WWE SmackDown Power Rankings: Shinsuke Nakamura One Step Away

6. Daniel Bryan

Honestly, I can’t comprehend this narrative that WWE is treating Daniel Bryan like “just another guy”. I mean, the dude tapped out a seven-foot tall jack-ass and then beat his ass all over the ring by ruthlessly destroying his previously injured knee. And if that wasn’t enough, Bryan defeated Jeff Hardy, the United States Champion, in the main event of SmackDown Live by making him tap out to a Heel Hook. Bryan is still at his lively best in the ring, but now his character has become more calculating in the ring, especially since he’s added the Heel Hook to go with the Yes! Lock.

I mean, Bryan will probably lose to Samoa Joe on SmackDown Live next week and probably won’t qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match, but does he need to? He already feels like as big of a deal as he truly is, and his journey to another WWE Championship reign is just getting started.

5. Carmella, SmackDown Women’s Champion

Every time I listen to Carmella open her mouth on SmackDown Live, whether it’s a backstage promo or a verbal segment in the ring, I just can’t get enough of her trash talking. Carmella has increased the prestige of the SmackDown Women’s Championship by gloating, clinging to the title, and making it seem like more than a prop. I’m invested in everything she says, and while I know she won’t be putting on in-ring classics in the near future (there’s still room for improvement on her end), I legitimately don’t care. She’s entertaining as hell, and she’s an actual heel.