Rhea Ripley reigns supreme.
PWI [Pro Wrestling Illustrated] have released their annual list of the top 250 women’s wrestlers for 2023, with Mami taking the top spot in the rankings. The Women’s World Champion has shot up the rankings in 12 months as her 2022 ranking was 42nd.
The rankings for the 2023 list are determined by the wrestler’s work from October 1, 2022 – September 15, 2023. Criteria include their technical ability, influence on the sport, activity, quality of opposition, diversity of opposition and win-loss record.
New Japan Strong Women’s Champion Giulia ranked 2nd on the list and former WWE Women’s Champion Bianca Beliar rounded out the top 3.
The top 10 in the PWI Women’s 250 are as follows:
- Rhea Ripley
- Giulia
- Bianca Belair
- Jamie Hayter
- Tam Nakano
- Athena
- Deonna Purrazzo
- Willow Nightingale
- Kamille
- Jordynne Grace
Rhea Ripley’s Dominant Year
Mami has had a historic 12 months in WWE. Ending 2022 with a string of victories on Raw, Ripley would go on to win the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble from the number-one position, becoming the first woman’s wrestler to go wire to wire in the iconic battle royal.
Choosing Charlotte Flair as her champion of choice, Ripley looked to exact revenge on The Queen for the event that took place at WrestleMania 36, where Flair defeated Ripley to become NXT Champion. With the title match not the main event of night one of WrestleMania 39, both competitors went in with a point to prove. In one of the best matches of the whole weekend, Rhea Ripley dethroned Charlotte Flair to rise to the top of the Women’s Division. Still reigning as the champion more than 6 months later, no one has been able to defeat The Eradicator.
Rhea Ripley’s next title defence will take place at Crown Jewel.
The PWI Tag Team 100 has since been released, with FTR ranking at the top of the list.