ABOUT PWI

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has been recognized as the sport’s number one magazine since its inception in 1979. Founded by legendary publisher Stanley Weston, PWI set out on a course to alter the landscape of pro wrestling journalism. Over the years, utilizing the talents of the world’s finest writers, editors, photographers, and designers, PWI succeeded beyond Weston’s wildest dreams.

Like many wrestling fans and journalists, most of today’s star wrestlers grew up reading PWI. That is why the magazine’s year-end awards for Wrestler of the Year, Tag Team of the Year, Match of the Year, etc., as well as the “PWI 500,” have become virtual institutions within the wrestling business.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s publisher, Stu Saks, joined the company in 1979, after only two issues of PWI had been published. His love for wrestling began in 1968, when his grandfather took him to the Miami Beach Auditorium to watch Sailor Art Thomas in the main event. He published his own wrestling newsletter from 1971-1974 before earning his bachelor’s degree at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He worked as a sportswriter for New York’s Newsday before joining the London Publishing family of magazines.

Editor-in-Chief Lisa Rocchi began working for London Publishing in December 2005. Prior to her tenure at PWI, she worked for a library book publisher, editing manuscripts on topics such as infectious diseases and psychological disorders. Desperate to cover less dry subject matter, she jumped at the chance to work for a PWI when a position became available. A 2005 graduate of Gwynedd-Mercy College, Rocchi went on to earn a Master’s degree in magazine publishing at Rosemont College.

Managing Editor Frank Krewda returned to PWI in 2008 after an eight-year hiatus. During his absence, Frank contributed to PWI on a freelance basis and worked as a group publisher at Progressive Business Publications in Malvern, PA, where he reported on the commercial credit, materials management and workplace-safety industries. Frank previously worked on the PWI staff as an assistant editor from 1997 to 2000. Prior to that, he served as staff writer at The Fan, a now-defunct Philadelphia sports publication.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated, The Wrestler, Inside Wrestling, and The Ring boxing magazine were purchased by Oscar De Le Hoya’s Golden Boy Enterprises in August 2007 and are now published by Sports & Entertainment Publications, LLC.