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?

As this is the first week of the new season for the Power Rankings following the events of WrestleMania week, each person's position on the rankings is completely fresh and not in relation to the previous week's rankings. Therefore our keycode denoting any changes in position will return in next week's edition.




Placed in a tough predicament against three of NXT's most talented female superstars at TakeOver: New York, Shayna Baszler clasped the one opportunity she received with both hands. After Bianca Belair had dropped both Kairi Sane and Io Shirai out of contention, The Queen of Spades pounced and forced Belair to tap out to retain the NXT Women's Championship.


In front of most likely the biggest audience of his career, Walter rose to the occasion like a man of his stature would and ended the astounding 685-day United Kingdom Championship reign of Pete Dunne at TakeOver: New York. A physical, demanding match between the two ended with a big splash from the almighty Austrian to claim his first taste of WWE gold.


One of WrestleMania week's biggest feel-good stories took place on the Kickoff Show, as the legendary winless run of Curt Hawkins came to an end on the Grandest Stage of Them All. Teaming with longtime friend Zack Ryder, they captured the Raw Tag Team Championships over The Revival, and then successfully defended them against that same team on the following night's Raw.


The other champion crowned on the WrestleMania Kickoff Show was Tony Nese in front of his hometown crowd. Taking full advantage of the opportunity he earned in the 205 Live tournament, Nese defeated his former friend Buddy Murphy to launch his first reign as Cruiserweight Champion, and then defended it on Tuesday night.


A result that might have a greater ripple effect behind the scenes than any match at WrestleMania if the rumor mill is to be believed, The IIconics won the Women's Tag Team Championships, dethroning The Boss & Hug Connection in a Fatal Four-Way also involving Nia Jax & Tamina Snuka and The Divas of Doom.


The Demon emerged for the first time in a while at WrestleMania, and Finn Balor rode that momentum to regain the Intercontinental Championship from Bobby Lashley. A match that likely won't live long in the memory beyond Balor's outlandish appearance, a far better match took place the following night on Raw when the Irishman successfully defended his newly won title against the returning Sami Zayn.


The exasperating wait is finally over. Although it didn't come against Tommaso Ciampa as intended, it didn't make the moment of Johnny Gargano finally capturing the NXT Championship any less special. Gargano had a thrilling main event match with Adam Cole to close an incredible TakeOver: New York, becoming the brand's first Triple Crown holder and cementing his legacy as Johnny TakeOver.


In a surprising choice to open the main card at WrestleMania, Seth Rollins lived up to the Beast Slayer moniker and toppled Brock Lesnar to win the Universal Championship. Although he took one hell of a beating from the Beast Incarnate, a low blow and trio of Curb Stomps secured his first reign with the big red belt, bringing it back to Monday nights.


In what was undoubtedly my favorite part of the night and the favorite moment for many others, Kofi Kingston's 11-year odyssey reached its pinnacle at WrestleMania as he captured the WWE Championship. Flanked by his New Day cohorts Big E and Xavier Woods, Kingston put on a show-stealing performance against Daniel Bryan to win the company's most prestigious belt, becoming a Grand Slam Champion in the process.


Was there any other choice for the top spot after WrestleMania than the Champ Champ? Becky Lynch completed her own Cinderella story at WrestleMania, defeating Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair in the main event to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships at once. While an upcoming feud with Lacey Evans feels a little underwhelming, WrestleMania was undoubtedly The Man's finest hour.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Shane McMahon - As he has a tendency to do, Shane McMahon put his body on the line at WrestleMania in an entertaining Falls Count Anywhere match with The Miz, and snuck the victory when both men came crashing off the staging.

AJ Styles - In a very well-wrestled match that many had been looking forward to seeing for a long time, AJ Styles defeated Randy Orton at WrestleMania, kicking out of an RKO and finishing the Viper with a Phenomenal Forearm.

The Hardy Boyz - While neither Matt or Jeff could secure the win in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal at WrestleMania, with their efforts combined they captured the SmackDown Tag Team Championships on Tuesday, defeating another pair of brothers in The Usos.

War Raiders - Speaking of tag teams, War Raiders successfully defended the NXT Tag Team Championships in a spectacular opening match of TakeOver: New York, defeating Aleister Black and Ricochet.

Samoa Joe - Samoa Joe finally took his first bow at WrestleMania this year, although it proved to be a brief one, as he successfully defended his United State Championship against an injured Rey Mysterio in just one minute.