AEW star MJF has been named the number one wrestler in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s 2026 PWI 500 list, marking a major milestone in his career. The three-time AEW World Champion dethrones Cody Rhodes, who held the top spot in 2024 and 2025. CM Punk ranks third on the list, while Mistico, known for his work with CMLL and AEW, takes fourth place. One of the most surprising omissions is Roman Reigns, the current World Heavyweight Champion, who did not qualify because he didn’t meet the 10-match minimum during the evaluation period from August 2025 to July 2026.

The full top ten wrestlers reflect a mix of stars from multiple promotions, with AEW featuring prominently. Among those ranked are Konosuke Takeshita (fifth), “Hangman” Adam Page (sixth), and Gunther (tenth). WWE also has several wrestlers in the top ten, including Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Trick Williams, and Oba Femi. The exclusion of Roman Reigns, despite his status as a dominant champion and major draw, has generated significant debate in the wrestling community.

MJF’s impact over the last year has been noteworthy; he won the AEW World Title in December 2025, briefly lost it in April 2026, regained it in May, and lost it again in July, although the final loss occurred just after the PWI voting period ended. His prominence in AEW and status as a cornerstone of the promotion clearly contributed to his top ranking ahead of notable WWE stars like Punk and Rhodes. MJF has stated he plans to proudly display the PWI cover and promotion as part of his return to the ring.

Despite its esteem, the PWI 500 list receives ongoing criticism for its opaque ranking criteria, with fans often questioning why some wrestlers are ranked higher or lower than expected based on pure in-ring performance. Nevertheless, topping the PWI 500 is widely regarded as one of the highest honors in professional wrestling, cementing MJF’s status as a top talent in the industry for 2026.