WWE Superstar Power Rankings for 12/28/2015

As 2015 draws to a close, the final WWE Superstar Power Rankings of the year come on the heels of a busy week that featured a live edition of SmackDown and WWE's annual Tribute to the Troops show.

There have been a few changes in position within the top 10, but there were no major alterations. Roman Reigns is still No. 1, with Dean Ambrose, Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus, The Wyatt Family and The New Day all jockeying for position close behind.

In addition to the special shows, Raw also featured The Slammy Awards. Among the winners were Seth Rollins (Superstar of the Year), Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker at Hell in a Cell (Match of the Year), Nikki Bella (Diva of the Year), The Usos (Tag Team of the Year) and Neville (Breakout Star of the Year). Those interested can view all the winners here.

For the purposes of these rankings, Slammy Awards will count as minor differentiators. Also, Tribute to the Troops results will count as  standard show and won't be weighted as a pay-per-view.

There's plenty more to go over and recap, and this past week's events and results will be discussed more thoroughly throughout the following pages. But beforehand, please read the "How These Rankings Work" slide for more information on how the rankings are determined.

How These Rankings Work

Credit: WWE.com

Seth Rollins Wins Superstar of the Year Slammy Award.

The WWE Superstar Power 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 Watch List 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 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 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 WWE Network 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

Rusev

Rusev had a mixed week. On Raw, he faced Neville and won. Then on SmackDown, he teamed with Alberto Del Rio in a win over The Usos, but he and his League of Nations allies were forced to retreat after a brawl broke out after the match. At Tribute to the Troops, though, he faced Jack Swagger. Swagger and Rusev have a long history, with Rusev dominating that rivalry. But this time, Swagger defeated Rusev by forcing him to submit. It was a tough loss for the Bulgarian Brute. Will he rebound?

Jack Swagger

Jack Swagger got off to a rough start last week, losing to Alberto Del Rio on Raw. But he got a win on Main Event over The Miz heading into Tribute to the Troops. He faced Rusev at that show and would, in part, redeem his long rivalry with Rusev by forcing him to submit. Can Swagger build on that major win?

Ryback

Ryback had a decent week. On SmackDown, he teamed with Kane and The Dudley Boyz in a losing effort against The Wyatt Family. But at Tribute to the Troops, he faced a then-No. 8 ranked Kevin Owens and got a victory by count-out after dominating much of the match. Ryback needs wins over quality opponents, and that was a step in the right direction.

No. 10: Kevin Owens

Previous Rank: 8

Movement: Down 2

It was a mixed week for Kevin Owens. On Raw, he defeated Dolph Ziggler. But then on SmackDown, he was unable to win back the WWE Intercontinental Championship when he faced Ziggler and reigning champion Dean Ambrose in a Triple Threat match. Following that was his count-out loss to Ryback at Tribute to the Troops. Ryback was roughing up Owens when he walked out on the match.  

It wasn't that long ago when Kevin Owens was near the top of the rankings. His decline continues apace, and without a turnaround, he could soon find himself out of the top 10 and out of title contention.

No. 9: The Lucha Dragons

Previous Rank: 7

Movement: Down 2

The Lucha Dragons seemed destined to inaugurate a reign with the WWE Tag Team Championships. They had everything going for them. They had defeated The New Day consistently, they had a guaranteed title shot and they had allies who were helping them even the odds against New Day.

But it wasn't to be. They lost to New Day on SmackDown, and New Day's numbers advantage proved too much to overcome. The question now is, will they get another opportunity?

No. 8: The Usos

Previous Rank: 10

Movement: Up 2

The Usos had a pretty good week. On Raw, they defeated New Day, even though they were in a 3-on-2 Handicap match. That win, combined with the Lucha Dragons' loss on SmackDown, may put The Usos in position for a title shot. On SmackDown, they lost to Alberto Del Rio and Rusev, but there was heavy interference from the rest of The League of Nations.  

At Tribute to the Troops, they were part of a massive tag team match. Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, The Usos, Kane, Ryback, and The Dudley Boyz faced off against The Wyatt Family and League of Nations. The Usos' team won because Ambrose pinned Luke Harper to secure the win.

With a couple of wins this week, including one over the tag champs, will Jimmy and Jey Uso find themselves in line for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championships?

