WWE Superstar Power Rankings for 6/22/2015

For the first time in a while, this week's WWE Superstar Power Rankings aren't coming on the heels of a WWE Network Event. Nor are they immediately preceding one. WWE Battleground is set for July 19, giving WWE Superstars plenty of time to jockey for position and build momentum heading into the event.

But even with plenty of time, there are already two matches set. Roman Reigns versus Bray Wyatt is official, as well as WWE World Heavyweight champion Seth Rollins' title defense against the recently returned Brock Lesnar. Kevin Owens is almost certain to get a United States Championship opportunity against John Cena, but when that hypothetical match will take place is still a mystery.

Speaking of Kevin Owens, the criteria for these rankings has been changed to accommodate him. Since Kevin Owens is still not officially part of the WWE main roster, he will remain ineligible for a top-10 ranking. However, the Watch List has now been opened up to NXT Superstars who regularly perform on WWE programming.

This past week's action will be discussed in greater detail throughout the following slides. But beforehand, please read how these rankings are determined.

These rankings are not a popularity contest and are not designed to determine who has the best matches or the most ability. These rankings are strictly in-storyline power rankings.

All active WWE Superstars and Divas on the WWE Roster are considered, excluding talents who primarily or exclusively perform in NXT. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, but any NXT Superstar deemed eligible for these rankings will remain on the Watch List until they are officially named as a part of the WWE main roster.

Holding a championship, being a No. 1 contender or holding a Money in the Bank briefcase counts for much of a wrestler's ranking, and these honors are therefore the most heavily weighted components in the rankings.

If a wrestler is deemed to be tied with another, holding a title will be the primary tiebreaker. However, holding a championship, being a No. 1 contender or holding a Money in the Bank briefcase in no way guarantees a spot in the top 10.

Wins and losses account for the bulk of the week-to-week movement and, after championships, are the most important components of the rankings. The quality and rank of a wrestler's opponents are considered in the week-to-week movement.

Getting the better of someone—such as beating someone down—also counts, though not nearly as much as wins and losses. Being over with the fans (i.e., getting a strong reaction) is not heavily weighted in the ranking decisions; it is effectively the last tiebreaker. Pay-per-view wins and losses take on added importance. 

Only the top 10 wrestlers are ranked. Wrestlers on the Watch List were considered for top-10 status but were ultimately nixed. They are unranked, and their listing is in no particular order. 

Generally speaking, these rankings do not break kayfabe. However, any major non-storyline information—serious injury, WWE Wellness Policy violations, suspensions, legitimate hirings, firings, contract information and "sabbaticals"—may be taken into consideration, but generally only if WWE confirms or addresses it publicly.

WWE's non-televised domestic and international live events are not included in these rankings unless WWE incorporates them into television storylines or acknowledges the event on WWE television. Also, nothing that could be explicitly considered a spoiler is included unless WWE acknowledges it as well.

In short, all WWE main-roster shows—televised or digitally distributed, as well as anything from WWE.com, the WWE App, the WWE Network and any WWE or Superstar accounts on social media that don't break kayfabe—may be taken into consideration.

These may include but are not limited to WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, WWE Main Event, WWE Superstars, NXT, WWE pay-per-views and any storyline-driven content from the WWE Network.

Watch List

Big Show

Big Show drops out of the top 10 this week after taking a count-out loss to the Miz on Raw. Big Show is in the midst of a three-way feud, comprising himself, the Miz, and Ryback. It seems almost certain that the three of them will eventually face off for Ryback's Intercontinental Championship. Perhaps Battleground will be the venue for that match.

Brock Lesnar w/Paul Heyman

Brock Lesnar is back, and so is Paul Heyman. Lesnar was apparently hand-selected by the Authority to either be Seth Rollins' final test or punish the Architect for his lack of humility. Lesnar finally gets his rematch with Rollins, who won the title after cashing in his Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania 31. Can he regain the title at Battleground?

