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Pro-Wrestling Illustrated Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year
| Year |
Winner |
1st Runner-Up |
2nd Runner-Up |
3rd Runner-Up |
| 1972 |
Lord Alfred Hayes |
- |
- |
- |
| 1973 |
Johnny Valentine |
- |
- |
- |
| 1974 |
Dick Murdoch |
- |
- |
- |
| 1975 |
Mike McCord |
- |
- |
- |
| 1976 |
Bruno Sammartino |
Wahoo McDaniel |
Bob Roop |
Bob Armstrong |
| 1977 |
Bob Backlund |
Don Muraco |
Bruno Sammartino |
Terry Funk |
| 1978 |
Blackjack Mulligan |
Bruno Sammartino |
Mr. Wrestling II |
Jim Brunzell |
| 1979 |
Chief Jay
Strongbow |
Ric Flair |
Mr. Wrestling II |
Dusty Rhodes |
| 1980 |
Junkyard Dog |
Ricky Steamboat |
Verne Gagne |
Mr. Florida |
| 1981 |
Bob Backlund |
Ted DiBiase |
Tito Santana |
Mr. Wrestling II |
| 1982 |
Roddy Piper |
Jimmy Snuka |
Mil Mascaras |
Jimmy Valiant |
| 1983 |
Hulk Hogan |
Roddy Piper |
Buzz Sawyer |
Buddy Rose |
| 1984 |
Sgt. Slaughter |
Kerry Von Erich |
Kevin Von Erich |
Bob Backlund |
| 1985 |
Mike Von Erich |
Paul Orndorff |
Jim Duggan |
Kevin Von Erich |
| 1986 |
Chris Adams |
Magnum TA |
Kerry Von Erich |
Steve Williams |
| 1987 |
Nikita Koloff |
Dynamite Kid |
Chris Adams |
Billy Graham |
| 1988 |
Jerry Lawler |
Kerry Von Erich |
Road Warrior
Animal |
Jake Roberts |
| 1989 |
Eric Embry |
Nikita Koloff |
Billy Jack Haynes |
Ric Flair |
| 1990 |
Sting |
Hulk Hogan |
Jerry Lawler |
Nikolai Volkoff |
| 1991 |
The Patriot |
Jerry Lawler |
Psycho Sid |
Bill Dundee |
| 1992 |
Ron Simmons |
The Undertaker |
Ricky Steamboat |
Eric Embry |
| 1993 |
Cactus Jack |
Lex Luger |
1-2-3 Kid |
Brutus Beefcake |
| 1994 |
Bret Hart |
Terry Funk |
Guardian Angle |
Dave Sullivan |
| 1995 |
Barry Horowitz |
Sabu |
Antonio Inoki |
Dan Severn |
| 1996 |
Jake Roberts |
Jushin Liger |
Ahmed Johnson |
Rey Mysterio |
| 1997 |
Terry Funk |
Steve Austin |
Perry Saturn |
Roddy Piper |
| 1998 |
Goldberg |
Steve Austin |
Mankind |
Shane Douglas |
| 1999 |
Hulk Hogan |
Bret Hart |
X-Pac |
Jim Duggan |
| 2000 |
Booker T |
Mick Foley |
Crash Holly |
Chyna |
| 2001 |
Kurt Angle |
Chris Jericho |
Shane McMahon |
Spike Dudley |
| 2002 |
Eddie Guerrero |
Hulk Hogan |
Shawn Michaels |
Chris Benoit |
| 2003 |
Zach Gowen |
Kurt Angle |
AJ Styles |
Rey Mysterio |
| 2004 |
Eddie Guerrero |
Chris Benoit |
Eugene |
William Regal |
| 2005 |
Chris Candido |
Matt Hardy |
Steve Williams |
Rey Mysterio |
| 2006 |
Matt Cappotelli |
Rey Mysterio |
Hardcore Holly |
CM Punk |
| 2007 |
Jeff Jarrett |
CM Punk |
John Cena |
Sting |
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