ivan Putski and Tito Santana | Jerry and Johnny Valiant | Paul Jones and Baron von Raschke | The Spoiler and Mark Lewin |
| 1980 | Jimmy Snuka and Ray Stevens | Mr. Wrestling and Mr. Wrestling II | The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) | Verne Gagne and Mad Dog Vachon |
| 1981 | The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy) | Rick Martel and Tony Garea | Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito | Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell |
| 1982 | Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell | Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito | Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) | Ole Anderson and Stan Hansen |
| 1983 | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | Kerry, Kevin, David Von Erich and Mike Von Erich | Jack and Jerry Brisco | |
| 1984 | The Fabulous Ones (Stan Lane and Steve Keirn) | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) | ||
| 1985 | Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams | Ivan and Nikita Koloff | The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) | |
| 1986 | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) | The Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) |
| 1987 | The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) | The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) |
| 1988 | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) | Demolition (Ax and Smash) | The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) |
| 1989 | The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) | Demolition (Ax and Smash) | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin) |
| 1990 | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | Doom (Ron Simmons and Butch Reed) | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | |
| 1991 | The Enforcers (Arn Anderson and Larry Zbyszko) | The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | Jeff Jarrett and Robert Fuller |
| 1992 | Terry Gordy and Steve Williams | The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) | Barry Windham and Dustin Rhodes | |
| 1993 | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | The Hollywood Blonds (Steve Austin and Brian Pillman) | Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster) | The Heavenly Bodies (Tom Prichard and Stan Lane) |
| 1994 | The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags) | The Headshrinkers (Samu and Fatu) | The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) |
| 1995 | Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) | The Smoking Gunns (Billy and Bart Gunn) | Owen Hart and Yokozuna | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) |
| 1996 | The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustapha Saed) | |
| 1997 | The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash) | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) | The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) | Lex Luger and The Giant |
| 1998 | The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn) | Sabu and Rob Van Dam | Mankind and Kane | The Brothers of Destruction (The Undertaker and Kane) |
| 1999 | Kane and X-Pac | The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) | The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) | Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) |
| 2000 | The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) | Edge and Christian | KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) | |
| 2001 | The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) | Brothers of Destruction (Undertaker and Kane) | The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) | The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) |
| 2002 | Billy and Chuck | Booker T and Goldust | 3 Minute Warning (Rosey and Jamal) | Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit |
| 2003 | The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) | America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) | The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) | Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Guerrero) |
| 2004 | America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) | La Résistance (Sylvain Grenier and Robert Conway) | Charlie Haas and Rico | |
| 2005 | MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro) | The Naturals (Chase Stevens and Andy Douglas) | Road Warrior Animal and Heidenreich | America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) |
| 2006 | A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels | Paul London and Brian Kendrick | D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H) | Big Show and Kane |
| 2007 | Paul London and Brian Kendrick | Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) | The Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark Briscoe) | Deuce 'n Domino |
| 2008[6] | Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm) | John Morrison and The Miz | Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes | The Latin American Xchange (Homicide and Hernandez) |
| 2009[7] | Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) | Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm) | Chris Jericho and The Big Show | D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels & Triple H) |
| 2010[8] | The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) | The Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith) | The Kings of Wrestling (Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero) | Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm) |
| 2011 | Beer Money, Inc. (Bobby Roode and James Storm) | Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) | Air Boom (Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston) | Kings of Wrestling (Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero) |
| 2012 | Kofi Kingston and R-Truth | Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) | Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane) | Samoa Joe and Magnus |
| 2013[9] | The Shield (Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) | Cody Rhodes and Goldust | reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) | |
| 2014[10] | The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) | reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) | The Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards) | Gold and Stardust (Goldust and Stardust) |
Match of the Year
The PWI Match of the Year award recognizes the best match of the year. Shawn Michaels has won the award a record 11 times; Michaels had a 4-year win streak from 1993 to 1996 and then had a 7-year win streak from 2004 to 2010.
