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 October 17), 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) – Has recent pin over the champ, and wasn’t pinned in triple-threat at Taboo Tuesday.
2. Shawn Michaels (2) – Recently in title match on PPV, continues to bring the goodness in the ring.
3. Edge (3) – Still has his Money in the Bank, but winless since last rankings, and backed out of his PPV match vs. Smackdown.
4. Big Show (4) – In the running in Taboo Tuesday poll for title shot, then went on to win Tag Titles.
5. Kane (NR) – He’s back, and instantly a title contender.
6. Triple H (6) – Lost a long, excellent cage match against the IC Champ.
7. Carlito Caribbean Cool (5) – Drops two slots after loss to Mankind, but still getting plenty of airtime.
8. Chris Masters (7) – Drops yet another slot, failing to represent RAW well at Taboo Tuesday.
9. Rob Conway (8) – Only singles loss is by DQ, and has added wins over Greg Valentine and Koko B. Ware to his resume.
10. Shelton Benjamin (9) – Drops to #10, but undefeated in singles competition since last rankings, so perhaps a rise is on the way.
Unranked Heavyweights:
Antonio (NR)
Coach (NR)
Eugene Dinsmore (10)
Gene Snitsky (NR)
Gregory Helms (NR)
Johnny Parisi (NR)
Kerwin White (NR)
Lance Cade (NR)
Matt Striker (NR)
Mick Foley (NR)
Nick Nemeth (NR)
Romeo (NR)
Rosey (NR)
Tajiri (NR)
Trevor Murdoch (NR)
Tyson Tomko (NR)
Val Venis (NR)
Viscera (NR)
Women:
Champion – Trish Stratus (Same)
1. Victoria (1)
2. Mickie James (NR)
3. Ashley Massaro (3)
4. Candice Michelle (5)
5. Lita (2)
Unranked Women
Maria Kanellis (NR)
Torrie Wilson (4)
Tag Teams:
World Champions – Kane & The Big Show (NR)
1. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch (Champs)
2. Val Venis & Viscera (4)
3. The Heartthrobs (Romeo & Antonio) (2)
4. Kerwin White & Nick Nemeth (NR)
5. Rob Conway & Tyson Tomko (NR)
Not Active Wrestlers (since October 17):
Damaja (NR)
Hulk Hogan (NR)
Jerry Lawler (NR)
Rene Dupree (NR)
Rob Van Dam (NR)
Stone Cold (NR)
The Rock (NR)
Todd Grisham (NR)
SMACKDOWN SUPERSTARS
Heavyweights:
World Champion – Dave Batista (Same)
United States Champion – Booker T (5)
1. Eddie Guerrero (1) – Stays in this slot, as his ‘friendship’ with Batista remains a top storyline on Friday nights.
2. Randy Orton (2) – In title contention until The Undertaker comes back to get revenge for No Mercy.
3. Chris Benoit (US Champ) – Dropped US Title to Booker, but still a top player on SD.
4. Matt Hardy (NR) – #1 vote-getter over Rey, JBL, Holly and Christian in Taboo Tuesday poll; then went on to get the win over RAW with Rey.
5. Rey Mysterio (6) – #2 vote-getter; enough to climb back into the top five.
6. John Bradshaw Layfield (3) – Winless since last ranking period.
7. Ken Kennedy (7) – Keeps winning, and nipping at JBL’s heels.
8. Bobby Lashley (9) – Up another slot as he goes 3-0 in the past few weeks and remains undefeated.
9. Hardcore Holly (NR) – Was part of featured group of SD wrestlers going up against RAW.
10. Roddy Piper (NR) – Sure his wins are over Cowboy Bob, but this is Smackdown! Do you really want Grenier on here?
Unranked Heavyweights:
Big Vito (NR)
Cowboy Bob Orton (NR)
Heidenreich (NR)
Jack Dick (NR)
James Dick (NR)
Joey Mercury (NR)
Johnny Nitro (NR)
Paul Birchill (NR)
Road Warrior Animal (NR)
Sylvain Grenier (NR)
William Regal (NR)
Cruiserweights:
Champion – Juventud (Same)
1. Kid Kash (3)
2. Paul London (4)
3. Brian “Spanky” Kendrick (NR)
4. Nunzio (1)
5. Simon Dean (2)
Unranked Cruiserweights:
Funaki (5)
Psicosis (NR)
Super Crazy (NR)
Scotty 2 Hotty (NR)
Tag Teams:
WWE Champions – MNM (Nitro & Mercury) (1)
1. Heidenreich & Road Warrior Animal (Champs)
2. Mexicools (Super Crazy & Psicosis) (3)
3. Rey Mysterio & Matt Hardy (NR)
4. William Regal & Paul Burchill (2)
5. The Dicks (NR)
Unranked Tag Teams
Paul London & Brian Kendrick (4)
Nunzio & Big Vito (5)
Not Active Wrestlers (since October 17):
Boogeyman (NR)
Christy Hemme (NR)
Doug Basham (NR)
Jillian Hall (NR)
Josh Mathews (NR)
Michael Cole (NR)
Orlando Jordan (10)
Palmer Cannon (NR)
Stacey Keibler (NR)
Steven Richards (NR)
Tazz (NR)
Theodore Long (NR)
The Undertaker (4)
No longer listed on WWE.com or appearing on TV:
Christian (8) – Left the company/contract expired.
*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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