Kevin Owens

NXT Champion Kevin Owens officially debuts in the rankings after the criteria were tweaked to include NXT Superstars. He had a busy week, too. He's now had quite a few matches on WWE TV, and he had two more this week. In an NXT Championship Open Challenge, he faced and defeated Dolph Ziggler on Raw. Later that night, he attacked rapper Machine Gun Kelly, who was performing for the live audience, powerbombing him through a table off the stage.

On SmackDown, he faced Cesaro and defeated him. Owens has shown he is a force to be reckoned with, and after splitting high-profile matches against United States champion John Cena, he wants the U.S. title. Will he get a shot at Battleground?

No. 10: The Miz

Previous Rank: Unranked

Movement: Outta Nowhere!

The Miz is embroiled in a three-way feud for the Intercontinental Championship with Ryback and Big Show. On Raw this past week, he faced Big Show and escaped with a win via count-out. The win came as a bit of a surprise, but it was a win nevertheless.

Big Show was furious with the outcome, and Miz quickly fled the scene. It's easy to forget that Miz is a former WWE champion and is one of the few men who can actually say they defeated John Cena in a WWE Championship match at WWE's biggest event of the year, WrestleMania.

Miz is also a multi-time IC champion and has also won a number of other championships. Ryback had better be careful or he may find himself without a title again.

No. 9: Nikki Bella w/Brie

Previous Rank: 7

Movement: Down 2

It wasn't a great week for WWE Divas champion Nikki Bella. On Raw, she teamed with sister Brie in a 2-On-1 Handicap match against Paige, which Paige won. The Bellas beat Paige down afterward, but the loss hurt.

On SmackDown, Brie defeated Paige with help from Alicia Fox, which helps keep Paige off balance and away from Nikki. But Nikki still needs to rebound this week. Paige is turning the locker room against the Bellas, and sooner or later, a Diva or two could join up with Paige against the Bella Empire. Can Nikki keep the rest of the Divas in check?

No. 8: Neville

Previous Rank: 10

Movement: Up 2

After coming close to winning the Money in the Bank contract, Neville needed a good week to bounce back from that loss. He got one. On Raw, he teamed with the new WWE tag team champions, the Prime Time Players, against the New Day, and his team won when he pinned Kofi Kingston for the win.

On SmackDown, he faced off against Xavier Woods in singles action. The New Day was up to no good outside the ring, so the Prime Time Players came to Neville's aide, allowing the New Sensation to pick up the win.  

Neville needs to keep winning to stay in the rankings, especially because all title pictures are currently pretty full. He's not likely to compete for a title in the immediate future and may been throw in with the Prime Time Players for the time being. Can he continue to win?

No. 7: The Prime Time Players

Previous Rank: 8

Movement: Up 1

The Prime Time Players, fresh off winning the WWE Tag Team Championships at Money in the Bank, turned in a good week and consequently climbed up the rankings. On Raw, they teamed with Neville in a win over the New Day. On SmackDown, they helped Neville pick up a win over Xavier Woods.

The question now relates to when will the New Day get their rematch? Will they wait until Battleground? Will they invoke their rematch clause sooner than that? Also, Darren Young and Titus O'Neil had better start paying attention to what's going on on Main Event and Superstars. Erick Rowan and Luke Harper are quietly tearing up the tag team division, and it won't be long before they set their sights on the titles.

No. 6: Roman Reigns

Previous Rank: 3

Movement: Down 3

Roman Reigns had a busy and tough week. On Raw, he had words for Bray Wyatt, but he was interrupted by the New Face of Fear. Bray Wyatt blamed Reigns for his not being in the Money in the Bank match, so he denied Reigns the victory as retribution.  

On SmackDown, Reigns saved Dean Ambrose from a beating at the hands of Kane and Sheamus but ended up getting Ambrose disqualified. A rematch was announced, making the match a tag match between Reigns and Ambrose against Sheamus and Kane. 

During the match, Bray Wyatt appeared on the Titantron, causing Reigns to become distracted, allowing Sheamus to hit a Brogue Kick and pin Reigns for the win. Reigns is Bray Wyatt's new target, and Reigns had better get his head in the game because Wyatt is a master manipulator. Can Reigns stay focused and build momentum heading into his match with Wyatt at Battleground?

