Ultimate WWE and AEW Power Rankings #13 – August 28, 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, AEW Collision, and AEW’s All In PPV 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. Seth Rollins (-4)
The story between Rollins and his challenger at Payback, Shinsuke Nakamura, progressed this week, however, it still does not have the right punch in being a top level feud in the company. The good news, their match at Payback should be good, exceeding this average story build.
9. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (NR)
Owens returned this week on Raw to an electric reaction. Owens clearly didn’t miss a step, as he and Zayn got back on the right track with another victory over The Judgment Day in the main event.
8. The Street Profits (+1)
The Profits picked up another victory on SmackDown in a “hardcore” match against The Brawling Brutes. Regardless of how the match went, this new version of The Street Profits will catch steam and hopefully lead them to becoming tag team champions once again, especially with Bobby Lashley at the helm.
7. Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura finally revealed what he said to Rollins. It’s not spectacular in any way but once again, at least Nakamura is getting some shine on Raw. However, there’s virtually no chance Nakamura will become the World Heavyweight Champion
6. LA Knight (NR)
On an emotionally-gripping episode of SmackDown, Knight paid homage to Bray Wyatt in a heartfelt promo. Afterwards, Knight, the last man to face Wyatt, defeated Finn Balor in the main event. This was a special opportunity for Knight to further himself up the ladder in WWE, and by all accounts, he nailed it.
5. Cody Rhodes (-2)
While the wins keep on coming for “The American Nightmare” his run in WWE is becoming stagnant. There is no clear direction for him, other than the probably rematch with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Need proof? He’s now booked at Payback for “The Grayson Waller Effect” with Waller. Talk about inconsequential.
4. Carmelo Hayes (NR)
Hayes successfully defended his NXT Championship in the main event of Heatwave against Wes Lee. It was another fun title defense for Hayes, as the champ now looks to see who his next challenger may be, on the build to NXT No Mercy.
3. Chad Gable (-1)
Despite the victory over the Intercontinental Champion Gunther, it was via countout, meaning Gable is not the champion. Still, the match was great and gave us fans a real taste for what’s to come, because this feud is more than likely far from enough.
2. Damage CTRL (+2)
IYO SKY’s first title defense happened this week on SmackDown, as the WWE Women’s Champion defeated Zelina Vega. Whilst an opponent is not clear for Payback, Damage CTRL has clearly regrouped from their past downfalls and SKY is clearly over with the WWE Universe, deservingly so.
1. LWO
The LWO stays on top of the WWE rankings, with Rey Mysterio making his first United States defense against Waller. Mysterio will now turn his attention to Payback, where he will defend the title against the former champion, Austin Theory.
AEW TOP 10 POWER RANKINGS:
10. Orange Cassidy (NR)
The AEW International Champion got the win for his team in Stadium Stampede. Cassidy was electric in the ring once again. He will now turn his attention to Dynamite, where he must defend against Penta Oscuro, where the winner will face Jon Moxley at All Out. Mosley poses a legitimate threat towards Cassidy’s long standing reign.
9. Konosuke Takeshita (NR)
Takeshita picked up the pinfall over Kenny Omega in the six-man tag team match at All In. All eyes point towards a match between the two in Chicago at All Out, where revenge may be a dish best served. But for now, let’s look at this win in a bubble and realize this as the monster victory it was for Takeshita on the grandest stage.
8. Hook (NR)
Wembley Stadium is the home of the second reign of Hook’s FTW Championship. Hook beat long time rival Jack Perry on the Zero Hour show. This is great for Hook and this might be the start of the FTW Championship going away, or at the very least beginning a new found push for Hook.
7. Ricky Starks (-5)
Starks may have missed All In, but his new partnership with Big Bill and his overall presence remains one of AEW’s best features on TV. Starks is great and has all the tools to be the next big star in wrestling.
6. The Acclaimed (NR)
New Trios Champions have been crowned. The Acclaimed, with Billy Gunn, went over on the House of Black in order to pick up the dub. This win was a long time coming and by all regards, the right direction for AEW to go in. Look for Bullet Club Gold or The Kingdom to take those titles off of The Acclaimed.
5. CM Punk (+1)
Punk and his “Real” World Championship lives to see another day. Backstage stuff beside, Punk’s new run in AEW has been quite solid. His match with Samoa Joe at All In was good, and his continued feud with Starks looks to still be going strong. Now let’s just hope he doesn’t get in anymore fights outside of the ring.
4. FTR (+6)
In what was probably a surprise to some, the AEW World Tag Team Champions stayed where they are at All In. FTR retained against The Young Bucks in another good match. The question begs though, what is next for FTR?
3. Adam Cole (+4)
He may not be the AEW World Champion, but Cole had one hell of a main event match with MJF. He also left Wembley with the ROH Tag Team titles with the aforementioned MJF. Cole’s story with MJF is not over and the dominoes have yet to fall over whether Cole is in line for a heel turn. With all of that said, it is very clear that Cole made the right decision in leaving NXT to come join AEW.
2. Saraya (NR)
Winning the AEW Women’s World Championship is one thing…but doing it in front of your home country at the biggest show, that deserves high recognition. Saraya is definitely not at the same level she used to be, but it’s great to see her check off another title, and regardless of how long she holds it, it’s great to see someone who was retired and out of the business for quite awhile, be back at the top of a division.
1. MJF (+3)
The match was fantastic. Wembley loved it. I loved it. And MJF is the best in the world, no questions asked. Everything MJF does is pure gold, and All In was no different. The man who was the first match at All In in 2018, main evented in the 2023 version, the biggest wrestling event of all time. He has truly inserted himself into next level super stardom. Well deserved for the AEW World Champion and deserving of the clear top spot in the Power Rankings.
Top 20 Combo Power Rankings (WWE and AEW):
20. Seth Rollins (-8)
19. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (NR)
18. The Street Profits (+1)
17. Orange Cassidy (NR)
16. Shinsuke Nakamura (-1)
15. Konosuke Takeshita (NR)
14. Hook (NR)
13. LA Knight (NR)
12. Cody Rhodes (-5)
11. Carmelo Hayes (NR)
10. Ricky Starks (-7)
9. The Acclaimed (NR)
8. CM Punk (+2)
7. FTR (+11)
6. Chad Gable (-1)
5. Damage CTRL (+4)
4. Adam Cole (+9)
3. Saraya (NR)
2. LWO (-1)
1. MJF (+5)
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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