Here is the latest update of InsidePulse Wrestling’s OFFICIAL rankings of the WWE RAW and Smackdown rosters … posted around once a month, usually a week after the month’s latest WWE PPV. Check out this link for the last rankings (as of December 5 — yes, we know, we haven’t posted yet this year), and click here and here to see any changes in the RAW and SD rosters since the last rankings report.
(Since we’ve been on hiatus, starting next month, previous ranking for each superstar will return, appearing in parentheses following each name. Italicized comments are included where appropriate. See below* for an updated explanation of our ranking system.)
RAW SUPERSTARS
Heavyweights:
WWE Champion – John Cena
Intercontinental Champion – Shelton Benjamin
1. Triple H – Won the #1 contenders’ tournament and will face John Cena at Wrestlemania.
2. Big Show – Made it to final three-way match in tournament, and was not pinned.
3. Rob Van Dam – Was in final, three-way match in tournament, pinned by HHH.
4. Edge – Recent champ recently lost his rematch, but looks to be in major feud with Mick Foley leading into Mania.
5. Ric Flair – Former IC Champ in the midst of a feud with Benjamin.
6. Carlito Caribbean Cool – Being featured with new, aggressive attitude.
7. Chris Masters – Beat Kane in first round of tourney before being ousted by RVD.
8. Kane – He and Big Show continue to be unstoppable as Tag Champs, although Kane ousted from #1 contenders’ tournament early.
9. Shawn Michaels – Out of the title picture, not competing in the tourney due to his feud with Vince McMahon.
10. Goldust – Debuts on the Top Ten after a return to RAW, but won’t be here long if Chavo, Eugene or someone else makes his was up the ranks.
Women:
Champion – Trish Stratus
1. Candice Michelle
2. Mickie James
3. Victoria
4. Torrie Wilson
5. (tie) Maria Kanellis
5. (tie) Lita
Tag Teams:
World Champions – Kane & The Big Show
1. Val Venis & Viscera
2. Spirit Squad (Johnny, Kenny, Mikey, Mitch & Nick)
3. Gene Snitsky & Tyson Tomko
Unranked or Not Active Wrestlers:
Ashley Massaro
Chavo Guerrero
Coach
Danny Basham
Eugene Dinsmore
Hulk Hogan
Jerry Lawler
Joey Styles
Johnny Parisi
Lance Cade
Matt Striker
Mick Foley
Rene Dupree
Rob Conway
Rosey
Shelton’s Mamma
Stacey Keibler
Stone Cold
The Rock
Todd Grisham
Trevor Murdoch
Vince McMahon
No longer listed on WWE.com or appearing on TV:
Antonio
Romeo
Tajiri
SMACKDOWN SUPERSTARS
Heavyweights:
World Champion – Kurt Angle
United States Champion – Chris Benoit
1. The Undertaker – Facing Kurt Angle for the title on March 2.
2. Randy Orton – Beat Rey Mysterio at No Way Out for a guaranteed title shot at Wrestlemania.
3. Rey Mysterio – Won the Royal Rumble, but then lost title shot to Orton. Was then placed in the Mania main event by Teddy Long.
4. Mark Henry – Made a huge impact since his return to the active roster, putting Batista out of commission and battling Angle, Mysterio and Taker.
5. John Bradshaw Layfield – Feuding with US Champ Chris Benoit.
6. Bobby Lashley – Monster push continues, and has yet to lose cleanly.
7. Finlay – Another Smackdown newcomer making waves week in and week out. Most recently was part of a six-man main event on SD.
8. Booker T – Former US Champ still a big part of Smackdown each week despite his injury.
9. Boogeyman – In a feud with Booker T and getting plenty of TV time.
10. Matt Hardy – Seems to have at least temporarily moved into the tag division, but still a huge fan-favorite and in the midst of an angle with Melina and MNM.
Cruiserweights:
Champion – Gregory Helms
1. Kid Kash
2. Super Crazy
3. Psicosis
4. Nunzio
5. Jamie Noble
6. Scotty 2 Hotty
7. Funaki
8. Paul London
9. Brian “Spanky” Kendrick
10. Simon Dean
Tag Teams:
WWE Champions – MNM (Nitro & Mercury)
1. Matt Hardy & Tatanka
2. Paul London & Brian Kendrick
3. Mexicools
4. Gymini
5. Nunzio & Big Vito
Unranked or Not Active:
Daivari
Dave Batista
Doug Basham
Hardcore Holly
Jillian Hall
Josh Mathews
Ken Kennedy
Kristal
Melina
Michael Cole
Orlando Jordan
Palmer Canon
Paul Burchill
Road Warrior Animal
Sharmell
Steven Richards
Sylvain Grenier
Tazz
Theodore Long
Tim White
William Regal
No longer listed on WWE.com or appearing on TV:
Chad Dick
Cowboy Bob Orton
Heidenreich
James Dick
Juventud
*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, women (RAW), cruiserweights (SD), and 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. Divisions that include less than ten competitors/teams are also reflected in the rankings.
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)
**Both primary and secondary heavyweight champions are listed at the top of each brand’s rankings, with the assumption that Intercontinental or United States Champions are de facto top contenders unless otherwise stated on television or online by WWE.
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