Kenny Omega Tops The 2018 ‘PWI 500’ List, Omega Comments, Which Names Round Out the Top 10?

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has released its annual ‘PWI 500′ list, and coming it at number one this year is current IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega.

The news was broken to Omega during a taping of Jim Ross’ “Ross Report” podcast, and below is what Omega had to say on the honor of being named #1 for the first time PWI history.

“That’s not the news I expected to hear early in the morning,” he said after a moment. “I’m very happy to hear. It’s quite the honor. Thank you.”

PWI noted that the decision to name Omega as the number one wrestler in the world came when Omega was finally able to defeat Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Title, after a legendary feud which was heavily praised by both fans and industry pundits.

“I want to thank the people responsible for making this decision,” Omega said. “There’s going to be more interesting things to come. There’s still the G1. There’s the Jericho cruise (Chris Jericho’s Rock ’n’ Wrestling Rager at Sea in October). There are a lot of cool things that are yet to happen this year.”

Additionally, the following press release was issued announcing Omega as topping this year’s ‘PWI 500’:

Kenny Omega’s “to-do” list keeps getting shorter. On January 4, he beat WWE legend Chris Jericho at Wrestle Kingdom 12. On June 9 at Dominion, he stunned the world by winning the IWGP heavyweight title, ending the record 720-day reign of Kazuchika Okada.

And now, he’s received official recognition from Pro Wrestling Illustrated editors and writers that he’s the man they regard as the top wrestler in the world.

Coming off a brilliant 12 months of accomplishments, Omega was been named the top wrestler in annual “PWI 500.”This marks the first time in the 28-year history of the “500” that non-WWE wrestlers have received the honor in consecutive years.

Last year, Omega’s New Japan rival, Okada, earned the honor. This year’s “PWI 500” evaluated the time period of July 31, 2017, to June 30, 2018. Omega, who finished fifth last, was selected in front of top 10 finishers AJ Styles (2010 winner), Okada (2017 winner), Brock Lesnar (2003 winner), Seth Rollins (2015 winner), Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns (2016 winner), Cody, Tetsuya Naito, and The Miz (2011 winner).

“Not only has Kenny Omega managed to set a new standard for excellence in his matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling, but he has also captured the imagination of the fans in a way few others wrestlers have been able to do in recent years,” said Senior Writer Dan Murphy, who coordinates the “PWI 500” issue. “In a very real way, Kenny Omega embodies 2018 in professional wrestling. His success on his own terms has made him an international phenomenon.”

The “PWI 500” is available for purchase in print and digital formats at www.pwi-online.com.