Feud of the Year
The PWI Feud of the Year award recognizes the best rivalry of the year, normally between two wrestlers but also between groups as well. Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger are tied with Vince McMahon vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, each winning twice. Ric Flair, Vince McMahon, and Triple H have won this award four times individually.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff | Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes | The Sheepherders (Luke Williams and Butch Miller) vs. The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) | The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton) vs. The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) |
| 1987 | Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger) vs. The Super Powers (Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff) and The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) | Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat | Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Rich and Austin Idol | Brian Adias vs. Kevin Von Erich |
| 1988 | Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger | Rick Rude vs. Jake Roberts | Kerry Von Erich vs. Jerry Lawler | The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) vs. The Mega Bucks (Ted DiBiase and André the Giant) |
| 1989 | Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk | Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage | Skandor Akbar's Devastation Inc. vs. Eric Embry | Roddy Piper vs. Rick Rude |
| 1990 | Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger | Hulk Hogan vs. Earthquake | The Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude | Chris Adams vs. Steve Austin |
| 1991 | The Ultimate Warrior vs. The Undertaker | Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter | Sting vs. Cactus Jack and Abdullah the Butcher | Lex Luger vs. Ron Simmons |
| 1992 | The Moondogs (Spot and Cujo) vs. Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett | Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage | The Ultimate Warrior vs. Papa Shango | Rick Rude vs. Ricky Steamboat |
| 1993 | Bret Hart vs. Jerry Lawler | Rick Rude vs. Dustin Rhodes | Cactus Jack vs. Vader | Tony Anthony vs. Tracy Smothers |
| 1994 | Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart | Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan | Randy Savage vs. Crush | Sabu vs. Terry Funk |
| 1995 | Axl Rotten vs. Ian Rotten | Harlem Heat (Stevie Ray and Booker T) vs. The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags) | Jeff Jarrett vs. Razor Ramon | Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage |
| 1996 | Eric Bischoff vs. Vince McMahon | Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage | The Undertaker vs. Mankind | Jamie Dundee vs. Wolfie D |
| 1997 | Diamond Dallas Page vs. Randy Savage | Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart | Hollywood Hogan vs. Roddy Piper | Sabu vs. Taz |
| 1998 | Vince McMahon vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin | nWo Wolfpac vs. nWo Hollywood | Ric Flair vs. Eric Bischoff | The Rock vs. Ken Shamrock |
| 1999 | Triple H vs. The Rock | Jerry Lynn vs. Rob Van Dam | Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan | |
| 2000 | Triple H vs. Kurt Angle | Booker T vs. Jeff Jarrett | Edge and Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy) | |
| 2001 | Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon | Booker T vs. The Rock | Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle | Edge vs. Christian |
| 2002 | Eric Bischoff vs. Stephanie McMahon | Kurt Angle vs. Edge | Triple H vs. Stephanie McMahon | Trish Stratus vs. Molly Holly |
| 2003 | Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle | Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon | Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Eric Bischoff | Jeff Jarrett vs. Raven |
| 2004 | Triple H vs. Chris Benoit | Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley | Christian and Trish Stratus vs. Chris Jericho | Matt Hardy vs. Kane |
