Seth Rollins is fired up on
WWE Raw
. Photo Source: WWE.com
An uneven episode of WWE Raw leads to a bunch of movement on this week’s power rankings. Where did your favorite superstar end up?
This week, WWE Raw was a very strange show. The first hour, beginning with a not great but not awful McMahon-flavored promo, was centered around Roman Reigns, and overall it was pretty good. And he sort of got cheered? But then hour two was just not good at all, and hour three was somewhere in between. With that, there was a bunch of movement in this week’s power rankings.
Every week after Raw, we’ll take a look at the roster to find out who is in the best position moving forward. But, much like the creative team, we’re not paying attention to wins and losses only. They matter a bit, but a strong loss is better than a lousy win, at least as far as I’m concerned. Championships? They have their place, but just because a particular superstar has a heavy piece of gold around their waste doesn’t guarantee them a spot at the top. And if a superstars doesn’t have a match, they can still move up or down based on what they did in a given week.
So what does contribute to our rankings? Long term potential is key — how is a superstar’s position today leading to tomorrow? The past helps, too — just because someone has a big win one week doesn’t negate 17 weeks of losses before that. Think of ESPN’s NFL power rankings, where a 5-3 team could be ranked higher than a 6-2 team.
Let’s take a look at the updated power rankings for WWE Raw, following the May 21 episode.
20. Baron Corbin (last week: 20)
First off, if these power rankings went all the way to, say, 25, No Way Jose would be on this week’s list. The match this week pitting Corbin against Jose was the best one for the young party animal on Raw.
But as the old saying goes, it takes two to tango, and Corbin also delivered what was his best performance in a few weeks. A clean victory over a young, rising (in theory) superstar is just what The Lone Wolf needed to seem like a truly credible threat again. Who knows if Baron Corbin will ever reach the heights it seemed he was once primed for; right now, he’s on the right track.
19. Bobby Roode (last week: 15)
A week ago, it looked like Bobby Roode was riding high on Raw. He defeated Baron Corbin and No Way Jose in a Money in the Bank qualifier. That came on the heels of a victory over Elias, after the singing sensation had defeated Roode twice before. It seemed that Roode was on a major upswing, and was reaching his potential as a future (and past) world champ.
So of course, Roode took a loss to Elias yet again, clean as a whistle. It makes little to no sense, as now the Glorious One is limping his way into the MITB Ladder Match. There’s still four weeks until the pay per view, so he might turn things around. But right now, he’s by far the weakest superstar in the match.
(which means he’ll probably leave Chicago with the briefcase)
18. Sami Zayn (last week: 13)
Listen, I don’t care what he did before or after he came to the ring, Sami Zayn is taking a big tumble this week. He could have discovered the cure for cancer and brought peace to the Middle East, all while solving the murders of Biggie and Tupac, and it wouldn’t change a thing.
The segment with Bobby Lashley’s “sisters” was some of the absolute worst television I’ve ever seen. It was tone deaf, transphobic, and in the poorest of poor taste. I’ve seen people saying Sami was great in the segment, despite the horrible material, but who cares? Trash is trash, and it’s tough to come back from “this guy gave me vertigo so I dressed up three dudes to pretend they were his sisters just to call him a piece of garbage.”
17. Natalya (last week: 19)
For the second straight week, Natalya picked up a big victory. This week, it was to qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, her third in WWE. (Not bad, considering this will only be the third such match in WWE history.)
The random, unprovoked mention of Ronda Rousey following the match is some of the most obvious foreshadowing I’ve ever seen. But in the ring, Nattie definitely is on a major roll, and has a bunch of momentum at the moment.
16. Alexa Bliss (last week: 16)
Initially, I thought about dropping Alexa Bliss down in the rankings this week. After all, she took a loss to Ember Moon, despite trying to use Mickie James to her advantage. Plus, the windmill arms Mickie busted out at the end of the match almost took me out of the moment with its sheer absurdity.
But then I thought back to what Bliss said before the match. She dropped a history lesson on an unsuspecting WWE Universe. Did any of you know that the Visigoths beat the Romans in olden days? I mean, I did, because I’m a giant nerd. Who would have thought you’d learn world history watching WWE Raw?
15. Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel (last week: 17)
Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, I am all aboard the B-Team train. Next stop: Title match, baby!
To be fair, there wasn’t a whole heck of a lot to the match. Breezango didn’t really get much of a chance to do anything, and Dallas and Axel are solid in the ring, but unspectacular these days. In fact, half the segment was devoted to the ridiculous victory celebration at the announce table and down the ramp.
But it’s a great feel-good story. Right now, the B-Team is showing that there’s hope for anyone. They’re a tag team Rudy with a little Miracle on Ice thrown in. Keep working, and your time will come. And how can you not root for these guys?
