Ultimate WWE and AEW Power Rankings #10 – August 6, 2023
It is time for another week of the Ultimate Power Rankings from both WWE and AEW. Who improved their stock from last week and who downgraded their position among the rest?
This set ranges from Monday (July 31) and to this Sunday (August 6). This means that all the results and highlights from this week’s Raw, NXT, AEW Dynamite, SmackDown, AEW Rampage, and AEW Collision, as well as the results from WWE’s SummerSlam. All of this will play a factor in where each superstar places on the rankings.
If a wrestler has a (+) next to their name, then that means that they moved up the rankings from last week’s edition. When there is a (-) next to their name, then that means that they moved down from the rankings from last week. If there is nothing next to their name, then that means that they stayed at the same spot.
Without further ado, let’s get into this week’s rankings!
WWE TOP 10 POWER RANKINGS:
10. The Street Profits (NR)
Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford have seemingly begun their heel run, with an attack on The Brawling Brutes. Dawkins and Ford, flanked by Bobby Lashley, may be in for a new lease on life as their babyface act was growing tiresome. And new (and possibly improved) Hurt Business is great for all parties involved.
9. LA Knight (NR)
Knight pulled out two much needed victories this weekend. First, Knight defeated Sheamus in singles action on SmackDown. Following that, Knight won the SummerSlam Battle Royal, eliminating Sheamus last to claim the win. The fans are clearly still on board with Knight and hopefully WWE does Knight right and continue to give him important wins in building him up towards super-stardom.
8. Gunther (NR)
The longest reigning record for the Intercontinental Championship, held by The Honky Tonk Man, is now thankfully in serious jeopardy. Gunther once again retained his title against Drew McIntyre at “The Biggest Party of the Summer.” Not to mention, Gunther had a great match with Chad Gable on Raw, with Gable probably being built up to be Gunther’s next challenger in this historic run with the belt.
7. LWO (-5)
The #1 contender to the WWE United States Championship, Santos Escobar, made an appearance on NXT this week, teaming with The D’Angelo Family in six-man tag team competition. Escobar fell short in the SummerSlam battle royal but still stands strong odds in taking the title off of Austin Theory. LWO also picked up a win on SmackDown in the women’s division, with Zelina Vega beating future champion IYO SKY.
6. The Judgment Day (-5)
The hottest act in WWE fall from the #1 spot due to some big wins picked up by other stars, as well as a missed opportunity by WWE in making Finn Balor the World Heavyweight Champion. The saga and tension between Balor and Damian Priest continues as well at SummerSlam, with Priest inadvertently costing Balor the match. However, there are still two champions within Judgment Day, as Dominik Mysterio still holds the North American Championship, though he may be in for a rude awakening against Dragon Lee. And, Rhea Ripley is still the Women’s World Champion, although I wish Ripley would be defending her title in meaningful feuds, particularly against Raquel Rodriguez.
5. Bianca Belair (+2)
Belair officially became a 3x women’s champion in WWE, winning the triple threat WWE Women’s Championship against Asuka and Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam. Unfortunately for Belair, she now has the shortest reign with the title to go along with the longest reign, as Belair was cashed in by Mrs. Money in the Bank.
4. Roman Reigns (NR)
The WWE Undisputed Champion is still undisputed, as Reigns successfully defended his title in Tribal Combat against Jey Uso, after interference (once again) by Solo Sikoa, and after a turn by Jimmy Uso to his twin brother. Despite still being champion, Reigns is (for now) not scheduled to appear on any future events for the next few months, thus begging the question as to why Reigns defeated a red shot Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, instead of still dragging things out.
3. Cody Rhodes (NR)
Rhodes finished the story with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam with a hard-fought win in what was a very fun contest. After the win, Lesnar showed signs of respect with a handshake and hug to “The American Nightmare.” It will be interesting to see what WWE does next with Rhodes following this, as there is still no clear direction following WrestleMania 39.
2. Seth Rollins (+3)
Rollins surprisingly (to some) remained World Heavyweight Champion by retaining over Balor at SummerSlam. “The Visionary” however looks to be still feuding with The Judgment Day, as a possible triple threat between himself, Balor and Priest for Payback may be in the works.
1. Damage CTRL (NR)
IYO SKY is in the record books as a world champion on the main roster. SKY deservingly became the WWE Women’s Champion by pinning a battered down Bianca Belair. The cash-in was then celebrated by herself and her Damage CTRL buddies in Bayley and the injured Dakota Kai. Here’s to hoping that this title reign cements SKY amongst the top of the card for years to come and not just a lackluster run that is ended by another championship win by Charlotte Flair. But for now, Damage CTRL has a new lease on life and with the possible return of Kairi Sane, anything is possible for “The Genius of the Sky.”
