WWE Power Rankings Top 10 Superstars This Week: #226 - Big Changes & Big Matches as Royal Rumble Draws Closer | Smark Out Moment
Welcome to another edition of POWER RANKINGS from Smark Out Moment! Each week, we will break down the current roster and examine who has gone up the WWE hierarchy and who has unfortunately taken a step down the ladder. Factoring in things such as wins and losses, suspensions, injuries, making a name for one's self, being humiliated, and more, who is at the top of the food chain and who needs to make up some ground next week?

Here is the key code for the rankings shorthand when referencing their position in relation to the previous week:

NR = Not included in last week's rankings at all
+ Green = the number of moves up in the rankings compared to last week
- Red = the number of moves down in the rankings compared to last week
Honorable Mentions = five superstars who just barely missed the cut

Power Ranking WWE wrestlers list roster

10. Andrade [NR]

Although this week saw him lose two of his names, Andrade kept up his winning ways in the ring by defeating Rey Mysterio in a barn-burner on SmackDown Live. It was one of the best, if not the best, match of the week and earns him a spot on the Power Rankings proper.

9. Finn Balor [NR]

After months in the creative wilderness, Finn Balor was thrust into the main event in one night. A straightforward victory over Jinder Mahal on Raw was followed by a significantly more hard-fought win over John Cena, Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin to earn a Universal Championship match with Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble.

8. Daniel Bryan [-3]

The WWE Champion continues his descent down the Power Rankings after taking a beating on SmackDown Live to his rival AJ Styles. Although Daniel Bryan threw the first blow, Styles recovered to send the Vegan Vigilante crashing through a table.

7. Bobby Lashley [NR]

Who could have seen this coming? Bobby Lashley captured his first WWE title since 2007 by defeating Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins for the Intercontinental Championship. With gold around his waist and Lio Rush on the mic, could The Almighty finally be living up to the hype surrounding him since the post-WrestleMania Raw?

6. AJ Styles [-2]

AJ Styles contained the action this week in the concessions stands, as he lured Daniel Bryan to a brawl on the arena floor. The Phenomenal One got the better of the WWE Champion in their build to Royal Rumble, putting Bryan through a table.

5. Sasha Banks [+2]

Returning to the Raw Women's Championship scene seems to have reignited Sasha Banks' edge. The Boss gave Ronda Rousey a glimpse of what she could do by single-handedly defeating Nia Jax and Tamina Snuka in their tag team match on Raw, before letting Rousey know in no uncertain terms that she wasn't afraid of the Baddest Woman on the Planet.

4. Asuka [+2]

It's clear the SmackDown Women's Champion isn't paid by the hour. After delivering a Japanese-laden promo towards her Royal Rumble opponent Becky Lynch, Asuka squashed Billie Kay in a matter of seconds on Tuesday, making her tap to the Asuka Lock.

3. Seth Rollins [-2]

After last week's screwy finish, Seth Rollins received another opportunity to reclaim the Intercontinental Championship on Raw, only this time Bobby Lashley was added to the mix. This new addition proved both Rollins' and Dean Ambrose's undoings, as Lashley defeated both in a Triple Threat to claim his first IC title.

2. Becky Lynch [+1]

Becky Lynch was the star of the opening scenes on SmackDown Live this week, downing a protein-rich concoction of The New Day's design before berating Asuka on the microphone and defeating Peyton Royce in the ring. A good week to be The Man.

1. Ronda Rousey [+1]

With no end to Ronda Rousey's undefeated streak in sight, she has the top spot on this week's Power Rankings on lock. In fact, she didn't have to do much but stand on the apron while Sasha Banks secured the victory for their team against Nia Jax and Tamina Snuka. A straightforward nights secures top spot for the Raw Women's Champion.

HONORABLE MENTIONS


Kassius Ohno - Meaningful victories have been few and far between for Kassius Ohno since returning to NXT, but a big win over Keith Lee keeps him strong heading into his rematch with Matt Riddle in Phoenix.

Samoa Joe - Samoa Joe was in no mood to mess around on SmackDown Live, decimating the blue brand's newcomer Mustafa Ali with no mercy or remorse.

Nikki Cross - With most of the NXT newcomers to the main roster either floundering, in lame gimmicks or nowhere to be seen, Nikki Cross at least enjoyed a debut win on Raw, teaming with Bayley and Natalya to defeat The Riott Squad.

The Miz - With their SmackDown Tag Team Championship match on the horizon, The Miz attempted some team bonding at Shane McMahon's birthday party, before defeating Sheamus in the night's main event.

Buddy Murphy - The Cruiserweight Champion warmed up for his Fatal Four-Way title defense at Royal Rumble by defeating 205 Live's latest addition Humberto Carrillo.

BIGGEST MOVES THIS WEEK

Sasha Banks & Asuka +2
Daniel Bryan -3

Do you think anyone should be listed differently?
What can these Superstars do to get back up at the #1 spot?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!


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AUTHOR OF THIS POST: CALLUM WIGGINS

Callum Wiggins hails from Essex in the United Kingdom. He recently graduated from the University of York with a degree in History and has been a fan of professional wrestling since 2002. Outside of wrestling, he is also a fan of Arsenal FC and enjoys video games, darts, and Formula One. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter.

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