14. Bobby Lashley (last week: 6)
Much like with Sami Zayn a few spots lower on the list, the stink of the “Lashley ‘sisters'” segment is all over The Dominator. Granted, the one who comes out the worst (on screen, at least) is the orchestrator of the skit — Zayn. But Lashley is a part of it, and he beat up a couple of guys in drag because he couldn’t get his hands on their ringleader.
Bobby’s reaction to the entire proceedings was strange, to say the least. Personally, if someone is disparaging my family, my first visible emotion wouldn’t be “smiling like a damn fool” and going along with it. One would assume that a better response from a guy like Lashley would be steely resolve and pure rage.
Sasha Banks makes her entrance in Geneva. Photo Source: WWE.com
13. Sasha Banks (last week: 3)
This one is painful, because for several weeks Sasha Banks has been the driving force behind the Raw women’s division. She’s been a rock solid MVP for a while, and dropping her out of even the top 10 seems absurd — especially after being entrenched in the top 5 and 3 recently. But Sasha got a week off, with nary a mention, save for the announcement she’ll participate in a “last chance” MITB qualifier next week.
Look, I’m all for WWE superstars getting time off. A lack of an off-season and constant travel schedule leaves talent at greater risk of injury, so a week off here or there is hugely beneficial. But if you’re giving a superstar a night off on television after a successful run of leading the charge in the division, maybe mention that superstar in passing? Pre-tape a backstage segment to further a storyline? Something to keep that performer in the audience’s mind.
12. Elias (last week: unranked)
Full disclosure: When I updated these rankings last week, I 100% forgot about Elias until I had everything written up except for the number one entrant. Without having the time or the energy to redo everything I had already done, I just pretended he never existed. Whoops!
It kind of worked out, because last week Elias fell short in a MITB qualifier, and he had a mental moment where he started his concert in the middle of the match. Not his finest showing. This week, though, he continued his feud with Bobby Roode and earned yet another victory over the Glorious One. So it’s pretty clear Elias is back on track, even if he got run over by Braun Strowman yet again on his way to the back.
11. Jinder Mahal (last week: 11)
Jinder Mahal ruined the finish of one match, and didn’t factor into the finish of another, so he can’t really move up in the rankings. But his moxie, determination, and rib tape earned him an Intercontinental Championship match next week, plus a big MITB match, so how do you drop him down?
Easiest answer: You don’t! Jinder once again sits just outside the top 10. He’s slowly becoming the top heel on Raw (believe it or not), and he’s in a prime feud with the Big Dog. Speaking of that Big Dog…
10. Roman Reigns (last week: 14)
Look who’s back in the top 10 this week! Nearly the entire first hour of WWE Raw this week was dedicated to the ongoing saga of Roman Reigns and His Quest to Become Universal Champion. When all was said and done, Roman picked up two victories, and actually got cheered by a large part of the crowd. Folks, that’s what we call progress.
It wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination. A large part of why Reigns got the cheers? Being across the ring from Stephanie McMahon. Another reason? Getting saved by the hottest entity in sports entertainment right now — Seth Rollins. You can’t totally discount Reigns and his personal performance, since the two matches he competed in were in the top three of the night. But he needs to string together a few performances like this before we can really tell if the WWE Universe is on his side.
Ruby Riott takes care of Natalya. Photo Source: WWE.com
9. Ruby Riott (last week: 8)
No match for Ruby this week, as she instead was in the corner of her Riott Squad compatriots Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan. Despite not competing, Ruby made her presence felt, as she tried to sneak in for the assist in Morgan and Logan’s MITB qualifier. It may not have worked, but at least Riott got on the show this week.
8. Ronda Rousey (last week: 9)
7. Nia Jax (last week: 12)
These two are being lumped together this week, because it’s pretty clear WWE is going all in on this match as the big draw for Money in the Bank. Sure, the pay per view is named after a particular type of match, of which there are two this year (maybe three if WWE gets going with their tag team divisions). But nah, let’s build the pay per view around someone who’s never had a televised singles match as she goes against a champion with a reputation for being unsafe in the ring (unfounded or not).
And it seems like WWE and the Raw creative team doesn’t know which story to go with in the build to this match. In one breath, it seems they’re using the “Ronda doesn’t deserve this match!” And in the next breath, it’s “Nia is punching down!” Somewhere in the back of everyone’s minds is also “Neither of you is ready for this match!” Not the best way to hype it.
All that aside, though, you can’t deny the spectacle that the match will be. Rousey is, unsurprisingly, the most recognizable face in the WWE women’s division. I wouldn’t be surprised if part of the reason WWE made so much money with their recent TV rights deals is because of the anticipated added exposure from Rousey’s place in the company.
