WWE Superstar Power Rankings for 10/19/2015: Pre-WWE Hell in a Cell 2015 Edition

In less than one week, WWE Hell in a Cell 2015 takes place. The WWE Superstar Power Rankings have surprisingly seen very few changes, even on the heels of a fairly eventful week. There was no movement in the top five slots at all this week and only a bit of shuffling further back.

Last week, as this one will be as well, was all about setting up Hell in a Cell. It now looks like the card is set, though one more match could be added. Thus far, seven matches are slated. You can see a list of those matches on WWE.com. Conspicuously absent, though, is John Cena. The reigning WWE United States champion has no scheduled match as of yet. Will he get a match, or is he getting the event off?

There will be at least two Hell in a Cell matches, with the other five contested under more traditional stipulations. And every title except the United States Championship is scheduled to be defended.

Anyways, we'll get into this past week's events and look ahead to Hell in a Cell more thoroughly 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 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 officially named 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 weighed components.

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 the 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 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 them 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

The Dudley Boyz

Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley will get a shot at the WWE Tag team Championships on Sunday against the New Day. The defeated the Ascension on Raw, and on SmackDown, they teamed with Dean Ambrose in a disqualification win over New Day. Can they carry that momentum into Hell in a Cell and win the titles?

Charlotte

WWE Divas Champion Charlotte had a mixed week. She and Becky Lynch lost to Nikki and Brie Bella on Raw because of a distraction, but she forced Alicia Fox to tap out on SmackDown. Will she successfully defend her title against Nikki Bella at Hell in a Cell?

Nikki Bella

Nikki Bella will get her chance to win back the WWE Divas Championship on Sunday. She is both the longest-reigning Divas Champion in history and the only Diva to hold the title for over 300 days, and she is surely itching to regain the title she held for almost a year.  

A team win over Charlotte and Becky Lynch on Raw and another over Naomi and Tamina on Main Event helped her move into the Watch List. Can she defeat Charlotte at Hell in a Cell?

No. 10: Brock Lesnar

Previous Rank: 10

Movement: None

Brock Lesnar didn't appear on WWE TV this past week. But he is scheduled to be on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's WWE Network podcast, the Stone Cold Podcast, following Raw on Monday. It's also likely we'll see him on Raw as well since he's sure to want to send a message to the Undertaker before their Hell in a Cell match on Sunday.

Lesnar and Undertaker's match is being billed as the "final chapter." Can Lesnar put Undertaker down once and for all, or will the Deadman get final revenge for Lesnar ending the Streak?

No. 9: Randy Orton

Previous Rank: 6

Movement: Down 3

It wasn't a great week for Randy Orton. The Viper competed in just one match, in which he teamed with Dean Ambrose against Big E and Kofi Kingston of the New Day on Raw. Earlier in the night, Orton and Ambrose argued about which one of them wanted revenge on the Wyatt Family more, and that argument played right into New Day's hands.

During the match, Orton was shoved into Ambrose, and the distraction that ensued allowed Kofi Kingston to roll up Orton and for the win. It was a tough loss for Orton, who will once again team with Dean Ambrose on Sunday—this time against Braun Strowman and Luke Harper. Can they stay on the same page and get the win?

No. 8: The New Day

Previous Rank: 7

Movement: Down 1

WWE tag team champions the New Day had a mixed week. On Raw, Big E and Kofi Kingston defeated Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton in tag team action. That was a solid win.

But on SmackDown, Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods all teamed up against Dean Ambrose and the Dudley Boyz. They lost the match via DQ when Woods broke up a pin attempt with his trombone. After the match ended, they put a beatdown on their opponents.

They'll defend their titles against the Dudley Boyz at Hell in a Cell. Can they retain and continue their reign as champions?

No. 7: Kane

Previous Rank: 9

Movement: Up 2

Kane had one match this past week, and it was one he really wasn't supposed to have. With the Authority unable to make it to Raw, Corporate Kane was left in charge. He decided to make a Lumberjack Match between himself and WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins.  

