Top 100 Wrestlers Of 2019: 100-81

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 have any more writers die.)

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.

So, without further ado, here are 100-81.

100. Teddy Hart (100) / Timothy Thatcher (100)

I voted him as the Best Wrestler of 2019, so it’s heartbreaking that he barely cracked this list. The leader of the Hart Foundation held two championships in MLW this year, stole the show every time he performed and injected Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brian Pillman Jr. with some much needed personality. His release is a huge blow to MLW and I hope another company (coughROHcough) scoops him up in 2020. – John Corrigan

A couple of years ago, the thought of a realistic grappler like Timothy Thatcher on an accessible TV show with a strong roster of opponents seemed like a pipe dream for old-school wrestling fans. With his series of breakout matches on MLW TV against Davey Boy Smith, Tom Lawlor and Richard Holliday, Thatcher feels poised to be one of the fastest rising stars of 2020. – David Gibb

99. Mance Warner (105) / Xavier Woods (105)

Ol’ Mancer has had a lot going on throughout 2019, but more than anything, he’s been winning new fans and adding dates on his calendar thanks to his unique blend of deep-character promos, satisfying brawling and ability to inject personality into any scenario. Look for this guy to get paid big in the near future. – David Gibb

Woods was a massive part of Kofi Kingston’s journey to winning the WWE Championship, cutting great, passionate promos. Woods also held down his role as tag team wrestler in the New Day, continuing to prove why the group is one of the best tag teams in all of wrestling. Unfortunately, Wood’s 2019 was cut short due to an Achilles rupture, and we likely won’t see much, if any of him in the ring in 2020. – Chad Gelfand

98. Low Ki (106)

The year started out on a sour note for Low Ki, as he suffered in his first defeat in MLW and lost the World Heavyweight Championship. Unsurprisingly, he was kicked out of Promociones Dorado thereafter. In the summer, he went back to his roots, changing up his training regimen and finding more power. As a result, he went on a winning streak of knockouts that reminded fans why he’s one of the deadliest forces in wrestling. – John Corrigan

97. KUSHIDA (107)

After announcing he would be leaving his longtime home of New Japan, KUSHIDA went out in style by beating Hiroshi Tanahashi. And with every end comes a new beginning, Kushida debuted in NXT taking out Kassius Ohno in the process and is a rising star on 205 Live with the cruiserweight title set in his sights. – Matthew Smith

96. Bayley (108) / Tyler Bate (108)

From Hugger to Role Model, Bayley reinvented herself after she lost the Smackdown’s Women Title. The reinvention paid off immediately as she regained the title and has had a stranglehold on the title ever since. Did I mention she became the company’s first women’s grand slam champion this year? – Matthew Smith

In 2019, Tyler Bate showed why he is still the future of the WWE’s U.K. brand. While he spent the majority of the year in control of the NXT U.K. tag team division with Trent Seven, Bate eventually met up with WALTER at NXT Takeover: Cardiff and wowed with one of the best matches of the year. Plain and simple, this is a wrestler who lives for the big moments and matches. Remember his match with Pete Dunne at the original United Kingdom Tournament? How about the rematch on WrestleMania weekend? The point is, I still think the best is yet to come from Tyler Bate, and remember, he’s just 22 years young! – Jack Goodwillie

95. Minoru Suzuki (110) / Josh Briggs (110)

Can anyone stop Minoru Suzuki!? Charismatic, dangerous, but also wonderful to watch, Suzuki has once again constantly delivered in 2019. Whether it be tagging with ZSJ or facing Jushin Liger across his retirement tour, no one is more enthralling than Suzuki! – Steven Jackson

When you go to an independent wrestling show, not everybody looks like they should be on big time TV. Josh Briggs does. His size, athleticism and awareness in the ring make him one of Evolve’s greatest assets and one of the business’ hottest rising properties. – David Gibb

94. Ronda Rousey (111) / Braun Strowman (111)

Along with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair, Rousey was the first woman to main event WrestleMania. That alone speaks for itself, but her character work after the fans chose Becky Lynch as “The Man” was amazing as well. She proved that she is still the baddest woman on the planet. – Matthew Smith

The Monster Among Men showed us again that his power is unmatched in the wrestling world. He completely dismantled Bobby Lashley and stood his own ground against Tyson Fury. Hopefully sometime soon, we can see the monster tangle with Brock Lesnar once more. – Matthew Smith

93. LA Park (113)

Like PCO, LA Park’s comeback is officially treading into “better than his original run” territory. Although the sinister skeleton may have cashed in much of his heat in his title shot against Jacob Fatu in MLW, Park will continue to thrill crowds and have buzz-worthy matches as long as his body allows. – David Gibb

92. Sasha Banks (114) /Kairi Sane (114)

After a long layoff, a change in hair color also came with a change in attitude. Now only caring about herself and Bayley, Sasha Banks looks to grab championship gold of her own in 2020. – Juan Bautista

