RAW. Photo by WWE.com
Welcome to the RAW Division Rankings after WWE Summerslam.
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
After six days as champion, Akira Tozawa lost the title to Neville at Summerslam. He had a second opportunity to regain it on 205 Live but couldn’t close it out. With Tozawa out of the title picture, who is next for the King of the Cruiserweights? Enzo Amore made his debut on 205 Live to confront Neville but he is nowhere ready to call himself a title contender. At this juncture, he’s a borderline pretender just like in the same position he was in on the mid card division. If Enzo is the long-term solution for the division then he should work his way up to the top of the rankings, not be handed a title opportunity because he has the biggest mouth of the division.
Cedric Alexander has been on a roll for a couple of weeks now but will he get a fair shake in the Cruiserweight Division. He’s been slowly climbing up the rankings on 205 Live but hasn’t fully developed a character that fans want to root for. He’s the epitome of what’s wrong with the Cruiserweight Division today, a lot of high spots and athletic moves but no character to tell an amazing story. With the other contenders locked up in their respective feuds, Cedric should be showcasing more character growth moving forward.
Meanwhile, for the Rest of the Division
It looks like the Brian Kendrick vs Jack Gallagher feud might be shifting towards a more aggressive tone, which is a nice change of pace. Same could be said with TJP and Rich Swann in their friendly rivalry. Both these stories have started extremely slow but have definitely picked up some steam in the last week or so. With Neville regaining back the title, it seems like all four of these men will be stuck in the same holding pattern for a while.
These are the rankings for the division this week.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Neville (22 Wins – 9 Losses)
Contenders
- Top Contender: Akira Tozawa (23 Wins – 7 Losses)
- Contender No. 2: Jack Gallagher (21 Wins – 11 Losses)
- Contender No. 3: Rich Swann (18 Wins – 9 Losses)
- Contender No. 4: TJP (18 Wins – 19 Losses)
- Contender No. 5: Cedric Alexander (16 Wins – 9 Losses) (Up 1 Spot)
- Contender No. 6: The Brian Kendrick (12 Wins – 13 Losses)
- Contender No. 7: Mustafa Ali (16 Wins – 16 Losses)
- Contender No. 8: Ariya Daivari (11 Wins – 18 Losses)
Pretenders
- Pretender No. 1: Gran Metalik (8 Wins – 8 Losses)
- Pretender No. 2: Enzo Amore (6 Wins – 15 Losses)
- Pretender No. 3: Drew Gulak (7 Wins – 17 Losses)
- Pretender No. 4: Tony Nese (13 Wins – 23 Losses)
- Pretender No. 5: Noam Dar (8 Wins – 22 Losses)
- Pretender No. 6: Lince Dorado (3 Wins – 17 Losses)
RAW. Photo by WWE.com
The RAW Women’s Division
Highlights of the Division
It was about damn time that Sasha Banks finally broke the Brooklyn curse and captured her fourth Women’s Championship. Alexa Bliss floundered as champion the past month so this was a good way to shake up the division. The rematch is set for next week and Banks should be the favorite to retain the gold. It’s about time the rest of the division steps up to the plate and fill the void left behind by Bayley.
Nia Jax secured another victory over Emma and she should be in position to get a crack at the champion after next week. She still hasn’t gotten a fair shake with title matches this past year so that needs to be rectified. Also, her partnership with Alexa Bliss will also need to be addressed. Being labeled as Alexa’s mindless muscle shouldn’t go unchecked and that’s something that needs to be explored moving forward.
As for Emma, the losing streak continues for the Australian. The #GiveEmmaAChance movement is playing its part because she is on TV but it doesn’t guarantee her victories in the ring. This could be the perfect opportunity for Emma to turn into a babyface. If she keeps losing constantly and tweets about it constantly that she isn’t getting a fair shake in matches, this social media movement can instantly flip her character into a beloved face who is being screwed by RAW management. It’s one avenue that needs to be explored.
These are the rankings for the division this week.
RAW Women’s Champion: Sasha Banks (18 Wins – 10 Losses)
Contenders
- No. 1 Contender: Alexa Bliss (9 Wins – 14 Losses)
- Contender No. 2: Bayley (13 Wins – 10 Losses)
- Contender No. 3: Nia Jax (16 Wins – 13 Losses)
Pretenders
- Pretender No. 1: Alicia Fox (4 Wins – 6 Losses)
- Pretender No. 2: Mickie James (6 Wins – 12 Losses)
- Pretender No. 3: Dana Brooke (4 Wins – 8 Losses)
- Pretender No. 4: Emma (1 Win – 8 Losses)
RAW. Photo by WWE.com
The RAW Tag Team Division
Highlights of the Division
In surprising fashion, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins won the RAW Tag Team Championships on their first try at Summerslam. This move should rejuvenate the tag team division for the short-term. Their wrestling style is fast paced and exciting compared to the rest of the division which is a breath of fresh air. Defeating the Hardys on RAW was the exclamation point needed that Ambrose and Rollins will be holding on the straps for the long haul.
As for the Hardys, they suffered two straight losses to the Miztourage and the RAW Tag Team Champions. As of right now, they are directionless for the first time since arriving back to the WWE. Teasing their “Broken” brilliance is a farce at the moment and their nostalgia has completely evaporated. Even if they are hovering around waiting to continue their feud with the Revival once Scott Dawson recovers from his injury, would it even matter at all?
