WWE Superstar Power Rankings for 12/7/2015: Pre-WWE TLC 2015 Edition
WWE TLC 2015 is this Sunday, and the final WWE Superstar Power Rankings before the big event are in. Much like last week, there weren't too many changes in the rankings. Sheamus still checks in a No. 1, with Roman Reigns right behind. The New Day, Dean Ambrose and Alberto Del Rio Round out the top five spots, with Kevin Owens falling to No. 6 after a slow week.
But back to TLC. With just six days until TLC airs live on the WWE Network, there's still only three scheduled matches. Dean Ambrose will challenge Kevin Owens for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Also, The New Day will defend the WWE Tag Team Championships against both The Usos and The Lucha Dragons. And of course, Roman Reigns will face Sheamus for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
But that leaves a lot left up in the air. TLC is a three-hour event, and that usually means seven or eight matches. So, that means there will probably be a lot of important matches and/or announcements this week, so definitely stay tuned.
Anyways, this past week's events and results will be discussed more thoroughly throughout the following slides, as well as the matches set for this Sunday's TLC event. But beforehand, please read the "How These Rankings Work" slide for more information on how the rankings are determined...
How These Rankings Work
1 of 12
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 main 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 Watchlist until officially named as part of the 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.
If a Superstar 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 weighed 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 Watchlist 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 injuries, 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 TV or in some other official storyline capacity. Also, nothing that could be explicitly considered a spoiler is included unless WWE acknowledges it as well.
In short, all main-roster shows—televised or digitally distributed—as well as anything from WWE.com, the WWE mobile app, the WWENetwork and any WWE-affiliated or Superstar accounts on social media that don't break kayfabe, may be taken into consideration. These may include but are not limited to Raw, SmackDown, Main Event, Superstars, NXT, pay-per-views, WWE Network specials and any other storyline-driven content from the WWE Network.
Watch List
2 of 12Charlotte
WWE Divas champion Charlotte doesn't have a match scheduled yet for TLC. But there are a few Divas who could challenge her. Obviously, there's Paige, who's rematch ended in a double count-out. And there's Brie Bella, who pinned Charlotte a couple of weeks ago.
But now there's also Becky Lynch. Charlotte faced and defeated Lunch on Raw, using a distraction by Ric Flair to secure the roll-up pin. Which Diva will get the title opportunity?
Ryback
Ryback continues to hang around despite taking a step back. He interrupted Lana and Rusev's special moment on MizTV during Raw and defeated Rusev by count-out shortly thereafter. He also defeated Bo Dallas on Main Event. It's possible he and Rusev will face off at TLC, but nothing is set.
Rusev
Rusev and his bride-to-be Lana have officially returned to WWE after both suffered injuries that forced them to take time off. And Rusev's partnership with Sheamus and King Barrett seems to have paid dividends. He's now a part of a new faction called The League of Nations, headed by Sheamus and featuring Alberto Del Rio and King Barrett.
A loss to Ryback notwithstanding, he picked up a win on Raw and a loss on SmackDown as a part of larger teams.
10. Jack Swagger
3 of 12Previous Rank: 8
Movement: Down 2
Jack Swagger seems poised for a shot at the WWE United States Championship. But he didn't compete in any matches this week, only saving Goldust from a beating at the hands of Alberto Del Rio.
While all signs point to a match between Swagger and Del Rio, the variable in that equation is Zeb Colter. Colter and Swagger have a history, and Swagger has been trying to persuade him that he's gone astray. But what if Swagger has us all fooled and he were to join with Colter and Del Rio as a part of MexAmerica?
9. The Usos
4 of 12Previous Rank: Watch List
Movement: Into Top 10
The Usos are officially going to get a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championships. But they earned it in a strange way and ended up paying for their success. On Raw, they battled The Lucha Dragons to determine the No. 1 contender for the tag titles, but New Day broke up the match and it was called off.
As a result, The Authority told The Lucha Dragons and The Usos they'd both get the shot. However, there was a special caveat for The Usos. Roman Reigns would have to defeat Sheamus in five minutes and 15 seconds or less (more on this stipulation later) or else they'd lose their title shot. Reigns won, and now they will get their opportunity.
Later on Raw, they were set to team up with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose against The League of Nations (Sheamus, Rusev, King Barrett and Alberto Del Rio). That match became a seven-on-four handicap match when New Day was added as partners to The League of Nations. The Usos' team lost.
On SmackDown, the original four-on-four tag team match from Raw was set to take place after dueling promos between The Usos, Reigns, Ambrose and The League of Nations. But New Day appeared and said Ambrose and The Usos would have to face and defeat them to be in that match at all. If they lost, Reigns would face The League of Nations on his own. The Usos' team lost again.
In the end, it was a rough week for The Usos, but being a No. 1 contender was enough to boost them into the top 10.
8. The Wyatt Family
5 of 12Previous Rank: 10
Movement: Up 2
It was an interesting week for The Wyatt Family. On Raw, The Dudley Boyz called them out by unveiling tables with Wyatt Family member names on them. The Wyatts responded, but The Dudley Boyz had backup. Tommy Dreamer appeared and helped The Dudley Boyz fight with The Wyatts.
A six-man tag team match ensued, with Bray Wyatt watching as his Family faced The Dudleys and Dreamer. But the match quickly became a massive brawl. The brawl went back and forth, but just when it looked like The Wyatts were gaining the upper hand, Bubba Ray Dudley shoved Bray Wyatt off the ring apron and Wyatt fell through a table. The Wyatts retreated.
