Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Power Rankings from Smark Out Moment!

Each week, we will break down the current roster and examine who has gone up the WWE hierarchy and who has unfortunately taken a step down the ladder. Factoring in things such as wins and losses, suspensions, injuries, making a name for one's self, being humiliated, and more, who is at the top of the food chain and who needs to make up some ground next week?


Heading closer to the permanent fading of their golden alliance, Gold/Stardust continue to suffer rapid defeats thanks to the mental instability of the younger brother Stardust. In a tag team match on RAW against the New Day, chants of ‘Cody’ from the crowd seemed to get to Stardust, as he abandoned his brother mid-match and headed up the ramp. This left Goldust easy pickings for the opponents for yet another loss.


No matter what he attempts at this point, Kane can’t seem to curtail the momentum of Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns. On RAW, the Corporate Demon was on the losing side to them twice, first in a standard tag and then in a handicap match. Kane then exploited his powerful position to organize tag team turmoil on SmackDown, saving himself and Big Show for last against a weary Bryan and Reigns. But, due to miscommunication and a WMD to the jaw, Kane ended this match unconscious with another loss to his name.


Another tag team that have seen happier times are the duo of the Miz and Damien Mizdow, as the former’s issues with his ex-stunt double’s popularity came to the forefront. Mizdow was in a match with Sin Cara on RAW, and the Miz giving demeaning tasks for his personal assistant during the match eventually led to his defeat. Then, when given the duty to face Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns first in tag team turmoil on SmackDown, the Miz’s jealousy of his partner’s popularity played a role in their quick elimination.


Big Show’s ties to the Authority might be hanging to a thread after his actions on SmackDown. Firstly on RAW, he was unable to scratch the sizable itches of Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns in two attempts, as Show lost both a tag team match and handicap match to their uncomfortable partnership. Then on Thursday night, Show and Kane entered a tag team turmoil match last against Bryan and Reigns, heading towards certain victory. But they butted heads, Show knocking out his partner before being pinned after a Running Knee.


Another tandem that was unable to overcome the irresistible force of Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns during tag team turmoil, Los Matadores did not last long before the Yes Man dispatched of them.


Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury begin to rack up more RAW main events than they could have ever imagined during their full-time wrestling careers. This Monday, they first helped their ward Seth Rollins launch a three-on-one assault on Ryback. But, during a 5-on-2 battle against Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns, the rest of the Authority were distracted, leaving J&J Security alone to be pinned by the unstable partnership.


Seth Rollins himself did not have a great week, as Mr. Money in the Bank remains currently directionless heading into Fast Lane. On RAW, he competed early against Ryback, the match not lasting particularly long before J&J Security interfered on Rollins’s behalf. They took out the Big Guy, but the numbers advantage did not help Rollins and the Authority defeat Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns in handicap action later in the evening.


The Tag Team Champions suffered two notable defeats this week that might call into question the strength of their combination. First occurred on RAW, as in a great tag team match they were bested by Cesaro & Tyson Kidd, placing them in pole position for a title opportunity. Then on SmackDown, in a tremendous encounter with Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns in tag team turmoil, their greater chemistry could not defeat their opponents.


Curtis Axel refuses to let go of hopes to earn a ‘rightful’ title opportunity at WrestleMania, although he is likely pretty fortunate to be getting any television time at the moment. Axel battled Dean Ambrose once again on the penultimate match of RAW, the son of Mr. Perfect being defeated by his unstable opponent.


With Fast Lane just around the corner, the Bella Twins are desperately attempting to get in Paige’s head before she faces Nikki for the Divas Championship. However, these attempts have proven fruitless so far, with Brie deciding to take matters into her own hands with a match on RAW with the Brit. However, this was another failed attempt at stopping her momentum, as Paige secured a victory with the RamPaige.


The Show-Off’s performances in the ring remain as strong as ever, but he is currently being lost in the shuffle heading into Fast Lane. Only competing on RAW this week, he battled Bray Wyatt for the second time in recent weeks. And just as last time, Wyatt’s power and focus since the Royal Rumble overcame Dolph Ziggler’s fighting spirit.


Sin Cara continues to enjoy some positive results on the main roster since the beginning of 2015, as Damien Mizdow became the latest to suffer defeat to the masked athlete. Of course, that was mainly due to the Miz’s antics at ringside, but a win is a win. However, Sin Cara was less fortunate on Main Event in terms of results, losing to Cesaro. Yet, that was the substitute for having an excellent match over twenty minutes long, flaunting his undeniable talent.


