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This is a list of both active and inactive Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards which are voted on by Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 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.
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.
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.[11] It was again abandoned in 2020, and several female wrestlers were nominated for Wrestler of the Year but the award was again reinstated 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.
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 & Hawk) have won a record four times. The New Day is the only trio to win the award. The Golden Role Models are the only women’s tag team to win this award.
Faction of the Year
The PWI Faction of the Year award recognized the best faction of the year. This award made its debut in 2021.
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021[9] | The Inner Circle | The Elite | The Bloodline | Bullet Club |
| 2022 | The Bloodline | Blackpool Combat Club | Jericho Appreciation Society | Bullet Club |
| 2023 | The Judgment Day | Blackpool Combat Club | The Bloodline | Bullet Club Gold |
Match of the Year
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The PWI Match of the Year award recognizes the best match of the year. Shawn Michaels has won the award a record eleven times; he had a four-year win streak from 1993 to 1996 and then a seven-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 is 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. The Four Horsemen, The Authority, The Nexus, and Aces & Eights are the only stables to win the award.
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 (villain). In 2019, Becky Lynch became the first woman to win the award.
Most Hated Wrestler of the Year
The PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year award typically recognizes the most effective heel (villainous) professional wrestler of the year. 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. Roman Reigns is the only wrestler to win this award while presented as a face (heroic character).
Comeback of the Year
Sting (left) and Jeff Hardy (right) are three-time winners of the category
The PWI Comeback of the Year award, given yearly since 1992, recognizes the most impressive comeback by a professional wrestler during the year. Sting and Jeff Hardy have won this award a record three times each (Hardy's third win is shared with his brother Matt as part of the Hardy Boyz).
Most Improved Wrestler of the Year
The PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year award recognizes the most improved professional wrestler of the year.
Indie Wrestler of the Year
The PWI Indie Wrestler of the Year award recognizes the best wrestler who competes on the independent circuit.
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020[8] | Warhorse | Nick Gage | AJ Gray | Chris Dickinson |
| 2021[9] | Nick Gage | Trish Adora | Tony Deppen | Effy |
| 2022[62] | Matt Cardona | Allie Katch | Trish Adora | Guiseppe Giambini |
| 2023 | Matt Cardona (2) | — | — | — |
Inspirational Wrestler of the Year
The PWI 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, Eddie Guerrero, Jerry Lawler, Bayley, and Roman Reigns are the only people to have won the award more than once, with all six winning twice. Generally, the award is originally meant to go to a wrestler who overcomes great odds to achieve success in the ring, however, 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. Since 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.[77] It has been given yearly since 1981, originally known as the PWI Editor's Award, and it's considered the magazine highest honor.[77] 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. In 2020, PWI announced it would begin naming two winners per year.
| † indicates a posthumous award | |
|---|---|
| Year | Winner (birth name) |
| 1981 | Bruno Sammartino |
| 1982 | Lou Thesz (Aloysius Thesz) |
| 1983 | The Grand Wizard (Irwin Roth)† |
| 1984 | David Von Erich (David Adkisson)† |
| 1985 | Dan Shocket |
| 1986 | Verne Gagne (Laverne Gagne) |
| 1987 | Paul Boesch |
| 1988 | Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish)† Adrian Adonis (Keith Franke Jr.)† |
| 1989 | Gordon Solie (Francis Labiak) |
| 1990 | Buddy Rogers (Herman Rohde Jr.) |
| 1991 | The Fabulous Moolah (Mary Ellison)[77] |
| 1992 | Stanley Weston |
| 1993 | André the Giant (André Roussimoff)† |
| 1994 | Captain Lou Albano (Louis Albano) |
| 1995 | Ricky Steamboat (Richard Blood Sr.) |
| 1996 | Danny Hodge (Daniel Hodge) |
| 1997 | Arn Anderson (Martin Lunde) |
| 1998 | Bobo Brazil (Houston Harris)† |
| 1999 | Owen Hart† |
| 2000 | Freddie Blassie (Frederick Blassie) |
| 2001 | Johnny Valentine (John Wisniski)† |
| 2002 | Jim Ross (James Ross) |
| 2003 | Bret Hart |
| 2004 | Pat Patterson (Pierre Clermont) |
| 2005 | Eddie Guerrero (Eduardo Guerrero)† |
| 2006 | Harley Race |
| 2007 | Nick Bockwinkel (Nicholas Bockwinkel) |
| 2008 | Ric Flair (Richard Fliehr)[78] |
| 2009 | Vince McMahon (Vincent McMahon) |
| 2010 | Killer Kowalski (Edward Spulnik)† |
| 2011 | Randy Savage (Randy Poffo)† |
| 2012 | Bobby Heenan (Raymond Heenan)[79] |
| 2013 | Dusty Rhodes (Virgil Runnels Jr.)[80] |
| 2014 | Dory Funk Jr. (Dorrance Funk Jr.)[81] |
| 2015 | Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs)† |
| 2016 | Dick Beyer[82] |
| 2017 | Jack Brisco (Freddie Joe Brisco)† |
| 2018 | Antonio Inoki (Kanji Inoki)[83] |
| 2019 | Stone Cold Steve Austin (Steven James Anderson)[32] |
| 2020 | Madusa (Debrah Ann Miceli)[84] Stu Saks[84] |
| 2021 | Terry Funk (Terrence Funk)[85] Ron Simmons (Ronald Simmons) |
| 2022 | Bill Apter (William Stanley Apter) George Napolitano (George Napolitano) |
| 2023 | Sting (Steven Borden)[86] Nancy Benoit†[87] |
2000s
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| Category | Winner[88] |
|---|---|
| Wrestler of the Decade | Triple H |
| Tag Team of the Decade | The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley) |
| Match of the Decade | Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV |
| Woman of the Decade | Trish Stratus |
| Feud of the Decade | Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho |
| Most Popular Wrestler of the Decade | John Cena |
| Most Hated Wrestler of the Decade | Triple H |
| Inspirational Wrestler of the Decade | Shawn Michaels |
| Pay-Per-View of the Decade | WrestleMania X-Seven |
2010s
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Wrestler of the Decade | AJ Styles[89] |
| Tag Team of the Decade | The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E & Xavier Woods) |
| Match of the Decade | The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXVI |
| Woman of the Decade | Charlotte Flair |
| Feud of the Decade | Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada |
| Most Popular Wrestler of the Decade | John Cena |
| Most Hated Wrestler of the Decade | Brock Lesnar |
| Inspirational Wrestler of the Decade | Daniel Bryan |
| Pay-Per-View of the Decade | WrestleMania 31 |
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 | 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, J. J. Dillon, and Jim Cornette each won three times.
Announcer of the Year
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The PWI Announcer of the Year award recognized the best announcer of the year. This award was only given in 1977.
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Second runner-up | Third runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Gordon Solie | Vince McMahon | Bill Carlisle | Roger Kent |
- Team 3D previously won the award as The Dudley Boyz.
- The Authority consisted of Triple H, Stephanie McMahon & Kane.
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