On the heels of their annual PWI 500 issue, I just became aware that Pro Wrestling Illustrated just published their latest issue featuring an expanded women-only ranking, this year growing the list to 250. The digital version is out now, for those waiting for the print edition in 3-4 weeks and/or who want to avoid SPOILERS, stop reading now. Otherwise, click below to see the top 10 and notable Japan wrestler rankings.
First the overall top 10:
1-Toni Storm (AEW)
2-Jordynne Grace (TNA)
3-Rhea Ripley (WWE) (#1 last year)
4-Maika (Stardom) (top ranked Japanese wrestler)
5-Stephanie Vaquer (CMLL/WWE)
6-Sareee (Marigold)
7-Bayley (WWE)
8-Willow Nightingale (AEW)
9-Mariah May (AEW)
10-Athena (AEW/Ring Of Honor)
Now other Japanese or notable-in-Japan-participation rankings:
13-Iyo Sky (WWE)
14-Mayu Iwatani (Stardom)
16-Mina Shirakawa (Stardom)
18-Miu Watanabe (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
19-Miyu Yamashita (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
21-Giulia (Stardom/Marigold/WWE)
27-Saori Anou (Stardom)
28-Tam Nakano (Stardom)
31-Hikaru Shida (AEW)
38-Mika Iwata (Sendai Girls)
40-Natsupoi (Stardom)
41-Megan Bayne (Stardom)
43-Natsuko Tora (Stardom)
47-Chihiro Hashimoto (Sendai Girls)
50-Hanan (Stardom)
56-Miku Aono (Marigold)
57-Natsumi Showzuki (Actress Girls)
58-Rina (Stardom)
59-Max The Impaler (Tokyo Joshi Pro/NWA)
60-Mei Seira (Stardom)
62-MIRAI (Stardom/Marigold)
63-AZM (Stardom)
64-Utami Hayashishita (Stardom/Marigold)
67-Momo Watanabe (Stardom)
69-Maki Itoh (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
71-Sayaka Unagi (Independent/Freelancer)
72-Syuri (Stardom)
74-Asuka (WWE)
77-Thekla (Stardom)
80-Takumi Iroha (Independent/Freelancer)
83-Suzu Suzuki (Stardom)
85-Veny (Independent/Freelancer)
89-Saya Kamitani (Stardom)
97-Mizuki (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
102-YuuRI (Ganbare Pro)
104-Konami (Stardom)
106-Starlight Kid (Stardom)
108-Yuki Arai (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
111-Yuu (Independent/Freelancer)
116-Haruka Unesaki (Diana)
124-Ryo Mizunami (Independent/Freelancer)
126-Mio Momomo (Independent/Freelancer)
129-Shoko Nakajima (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
145-Moyuki Takase (Independent/Freelancer)
147-Miyu Amasaki (Stardom)
157-Rika Tatsumi (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
159-Zara Zakher (Tokyo Joshi Pro) (Rookie)
165-Nanae Takahashi (Marigold)
170-Risa Sera (Independent/Freelancer)
175-Maika Ozaki (Independent/Freelancer)
176-Koguma (Stardom)
180-Saki Kashima (Stardom)
183-Mei Suruga (Chicolate Pto Wrestling)
186-Yuki Kamifuku (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
188-Maya Yukihi (Independent/Freelancer)
192-Hazuki (Stardom)
198-Yuki Aino (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
205-Kaori Yoneyama/Fukigen (Stardom)
206-SAKI (Independent/Freelancer)
208-Victoria Yuzuki (Marigold)
210-Yuzuki Mashiro (Ice Ribbon)
211-Saya Iida (Stardom)
212-Itsuki Aoki (Independent/Freelancer)
213-Xena/Gina (Stardom)
214-Aja Kong (OZ Academy) (First time ranked)
215-Yuna Manase (Gambare Pro)
216-Mai Sakurai (Stardom/Marigold)
222-Amo Sohrei (Stardom)
224-Ram Kaichow (666)
231-Nanami (Independent/Freelancer)
239-Riko Kawabata/Great Sakuya (Independent/Freelancer/Pro Wrestling NOAH)
242-ZONES (Independent/Freelancer)
Not Ranked But #1 In Our Hearts-Pom Harajuku (Tokyo Joshi Pro)
Also of note: Nao Kakuta (Tokyo Joshi Pro) may have been ranked had she not retired
