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 February 27), and click here to see any changes in the RAW and SD rosters since the last rankings report.
(Previous ranking for each superstar is in parentheses following each name. Italicized comments are included where appropriate. See below* for an explanation of our ranking system.)
RAW SUPERSTARS
Heavyweights:
WWE Champion – John Cena (same)
Intercontinental Champion – Shelton Benjamin (same)
1. (tie) Triple H (1) – Tapped out to Cena at Mania, but pinned the Champ on the April 3 RAW, before being put in a title match at Backlash.
1. (tie) Edge (4) – Big win at Mania over Foley leading to title shot for Backlash.
3. Rob Van Dam (3) – Won Money in the Bank title shot at Mania.
4. Shawn Michaels (9) – Big win over Vince McMahon at Mania.
5. Ric Flair (5) – Strong showing at MITB match even though he didn’t win the title shot.
6. Big Show (2) – Pinned in Tag Title loss after successful title defense at Mania.
7. Kane (8) – Lost tag titles after long, unstoppable streak and title defense at Mania.
8. Carlito Caribbean Cool (6) – Getting aggressive lately, and about to get on a roll.
9. Chris Masters (7) – Drops a few slots with loss in Tag Title match, but still in the top 10.
10. Shane McMahon (NR) – Undefeated since coming back to active in-ring competition, with strong showing at Saturday Night’s Main Event vs. HBK.
Women:
Champion – Mickie James (2)
1. Trish Stratus (Women’s Champion)
2. Torrie Wilson (4)
3. Candice Michelle (1)
4. Victoria (3)
5. Lita (5)
6. Maria Kanellis (5)
7. Ashley Massaro (NR)
Tag Teams:
World Champions – Spirit Squad (2)
1. Kane & The Big Show (Tag Champions)
2. Carlito & Chris Masters (NR)
3. Vince & Shane McMahon (NR)
4. Gene Snitsky & Goldust (NR)
5. Val Venis & Viscera (1)
Unranked or Not Active Wrestlers:
Armando Alejandro Estrada
Coach
Danny Basham
Eugene Dinsmore
Hulk Hogan
Jerry Lawler
Jim Ross
Joey Styles
Johnny Parisi
Lance Cade
Matt Striker
Mick Foley
Rene Dupree
Rob Conway
Shelton’s Mamma
Stacey Keibler
Stone Cold
The Rock
Todd Grisham
Trevor Murdoch
Umaga
No longer listed on WWE.com or appearing on TV:
Chavo Guerrero – Quit on RAW as part of the storyline.
Tyson Tomko – Released by WWE.
Rosey – Released by WWE.
SMACKDOWN SUPERSTARS
Heavyweights:
World Champion – Rey Mysterio (3)
United States Champion – John Bradshaw Layfield (5)
1. Kurt Angle (World Champion) – Former Champ wasn’t pinned in Wrestlemania loss.
2. Randy Orton (2) – Pinned at Mania and on most recent Smackdown, but still in the main event picture (for now).
3. The Undertaker (1) – Big win vs. Mark Henry at Mania kept the streak alive, but upcoming feud with Singh keeps the Dead Man away from the title.
4. Mark Henry (4) – Still making an impact, barely staying a step above the former US Champ.
5. Chris Benoit (US Champ) – In a month, could be in the top two, if things go right for the former US and World Champ.
6. Bobby Lashley (6) – A strong showing in King of the Ring should put Lashley in the top five.
7. Finlay (7) – Did well at Mania, but wasn’t much of a presence.
8. Matt Hardy (10) – Big showing at Money in the Bank bumps him up a few notches.
9. Boogeyman (9) – Win over Booker T keeps Boogeyman in the top ten.
10. Booker T (8) – Loss to Boogeyman at Mania drops Booker down, but he remains in the top 10 for now.
Cruiserweights:
Champion – Gregory Helms (same)
1. Paul London (8)
2. Kid Kash (1)
3. Jamie Noble (5)
4. Super Crazy (2)
5. Brian “Spanky” Kendrick (9)
6. Psicosis (3)
7. Nunzio (4)
8. Simon Dean (10)
9. Scotty 2 Hotty (6)
10. Funaki (7)
Tag Teams:
WWE Champions – MNM (same)
1. Paul London & Brian Kendrick (2)
2. Mexicools (3)
3. Jamie Noble & Kid Kash (NR)
4. Gymini (4)
5. Funaki & Scotty 2 Hotty (NR)
Unranked or Not Active:
Daivari
Dave Batista
Doug Basham
Gunner Scott
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
The Great Khali
Theodore Long
Tim White
Vito
William Regal
*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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