No. 7: Charlotte

Previous Rank: 9

Movement: Up 2

WWE Divas champion Charlotte had a mixed week. She defeated Brie Bella via submission on SmackDown to start the week well, but at Tribute to the Troops, she teamed with Brie Bella, Alicia Fox and Becky Lynch in a loss to Team BAD and Paige.

With the Divas division muddled, who will step up next to challenge for her title? No Diva has set herself apart just yet, but with trouble brewing between Charlotte and Becky Lynch, that question may already have an answer.

No. 6: Sheamus

Previous Rank: 4

Movement: Down 2

Sheamus drops a couple of spots after another rough week without any wins. On Raw, he lost a cage match to Dean Ambrose. He was then run off after fellow League of Nations members Rusev and Alberto Del Rio picked up a tag team win on SmackDown.

At Tribute to the Troops, he teamed with The Wyatt Family and the rest of The League of Nations against Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, The Usos, Kane, Ryback and The Dudley Boyz. His team lost.

Sheamus is owed a WWE World Heavyweight Championship rematch, and that will likely come at the Royal Rumble. But will he continue losing in the interim?

No. 5: The New Day

Previous Rank: 6

Movement: Up 1

As usual, WWE tag team champions The New Day got the job done when they had to. On Raw, they lost to The Usos, even though they were in a 3-on-2 Handicap match.  But they made up for that defeat on SmackDown.

They faced The Lucha Dragons in a match in which the tag titles were on the line. With a little help from Xavier Woods, Big E and Kofi Kingston secured the win and retained the titles. When the straps are on the line, they find ways to win.

With their defeat of The Lucha Dragons and their loss to The Usos, have they already found their next opponents in Jimmy and Jey?

No. 4: The Wyatt Family

Previous Rank: 5

Movement: Up 1

It was a mixed week for The Wyatt Family. Bray Wyatt lost to Kane on Raw by a disqualification for interference but then his family immediately won a tag match against Kane and Team ECW.

On SmackDown, they defeated Ryback, Kane and They Dudleyz. Finally, at Tribute to the Troops, The Wyatt Family and League of Nations teamed up in a loss to Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, The Usos, The Dudleyz, Ryback and Kane.  

Where The Wyatts go from here is still a mystery. Are they finished with Team ECW? Will they compete for any titles? Is the return of Kane a harbinger of things to come for The Wyatts?

No. 3: Alberto Del Rio

Previous Rank: 2

Movement: Down 1

WWE United States champion Alberto Del Rio had a mostly solid week. On Raw, he defeated Jack Swagger via submission. Then on SmackDown, he teamed with Rusev in a win over The Usos, though he and his League of Nations allies were run off after the match.

At Tribute to the Troops, The Wyatt Family and League of Nations faced off against Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, The Usos, The Dudleyz, Ryback and Kane. Del Rio's team lost.

John Cena is set to return to WWE, and he is poised to challenge Del Rio for the United States title in his guaranteed rematch. Can Del Rio fend off an all-time great and retain the title?

No. 2: Dean Ambrose

Previous Rank: 3

Movement: Up 1

WWE intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose had a very good week. On Raw, he defeated Sheamus in a cage match. He then defended his title against both Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler in a successful title defense on SmackDown.  

To round out his week, at Tribute to the Troops, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, The Usos, The Dudleyz, Ryback and Kane matched up against The Wyatt Family and League of Nations. His team won, and he scored the winning pinfall on Luke Harper.

Ziggler and Owens are still possible threats to Ambrose's title reign, but will either one get another shot? If not one of those two men, which other Superstar should Ambrose be watching out for?

No. 1: Roman Reigns

Previous Rank: 1

Movement: None

WWE world heavyweight champion Roman Reigns remains No. 1 this week after snagging a win in his only match. He didn't compete on Raw or SmackDown, but he was there for his friends, such as Ambrose on Raw and The Usos on SmackDown, when needed.

At Tribute to the Troops, he finally had a match. Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, The Usos, The Dudleyz, Ryback and Kane matched up against The Wyatt Family and League of Nations. Reigns' team won when Ambrose pinned Harper.

Reigns will defend his title against Sheamus at some point. The logical date for that is at the Royal Rumble event on January 24. Can Reigns keep his momentum going as the new year arrives?