Here is the latest update of InsidePulse Wrestling’s OFFICIAL rankings* of the WWE RAW and Smackdown rosters … posted on the Friday following the final WWE PPV event of each month. Check out this link for last month’s rankings, and click here to see the many changes in the RAW and SD rosters since the last rankings report.
(Last month’s ranking for each superstar are in parentheses following each name, with italicized comments included where appropriate.)
RAW SUPERSTARS
Heavyweights:
WWE Champion – John Cena (Same)
Intercontinental Champion – Carlito Caribbean Cool (Same)
1. Kurt Angle (5) – Named #1 contender by Eric Bischoff on 08.23.05 RAW after win over Shelton Benjamin.
2. Edge (2) – Part of prominent storyline on RAW, and still has his “money in the bank.”
3. Hulk Hogan (4) – Main event win at Summerslam vs. Shawn Michaels, but seemingly no longer active, so he may not make the cut next month.
4. Shawn Michaels (3) – Main-evented Summerslam and put on the performance of a lifetime vs. Hogan.
5. Chris Masters (8) – Undefeated, going into a feud with HBK.
6. Matt Hardy (NR) – Part of possible “story of the year,” as worked-shoot feud with Edge is just getting started.
7. Rob Conway (NR) – Undefeated under new persona.
8. Shelton Benjamin (7) – Virtually invisible in past month, except for excellent TV match vs. Angle on most recent RAW, which keeps him from falling any further down the list.
9. Eugene Dinsmore (10) – All over RAW in August, and feud with Angle came to a head at Summerslam.
10. Big Show (NR) – Back in the top ten after treading water since being drafted to RAW.
Unranked Heavyweights:
Antonio (NR)
Gene Snitsky (NR)
Johnny Parisi (NR)
Matt Striker (NR)
Rene Dupree (NR)
Romeo (NR)
Rosey (NR)
The Hurricane (NR)
Tyson Tomko (NR)
Val Venis (NR)
Viscera (9)
Women:
Champion – Trish Stratus (Same)
1. Lita (3)
2. Victoria (1)
3. Ashley Massaro (NR)
4. Torrie Wilson (NR/SD)
5. Candice Michelle (NR/SD)
Tag Teams:
World Champions – The Hurricane & Rosey (Same)
1. The Heartthrobs (Romeo & Antonio) (1)
2. Chris Masters & Gene Snitsky (3)
3. Shelton Benjamin & Big Show (NR)
Not Active Wrestlers (since July 30):
Kane (6) – “Arrested” and off of RAW all month.
Damaja (Danny Basham) (NR)
Eric Bischoff (NR)
Jerry Lawler (NR)
Jim Ross (NR)
Jonathan Coachman (NR)
Kerwin White (NR)
Maria Kanellis (NR)
Mick Foley (NR)
Ric Flair (NR)
Rob Van Dam (NR)
Stone Cold (NR)
Tajiri (NR)
The Rock (NR)
Todd Grisham (NR)
Triple H (NR)
No longer listed on WWE.com or appearing on TV:
Chris Jericho (1) – Fired by Bischoff on 08.23.05 RAW.
Talia (4)
SMACKDOWN SUPERSTARS
Heavyweights:
World Champion – Dave Batista (Same)
United States Champion – Chris Benoit (3)
1. John Bradshaw Layfield (1) – In top feud with Batista, has title match lined up for 09.09.05 premiere of Friday Night Smackdown.
2. Randy Orton (NR) – Defeated Undertaker at Summerslam and is back from his injury with a vengeance.
3. Rey Mysterio (6) – Undefeated for over two months, and part of hottest storyline on SD.
4. The Undertaker (2) – Dropped two slots after loss to Orton, along with not appearing on SD on a weekly basis.
5. Eddie Guerrero (7) – Continues to be part of highest-profile storyline on SD.
6. Christian (5) – “Peep Show” debuted on SD, and has a prominent role, including main event matches, despite no wins.
7. Booker T (4) – Drops a few slots, as he was not in a Summerslam match, nor in prominent matches on TV, but is still one of the top wrestlers on SD.
8. Orlando Jordan (US Champ) – He’ll have to work extra hard to stay on this list, even in a weak Smackdown division, after dropping US Title to Benoit in 24 seconds at Summerslam.
9. Hardcore Holly (10) – Was undefeated in August until a competitive loss to Orton on 08.25.05 SD.
10. William Regal (8) – Based on spoilers/rumors, it looks like he’s about to enter the tag division, so this may be his last month on this list for a while.
Unranked Heavyweights:
Big Vito (NR)
Heidenreich (NR)
Joey Mercury (NR)
Johnny Nitro (NR)
Ken Kennedy (NR)
Road Warrior Animal (NR)
Steven Richards (NR)
Cruiserweights:
Champion – Nunzio (6)
1. Paul London (Champ)
2. Juventud (2)
3. Simon Dean (3)
4. Funaki (8)
Unranked Cruiserweights:
Super Crazy (3)
Psicosis (9)
Scotty 2 Hotty (5)
Tag Teams:
WWE Champions – Heidenreich & Road Warrior Animal (Same)
1. MNM (1)
2. Mexicools (Super Crazy & Psicosis) (2)
3. Christian & Booker T (NR)
Not Active Wrestlers (since July 30):
Christy Hemme (2/R)
Stacey Keibler (5/R)
Cowboy Bob Orton (NR)
Doug Basham (NR)
Jillian Hall (NR)
Josh Mathews (NR)
Michael Cole (NR)
Michelle McCool (NR)
Palmer Cannon (NR)
Sylvain Grenier (NR)
Tazz (NR)
Theodore Long (NR)
No longer listed on WWE.com or appearing on TV:
Blue Meanie (9/HW)
Hollywood Nova (10/CW)
Frankie “The Future” Kazarian (1/CW)
Khosrow Daivari (7/CW)
Al Snow (NR)
*In this monthly feature, the InsidePulse Wrestling editorial board ranks the heavyweight, women/cruiserweight, and tag team divisions on World Wrestling Entertainment’s RAW and Smackdown brands. Rankings include the top ten heavyweights, top five women/cruiserweights, and top five tag teams on each brand, and include everyone listed on WWE.com’s RAW and SD Superstars pages, plus regular, unlisted competitors from each brand.
These rankings take into account (in order):
– Current title status**
– Declared and presumed storyline rankings
– Recent victories and quality of opponents
– Quality of matches (psychology, workrate, and entertainment value)
– Quality of TV exposure (length, placement during show, and crowd response)
**In the heavyweight division, “secondary” champions are always de facto top contenders unless otherwise stated on television.
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