WWE SmackDown Power Rankings: The Miz Eyes The Top Prize

2. The Miz

In his first run with WWE SmackDown Live since the current brand split began in the summer of 2016, The Miz quickly became the bedrock of the Blue Brand. His promo on Talking Smack made that 30-minute show following SmackDown Live must-see, and his feud with Dolph Ziggler made the Intercontinental Championship feel as meaningful as the WWE Championship (and more meaningful than the cheap toys masquerading as championships on Monday Night Raw).

The Miz’s performance against Seth Rollins at Backlash and his subsequent match against Jeff Hardy on SmackDown Live were prime examples of just how much he is willing to do to prove that he’s the best in this company. Whether or not he is, in fact, the best remains a point of contention, but regardless of his exact placement, what is inarguable is the fact that he works his ass off to be the best.

Put it this way: The Summer of George has nothing on The Summer of The Miz.

Next: What's Next For Daniel Bryan?

1. AJ Styles (WWE Champion)

For as badly as I want to see AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura finally turn loose in a rivalry match for the WWE Championship, I also desperately want to see them in a Triple Threat that involves Samoa Joe. Although Styles’s days as the WWE Champion are numbered, I can’t thank him enough for bringing some credence back to this title over the past several months. AJ carries himself like a consummate professional as an ambassador for the brand, and he always makes the other guy in the ring look great.