A partnership with Asuka has now re-energized Kairi Sane’s main roster run. Now the pair look to hold the Women’s Tag Team Titles for as long as possible. – Juan Bautista

91. Tanga Loa (115) / Davey Boy Smith Jr. (115)

The Bullet Club is officially in “The Cut Throat Era,” and they can thank the G.O.D. for that. Tanga, along with his brother, are leading the Bullet Club now, bouncing out the Elite and becoming five-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions in the process. Tanga has become just as, if not more aggressive than his brother. The Firing Squad is ready to let anyone and everyone have it. – Matthew Smith

Harry Smith’s career has been something of a roller coaster of near-misses, but throughout 2019, the Anglo-Canadian Bulldog seemed to steadily knock at the door of true main event status, even as he walked away from what many would’ve seen as a great spot in New Japan. 2020 will be the year we find out exactly what Davey Boy Smith Jr. is, for better or for worse. – David Gibb

90. Lance Archer (118)

Experiencing a strong run as of late, Lance heads into 2020 the IWGP U.S. Champion. – Juan Bautista

89. Joey Janela (121)

The Bad Boy defied expectations and returned from a gruesome leg injury at his heralded Spring Break event in April. Picking right back up where he left off, Janela toured the indies, stealing the show wherever he went, including a dazzling run in the Battle of Los Angeles. Of course, he’s also made an impact in AEW with hellacious wars against Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega. While his win/loss record leaves a lot to be desired, you can’t deny that Janela always finds a way to stand out. – John Corrigan

88. Colt Cabana (122) / Dragon Lee (122) / Britt Baker (122)

One of the most influential figures of the decade, Colt Cabana had a newsworthy year. He competed in both the New Japan Cup and World Tag League, won the NWA National Championship twice and recently departed Ring of Honor after years as its color commentator. The future is uncertain yet promising for the beloved Boom Boom. – John Corrigan

The younger brother of Los Ingobernables founder Rush, Dragon Lee has taken this year by storm and delivered some of my favorite in-ring moments, including recently defeating Shane Taylor for the ROH Television Championship. – Sam Gladen

As one the faces of the AEW women’s roster heading into 2020, Baker looks to keep racking up wins in her chase for championship gold. – Juan Bautista

87. Tom Lawlor (123) / Drew McIntyre (123)

Lawlor’s MLW title reign fizzled out under the weight of the “Filthy” one trying to play friendly jock, but Lawlor is still one of the most intriguing pro wrestling prospects in the world. His legitimacy and all-or-nothing intensity give him the potential to win again at any moment, but to get there, he’ll have to start 2020 by getting back all the heat he lost. – David Gibb

While not the most high-profile year, Drew keeps showing he should be competing in main events for gold and not openers. Stellar in-ring work and promos show 2020 could be great for McIntyre. – Juan Bautista

86. Buddy Murphy (127)

Buddy Murphy is a badass. He could easily be billed as Brock Lesnar who can do flips. I am happy to see him involved in big-time storylines this year. – Sam Gladen

85. Marshall Von Erich (128)

Working a Brock Lesnar schedule, the Von Erichs only came into the mainstream halfway through the year, but made an immediate impact in MLW battling Contra Unit. They’re the current MLW Tag Team Champions after dethroning Dynasty at MLW’s first pay-per-view in November. Before signing with MLW, both brothers competed in the Super 8 in April, with Marshall making it to the semi-finals, where he fell to tournament winner Lance Anoa’i. – John Corrigan

84. Ross Von Erich (130)

Working a Brock Lesnar schedule, the Von Erichs only came into the mainstream halfway through the year, but made an immediate impact in MLW battling Contra Unit. They’re the current MLW Tag Team Champions after dethroning Dynasty at MLW’s first pay-per-view in November. Before signing with MLW, both brothers competed in the Super 8 in April, with Ross losing in the first round to Leland Race. – John Corrigan

83. Nyla Rose (137) / Johnny Impact (137)

The Native Beast sent shock waves through AEW when she went toe to toe with Awesome Kong at Double or Nothing, following that up with being in the first AEW Women’s Title match. She may have come up short in the title match, but her reactions have proven she will do whatever it takes to get back on top, suspension or not. – Matthew Smith

My fellow writers seem to have a short memory because Johnny Impact was Impact World Champion for a quarter of the year. He also had a MOTY contender with Rich Swann at Slammiversary. I will concede, though, that his absence for half the year probably warrants his low ranking. – John Corrigan

82. David Starr (141)

The leader of the independent movement. David Starr has held multiple championships around the globe this year. Most notably, he is the last world champion under the Defiant banner. – Juan Bautista

81. KENTA (144)

The reemergence of KENTA also came with a new attitude. No longer walking through the doors of Noah, he resurfaced in NJPW and it wasn’t long before his true colors showed. Once joining Bullet Club, he captured the Never Openweight Championship and looks to make 2020 even greater. – Juan Bautista