The annual
Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 issue is now out on news stands and has been out for a few weeks in digital form. It’s always fun to see this list every year. But this year I was a little sad when I checked out the list. This was the first year since 2003 that there were no photos I took in the list. Because of that I decided to post some old photos I have of some of the wrestlers in the top 100. So enjoy a look back at some of the top stars of today.

#1
CM Punk. In 2004 Punk teamed up with Ace Steel to take on
Dan Maff & BJ Whitmer in a Chicago street fight. Punk & Steel won the match. His ranking that year in the PWI 500 was #89. Chicago Ridge, IL.

#2
Bobby Roode. VS
Booker T from 2008. That year Roode was #89 on the list. Spencer, IA.

#4
Daniel Bryan. In 2005 Bryan was known as Bryan Danielson and he wrestled in a match against Claudio Castignoli who is now known as
Antonio Cesaro in the WWE. Danielson was # 76 on the list in 2005. Hammond, IN.

#6
Jun Akiyama. VS
TAKA at Korakuen Hall. Tokyo, Japan. In 2005 Akiyama was ranked #76 on the list.

#7
Davey Richards. If you are a fan of Richards then check out his hard hitting match against
Low Ki from the 2006 IWA Mid South TPI. Midlothian, IL.

#12
James Storm. VS
Rhino. Spencer, Iowa.

#13 Austin Aries. VS Adrian Serreno. Minneapolis, MN.

#20
Kevin Steen. At the 2005 IWA MS TPI Steen went to the final round but lost to Matt Sydal. Hammond, Indiana.

#27
Mr. Anderson. Not long before Andeson went to OVW he took on rookie
Thoruf Marius (Erick Rowan in FCW) in 2003. Maple Grove, MN

#28
AJ Styles. VS S
hifty. Maple Grove, MN.

#32
Rodrick Strong. Strong went to the finals of the 2006 IWA MS TPI against
Arik Cannon and Low Ki. Midlothian, IL.

#39 Jay Lethal. VS AJ Styles. Spencer, IA.

#44
Colt Cabana. At the 2005 IWA MS TPI Cabana got a shot at the heavy weight title against champion
Jimmy Jacobs. Hammond, IN.

#46
Seth Rollins. At the time of this photo Rollins was known as Tyler Black. Hammond, IN.

#48
Chris Daniels. In 2004 The Fallen Angel showed up in Midwest Pro Wrestling to take on
Arik Cannon. Maple Grove, MN.

#51
Somoa Joe. As the ROH champion Joe defended the title against
Homicide. Chicago Ridge, IL.

#54
Michael Elgin. Back in 2006 a young Elgin made his way to the midwest for the NIW Impact Invitational. Cottage Grove, MN.

#59
Johnny Gargano. VS
Mat Fitchett. Minneapolis, MN.

#61
Takashi Morishima. Defending his ROH title against
Austin Aries. St. Paul, MN.

#62
Adam Pearce & #64
Carl Anderson. Pearce & Anderson team up to take on
Arik Cannon & Baby Slim at an NWA Midwest show in Cottage Grove, MN back in 2006.

#63
Jay Briscoe & #65
Mark Briscoe. VS
CM Punk & Colt Cabana for the ROH tag team title. The Briscoe’s lost the titles at the end of this match in Chicago Ridge, IL.

#82
El Generico. VS
Chris Bosh. Midlothian, IL.

#96
Evan Bourne. Before he was in the WWE Bourne wrestled as Matt Sydal. In this match from the 2006 Ted Petty Invitational for IWA Mid South Sydal beat
El Generico.

#97
Rhett Titus. Back in 2007 Titus was in an opening match against Michael Elgin at an ROH event in St. Paul, MN.