WWE Raw Division Rankings: Samoa Joe’s Title Hunt Begins
By Warsame A
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f0fc7249f1b461e5c4bef4c60b69c12e68091a347f71ce510881190a716ae044.jpg)
RAW. Photo by WWE.com
These are the RAW Division Rankings after Extreme Rules.
These are the power rankings for each division on Monday Night RAW for this following week. Each division would be ranked based on storyline progression and win/loss record as of 2017. Also, each division would be divided by contenders and pretenders, to differentiate the challengers in their respective division. I’ll also highlight a specific superstar in each division and explain their ranking based on their actions. Win/Loss record is provided by CageMatch.Net.
Each superstar or tag team can move up or down the rankings based on victory, defeat or storyline progression. Let’s see how the rankings shape up this week.
RAW. Photo by WWE.com
The RAW Cruiserweight Division
Highlights of the Division
Neville might have single-handedly cleaned out the Cruiserweight Division after his successful title defenses on Extreme Rules and on 205 Live. The King of the Cruiserweights soundly defeated Austin Aries and made sure that he’ll never get a crack at the title again. For TJP, his run at the top of 205 Live may have run it’s course if Neville keeps his championship for the long haul. So who is next to challenge the champion?
Akira Tozawa may look like the last man standing as a true contender who hasn’t gotten a title opportunity. He’s the only contender not to get a championship shot and his angle with Titus O’Neal might be the perfect opportunity to raise his profile. His feud with Brian Kendrick did a great job in showcasing Tozawa to the WWE crowd but now he’ll need to climb the ladder to be considered a title threat to Neville’s reign.
Meanwhile, for the Rest of the Division
Rich Swann might have his eyes set on facing Neville for the championship once again but he’ll need to earn some quality wins beforehand. Beating Noam Dar countless times won’t win you anything but boredom. Facing off with fellow contenders like Aries, Gallagher and Kendrick will add more credibility to his title shot claim.
Cedric Alexander, Mustafa Ali and Drew Gulak have been the rising stars of the pretenders but they’ll need to face quality competition. All these three men could possible be the future of the division but they’ll need more than just beating subpar opponents to be taken seriously.
These are the rankings for the division this week.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Neville (16 Wins – 6 Losses)
Contenders
- Top Contender: Austin Aries (11 Wins – 4 Losses)
- Contender No. 2: Jack Gallagher (17 Wins – 10 Losses)
- Contender No. 3: Akira Tozawa (15 Wins – 4 Losses)
- Contender No. 4: Rich Swann (13 Wins – 5 Losses)
- Contender No. 5: TJP (14 Wins – 15 Losses)
- Contender No. 6: The Brian Kendrick (9 Wins – 10 Losses)
- Contender No. 7: Gran Metalik (6 Wins – 4 Losses)
Pretenders
- Pretender No. 1: Mustafa Ali (11 Wins – 14 Losses)
- Pretender No. 2: Cedric Alexander (8 Wins – 6 Losses)
- Pretender No. 3: Ariya Daivari (6 Wins – 12 Losses)
- Pretender No. 4: Drew Gulak (7 Wins – 10 Losses)
- Pretender No. 5: Tony Nese (8 Wins – 19 Losses)
- Pretender No. 6: Noam Dar (7 Wins – 19 Losses)
- Pretender No. 7: Lince Dorado (3 Wins – 10 Losses)