The Preachers of Positivity will hardly achieve an easier victory than the one on RAW this week. The New Day teamed up against the bizarre Gold/Stardust, but only a couple of minutes into the bout, Stardust walked out on his brother. Left in a handicap situation, Kofi Kingston capitalized on the confusion of Goldust to secure a simple win.


The Big Guy might have technically beaten Seth Rollins on RAW, he was unlikely feeling like much of a winner in the immediate aftermath. After only a few minutes of their match, Ryback became the victim of a three person assault with J&J Security getting involved. This left him laid out following a Curb Stomp, but he did get a measure of revenge later in the evening when he interfered in the Authority’s match with Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns.


Although Main Event appears to be declining in importance by every passing week, a victory is a victory for any superstar or diva. And Naomi was in desperate need a win after a poor month in terms of results, and defeated Natalya in short order.


When he is serious and looking to get another superstar over in the eyes of the WWE Universe, few people can match John Cena on the microphone. Even if he were the old man Rusev refers to him as, the quality of their promo on RAW has helped make this arguably the most interesting match on the Fast Lane card. However, when the microphones dropped and the fists were flying, Cena’s injured eye cost him against the Super Athlete, as he was thrown face first into the stage.


I’m currently unsure whether Fandango is being perceived as a heel or a babyface currently, but there is no doubting that the wins are stacking up for him. Although, I’m pretty sure most superstars on the roster would look forward to battling Adam Rose at this moment in time, even if it means you’re not doing anything important currently. Fandango once again defeated Rose on SmackDown, leaving the party animal frothing at the mouth.


Whilst they technically suffered their first defeat since joining the main roster on SmackDown this week, the Ascension left that match looking stronger than most others in tag team turmoil. They first battled on Main Event in a typical squash against two local competitors. But, Konnor and Viktor stepped up on Thursday, decimating Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns towards the conclusion of the tag team turmoil match. Though this led to their disqualification, they made a strong impression.


As the Lunatic Fringe continues his pursuit of Bad News Barrett’s Intercontinental Championship, building momentum is a priority. And Dean Ambrose secured a victory over Curtis Axel on RAW to maintain his positive form, as Barrett continues to rest prior to his defense.


Rusev has made an impact already in his feud with John Cena, making me believe for the first time that this was the correct booking decision. The Super Athlete pulled off an excellent promo on RAW, pushing the point that Cena was aged and battle-worn, leaving him easy pickings for the power of the Bulgarian. He then backed up his point in a brawl with his upcoming opponent, Rusev exploiting Cena’s eye injury and throwing him into the steel stage.


With numerous teams left lying in the wake of Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns on SmackDown, Cesaro & Tyson Kidd were a fortunate tandem to avoid that fate. Instead, they picked up a major victory on RAW over tag team champions the Usos, one that likely places them in line for an opportunity to capture the belts at Fast Lane. Then on Main Event, Cesaro was on his own as he starred in a lengthy match with Sin Cara, the Swiss Superman securing the win.


The Divas Championship that currently resides with Nikki Bella could be in serious jeopardy with the current form of Paige. The Anti-Diva bested Brie on RAW with a comeback, also managing to deal with an attempt at interference from her title rival. Then on SmackDown, with both Bella Twins looking on from commentary, Paige produced a dominant performance against Summer Rae, forcing the dancer to tap out to the PTO.


Whilst his intentions for the future are still shrouded in mystery, Bray Wyatt continues to destroy all before him on the Road to WrestleMania. On RAW, he was faced with the dogged determination of Dolph Ziggler, and thanks in part to a decapitating clothesline, picked up a strong victory. This was then followed by a slightly more one-sided win on SmackDown, this time R-Truth the victim of Sister Abigail.


Now secured as a potential championship contender for the WWE Championship, Daniel Bryan was put through a gauntlet by the Authority, along with Fast Lane opponent Roman Reigns. Bryan and Reigns teamed up throughout the week, and ended up undefeated, as on RAW they overcame two matches with Authority teams, the second a 5-on-2 handicap match. However, Bryan ended the show flattened as a result of a Reigns Spear. Then on SmackDown, they overcame six teams in tag team turmoil, securing the final pin over the Big Show.


Roman Reigns went through the same trials and tribulations as his future combatant Daniel Bryan this week, enduring a number of outmatched challenges on RAW and SmackDown. However, Reigns places slightly ahead of Bryan due to the ending of Monday’s show. Reigns secured the pin over Joey Mercury in the 5-on-2 handicap match, and then proceeded to Spear Bryan out of his boots. On SmackDown, the uncomfortable bedfellows were forced to team together again, and would defeat six other teams in tag team turmoil, including Tag Team Champions The Usos and finally Kane and Big Show.