| 2005 | Matt Hardy vs. Edge and Lita | AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels | Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero | Batista vs. Triple H |
| 2006 | John Cena vs. Edge | D-Generation X (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) vs. The McMahons (Shane and Vince McMahon) | Sting vs. Jeff Jarrett | Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James |
| 2007 | Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe | Batista vs. The Undertaker | John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels | John Cena vs. Randy Orton |
| 2008[16] | Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels | Kurt Angle vs. A.J. Styles | The Undertaker vs. Edge | Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm) vs. The Latin American Xchange (Homicide and Hernandez) |
| 2009[17] | Randy Orton vs. Triple H | CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy | Main Event Mafia vs. TNA Frontline | Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett |
| 2010[18] | The Nexus vs. WWE | Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon | Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson | John Cena vs. Batista |
| 2011 | CM Punk vs. John Cena | Randy Orton vs. Christian | Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett | The Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark Briscoe) vs. All Night Express (Kenny King and Rhett Titus) |
| 2012[19] | Aces & Eights vs. TNA | The Rock vs. John Cena | CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan | Adam Pearce vs. Colt Cabana |
| 2013[20] | Daniel Bryan vs. The Authority | CM Punk vs. Paul Heyman | Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton | The Rock vs. John Cena |
| 2014[21] | Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose | The Wyatt Family vs. The Shield | John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar | Bully Ray vs. Dixie Carter |
Most Popular Wrestler of the Year
The PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year award recognizes the best face or heroic professional wrestler of the year. Sting and John Cena have won this award a record four times. Rob Van Dam is the only wrestler to win the award as a heel.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Jack Brisco / Fred Curry | |||
| 1973 | Chief Jay Strongbow | |||
| 1974 | Billy Robinson | |||
| 1975 | Mil Máscaras | |||
| 1976 | Wahoo McDaniel | Chief Jay Strongbow | Mr. Wrestling II | Ivan Putski |
| 1977 | André the Giant | Dusty Rhodes | Bob Backlund | Mil Máscaras |
| 1978 | Dusty Rhodes | André the Giant | Ricky Steamboat | Bob Backlund |
| 1979 | Ivan Putski | Mr. Wrestling II | ||
| 1980 | Mr. Wrestling II | Dusty Rhodes | André the Giant | Bruno Sammartino |
| 1981 | Tommy Rich | Bob Backlund | Dusty Rhodes | |
| 1982 | André the Giant | Tommy Rich | Hulk Hogan | |
| 1983 | Jimmy Snuka | Dusty Rhodes | David Von Erich | Junkyard Dog |
| 1984 | Kerry Von Erich | Hulk Hogan | Dusty Rhodes | Sgt. Slaughter |
| 1985 | Hulk Hogan | Magnum T.A. | Kerry Von Erich | Tito Santana |
| 1986 | Roddy Piper | Hulk Hogan | Ricky Morton | Nikita Koloff |
| 1987 | Dusty Rhodes | Randy Savage | ||
| 1988 | Randy Savage | Sting | Lex Luger | |
| 1989 | Hulk Hogan | Ric Flair | The Ultimate Warrior | |
| 1990 | Sting | The Ultimate Warrior | Lex Luger | |
| 1991 | Sting | Hulk Hogan | Sid Justice | The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) |
| 1992 | The Ultimate Warrior | The Undertaker | Ron Simmons | |
| 1993 | Lex Luger | Sting | Bret Hart | Dustin Rhodes |
| 1994 | Sting | Bret Hart | The Undertaker | Hulk Hogan |
| 1995 | Shawn Michaels | Sting | Diesel | |
| 1996 | Randy Savage | Sycho Sid | The Undertaker | |
| 1997 | Sting | Stone Cold Steve Austin | Ric Flair | Diamond Dallas Page |
| 1998 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | Goldberg | The Rock | |
| 1999 | The Rock | Stone Cold Steve Austin | Goldberg | Mankind |
| 2000 | Rob Van Dam | Chris Jericho | Goldberg | |
| 2001 | Rob Van Dam | The Rock | Kurt Angle | |
| 2002 | Hulk Hogan | Booker T | The Rock | |
