The 2008 PWI 500
The 2008 edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual PWI 500 will hit newstands next month, and as revealed recently on PWI's official web site, coming in at the number one this year is none other than "The Legend Killer" Randy Orton.
I was let in on the discussion to place Orton in the top spot in the 18th annual PWI 500, which ranks and includes bios of the 500 best wrestlers in the industry. Figuring out the rankings, compiling biographical information, and writing 500 entries is an arduous task each year for the small staff at PWI, but the issue is always a fun and informative read.
I won't disclose the rest of the 500 other than to say this: There are just two TNA stars in the top 10, one from ROH, and one international star. TNA and ROH have the same number of wrestlers ranked in the Top 20, and ROH achieved its highest ranking ever in the annual list.
So what of the choice to make Randy Orton number one? Fans should know than the ranking period is roughly between July of 2007 and July of 2008. And while Orton may have missed several weeks at the end of that period with his injury, for 11 months he was WWE's MVP - conistently putting forth great main event matches, delivering money promos, and giving WWE's top babyfaces a great heel to work off of. He absolutely deserved the top spot.
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Comments (13)
SOME PEOPLE HAVE "IT"
ORTON HAS "IT"
PWI is still around? Jesus, I thought they were last relevant in 1991. Good for Orton, but shocked he was #1...my money was on Robbie McCallister
I can't really argue too much with RKO being #1. Only Cena or Edge should have been in contention for the top spot.
I wonder if the lone ROH guy in the top 10 is Bryan Danielson or Nigel McGuiness.
orton deserved it no doubt .
jericho should get it for 2009
Outside of Edge, I don't think anyone else came close for that time period.
That's awesome. I didn't care for young Randall at first, but by the end of last year, I came around. I went to Wrestlemania this year and was the lone guy cheering for Orton during his match. When he won, I wasted no time rubbing it in to the whole section I was sitting in. I guess they didn't like my "please retire" chant to Trips. However, with him on Smackdown, I guess it's fresh so I can tolerate him more now.
Delivering "MONEY" promos??? What were you watching? I fell asleep during most of his promos and even once changed the channel to watch Al Gore speak.
Orton isn't a bad choice but he was not the definitive choice. Just glad it wasn't HHH.
I personally think edge is better than Orton
Welcome to The Age of Orton
edge shood #1 orton is defintly top 5 though
Orton's title reign was one of the lamest/weakest ive seen. Id Rather see Triple H at no 1. Or even Angle for that fact. Pwi always manages to put in crazy rankings.
I'd say Dick Rick or Pepper potts!