In an interview with Arda Ocal and Jimmy Korderas on Aftermath Radio last night, Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Dan Murphy was a guest on the show and announced that WWE Champion CM Punk has been ranked as Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s #1 in their annual “PWI 500.” The evaluation process ran from June 1st, 2011 to May 31st, 2012.

Punk joins winners including Hulk Hogan (1991), Sting (1992), Bret Hart (1993 and 1994), Kevin Nash (1995), Shawn Michaels (1996), Dean Malenko (1997), Steve Austin (1998 and 1999), Triple H (2000), Kurt Angle (2001), Rob van Dam (2002), Brock Lesnar (2003), Chris Benoit (2004), Batista (2005), John Cena (2006 and 2007), Randy Orton (2008), Triple H (2009), AJ Styles (2010) and The Miz (2011).

Murphy also announced that Sara del Rey, who is reported to have signed a deal with the WWE, becomes the fourth women to enter the PWI Top 500 due to the virtues of her victory over male wrestlers in CHIKARA. She joins Chyna, Madd Maxxine and Miss Texas as those to have been ranked on the PWI Top 500, which will be released in digital version via PWI-Online.com this Thursday and on newsstands on September 18th.