CM Punk is indeed the best in the world.

That's according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated, who revealed on Aftermath Radio last night (Aug. 20, 2012) that Punk is number one in its annual list of the top 500 wrestlers. The rest of the list will be available with the digital issue released on Thursday.

The "Straight Edge" superstar has certainly had an incredibly successful year. The so-called "Summer of Punk" started with his infamous shoot promo and he became one of the hottest acts in years. His Money in the Bank match against John Cena was a smashing success and he was a made man. Even when he lost the title, he took precedence as the main event in a program with Triple H before regaining the belt in November of last year at Survivor Series.

He has managed to hold onto it ever since, a grand total of 275 days. He's won every match at every pay-per-view event since then, too, often having the best match on the card while doing so.

This is the 22nd year in a row PWI has been doing its annual 500 list and Punk has joined some elite company. See who won each year prior after the jump.

2012: CM Punk
2011: The Miz
2010: AJ Styles
2009: Triple H
2008: Randy Orton
2007: John Cena
2006: John Cena
2005: Batista
2004: Chris Benoit
2003: Brock Lesnar
2002: Rob Van Dam
2001: Kurt Angle
2000: Triple H
1999: Steve Austin
1998: Steve Austin
1997: Dean Malenko
1996: Shawn Michaels
1995: Diesel
1994: Bret Hart
1993: Bret Hart
1992: Sting
1991: Hulk Hogan

Elite company indeed.