No updates on Gallows and Anderson this week on RAW since they weren’t on Summerslam either. Just like the Hardys, these guys have also been directionless for a minute. The WWE will need to make up their mind about the Club because these guys are entertaining and have a lot more to offer if given the opportunity.
These are the rankings for the division this week.
RAW Tag Team Champions: Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins (3 Wins – 0 Losses)
Contenders
- Top Contender: Cesaro and Sheamus (9 Wins – 9 Losses)
- Contender No. 2: The Hardy Boyz (8 Wins – 6 Losses)
- Contender No. 3: The Revival (5 Wins – 0 Losses)
- Contender No. 4: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (10 Wins – 14 Losses)
Pretenders
- Pretender No. 1: Heath Slater & Rhyno (4 Wins – 5 Losses)
- Pretender No. 2: Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel (2 Wins – 2 Losses)
RAW. Photo by WWE.com
The RAW Mid Card Division
Highlights of the Division
The Miz might not have gotten his Summerslam moment with his Kickoff win over the Hardys and Jason Jordan but he cut the best promo of the night on RAW. He channeled the hate and dissatisfaction the fans have had with Roman Reigns and John Cena for years. He still took the loss in his main-event tag team match against those two superstars which muted the awesome segment he had an hour earlier. It’s somewhat disrespectful to have the Intercontinental Champion not be on the Summerslam main card and lose in the RAW main event in that fashion.
Jason Jordan lost two straight matches on both Summerslam and on RAW. His match against Finn Balor on RAW was hijacked by the crowd and their beach ball which might have dented his progression. The WWE might have updated Jordan’s theme song but not his persona and that’s the angle (no pun intended) they need to divulge in. At this point in time, nobody cares about the Angle storyline, everybody wants to know how will Jason Jordan evolve as a character.
Meanwhile, for the Rest of the Division
Elias scored an easy win over R-Truth on RAW which was exactly what he needed to do. The question is what’s next for the Drifter? He’s arguably the top contender in the mid card division. One avenue that could be looked at is a feud with Apollo Crews since they haven’t faced each other yet. It’ll be the perfect opportunity to shift the Titus Worldwide storyline back to the first acquisition of the brand. Crews has taken a back seat to Akira Tozawa and his chase of the Cruiserweight Championship, it’s time for him to start competing in the ring and aim for the Intercontinental Championship.
Big Cass scored a big win over the Big Show at Summerslam which now places him as a contender in the mid card division. He might have suffered a long-term injury to his knee on RAW which might put him on the shelf for the long haul.
WWE Intercontinental Champion: The Miz (9 Wins – 15 Losses)
Contenders
- Top Contender: Elias (7 Wins – 3 Losses) (Up 1 Spot)
- Contender No. 2: The Big Show (4 Wins – 5 Losses)
- Contender No. 3: Kalisto (8 Wins – 10 Losses)
- Contender No. 4: Apollo Crews (7 Wins – 7 Losses)
- Contender No. 5: Big Cass (13 Wins – 11 Losses)
Pretenders
- Pretender No. 1: Jason Jordan (11 Wins – 8 Losses)
- Pretender No. 2: Titus O’Neal (2 Wins – 9 Losses)
- Pretender No. 3: Goldust (1 Win – 2 Losses)
- Pretender No. 4: R-Truth (0 Wins – 4 Losses)
- Pretender No. 5: Curt Hawkins (0 Wins – 16 Losses)
RAW. Photo by WWE.com
The RAW World Title Picture
Highlights of the Division
The Summerslam Fatal 4-Way match was off the chains and it was the perfect catalyst for turning Braun Strowman into the biggest star of the night. This turn of events should be more than enough for him to be crowned the new Universal Champion at No Mercy. Squaring off against Brock Lesnar for the title would establish any main-event talent into a superstar but for Braun Strowman he’s already in that category. The WWE had a golden opportunity to strap the title on Samoa Joe back in the Great Balls of Fire pay per view but now they can rectify that blunder on Strowman. The Monster Among Men has done it all on RAW this past year and it would be perfect if he defeated the Beast for the gold.
Meanwhile, for the Rest of the Division
Fresh off his lackluster win over Baron Corbin at Summerslam, John Cena is officially the newest member of the RAW roster. The Franchise targeted Roman Reigns as the first man he wanted to face because of the Twitter beef they’ve had throughout the summer. It’ll be interesting to see if it’s a match that the WWE would put on at No Mercy or hold off till WrestleMania. To be frank, it doesn’t really matter at this juncture because all the pay per views are on the WWE Network. As long as they have a great match backed behind a good feud that’s what matters in the end. Also, Samoa Joe might be inserted in their feud which could be fascinating in the long run.
Finn Balor evened up his loss to Bray Wyatt at Summerslam but it feels like this rivalry is far from over. They are still in the same position in the rankings since they developed their rivalry. Both men still have a long way to go before they can move on.
These are the rankings for the division this week.
WWE Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar (3 Wins – 1 Loss)
Contenders
- Top Contender: Braun Strowman (10 Wins – 7 Losses)
- Contender No. 2: Samoa Joe (11 Wins – 9 Losses)
- Contender No. 3: John Cena (10 Wins – 4 Losses)
- Contender No. 4: Roman Reigns (12 Wins – 13 Losses)
Pretenders
- Pretender No. 1: Finn Balor (13 Wins – 6 Losses)
- Pretender No. 2: Bray Wyatt (9 Wins – 9 Losses)
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What are your thoughts on this week’s RAW rankings?