No. 5: Dean Ambrose

Previous Rank: 4

Movement: Down 1

Dean Ambrose had quite a busy week. Ambrose brawled with Seth Rollins at the beginning of Raw. Rollins fled, and Ambrose was forced to face Sheamus. He defeated Sheamus when the Celtic Warrior was distracted by Randy Orton, who appeared on the entrance ramp.

He faced Kane and Sheamus in a Handicap match on Smackdown, which he lost because of Roman Reigns interfering on his behalf. Ambrose lost the match, but was spared a beating, so perhaps that one's a wash. A rematch was made for later in the night, which saw Ambrose team with Reigns against Sheamus and Kane.  

Reigns and Ambrose lost that match when Reigns was distracted by Bray Wyatt on the Titantron, which caused him to take a Brogue Kick and get pinned. Ambrose doesn't seem to be upset with Reigns about the losses, but he'll need to start picking up wins again if he wants to move back into the WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture.

No. 4: Sheamus

Previous Rank: 6

Movement: Up 2

Sheamus' week got off to a tough start, but he ended it in strong fashion. On Raw, he faced Dean Ambrose and lost when Randy Orton distracted him. Sheamus later faced Randy Orton and, after Kane made the match a Handicap match and inserted himself in it, won when Kane pinned Orton.

On SmackDown, he and Kane again faced Ambrose in a Handicap match and won when Roman Reigns interfered, saving Ambrose from a beating but causing the DQ in the process. Later that night, he once again teamed with Kane, this time against Ambrose and Reigns together. His team won when Bray Wyatt distracted Reigns long enough to allow Sheamus to hit a Brogue Kick and pin Reigns for the win.

As the current Mr. Money in the Bank, Sheamus is always a threat to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion. But with Brock Lesnar gunning for Seth Rollins, is Sheamus better off biding his time? 

No. 3: Ryback

Credit: WWE.com

Previous Rank: 5

Movement: Up 2

WWE intercontinental champion Ryback didn't do much this past week, but he moves up a couple of spots anyway. On Raw, he was on commentary during the Miz versus Big Show, scouting what are likely to be his opponents for the Intercontinental Championship. On Main Event, he faced and defeated Adam Rose.

Ryback has never been a champion in WWE before now and may find out that it's harder to stay at the top than it is to get there. The IC title is a great achievement in the pro wrestling world, and he's already being targeted by two former world champions. Will he be able to withstand the pressure of being a champion?

No. 2: John Cena

Previous Rank: 2

Movement: None

WWE United States champion John Cena holds steady at No. 2 after making no appearances and wrestling no matches. NXT champion Kevin Owens had plenty to say to Cena, however. Owens found Cena's praise for him at Money in the Bank disrespectful and powerbombed him into the side of the ring, which is why Cena didn't appear this past week.  

Owens made it clear that he wants John Cena's United States Championship. Owen doesn't want the title for it's history or prestige, seeing as he has already stomped on it multiple times. No, he wants it because he wants to take it from Cena.

Cena isn't one to turn down a challenge. Will he accept Kevin Owens' request for a title shot?

No. 1: Seth Rollins

Previous Rank: 1

Movement: None

WWE World Heavyweight champion Seth Rollins won't get much of a breather after turning in one of, if not the best performance of his career at Money in the Bank. On Raw, he thanked himself numerous times for the win, and that didn't seem to sit well with the Authority.  

At the end of Raw, Triple H announced Rollins' next opponent. It was Brock Lesnar. Triple H is either supremely confident in Rollins or he's become tired of his cocky attitude.Depending on the outcome of Rollins versus Lesnar at Battleground, Triple H could claim either option.

On Raw, Rollins backed down from Lesnar. But on SmackDown, Seth Rollins put on a brave face and talked a lot of trash when Lesnar was not there. Is Rollins confident in his abilities? Does he even stand a chance against Lesnar? Seth Rollins' days as WWE World Heavyweight champion could be numbered.