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In September 2024, WWE's Cody Rhodes topped the Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 list, with AEW's Swerve Strickland ranked at #2.
Strickland revealed in an interview with Vlad TV that he texted Rhodes jokingly about the ranking.
Rhodes responded sincerely, stating, "Honestly, dude, you should have been one."
Why this matters:: This interaction highlights the mutual respect and competitive camaraderie that can exist between top performers in different wrestling organizations, even amidst intense fan debate and promotional rivalry.
Other wrestlers in the PWI 500 top 5 included Will Ospreay (#3), Seth Rollins (#4), and Tetsuya Naito (#5).
The PWI 500 is an annual list ranking the top 500 male professional wrestlers globally, based on kayfabe achievements and influence within a specific evaluation period. Topping the list is considered a major career milestone.
Cody Rhodes' #1 ranking came after a monumental year where he captured the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, ending Roman Reigns' historic reign. Swerve Strickland's #2 spot followed his own career-defining period, including winning the AEW World Championship at AEW Dynasty in April 2024.
Strickland shared the text exchange during an interview with Vlad TV: "I texted him, I was like, I missed you by one, you son of a bi*ch.’ [Laughs] He texts me back, he’s like, ‘Honestly, dude, you should have been one.’ That’s the competition we have between, it’s a good one." This friendly rivalry underscores the high level both competitors are operating at.
In related news concerning wrestlers moving between or discussing different promotions, former WWE Superstar Cedric Alexander expressed interest in joining AEW's Hurt Syndicate during an appearance on the "Insight" podcast. Alexander was part of the original Hurt Business faction in WWE and sees joining the AEW iteration as exploring unfinished business.
What is the PWI 500?
The Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 is an annual ranking of the top 500 male professional wrestlers in the world, published by Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine.
Who was ranked #1 in the PWI 500 discussed?
Cody Rhodes (WWE) was ranked #1.
Who was ranked #2?
Swerve Strickland (AEW) was ranked #2.
What did Cody Rhodes say to Swerve Strickland?
According to Strickland, Rhodes texted him saying that Strickland "should have been one."
Top wrestlers across different promotions often maintain respect and communication.
Rankings like the PWI 500 fuel discussion but also reflect significant career achievements.
The competitive landscape in wrestling remains dynamic, with talent acknowledging each other's successes.
This exchange shows great sportsmanship between two of wrestling's biggest stars. Do you think Swerve Strickland deserved the #1 spot in the PWI 500 last year? Let us know!
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