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?



Walking into the biggest match of his career at SummerSlam, Jinder Mahal probably could have benefited from not losing to Randy Orton on the latest SmackDown Live. Of course, this being WWE, that's exactly what happened, ensuring Mahal enters the next PPV less like WWE Champ, and more of a Chump.


John Cena did what he does best on SmackDown Live this week - shrugged off a loss, belittled his next opponent, made some immature jokes and left. Great way to get everyone excited for his grudge match with Baron Corbin at SummerSlam.


AJ Styles heads into the go-home show of SmackDown Live on the back foot after being outsmarted by Kevin Owens this week. Owens helped renew friction between the United States Champion and soon-to-be guest referee Shane McMahon stretching back to WrestleMania 33, and Styles accidentally flooring McMahon with a Pele Kick is unlikely to sit well with SmackDown's Commissioner.


It might have been months since they last had a match, but Tyler Breeze and Fandango continue to be the most consistently entertaining part of SmackDown Live. Their latest skit, featuring donuts, probing and Arn Anderson, was the latest funny installment from the bizarre duo.


The story arc between Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose is one of the most intriguing stories heading into SummerSlam. However, it was Rollins who got the short end of the stick this week, as he was beaten by Sheamus, hung out to dry by Ambrose when he was double-teamed after the match, and then refused to reunite with his former Shield brother later in the evening.


Speaking of the Shield, Roman Reigns didn't have the greatest night on Raw either. In a very enjoyable Last Man Standing Match with Braun Strowman, both rivals decimated each other throughout the arena. But, it was eventually Reigns that couldn't answer the ten count following interference from Samoa Joe.


In case you've forgotten, Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt are fighting at SummerSlam this year, not that much has been done to help you remember. On Raw, Balor got the upper-hand over Wyatt once again, not showing any intimidation from the former Cult Leader's mind games and sneak attacks.


After being wiped out by The Usos during their championship winning celebration a couple of weeks back, The New Day got their revenge on SmackDown Live this week. After the Usos won their match, Big E arrived on the entrance ramp, distracting the brothers long enough for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to take them down.


Sneak attacks appeared to be the theme on SmackDown Live, as after Randy Orton defeated Jinder Mahal in the main event, Rusev laid him out on the stage with a running kick. After being flattened by an RKO at the start of this feud, it was sweet retribution for the Bulgarian Brute.


In the latest Cruiserweight feud that just won't end, TJP defeated Rich Swann on the latest episode of 205 Live. No doubt they will have another match next week which Swann will win, then rinse and repeat for the next two or three months.


Nobody can question Kevin Owens' ability to manipulate others, and his in-ring discussion with AJ Styles and Shane McMahon was a perfect example. Heading into the United States Championship match at SummerSlam, Owens got into the head of both opponent Styles and guest referee McMahon, leading to Styles accidentally hitting McMahon and giving himself the mental edge at the PPV.


While Samoa Joe didn't have a match himself on Raw, he played a decisive role in the main event of the night. After Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman destroyed each other in their Last Man Standing bout, Joe choked out Reigns on the floor, leaving his rival out cold and unable to answer the ten count.


Momentum has already stalled on Jason Jordan as Kurt Angle's son, so he should enjoy these few wins while he can. Jordan defeated a random Canadian jobber on Raw called Jean-Pierre Goulet, got booed throughout by the Toronto crowd, and scored a decisive victory.


Dean Ambrose went through a roller coaster of emotions on Raw this week. Ambrose refused to help his former friend Seth Rollins as he was beatdown by Sheamus & Cesaro earlier in the night, before he suffered the same fate following victory over Cesaro. Rollins came out to make the save, but when Ambrose finally reached out to reunite with his ex-Shield brother, Rollins walked away. The drama continues!


Charlotte Flair will rarely have an easier night than the match she had with Lana on SmackDown Live. Other than a few shock pin attempts and an unwise slap to the face, Charlotte was in complete control from start to finish, forcing Lana to tap to the Figure-Eight.


A mixed night for the Raw Tag Team Champions, but they were both able to get a few licks in on both Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose before their expected match at SummerSlam. First, Sheamus defeated Rollins followed by an uninterrupted post-match attack, then Cesaro lost to Ambrose followed by an interrupted post-match attack.


Still residing in tag team purgatory, Gallows & Anderson at least could enjoy a victory over Enzo Amore and Big Show on the latest episode of Raw. With their giant opponent distracted by the presence of Big Cass, the former Bullet Club members manhandled Amore and pinned him without any problems whatsoever.


Moving onto a tag team that has plenty of direction and momentum on their side, The Usos defeated the thrown-together team of Sami Zayn and Tye Dillinger on SmackDown Live, forcing The Perfect Ten to tap out to the Tequila Sunrise. They did suffer a post-match beatdown by The New Day, which only added to their animosity heading into SummerSlam.


Having injured Bayley and ousting her from the SummerSlam card, Nia Jax took a step towards replacing her in the Raw Women's Championship match by overcoming Dana Brooke and Mickie James in a Triple Threat Match. It was easy work for Jax, pinning Brooke after a dominant display.


Akira Tozawa stays at number six in the Power Rankings for this week after another convincing win over Ariya Daivari on Raw. The Japanese superstar is looking good heading into his second shot at the Cruiserweight Championship against Neville.


Whenever Brock Lesnar is on Raw there's a greater incentive to tune in, especially when is let off the leash by Paul Heyman. Lesnar was a guest on Miz TV, and after growing tired of the Intercontinental Champion's monologue, the Universal Champion ripped the Miztourage apart with suplexes and F-5s. A message delivered to his Fatal Four-Way opponents at SummerSlam.


The woman that faces the daunting prospect of Nia Jax next week in a number one contender's match is Sasha Banks, who defeated Emma and Alicia Fox in another Triple Threat Match. Banks gets the nod in the rankings as this was a much more entertaining contest, with the former three-time Raw Women's Champion forcing Emma to tap out to the Bank Statement.


Money in the Bank holder Carmella got firmly in the head of SmackDown Women's Champion Naomi by pinning her this week, although not without help. Not from Naomi's upcoming challenger Natalya, but the returning James Ellsworth, who pushed the champion off the turnbuckle with the referee distracted, allowing Carmella to pick up the shock victory. Will we see a repeat when the Princess of Staten Island cashes in?


Fourth time was the charm for Randy Orton, as he finally defeated WWE Champion Jinder Mahal on SmackDown Live. Sadly, the title was not on the line on this occasion, making his victory far less meaningful besides proving his superiority over Mahal on an even playing field. His reward for this win? A blindsided kick to the face from SummerSlam opponent Rusev.


The Universal Championship Fatal Four-Way remains the biggest draw to SummerSlam this year, with all the combatants taking turns near the summit of the Power Rankings. This week it was Braun Strowman, who defeated Roman Reigns once again in a Last Man Standing Match. Samoa Joe certainly gave him a big assist, but Strowman stood tallest over his greatest rival.