| 2003 | Kurt Angle | Stone Cold Steve Austin | Rob Van Dam | Rey Mysterio |
| 2004 | John Cena | Chris Benoit | Eddie Guerrero | Eugene |
| 2005 | Batista | A.J. Styles | Rey Mysterio | |
| 2006 | Samoa Joe | John Cena | Rey Mysterio | Sting |
| 2007 | John Cena | The Undertaker | Sting | CM Punk |
| 2008[22] | Jeff Hardy | Shawn Michaels | Samoa Joe | The Undertaker |
| 2009[23] | John Cena | Sting | ||
| 2010[24] | Randy Orton | Rob Van Dam | Daniel Bryan | |
| 2011 | CM Punk | Sting | Randy Orton | |
| 2012 | John Cena | Sheamus | Randy Orton | Jeff Hardy |
| 2013[25] | Daniel Bryan | John Cena | CM Punk | Dolph Ziggler |
| 2014[26] | Dean Ambrose | Daniel Bryan | John Cena | The Usos |
Most Hated Wrestler of the Year
The PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year award recognizes the best heel or villainous professional wrestler of the year. Individually, Triple H has won this award a record five times, with his fourth win as part of The Authority. In 2010, the award was given to a stable, The Nexus, for the first time.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Sheik | |||
| 1973 | Superstar Billy Graham | |||
| 1974 | The Great Mephisto | |||
| 1975 | Greg Valentine | |||
| 1976 | Stan Hansen | Ox Baker | Terry Funk | The Spoiler |
| 1977 | Ken Patera | Ric Flair | Superstar Billy Graham | Nick Bockwinkel |
| 1978 | Ric Flair | Ken Patera | Victor Rivera | Bob Orton, Jr. |
| 1979 | Greg Valentine | Terry Funk | Ken Patera | Ivan Koloff |
| 1980 | Larry Zbyszko | Greg Valentine | Ernie Ladd | Hulk Hogan |
| 1981 | Ken Patera | Don Muraco | Nick Bockwinkel | Roddy Piper |
| 1982 | Ted DiBiase | Blackjack Mulligan | Superstar Billy Graham | Buzz Sawyer |
| 1983 | Greg Valentine | Masked Superstar | Kevin Sullivan | Michael Hayes |
| 1984 | Roddy Piper | Kevin Sullivan | Tully Blanchard | The Iron Sheik |
| 1985 | Chris Adams | Ted DiBiase | Big John Studd | |
| 1986 | Paul Orndorff | Ric Flair | Col. DeBeers | Rick Rude |
| 1987 | Ric Flair | André the Giant | The Honky Tonk Man | Lex Luger |
| 1988 | André the Giant | Barry Windham | Eddie Gilbert | Ted DiBiase |
| 1989 | Randy Savage | Terry Funk | Rick Rude | Lex Luger |
| 1990 | Earthquake | Ric Flair | Eddie Gilbert | |
| 1991 | Sgt. Slaughter | The Undertaker | Lex Luger | Jake Roberts |
| 1992 | Rick Rude | Ric Flair | Jake Roberts | The Moondogs |
| 1993 | Jerry Lawler | Big Van Vader | Yokozuna | Shawn Michaels |
| 1994 | Bob Backlund | Owen Hart | Big Van Vader | Jerry Lawler |
| 1995 | Jerry Lawler | Kevin Sullivan | The Gangstas | Davey Boy Smith |
| 1996 | Hollywood Hogan | Goldust | Jerry Lawler | The Giant |
| 1997 | Bret Hart | Hollywood Hogan | Owen Hart | Curt Hennig |
| 1998 | Hollywood Hogan | Vince McMahon | Eric Bischoff | Bret Hart |
| 1999 | Diamond Dallas Page | Triple H | The Undertaker | The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley) |
| 2000 | Kurt Angle | Steven Richards | Jeff Jarrett | |
| 2001 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | Booker T | Kurt Angle | Shane McMahon |
| 2002 | Chris Jericho | The Un-Americans (Christian, Lance Storm, and Test) | Triple H | |
| 2003 | Triple H | Kane | Vince McMahon | Test |
| 2004 | John "Bradshaw" Layfield | Kurt Angle | Jeff Jarrett | |
| 2005 | Edge | Jeff Jarrett | Muhammad Hassan | |
| 2006 | Edge | Jeff Jarrett | Randy Orton | King Booker |
| 2007 | Randy Orton | Kurt Angle | The Great Khali | Robert Roode |
| 2008[27] | Chris Jericho | Edge | Randy Orton | Kurt Angle |
| 2009[28] | Randy Orton | CM Punk | Chris Jericho | |
| 2010[29] | The Nexus | The Miz | Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff | |
| 2011 | The Miz | Alberto Del Rio | Christian | Kurt Angle |
| 2012[30] | CM Punk | Bobby Roode | Alberto Del Rio | Kevin Steen |
| 2013[31] | The Authority | Randy Orton | Bully Ray | The Shield |
| 2014[32] | Triple H and Stephanie McMahon | Seth Rollins | Dixie Carter | Batista |
Most Improved Wrestler of the Year
The PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year award recognizes the most improved professional wrestler of the year. Candice Michelle is the only woman to win this award.
Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year
The PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year award recognizes the most inspirational professional wrestler of the year. The award has been given yearly since 1972, and in this time, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, Jerry Lawler, and Eddie Guerrero are the only people to have won the award more than once, with all four winning twice. Generally, the award is meant to go to a wrestler who overcomes great odds to achieve success in the ring, although it has also been awarded to wrestlers who overcome real-life hardships and struggles.
Rookie of the Year
The PWI Rookie of the Year award recognizes the best professional wrestler of the year who, in that year, had their first year in the business. As it is a rookie award, wrestlers can qualify only once.
Stanley Weston Award (Lifetime Achievement)
The PWI Stanley Weston Award recognizes lifetime achievement by a professional wrestling personality.[56] It has been given yearly since 1981, and was originally known as the PWI Editor's Award.[56] Beginning with the March 2003 year-end edition, the award was renamed in memory of PWI founder and longtime publisher Stanley Weston, who died in 2002.
† indicates a posthumous award.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Bruno Sammartino |
| 1982 | Lou Thesz |
| 1983 | The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth)† |
| 1984 | David Von Erich (David Adkisson)† |
| 1985 | Dan Shocket |
| 1986 | Verne Gagne |
| 1987 | Paul Boesch |
| 1988 | Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish)† Adrian Adonis (Keith Franke)† |
| 1989 | Gordon Solie (Francis Labiak) |
| 1990 | Buddy Rogers (Herman Rohde, Jr.) |
| 1991 | The Fabulous Moolah (Lillian Ellison)[56] |
| 1992 | Stanley Weston |
| 1993 | André the Giant (André Rousimoff)† |
| 1994 | Captain Lou Albano |
| 1995 | Ricky Steamboat (Richard Blood) |
| 1996 | Danny Hodge |
| 1997 | Arn Anderson (Martin Lunde) |
| 1998 | Bobo Brazil (Houston Harris)† |
| 1999 | Owen Hart† |
| 2000 | Fred Blassie |
| 2001 | Johnny Valentine (John Wisniski, Sr.)† |
| 2002 | Jim Ross |
| 2003 | Bret Hart |
| 2004 | Pat Patterson (Pierre Clermont) |
| 2005 | Eddie Guerrero† |
| 2006 | Harley Race |
| 2007 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| 2008 | Ric Flair[57] |
| 2009 | Vince McMahon |
| 2010 | Killer Kowalski† |
| 2011 | Randy Savage† |
| 2012 | Bobby Heenan[58] |
| 2013 | Dusty Rhodes[59] |
| 2014 | Dory Funk, Jr[60] |
Comeback of the Year
The PWI Comeback of the Year award, given yearly since 1992, recognizes the most impressive comeback by a professional wrestler during the year. Sting has won this award three times.
Woman of the Year
The PWI Woman of the Year award recognizes the best female professional wrestling personality of the year. Originally known as the PWI Girl Wrestler of the Year, it was rendered defunct in 1976 and its history would be subsumed into the current award when women were again bestowed their own category in 2000.[65] 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.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Marie LaVerne | |||
| 1973 | Joyce Grable | |||
| 1974 | Rachel Dubois | |||
| 1975 | Ann Casey | |||
| 1976 | Sue Green | Kitty Adams | Early Dawn | Vicki Williams |
| 2000 | Stephanie McMahon | Lita | Chyna | Major Gunns |
| 2001 | Lita | Stephanie McMahon | Stacy Keibler | Torrie Wilson |
| 2002 | Trish Stratus | |||
| 2003 | Victoria | |||
| 2004 | Victoria | Trish Stratus | Stacy Keibler | Molly Holly |
| 2005[66] | Trish Stratus | Christy Hemme | Melina | Lita |
| 2006[67] | Dixie Carter | Mickie James | ||
| 2007[68] | Candice Michelle | Beth Phoenix | Gail Kim | Karen Angle |
| 2008[69] | Awesome Kong | Mickie James | Michelle McCool | |
| 2009 | Mickie James | Angelina Love | Tara | |
| 2010[70] | Michelle McCool | Madison Rayne | Madison Eagles | |