And Nia Jax is the atypical woman wrestler, at least from a WWE standpoint. Throw in her connection to one of pro wrestling’s most storied family lines, and she’s a figure to pay attention to. Watching the two of them throw down is going to be special. You got some of that from the contract signing, but over the next four weeks it will become more clear.
6. Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler (last week: 7)
The Superstar Shake-up is proving beneficial for several superstars, but perhaps none so much as Dolph Ziggler. Since returning to WWE Raw, Ziggler has been a changed man. He’s got an extra chip on his shoulder, and he’s taking it out on anyone who crosses him. Chad Gable was the latest victim, after a backstage confrontation. (Speaking of Gable, much like I said about No Way Jose earlier, he’d be in the top 25 without question.)
Of course, it’s easy for Ziggler to act like a tough guy with Drew McIntyre in his corner. Even though McIntyre didn’t have an official match this week, he made his presence felt in a big way. Not only did he kill it with his backstage promo, but he took out Gable post match with an absolutely gorgeous Claymore Kick. Ziggler and McIntyre are no doubt one of the top tandems in WWE.
5. Ember Moon (last week: 10)
The past few weeks have been great for Ember Moon. Slowly but surely she’s been getting better featured matches, such as a MITB participant showdown against Alexa Bliss this week. The match was solidly built, with Ember having to overcome the presence of Mickie James as well as a rough attack to her shoulder.
A big victory this week for Moon as she picked up the win with the greatest finisher in professional wrestling — The Eclipse. The thought of her in a ladder match at MITB makes me giddy.
Finn Balor enters the ring on Raw. Photo Source: WWE.com
4. Finn Balor (last week: 4)
Finn Balor is clearly pegged for big things on WWE Raw moving forward. This is the second time in three weeks he’s competed in the main event. He’s got a spot in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. And he consistently gets promo time to further connect with the WWE Universe. When was the last time you heard Apollo Crews get to talk?
This week, though, Balor and Braun Strowman demanded a rematch from the week before against Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. But they were rebuffed by Stephanie McMahon, who instead placed them in a singles match against each other. And it was as fun to watch as it was probably painful for Balor. Finn even looked like he might pull off an improbable victory, which shows how impressive a competitor he is.
3. Kevin Owens (last week: 5)
Continuing his rise to the top of our rankings, Kevin Owens pulled double duty this week during the Roman Reigns Hour of WWE Raw. And even though he went 0-2, Owens was one of the best parts of the show, both with his mic work, nonverbal communication, and wrestling ability.
Intriguing to me is that Owens has been getting better and better over the past few weeks, while at the same time drifting away from Sami Zayn. Does that indicate a split of the reunited best friends? Even if they aren’t full blown blood rivals, the tension between the two seems to be a driving force behind KO’s biggest successes. And with Owens heading into MITB, this hot streak couldn’t come at a better time.
2. Braun Strowman (last week: 2)
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No movement in the top two spots this week, as Braun Strowman continues to hold down the number two spot. Let’s be real, if you decide to instill fear into the heart of your opponent and your boss by crushing an apple with your bare hand — not hands, one hand — you’re going to end up near the top of these rankings.
There was a lot of great stuff going on in Strowman’s match with Finn Balor. Rising up from the dead behind the barricade like a horror movie monster. The constant verbal taunting directed at Balor — “YOU GOT PINNED LAST WEEK!” and the like.
And the freakish displays of strength Strowman is capable never cease to amaze. Much like Ember Moon in the Women’s MITB, I can not wait for Braun to go nuts in the Men’s Ladder Match.
1. Seth Rollins (last week: 1)
Ho hum. Another week, another top spot for Seth Rollins in our power rankings. As Michael Cole screamed on WWE Raw, Rollins is red-hot right now, and there’s no one who can really touch him at this point. To put it in perspective, Rollins is the Vegas Golden Knights. You know, the NHL expansion team that started their first season this year on a hot streak, and everyone figured “oh that’s nice, but they’ll crash to earth soon,” then they just kept it going and every time you think they can’t get any better haha they’re in the Stanley Cup Finals.
That’s Rollins, except we knew he was a phenomenal performer. But every time you think he might take a step back, he continues to excel, and now he’s on a run the likes of which are rarely seen. I’m a little disappointed in the lack of an Intercontinental Championship match this week, but Rollins absolutely killed it in the tag match with Reigns. Hopefully Rollins elevates Jinder Mahal next week in their title match, and with any luck Seth will get a banger opponent for Money in the Bank.
Next: 5 Takeaways from WWE Raw May 21, 2018
Where did your favorite superstars fall on our WWE Raw power rankings this week?