Starting this year, IMPACT Wresting, Major League Wrestling, NWA and Ring Of Honor will join WWE, AEW, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and AAA under a very special designation by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Those promotions along with CMLL, Pro Wrestling NOAH, All Japan Pro-Wrestling and Stardom will be given “World Championship Status” beginning in the May issue of the publication. Details are below:
“PWI has historically recognized only a handful of championships as legitimate “world titles” at any given point, which is a holdover from our kayfabe days and a nod to boxing magazines, like The Ring. Think of it more as an acknowledgment and not a knock on every other title!”
“One addition, made after press time: With Keiji Mutoh’s recent title victory at NOAH’s Back to Budokan, we’re officially adding the GHC heavyweight title (along with the GHC tag title and jr. heavyweight championship).”
“Pick up the May issue of PWI for the full list, along with our criteria for world title designation: getpwi.com“
Despite difficult circumstances, MLW, IMPACT and ROH were three primary promotions that have weathered the unexpected storm of the COVID-19 pandemic and have put out new content throughout 2020 and into 2021. MLW and IMPACT notably have had ties with both NJPW and AAA while IMPACT has formed a strong relationship with All Elite Wrestling. NWA has had a rougher road in comparison to its American counterparts as it’s found survival by its Worlds Women Title having a presence in AEW while Nick Aldis and other stars have had airtime in David Marquez’s CWF Hollywood.
PWI has historically recognized only a handful of championships as legitimate "world titles" at any given point, which is a holdover from our kayfabe days and a nod to boxing magazines, like The Ring. Think of it more as an acknowledgment and not a knock on every other title!
— PWI (Pro Wrestling Illustrated) (@OfficialPWI) February 26, 2021
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