AEW TOP 10 POWER RANKINGS:
10. Chris Jericho and Konosuke Takeshita (NR)
Is Jericho firmly with Don Callis? Jericho partnered up with Takeshita to defeat the Jericho Appreciation Society’s Daniel Garcia and Sammy Guevara. The win was marred in controversy as Callis used Floyd to give his side the victory. Despite Jericho hesitant to go for the pin afterwards, he did just and scored the 1-2-3. Still, this story between Jericho, the Jericho Appreciation Society, Callis, and ultimately Will Ospreay is far from over, as the rumored matchup between Jericho and Ospreay at All In is hopefully still in the cards.
9. The Elite (NR)
The Elite picked up a solid six-man tag team win on Dynamite this week. But the important news is that after the match, Kenny Omega grabbed a mic and cut a promo about how The Elite and Hangman Page have officially re-signed with AEW for years to come. Fittingly, this announcement was on Dynamite 200, and it couldn’t have come at a perfect time as The Elite are so integral to the overall success and future of All Elite Wrestling. Cheers to a hopefully worthwhile next few years.
8. The Mogul Embassy
Despite falling short in their quest for the AEW Tag Team Championship, Swerve Strickland and AR Fox had one of the more shocking segments in recent Dynamite history this week, as the two absolutely slaughtered Nick Wayne, leaving him an absolute bloody mess. It was great television and continues to propel Strickland’s group into a force on AEW TV, and is a perfect start and feud for the 18 year old prodigy, Nick Wayne.
7. Adam Cole (-3)
Cole was involved in my personal highlight of the week. The promo between him and MJF was a master class. Despite his slow start in AEW, the decision to leave WWE and join AEW was obviously the right choice, as Cole will now be main eventing one of, if not the biggest, show in professional wrestling history. Claps all around to Adam Cole.
6. MJF (-3)
The AEW World Champion cut an emotionally gripping promo after being bullied and having antisemitic insults thrown at him at a young age. He talked about how he is still a scumbag but now wants to be OUR (the fans) scumbag. The promo was fantastic and the build towards the title match between him and Adam Cole is some of the best work AEW has done.
5. Samoa Joe (+4)
Joe made quick work once again on Collision, handling Serpentico in a match that might’ve barely reached 10 seconds. After the match, Joe officially challenged CM Punk to a match for their legacy at All In. The two know each other so well and is a perfect match to put out there for Wembley Stadium.
4. Ricky Starks (+1)
Despite losing to Punk, Starks added another layer to his new heel run. Starks beat a legend in Ricky Steamboat with a belt after his loss. The feud with Punk may not be fully over, but what Starks does next will be very telling in where AEW sees him in the grand scheme of things.
3. CM Punk (+7)
Punk retained the “Real” World Championship in the main event of Collision. Despite the mixed reactions, Punk got the right cheers in trying to save Steamboat from the attack. A match with Joe at All In is in the works and after that, a “collision” with MJF may be on the horizon to see who the real AEW Champion may be.
2. Hikaru Shida (NR)
There is a new AEW Women’s World Champion, as Shida became a 2x world champ by beating Toni Storm in the main event of Dynamite 200. The win may have come to a surprise for many, but Shida is well deserved in having a title reign with fans in attendance. It will be interesting to see where AEW pivots this women’s division to, now with a new champion. Shida’s first defense will come next week against Anna Jay.
1. FTR
FTR remains at the top of the AEW Power Rankings by successfully retaining their titles in back-to-back weeks on Collision, this time against Big Bill and Brian Cage of The Mogul Embassy. After the match, Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood challenged The Young Bucks for a match at All In with the AEW World Tag Team Championship on the line. A must-see match on a must-see show…sign me up!
Top 20 Combo Power Rankings (WWE and AEW):
20. The Street Profits (NR)
19. Chris Jericho and Konosuke Takeshita (NR)
18. LA Knight (NR)
17. The Elite (NR)
16. Gunther (NR)
15. LWO (-11)
14. The Judgment Day (-13)
13. The Mogul Embassy (+2)
12. Bianca Belair (+2)
11. Adam Cole (-5)
10. Roman Reigns (NR)
9. MJF (-4)
8. Samoa Joe (+10)
7. Ricky Starks (+2)
6. CM Punk (+13)
5. Cody Rhodes (NR)
4. Seth Rollins (+7)
3. Hikaru Shida (NR)
2. FTR
1. Damage CTRL (NR)
Who would you have in your Top 10 Power Rankings of both WWE and AEW? What would be your ultimate combo list? Let us know by leaving a comment down below!
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