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WWE SmackDown Division Rankings Before Money in the Bank

By Warsame A

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SmackDown Live. Photo by WWE.com

Welcome to the SmackDown Division Rankings before Money in the Bank.

These are the power rankings for each division on Smackdown Live 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 get right to the rankings.

SmackDown Live. Photo by WWE.com

The SmackDown Live Women’s Division

Highlights of the Division

Naomi handled her business against Tamina to look strong before her title defense but it’ll look like she’ll be losing at Money in the Bank. The WWE hasn’t consistently booked the Women’s Champion since WrestleMania going 1-5 in the win/loss record, which has been the worst mark for any champion on the main roster. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the WWE cutting their losses with Naomi after her two-month stint as champion. She’s probably the most talented athlete in the division but the WWE doesn’t seem to care for that.

Lana could possibly be one of just a handful of superstars to win a championship on their first match in the WWE. Guys like Jerry Lynn, Christian, Carlito, Santino Marella, Gail Kim, Ted DiBiase Jr and Paige made history on their WWE debuts and Lana might lucky number 8. Normally this type of booking happens roughly every few years and the WWE might be enamored with the idea of Lana making history by winning the title in her first match.

If Lana does win the championship then it’s imperative to have Carmella win the Money in the Bank ladder match and cash it in after the title match. The ladder match should be booked to open the show so when Carmella wins she’ll eventually cash in the briefcase on Lana. The Princess of Staten Island has been groomed for months to be the top heel of the division after Alexa Bliss went to RAW. Her cash-in on Lana could benefit both competitors with the storyline progression and crowd reaction—gain babyface sympathy for Lana since the crowd loves her and turn Carmella into the female version of Edge.

Let’s see the rankings for the division this week.

SmackDown Live Women’s Champion: Naomi (6 Wins – 5 Losses)

Contenders

  • Top Contender: Charlotte (7 Wins – 10 Losses)
  • Contender No. 2: Carmella (9 Wins – 3 Losses)
  • Contender No. 3: Becky Lynch (7 Wins – 9 Losses)

Pretenders

  • Pretender No. 1: Nikki Bella (3 Wins – 1 Loss)
  • Pretender No. 2: Natalya (5 Wins – 6 Losses)
  • Pretender No. 3: Tamina Snuka (2 Wins – 1 Loss)
  • Pretender No. 4: Lana (N/A)