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.
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, 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.
Year WinnerRunner-upSecond runner-upThird runner-up1972Pedro Morales1973Jack Brisco1974Bruno Sammartino1975Mr. Wrestling II1976Terry FunkBruno SammartinoNick BockwinkelPaul Jones1977Dusty RhodesSuperstar Billy GrahamBob BacklundHarley Race1978Dusty Rhodes (2)Bob BacklundRicky SteamboatHarley Race1979Harley RaceDusty RhodesJimmy SnukaBob Backlund1980Bob BacklundHarley RaceVerne GagneThe Iron Sheik1981Ric FlairBob BacklundTommy RichDusty Rhodes1982Bob Backlund (2)Ric FlairHulk HoganJimmy Snuka1983Harley Race (2)Nick BockwinkelAndré the GiantBob Backlund1984Ric Flair (2)Hulk HoganKerry Von ErichRick Martel1985Ric Flair (3)Hulk HoganRick MartelSgt. Slaughter1986Ric Flair (4)Hulk HoganRandy SavageNikita Koloff1987Hulk HoganRic FlairRandy SavageSteve Williams1988Randy SavageJerry LawlerLex LugerRic Flair1989Ric Flair (5)Hulk HoganLex LugerRicky Steamboat1990StingUltimate WarriorHulk HoganLex Luger1991Hulk Hogan (2)Lex LugerBret HartSting1992Ric Flair (6)Ron SimmonsRick RudeBret Hart1993VaderBret HartShawn MichaelsYokozuna1994Hulk Hogan (3)Bret HartRazor RamonRic Flair1995DieselShawn MichaelsStingHulk Hogan1996The GiantShawn MichaelsRic FlairAhmed Johnson1997Lex LugerStone Cold Steve AustinThe UndertakerDiamond Dallas Page1998Stone Cold Steve AustinGoldbergDiamond Dallas PageThe Rock1999Stone Cold Steve Austin (2)The RockStingTaz2000The RockTriple HBooker TKurt Angle2001Stone Cold Steve Austin (3)Kurt AngleThe RockRob Van Dam2002Brock LesnarRob Van DamTriple HThe Undertaker2003Kurt AngleBrock LesnarTriple HA.J. Styles2004Chris BenoitRandy OrtonEddie GuerreroA.J. Styles2005BatistaJohn CenaA.J. StylesSamoa Joe2006John CenaSamoa JoeRey MysterioEdge2007John Cena (2)Kurt AngleBatistaRandy Orton2008Triple HKurt AngleRandy OrtonSamoa Joe2009Randy OrtonJohn CenaChris JerichoKurt Angle2010Randy Orton (2)Rob Van DamJohn CenaSheamus2011CM PunkJohn CenaDavey RichardsBobby Roode2012CM Punk (2)SheamusAustin AriesJohn Cena2013Daniel BryanJohn CenaBully RayRandy Orton2014Brock Lesnar (2)Daniel BryanA.J. StylesJohn Cena2015Seth RollinsJay LethalRoman ReignsJohn Cena2016A.J. StylesRoman ReignsKevin OwensDean Ambrose2017A.J. Styles (2)Kazuchika OkadaKenny OmegaCody 2018A.J. Styles (3)Kenny OmegaCodySeth Rollins2019Adam ColeChris JerichoSeth RollinsKofi Kingston2020Jon MoxleyBayleyChris JerichoSasha Banks2021Kenny OmegaRoman ReignsBianca BelairBig E2022Roman Reigns Jon MoxleyBianca BelairCody Rhodes2023Seth Rollins (2)GuntherWill OspreayMJF2024Cody RhodesGuntherWill OspreayBryan Danielson2025Cody Rhodes (2)Mercedes MonéAdam PageCM Punk
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. The award went on hiatus in 2020, and several female wrestlers were nominated for Wrestler of the Year but the award returned again 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.
YearWinnerRunner-upSecond runner-upThird runner-up1972Marie LaVerne1973Joyce Grable1974Rachel Dubois1975Ann Casey1976Sue GreenKitty AdamsEarly DawnVicki Williams2000Stephanie McMahonLitaChynaMajor Gunns2001LitaStephanie McMahonStacy KeiblerTorrie Wilson2002Trish StratusStephanie McMahonStacy KeiblerTorrie Wilson2003Trish Stratus (2)Stephanie McMahonVictoriaTorrie Wilson2004VictoriaTrish StratusStacy KeiblerMolly Holly2005Trish Stratus (3)Christy HemmeMelinaLita2006Trish Stratus (4)Dixie CarterMickie JamesLita2007Candice MichelleBeth PhoenixGail KimKaren Angle2008Awesome KongBeth PhoenixMickie JamesMichelle McCool2009Mickie JamesAngelina LoveTaraMichelle McCool2010Michelle McCoolAngelina LoveMadison RayneMadison Eagles2011Mickie James (2)Kelly KellyBeth PhoenixMadison Eagles2012AJ LeeGail KimEve TorresSara Del Rey2013AJ Lee (2)Cheerleader MelissaDixie CarterKaitlyn2014AJ Lee (3)PaigeStephanie McMahonJessicka Havok2015Sasha BanksNikki BellaCharlottePaige2016Charlotte FlairSasha BanksBayleyBecky Lynch2017AsukaAlexa BlissCharlotte FlairSienna 2018Becky LynchRonda RouseyAsukaTessa Blanchard2019Becky Lynch (2)Tessa BlanchardShayna BaszlerBrandi Rhodes2021Britt BakerBianca BelairMickie JamesDeonna Purrazzo2022Bianca BelairJade CargillThunder RosaBritt Baker2023Rhea RipleyToni StormBianca BelairAthena2024Toni StormLiv MorganRhea RipleyJordynne Grace2025Mercedes Moné (2)Toni StormStephanie VaquerIyo Sky
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.