| 2011 | Mickie James | Kelly Kelly | Beth Phoenix | |
| 2012[71] | AJ Lee | Gail Kim | Eve Torres | Sara Del Rey |
| 2013[72] | Cheerleader Melissa | Dixie Carter | Kaitlyn | |
| 2014[73] | Paige | Stephanie McMahon | Jessicka Havok | |
Defunct awards
Midget Wrestler of the Year
The PWI Midget Wrestler of the Year award recognized the best midget wrestler of the year. This award became defunct in 1976.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Little Bruiser | |||
| 1973 | Little Beaver | |||
| 1974 | Darlin` Dagmar | |||
| 1975 | Sky Low Low | |||
| 1976 | Lord Littlebrook | Sky Low Low | Cowboy Lang | Diamond Lil |
Manager of the Year
The PWI Manager of the Year award recognized the best manager of the year. Bobby Heenan won a record four times. Lou Albano, James J. Dillon, and Jim Cornette each won three times.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Bobby Heenan | |||
| 1973 | The Grand Wizard | |||
| 1974 | Lou Albano | |||
| 1975 | George Cannon | |||
| 1976 | Bobby Heenan | Lou Albano | Fred Blassie | Gary Hart |
| 1977 | The Grand Wizard | Bobby Heenan | Lou Albano | Lord Alfred Hayes |
| 1978 | Arnold Skaaland | The Grand Wizard | Bobby Heenan | Gary Hart |
| 1979 | Arnold Skaaland | Lou Albano | Buddy Rogers | Oliver Humperdink |
| 1980 | Oliver Humperdink[74] | Arnold Skaaland | Lou Albano | The Great Mephisto |
| 1981 | Lou Albano | Arnold Skaaland | Oliver Humperdink | The Grand Wizard |
| 1982 | James J. Dillon | Arnold Skaaland | Sonny King | Jimmy Hart |
| 1983 | James J. Dillon | Adnan Al-Kaissie | Lou Albano | Paul Ellering |
| 1984 | Paul Ellering | Jimmy Hart | Jim Cornette | James J. Dillon |
| 1985 | Jim Cornette | Lou Albano | Paul Ellering | Bobby Heenan |
| 1986 | Lou Albano | Paul Ellering | Miss Elizabeth | Jim Cornette |
| 1987 | Jimmy Hart | James J. Dillon | Jim Cornette | Paul E. Dangerously |
| 1988 | James J. Dillon | Miss Elizabeth | Jim Cornette | Paul E. Dangerously |
| 1989 | Bobby Heenan | Gary Hart | Teddy Long | Skandor Akbar |
| 1990 | Teddy Long | Bobby Heenan | Ole Anderson | Jim Cornette |
| 1991 | Bobby Heenan | Harley Race | Alexandra York | Paul Bearer |
| 1992 | Paul E. Dangerously[75] | Mr. Perfect | Harley Race | Jim Cornette |
| 1993 | Jim Cornette | Harley Race | Mr. Fuji | Tammy Sytch |
| 1994 | Jimmy Hart | Ted DiBiase | Col. Robert Parker | Paul E. Dangerously |
| 1995 | Jim Cornette | Sherri Martel | Col. Robert Parker | Woman |
| 1996 | Sunny | Jimmy Hart | Jim Cornette | Bill Alfonso |
| 1997 | Bill Alfonso | Miss Jacquelyn | Paul Heyman | Ted DiBiase |
| 1998 | Paul Bearer | Bill Alfonso | Sunny | Paul Ellering |
| 1999 | Debra | Jimmy Hart | Bill Alfonso | Paul Bearer |
Announcer of the Year
The PWI Announcer of the Year award recognized the best announcer of the year. This award was only given in 1977, it then became defunct.
| Year | Winner | First runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Gordon Solie | Vince McMahon | Bill Carlisle | Roger Kent |
See also
References
- ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 31 (3): 82–83. 2010.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "And, finally ... PWI's 2010 Wrestler of the Year". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. January 17, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 34 (2): 44–45. 2014.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "WRESTLER OF THE YEAR". Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 36 (2): 32–33. 2015.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 30 (3): 80–81. 2009.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 31 (3): 80–81. 2010.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Achievement Awards: Tag Team of the Year". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. January 14, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 34 (2): 42–43. 2014.
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