Initiated in 1985, Excellence Study is a cornerstone in the history of public relations scholarship. It has been widely accepted as the dominant theoretical paradigm since the late 1980s. Using the method of multiple sources of evidence, this study chronologically conducted theoretical review and meta-analysis on its international academic influence, questioning and criticism, local tests, and re-examination under the impact of diverse public relations theories in the Internet era. In sum, Excellence Study not only opens up theorization of public relations as a feld but also promotes the transition of public relations research from functional perspective to co-creational perspective. As the core concept of Excellence Study, symmetry was the focus of scholarly questioning and tests in different cultural and societal contexts. The two-way symmetrical communication advocated by Excellence Study coincides with the characteristics of de-centrality, interactivity, dialogue, and empowerment inherent in the Internet. Through examination and analysis, this study concluded that the information environment created by the Internet and the corresponding change in public relations practice may provide an opportunity for the new-round tests of Excellence Study, which may propel the theory to a new era.