Dante Chen, a professional wrestler from Singapore, has made a significant mark in the wrestling world by debuting on the prestigious Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Top 500 list. Chen, who performs under World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) NXT brand, secured the 377th spot in the 2024 rankings. This achievement highlights his impressive year in the ring, including notable victories and a tough loss on WWE’s SmackDown.
Background
Dante Chen, whose real name is Sean Tan, is the first Singaporean to compete in WWE. His inclusion in the PWI Top 500 is a testament to his growing influence in the wrestling industry. The PWI list, established in 1991, is one of the most respected rankings in professional wrestling, covering promotions worldwide. Wrestlers are evaluated based on their accomplishments, such as winning championships and defeating prominent opponents.
Dante Chen’s debut
Singapore’s Dante Chen made his debut on the 2024 PWI list, ranking 377th among the top 500 male wrestlers globally. The current WWE champion, Cody Rhodes, claimed the top spot. Chen’s entry highlighted his achievements, including victories over Tavion Heights, SCRYPTS, Lexis King, Myles Borne, and Javier Bernal. Despite a narrow defeat to Bron Breakker on SmackDown, Chen’s performance at house shows and other events earned him a place on the list.
Chen expressed his aspirations for the future on X (formerly Twitter), stating he was “manifesting” a stronger year ahead.
3️⃣7️⃣7️⃣
Manifesting a stronger upcoming year. 🌠
📸: Leopic.twitter.com/rA6VXdaUvH
— Dante Chen (@DanteChenWWE)
PWI’s history
Pro Wrestling Illustrated, founded in 1979, is the longest-running English-language publication dedicated to professional wrestling. The PWI Top 500 list, introduced in 1991, evaluates wrestlers based on a specific timeframe, considering their accomplishments, such as winning titles and defeating notable opponents. The list is highly regarded in the wrestling community, with inclusion seen as a significant honour. Past number one spots have been held by legends like Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and John Cena.
Future implications
Dante Chen’s debut on the PWI Top 500 list marks a historic moment for Singaporean wrestling. As the first Singaporean to achieve this feat, Chen’s success could inspire more talent from the region to pursue professional wrestling. His journey from debuting in WWE NXT to making a mark on SmackDown and now being recognised by PWI showcases his potential for future accomplishments. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Chen’s career progresses and whether he can climb higher in the PWI rankings in the coming years.
