WWE SmackDown Live Rankings Before WWE Battleground

Smackdown. Photo by WWE.com

Welcome to the Smackdown Rankings before WWE Battleground.

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. Photo by WWE.com

The SmackDown Live Women’s Division

Highlights of the Division

Becky Lynch not only beat Charlotte but also took her spot in the divisional rankings. This doesn’t necessarily mean that she’ll be the favorite to win the Fatal 5 Way match at Battleground but she’s a close second. Both Charlotte and Becky Lynch have a case on why they should get a crack at the champ in the biggest show of the summer. The credentials and past accolades both contenders have achieved this past year should warrant them title shots immediately. But in the end, the Vegas money should be bet on Charlotte as she is the only competitor to defeat Naomi in a singles match.      

No sighting of Carmella this past week on Smackdown Live which is a shame. A backstage segment or confrontation with management could have furthered along the storyline of the James Ellsworth suspension. The WWE shouldn’t drop the ball or angle on one of their brightest young stars in Carmella. The Princess of Staten Island is the top contender in the division and holds the Money in the Bank briefcase, the division should be revolving around her and the champion Naomi. Consistency on being on TV every week will add more stock to Carmella’s value, not showcasing her will cheapen her monumental push she’s gained since last month.

The pairing with Lana and Tamina still hasn’t been fully addressed but the story is starting to grow some legs. The fact that all the women want a crack at her shows how vital Lana is in this division. Many people thought that her consecutive losses to Naomi might have hurt her upside but her presence alone have made up for it. The other competitors don’t respect her because they don’t think she deserves to compete and with Tamina looking out for her—another fascinating plot has developed in the Smackdown Live Women’s Division.

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

SmackDown Live Women’s Champion: Naomi (9 Wins – 5 Losses)

Contenders

• Top Contender: Carmella (10 Wins – 3 Losses) (MITB Winner)
• Contender No. 2: Becky Lynch (8 Wins – 11 Losses) (Moved Up 1 Spot)
• Contender No. 3: Charlotte (7 Wins – 13 Losses)

Pretenders

• Pretender No. 1: Nikki Bella (3 Wins – 1 Loss)
• Pretender No. 2: Natalya (6 Wins – 7 Losses)
• Pretender No. 3: Tamina Snuka (3 Wins – 2 Losses)
• Pretender No. 4: Lana (0 Wins – 3 Losses)