For many years, Pro Wrestling Illustrated has been one of the most important pieces of media in the professional wrestling industry. It’s been in production since 1979, and has covered all aspects of professional wrestling. The PWI 500 issues are something that fans and wrestlers alike will track down and collect, using them as a way to quickly recall who was on top that year. They are also someone who has influence on what championships are viewed as proper World Championships, and two more have been just added to the list.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated Now Recognizes 15 World Championships
Prior to these additions, there were a total of twelve recognized world championships by PWI standards. The NWA World Heavyweight Championship, WWE Championship, WWE Universal Championship, Impact World Championship, AEW World Championship, AAA Mega Championship, MLW World Championship, GHC Heavyweight Championship, IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, CMLL World Heavyweight Championship, and the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship. These are some of the biggest titles in the world. It’s worth noting that Kenny Omega holds three of these titles. Now two indy focused titles have entered the list.
This news was announced on Twitter by the official PWI account, which stated the following.
“In recognition of the growing influence of independent wrestling—and its resemblance to the territory system of yesteryear—PWI has designated two new official world championships: IWTV Independent Wrestling title & Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora title. Going forward, the IWTV and PAWD titles will both be referred to as world championships within the pages of PWI, with its titleholders viewed as world champions for purposes of weekly/monthly/annual rankings.”
Wheeler Yuta & Trish Adora Are The Newest Recognized Champions
The reigning champions of these titles are Wheeler Yuta with the IWTV Wrestling World Championship, and Trish Adora with the Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Championship. Notably, this makes Trish Adora the only female world champion recognized by PWI. She now joins Tessa Blanchard from her time as Impact World Champion and Kris Statlander from her time as IWTV Wrestling World Champion as the only recognized female world champions ever by PWI.
This is a positive change, especially as the indies prepare to enter a new boom period due WWE releasing a lot of their stored up talent. Do you agree with these championships being placed alongside the top belts of other promotions as World Championships? What other belts should be considered? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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