WWE Smackdown Rankings: Kevin Owens Destroys Sami Zayn

Smackdown Live. Photo by WWE.com

The Smackdown Live World Title Picture

Highlights of the division

Same recycled jokes and segments the past few weeks for Jinder Mahal, which did nothing for him but helped out Shinsuke Nakamura dramatically. Everyone was sick and tired of seeing the Maharaja make fun of Nakamura’s face, so it got them to start chanting the Artist’s name. In a weird way, this was the best thing to ever happen to Shinsuke Nakamura. The Smackdown Live fans had a hard time getting into this title feud between Mahal and Nakamura. Now, everybody wants to see the WWE Champion get obliterated by the former 2-time NXT Champion. In the end, the WWE knows how to book a babyface, by making their heel champion unbearable.

As for Randy Orton, he bounced back this week with a pair of RKOs to both Aiden English and Rusev. He seemed unfazed by what transpired the other week, when he lost in 9 seconds to Rusev after his match concluded in a win against Aiden English. The WWE can’t have Rusev look like a clown and celebrate a cheap win while Randy Orton is unfazed by that loss. It gives off a vibe that both men aren’t in the same footing on the Smackdown Live brand. Rusev has more upside than Randy Orton at the moment and the WWE should book to that standards accordingly. 

Next: WWE Raw Division Rankings for the Sep. 25th Episode

Meanwhile, for the rest of the division…

Bobby Roode finally arrived on Smackdown Live this week to issue a challenge to Dolph Ziggler. It seemed fitting that both men were on a collision course since the Showoff was calling out superstars with elaborate entrances. This is the perfect opportunity to have Ziggler show the world that the Glorious One isn’t in the same league as him in the squared circle. As for Bobby Roode, he’ll need this win at Hell in a Cell to solidify his spot as Smackdown Live’s next breakout main-event superstar.

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

WWE World Champion: Jinder Mahal (15 Wins – 12 Losses)

Contenders

• No. 1 Contender: Shinsuke Nakamura (12 Wins – 3 Losses)
• Contender No. 2: Randy Orton (14 Wins – 10 Losses)

Pretenders

• Pretender No. 1: Bobby Roode (2 Wins – 0 Losses)

What are your thoughts on this week’s Smackdown Live Rankings?