Here is the latest update of InsidePulse Wrestling’s OFFICIAL rankings* of the WWE RAW and Smackdown rosters … posted a week after final WWE PPV event of each month. Check out this link for last month’s rankings (as of September 26), and click here to see any 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 – Ric Flair (Same)
1. Kurt Angle (1) – The MAN.
2. Shawn Michaels (4) – Fought #1 contender Kurt Angle to a draw in an Iron Man Match, and is once again back in the top two.
3. Edge (3) – Now that he’s gotten Matt off of RAW, it may soon be time to cash in his Money in the Bank.
4. Big Show (6) – He may not be winning the WWE Title again any time soon, but the Giant is officially back.
5. Carlito Caribbean Cool (7) – Continues to get a ton of face time, and be featured on RAW with the above main-eventers.
6. Triple H (NR) – He’s on the show, so he’s on the list; plus, he’s in line for a program with the IC Champion.
7. Chris Masters (5) – Drops two slots, but if Conway keeps winning, who knows?
8. Rob Conway (8) – Has he lost?
9. Shelton Benjamin (9) – He stays at #9, a year after his huge IC Title reign began at Taboo Tuesday.
10. Eugene Dinsmore (10) – With Tomko’s push going the way of the Television Title, Hardy off of RAW and Bischoff not a serious wrestler (despite a title shot in the past month), Eugene edges Kerwin for the final slot, simply due to being in a televised feud with the Con-man.
Unranked Heavyweights:
Antonio (NR)
Doink the Clown (NR)
Eric Bischoff (NR)
Tyson Tomko (10)
Gene Snitsky (NR)
Johnny Parisi (NR)
Kerwin White (NR)
Lance Cade (NR)
Matt Striker (NR)
Romeo (NR)
Rosey (NR)
Tajiri (NR)
The Hurricane (NR)
Trevor Murdoch (NR)
Triple H (NR)
Val Venis (NR)
Viscera (NR)
Women:
Champion – Trish Stratus (Same)
1. Victoria (2)
2. Lita (1)
3. Ashley Massaro (3)
4. Torrie Wilson (4)
5. Candice Michelle (5)
Tag Teams:
World Champions – Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch (Same)
1. The Hurricane & Rosey (1)
2. The Heartthrobs (Romeo & Antonio) (5)
3. Chris Masters & Carlito (3)
4. Val Venis & Viscera (2)
5. Evolution (HHH & Ric Flair) (NR)
Not Active Wrestlers (since September 26):
Damaja (NR)
Hulk Hogan (NR)
Jerry Lawler (NR)
Jonathan Coachman (NR)
Kane (NR)
Maria Kanellis (NR)
Mick Foley (NR)
Mickie James (NR)
Nick Nemeth (NR)
Rene Dupree (NR)
Rob Van Dam (NR)
Stone Cold (NR)
The Rock (NR)
Todd Grisham (NR)
No longer listed on WWE.com or appearing on TV:
Jim Ross (NR) – Fired by Linda McMahon.
Matt Hardy (2) – Lost a “loser leaves RAW” match vs. Edge.
SMACKDOWN SUPERSTARS
Heavyweights:
World Champion – Dave Batista (Same)
United States Champion – Chris Benoit (Same)
1. Eddie Guerrero (1) – Lost to Batista at No Mercy, but then beat Randy by DQ in the following SD to keep his top slot.
2. Randy Orton (3) – Killed The Undertaker’s legend at No Mercy and positioned at the top of the card on SD just below Batista and Eddie.
3. John Bradshaw Layfield (5) – Finally got a win, beating Rey at No Mercy.
4. The Undertaker (2) – Drops two slots but still deserving of placement on the top half of the list.
5. Booker T (6) – #1 contender for United States Title.
6. Rey Mysterio (4) – Drops two slots, but still a major player on SD.
7. Ken Kennedy (8) – Continues to make his way up the list with his continued push on SD.
8. Christian (7) – Can’t win but still a major part of SD and the US Title scene.
9. Bobby Lashley (NR) – On a roll, with a win in his PPV debut.
10. Orlando Jordan (10) – Has a pin over Booker on his record, and still a big part of SD, so he stays at #10… for now.
Unranked Heavyweights:
Big Vito (NR)
Cowboy Bob Orton (NR)
Hardcore Holly (9)
Heidenreich (NR)
Joey Mercury (NR)
Johnny Nitro (NR)
Road Warrior Animal (NR)
Roddy Piper (NR)
Sylvain Grenier (NR)
William Regal (NR)
Cruiserweights:
Champion – Juventud (NR)
1. Nunzio (Champion)
2. Simon Dean (4)
3. Kid Kash (NR)
4. Paul London (2)
5. Funaki (NR)
Unranked Cruiserweights:
Brian “Spanky” Kendrick (1)
Psicosis (NR)
Super Crazy (3)
Tag Teams:
WWE Champions – Heidenreich & Road Warrior Animal (Same)
1. MNM (Nitro & Mercury) (2)
2. William Regal & Paul Burchill (3)
3. Mexicools (Super Crazy & Psicosis) (1)
4. Paul London & Brian Kendrick (5)
5. Nunzio & Big Vito (4)
Not Active Wrestlers (since September 26):
Boogeyman (NR)
Chad Toland (NR)
Christy Hemme (NR)
Doug Basham (NR)
Jillian Hall (NR)
Josh Mathews (NR)
Michael Cole (NR)
Palmer Cannon (NR)
Scotty 2 Hotty (5/CW)
Stacey Keibler (NR)
Steven Richards (NR)
Tank Toland (NR)
Tazz (NR)
Theodore Long (NR)
No longer listed on WWE.com or appearing on TV:
Michelle McCool (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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