Power Rankings: Smackdown Live

Post-SummerSlam Power Rankings for WWE Smackdown Live!

Andrew Balaz
Aug 25, 2017 · 4 min read

A few titles changed hands at SummerSlam, but that’s not really what influenced all of the changes. Smackdown Live received a few new additions to the roster, on top of some of the past Power Rankings wrestlers who are just languishing in purgatory. Always keep in mind, social media attention, popularity, as well as other aspects go into this list, not just purely “best wrestler”.

  1. AJ Styles- Face the facts, AJ Styles is the franchise of Smackdown Live for this new brand split. Until Styles gets traded to Raw, it’s going to take a lot to knock him off the top slot. Sells a lot of merchandise, pops every crowd, has a nearly 20 year career that most fans of all opinions can respect. Even though he’s only the United States Champion at the moment, he’s easily seen as a bigger draw than anyone else, and adds a lot of legitimacy to a title that’s usually seen as a mid card title.

2. The Usos- Now this is the first time I’ve put a tag team on the list, but these guys have been killing it. Usos vs New Day was the consensus bright spot on the Battleground PPV, as well as those same two teams having one of the best matches on all of the SummerSlam card (Pre-show or main card). Ever since turning heel and developing this “Uso Penitentiary” thing, they have been insanely entertaining. After being stuck in a rut for a few years as faces, it definitely feels like they’ve found their edge and no tag team is doing it better than them right now.

3. Jinder Mahal- So let’s be fair, his matches aren’t anything spectacular and filled with gimmicky interference…but it works and he’s still WWE Champion. He’s moving a decent amount of merchandise, staying a constant topic on most websites and social media outlets, and actually evokes the “wrestling” reaction from the fans. Is he a dated stereotype of, “foreign America hating heel”; yes of course he is. People react to his promos, give him heat for all of the finishes, and boo other people he brings in during his segments. But he’s the definition of, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, as well as slowly growing into at least an upper mid card talent.

4. Shinsuke Nakamura- People have started to sour on Nakamura a little, because of the bad reverse powerslam on John Cena coupled with the sloppy finish at SummerSlam. But from a story telling perspective, the finish at SummerSlam still makes him look protected and gives him a claim to a rematch. Since there has been no attempt to establish a new number one contender, it can be assumed that Shinsuke will get some kind of rematch at Hell in a Cell. Due to the lack of any other established contender, the fact Shinsuke is still a mostly beloved wrestler on many internet communities, moves good merch numbers, and still being involved with Jinder after the last episode of Smackdown; he shouldn’t fall out of the Power Rankings just yet.

5. Bobby Roode- Glorious debuts on Smackdown and Power Rankings are to be had! A well established wrestler from his championship runs in NXT and TNA, he is an immediate threat. Not only is he over with the fans due to his song, but the fact that he’s 40 years old means he needs to be pushed a little faster than most. The swagger, pedigree, look and following of a legitimate title contender just by walking to the ring. He could very easily be thrust into the United States Title picture since Kevin Owens is very likely going to be in an angle with Shane McMahon.

As is becoming a theme, unless something crazy happens, WWE seems to be keeping their storylines pretty consistent up through PPVs. So the next Smackdown Live update will be after Hell in a Cell, barring any crazy happenings.

Read more at YesWrestling.com

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Andrew Balaz

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Opinionated Sports & Entertainment enthusiast.

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