The Authority told him not to go through with the match, so Kane changed it from Corporate Kane versus Seth Rollins to Demon Kane versus Seth Rollins. Kane may be punished for this move, but it worked to his advantage.  

The Lumberjacks were heavily involved in the match, but in the end, Kane lifted Rollins for a Tombstone, hit it and pinned Rollins for the huge win. The question now is, can Kane repeat that feat this Sunday?

No. 6: Sheamus

Previous Rank: 8

Movement: Up 2

Mr. Money in the Bank Sheamus had a solid week. He teamed with King Barrett against Neville and Cesaro on both Raw and SmackDown. In both matches, Sheamus got the pinfall for the team win. On Raw, he pinned Neville; on SmackDown, he pinned Cesaro.

He's flying under the radar right now, and it's easy to forget he holds the Money in the Bank contract. So this Sunday, he could theoretically walk out as WWE world heavyweight champion. That's also true of any night when Seth Rollins makes an appearance.

Will Sheamus attempt a cash in on Sunday, or will he continue to bide his time?

No. 5: Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose

Previous Rank: 5

Movement: None

Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose have moved apart somewhat in recent weeks, but they still share the same foes: The Wyatt Family. Reigns has been concentrating on his Hell in a Cell match against Bray Wyatt, while Ambrose has been trying to partner with Randy Orton in the run-up to their match against Luke Harper and Braun Strowman at Hell in a Cell.

They had a busy week. Reigns defeated Strowman via count-out on Raw and destroyed Bo Dallas on SmackDown. Meanwhile, Ambrose teamed with Orton in a loss to the New Day and then teamed with the Dudley Boyz on SmackDown in a DQ win that earned him a beatdown.

Both Reigns and Ambrose have big matches on Sunday. Can they both get wins over their archrivals, or will the Wyatts take them out?

No. 4: Ryback

Previous Rank: 4

Movement: None

Ryback holds steady at No. 4 this week but was excruciatingly close to claiming No. 3. He won matches against Rusev on Raw and Adam Rose on Main Event and is the No. 1 Contender for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

On Sunday, he'll face Kevin Owens for the title. Can Ryback regain the belt he lost to Owens at Night of Champions, or will Owens deny Ryback his second IC title reign?

No. 3: Seth Rollins

Previous Rank: 3

Movement: None

WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins had a bad week and just barely held onto the No. 3 spot. The fact he holds WWE's most prestigious championship allowed him to squeak past Ryback for the ranking.

In his only bout of the week, he faced Kane in a Lumberjack match. The Authority did not want that match to occur, but with Kane in charge, he made it happen. Rollins was ultimately nailed by a Tombstone Piledriver and pinned by Kane.

Rollins' reign as champion may be in jeopardy on Sunday, as Kane is no slouch. Even if Rollins somehow escapes the wrath of Kane, he has to keep one eye on Sheamus, who could be looking to cash in his Money in the Bank contract.

No. 2: Kevin Owens

Previous Rank: 2

Movement: None

WWE intercontinental champion Kevin Owens continues take care of business in the ring. On Raw, he defeated Kalisto of the Lucha Dragons. On SmackDown, he made quick Work of Zack Ryder.

During his SmackDown match, Ryback was at ringside. After that match ended, Ryback wanted a piece of Owens, but Owens wasn't having any of it. He quickly left the ring, leaving Ryback to wait. Can Owens fend off Ryback at Hell in a Cell?

No. 1: John Cena

Previous Rank: 1

Movement: None

WWE United States champion John Cena competed in one match this week. In his Open Challenge, Dolph Ziggler finally got a chance to face Cena for the title. Cena emerged victorious in what was a good match.

During that match, John Cena acknowledged a "Yes!" chant related to a fan's wedding proposal to their girlfriend. As the chant suggested, she said "yes."

Cena has no scheduled match for Hell in a Cell. Will that change this week? If it does, who will get the title shot?