Ultimate WWE and AEW Power Rankings #12 – August 20, 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 (August 14) and to this Sunday (August 20). This means that all the results and highlights from this week’s Raw, NXT, AEW Dynamite, SmackDown, AEW Rampage, and AEW Collision. 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. Edge (NR)
Edge, in what may have been his final match in wrestling (or at least in WWE), defeated Sheamus in a great main event on SmackDown. What’s next for Edge is anyone’s guess. Could he make the jump to AEW? Is he retired? Will he come back to work more dates for WWE? Regardless if this is the end, Edge’s career has been nothing short of illustrious and memorable.
9. The Street Profits (NR)
Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford are back with a new change in character. The duo beat The OC on SmackDown this week. In the win, the Profits displayed a new attitude, finisher, and much needed optimism that The Street Profits will once again reach the top of the tag team division.
8. Wes Lee (NR)
A new #1 contender for the NXT Championship has been determined. Lee defeated Dijak in a competitive match to become Carmelo Hayes next opponent. That match will take place next week on Heatwave. Whilst it is highly unlikely that Lee will dethrone Hayes and become the NXT Champion, the contest should nonethedless be high-octane and a crowd pleaser.
7. Shinsuke Nakamura (-2)
Nakamura went face-to-face with the World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins. Even though it is great that Nakamura is finally getting some spotlight again and being featured in a world title program, Nakamura’s explanation for turning still gave myself and many others no hope that he can legitimately become champion. Still, looking at this glass half empty, it’s great to see Nakamura get the recognition he has been longing for again.
6. Seth Rollins
Another week down the World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins is heading for a title defense against Nakamura at Payback. However, after that, it is not but question marks for his reign. Who is next? Is Damian Priest with his Money in the Bank contract back in the mix? All I know is that there is no way Rollins is dropping that belt to Nakamura. No chance.
5. The Judgment Day (+4)
The Judgment Day may be starting to implode, but they may be getting a new member in JD McDonagh. Even with a loss by Finn Balor, the Judgment Day were still the last ones standing at the end of Raw. Not to mention, they still have two champions to their name with the Women’s World Championship and the North American Championship.
4. Damage CTRL (-2)
iYO SKY and Bayley fell to the hands of Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. Despite the loss, the two got the last laugh by taking out Belair backstage, thus writing “The EST” off of TV. As of now, all roads are leading towards an eventual SKY and Flair feud with Asuka sprinkled in there as well.
3. Cody Rhodes (+1)
Rhodes notched up another victory this week, this time by knocking off Balor. However, he ended the night being laid out by Judgment Day. It sure seems that Rhodes hold on to relevancy will be feuding with The Judgment Day. A match with Priest or maybe even a rematch with Balor is likely for Payback.
2. Chad Gable (+1)
The winning ways continued for Gable, as he picked up a win against Imperium’s Giovanni Vinci. Gable may be a fan favorite but the time for him to be an Intercontinental Champion is still not now, considering Gunther still needs to beat that record. However, the match, when it happens for real, should be excellent and hopefully the push for Gable doesn’t stop there.
1. LWO
Even though no one competed in the LWO this week, the United States champ Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar appeared on the “Grayson Waller Effect.” Despite no confrontation, seeds are definitely being planted in the possible breakup between Mysterio and Escobar. It is clear that a big storyline is in store for the LWO.
AEW TOP 10 POWER RANKINGS:
10. FTR (-4)
Obviously the biggest news from FTR this week was about Cash Wheeler being arrested. However, FTR is still seemingly good to go for London against The Young Bucks. With this news occurring though, it begs the question as to whether FTR’s title reign is long for this world. Only time will tell.
9. Bullet Club Gold (NR)
Even though The Gunns lost this week on Dynamite, Bullet Club Gold is still one of the more entertaining acts in all of wrestling. Not to mention, Jay White scored a win and The Gunns and Juice Robinson won in trios action on Collision. White and Robinson will be heading to Wembley for a trios match, obviously a very important contest for the future of Bullet Club Gold.
8. Samoa Joe (-6)
Joe was ambushed this week by “The Golden Vampire” (CM Punk). Joe got his match though, and it will happen at All In against Punk for the “Real” World Championship. A long-standing history between the two deserves the stage as big as ever before at Wembley Stadium.
7. Adam Cole
It was another week of solid and entertaining promo work by Cole. What seemed as a clear loss by Cole against MJF, has turned into a 50/50 split in my eyes. It would not be shocking at all if Cole walks out of London as the new AEW World Champion.
6. CM Punk (+2)
Punk finally went toe-to-toe with Joe to ensure their match for All In is finally made official. After London, it’s clear that a rematch with Ricky Starks is in the cards for All Out in Chicago.
5. The Young Bucks (+4)
The Bucks continue to build themselves up ahead of their highly-anticipated matchup against FTR. The Bucks defeated The Gunns on Dynamite, and then cut a passionate promo about their match at Wembley. All the promos hyping this match up is definitely working for me, and regardless of the controversy surrounding FTR, All In can’t come soon enough so I can get the chance to see these two juggernaut tandems go at it again.
4. MJF
The AEW World Champion, similar to Cole, cut another fun promo about their match at All In. MJF will be working double duty in London, as he challenges Aussie Open for the ROH World Tag Team titles. Who knows, MJF could walk out MJF two belts.
3. House of Black
No action this week for House of Black, however the trio did attack The Acclaimed, whilst also stealing Billy Gunn’s boots. It’s clear that this feud is far from over and should lead to the return of The Ass Man himself.
2. Ricky Starks (+3)
Starks is awesome. It’s just that simple. His work on the mic is bar none and now having Big Bill flanked on his side, Starks may be getting his biggest push he’s ever received in AEW. I for one hope Starks wins the feud with Punk and focused on becoming either TNT or International Champion.
1. Hikaru Shida
Shida hangs around the #1 spot in the AEW Power Rankings for a couple reasons. First of all, she scored another win in a tag team match against The Outcasts on Rampage. And second of all, the crowd is still super behind her. Shida may be in jeopardy of losing her title at All In, but I hope that regardless of what happens, she stays on our television because she is once again getting over with the AEW audience.
Top 20 Combo Power Rankings (WWE and AEW):
20. Edge (NR)
19. The Street Profits (NR)
18. FTR (-7)
17. Wes Lee (NR)
16. Bullet Club Gold (NR)
15. Shinsuke Nakamura (-5)
14. Samoa Joe (-11)
13. Adam Cole
12. Seth Rollins
11. The Judgment Day (+6)
10. CM Punk (+6)
9. Damage CTRL (-4)
8. The Young Bucks (+10)
7. Cody Rhodes (+2)
6. MJF
5. Chad Gable (+2)
4. House of Black
3. Ricky Starks (+5)
2. Hikaru Shida
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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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