Earlier today, Pro Wrestling Illustrated released the digital version of their PWI 500 issue for 2021. This year, the women of the 2021 PWI 500 made sure this year’s ranking was a historical milestone for the publication, and for women’s wrestling, alike.
Trish Adora, who ranked at #44, placed higher on the PWI 500 than any other woman before her did. The placement is not only a testament to her talents inside the ring, but signifies how important representation is for Women of Color.
Also in 2021, six women placed in the top half of the list, including Laynie Luck, who out of all the women who ranked in the 2020 PWI 500, jumped the most number of spots to land at #230—225 spots higher than last year.
Overall, 29 women ranked on the 2021 PWI 500, increasing the number of women ranked 71% from the 2020 list. Of the women who ranked this year, only 11 women were also ranked in 2020, meaning 18 women are ranked for the first time in 2021.
Twelve women have ranked on any PWI list for the very first time with their 2021 PWI 500 ranking—including the 26-year veteran Emi Sakura, who ranked at #429.
Though women’s wrestling is having a historic year on the list, it’s also important to note representation in other areas. Two non-binary wrestlers who often wrestle within women’s divisions have also ranked this year: Max The Impaler has ranked at #266, and Shea McCoy at #422.
There’s always work to be done in equity and equality. Twenty-nine spots out of 500 this year, next year even more.
Every woman who ranked on the 2021 PWI 500
- #44 – Trish Adora
- #111 – Allie Katch
- #179 – Jordynne Grace
- #192 – Edith Surreal
- #230 – Laynie Luck
- #245 – Erica Leigh
- #291 – Charli Evans
- #314 – Delmi Exo
- #318 – Ashley Vox
- #324 – Davienne
- #382 – Mei Suruga
- #388 – Kylie Rae
- #390 – Mickie Knuckles
- #398 – Jordan Blade
- #399 – DARK Sheik
- #403 – Ziggy Haim
- #409 – Willow Nightingale
- #411 – Jessica Troy
- #420 – Masha Slamovich
- #425 – Kasey Catal
- #429 – Emi Sakura
- #441 – Billie Starkz
- #445 – Saki Akai
- #453 – Killer Kelly
- #461 – Jamie Senegal
- #468 – Janai Kai
- #471 – Alice Crowley
- #499 – Kaia McKenna
- #500 – Lulu Pencil
Get the digital edition, or pre-order the print edition, of the 2021 PWI 500 issue today at pwi-online.com.
Return to Bell To Belles tomorrow for the start of our “Women on the 2021 PWI 500” interview series, where we interviewed nearly all of the women who ranked on this year’s list!
Return to Bell To Belles for more news, exclusives, opinion, interviews, and advocacy on your favorite women in wrestling!
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