But on SmackDown, Bray Wyatt wanted some revenge. He got a match with D-Von Dudley and won. Afterward, the Wyatts sent a message to the Dudleys and Dreamer by way of a beatdown. It would make a lot of sense for there to be some kind of match between these two teams on Sunday. If that happens, will The Wyatts come out on top?
7. The Lucha Dragons
6 of 12Previous Rank: 7
Movement: None
It was a good week for Sin Cara and Kalisto, collectively known as The Lucha Dragons. On Raw, they earned a spot in what is now a Triple Threat match for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Their match against The Usos was called off due to interference, earning them the spot.
This Sunday, the former NXT tag team champions have the chance to add the WWE Tag Team Championships to their resume. And they'll probably go into the match as the dark horse since all eyes will likely be on The New Day and The Usos. Can they capitalize?
6. Kevin Owens
7 of 12
Previous Rank: 4
Movement: Down 1
WWE intercontinental champion Kevin Owens didn't compete this past week, but he did take time to appear in WWE's ugly sweater photoshoot, as evidenced by the photo above. But he will be busy this week.
He's set to face Dean Ambrose this Sunday at TLC with his title on the line. Can he retain his title and continue his reign as champion? Or will Ambrose dethrone him?
5. The New Day
8 of 12Previous Rank: Up 1
Movement: None
It was a very busy week for The New Day. To open Raw, Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods threw a big celebration in honor of Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior eventually appeared and was very flattered by the amazing introduction they gave him. But then Roman Reigns came out, attacked Sheamus and absconded with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Later on Raw, they interfered in the match between The Usos and The Lucha Dragons, getting the match called off. That came back to bite them later on. Roman reigns defeated Sheamus, earning both The Lucha Dragons and The Usos shots at New Day's WWE Tag Team Championships at TLC. Still on Raw, The New Day teamed with The League of Nations in a win over Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and The Usos.
Then on SmackDown, they faced Ambrose and The Usos in a match that would determine if Ambrose and The Usos would participate in the main event. They won.
This Sunday, The New day has to be on top of their game if they hope to defend their titles. But their numbers advantage could prove to be a difference-maker, as it so often is.
4. Alberto Del Rio with Zeb Colter
9 of 12Previous Rank: 5
Movement: Up 1
It was a busy week for WWE United States champion Alberto Del Rio. On Raw, he got started by defeating Goldust. After the match, he put Goldust in an armbar but was run off by Jack Swagger. Then, he and his new faction, The League of Nations, teamed up with The New Day against The Usos, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. His team won.
And on SmackDown, The League of Nations faced Roman Reigns in an elimination handicap match. His team actually lost to Reigns and was then run off by Reigns, Ambrose and The Usos.
It would appear he's headed toward a confrontation with Jack Swagger at some point. But with no scheduled match this Sunday thus far, it's tough to know what TLC holds for Del Rio.
3. Dean Ambrose
10 of 12Previous Rank: 3
Movement: None
Dean Ambrose didn't have a great week. On Raw, he teamed with Roman Reigns and The Usos in a loss to The New Day and The League of Nations. It was seven on four, though, so no one was really all that shocked to see that outcome.
On SmackDown, he and The Usos faced New Day. If his team won, they'd join Roman Reigns in the main event against The League of Nations. His team lost, and Reigns was left to fend for himself. Well, not exactly. Reigns actually defeated The League of Nations in a elimination tag team match. But when the beatdown on Reigns commenced, Ambrose and The Usos backed up Reigns, and Ambrose helped drive off Sheamus and his allies.
Ambrose will face Kevin Owens for the WWE Intercontinental Championship this Sunday. Can he win the gold?
2. Roman Reigns
11 of 12Previous Rank: 2
Movement: None
Roman Reigns had a very positive week, all things considered. On Raw, after stealing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Sheamus, he was given his rematch for the title early. The stipulation was he'd have five minutes and 15 seconds (the length of his title reign) to defeat Sheamus or else he'd, well, get no more title chances.
Also, The Usos' WWE tag team titles opportunity was riding on Reigns "beating the clock," so to speak. Reigns won the match by disqualification within the allotted time, satisfying the stipulation but denying him the title (and also securing The Usos' title shot).
Later on Raw, Reigns was forced to team with The Usos and Dean Ambrose against the combined strength of the newly formed League of Nations faction as well as The New Day. The odds were against Reigns and his partners, and they ultimately lost.
But on SmackDown, despite being forced to compete against all four members of The League of Nations alone in an elimination tag team match, he got the win. And Ambrose and The Usos backed him up afterward, preventing a beatdown.
Reigns now heads into TLC with one goal: win back the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Can he do it? Or will he be denied his second reign as champion?
1. Sheamus
12 of 12Previous Rank: 1
Movement: None
WWE world heavyweight champion Sheamus held onto the No. 1 spot by a thread. On Raw, he faced Roman Reigns in a title defense. Reigns had to defeat him in five minutes and 15 seconds or else he'd be finished with Sheamus. Sheamus lost the match due to disqualification, thus retaining his title but meaning he'll face Reigns again this Sunday with the title on the line in a TLC match.
Later that night, he and his new faction, The League of Nations, teamed with The New Day in a win over Reigns, Ambrose and The Usos. It was a lopsided match, but Sheamus did pin No. 3-ranked Dean Ambrose for the win.
Then on SmackDown, he and the rest of The League of Nations faced Roman Reigns in a four-on-one elimination handicap match. His team lost and was chased away by Reigns, Ambrose and The Usos after the match.
With the TLC match against Reigns set for this Sunday, can Sheamus retain his title just a few weeks after winning it? Or will Roman Reigns regain what Sheamus took from him? And how will The League of Nations come into play?
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