WWE Superstar Power Rankings for 1/4/2016
2016 is under way, and after WWE wrapped up 2015, the first WWE Superstar Power Rankings of the year have seen a few spots changed. Roman Reigns still stands at No. 1, with Dean Ambrose, Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus and The Wyatt Family rounding out the top five spots.
The week also brought a bad end for The Authority. With Triple H still away following his beating at the hands of Roman Reigns, Vince McMahon returned to assert his control over the company. That ended badly for McMahon this past week, as he found himself under arrest. More on that later, though.
This past week also marked the return of John Cena, who got a rematch against Alberto Del Rio for the WWE United States Championship. And in addition, a huge title match was made for this week's Raw, and that match will have major Power Rankings implications.
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
1 of 12
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
2 of 12Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens has finally fallen out of the top 10 this week following two more losses. On Raw, he lost to Neville in under a minute, and he picked up a disqualification loss in tag team action on SmackDown when he teamed with Sheamus against Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. Owens needs to get back to winning, and fast.
Rusev
Rusev continues to linger just outside the top 10. This week, he won his only match. He teamed with King Barrett and Sheamus in a win over Dean Ambrose and The Usos on Raw. He and his fellow League of Nations members continue to interfere in matches, as Rusev did this week. Can he pick up a few solid wins and crack the top 10 again?
Jack Swagger
Jack Swagger kept a low profile as 2015 came to a close, but he didn't waste the opportunities he got. On Main Event, he defeated Stardust. And on Superstars, he teamed with Mark Henry in a win over The Ascension. With John Cena back, Swagger may be out of chances for the United States title. So what's up next for Swagger?
Ryback
Ryback is determined to regain a spot in the top 10, and he helped his cause with a win in his only match this past week. On Raw, he and a slew of other Superstars interrupted MizTV and brawled with each other.
As mentioned, Ryback was there, as was Big Show. The two then competed in a match, but Big Show walked out and was counted out. Ryback will need more than count-out wins to get back to where he wants to be, but it's a solid start.
10. The Usos
3 of 12
Previous Rank: 8
Movement: Down 2
The Usos looked like they might be poised for big things. But after a tough week to close out 2015, their plans may have taken a blow. On Raw, they teamed with Dean Ambrose in a loss to The League of Nations (Sheamus, Rusev and King Barrett). Then on SmackDown, they lost to Luke Harper and Braun Strowman.
The Usos are still a top choice to challenge for the WWE Tag Team Championships. But The Lucha Dragons may stand between them and the titles. Can The Usos string together some wins and earn a title shot?
9. John Cena
4 of 12Previous Rank: Unranked
Movement: Into Top 10
John Cena returned from his hiatus this past week and was set to face WWE United States champion Alberto Del Rio. Originally, the match was not going to be for the title. But after antagonizing Del Rio, Cena got the title match he wanted.
The match saw heavy interference from Del Rio's League of Nations allies. But Cena battled on. Eventually, though, the interference gave Cena a DQ win. After the match, The Usos tried to save Cena from a beating, but it took Roman Reigns coming to the ring to finally turn the tide against League of Nations.
With the DQ win, Cena likely will get another shot at the U.S. title. Can he regain it at or before Royal Rumble?
8. Charlotte
5 of 12
Previous Rank: 7
Movement: Down 1
WWE Divas champion Charlotte did not compete this past week, and the search for a possible opponent continues to be muddled. Brie Bella, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch all are possibilities. And Paige is lurking in the background.
With the Royal Rumble approaching, will the Divas title picture clear up? Or will Charlotte end up having to contend with multiple opponents in the coming weeks?
7. Lucha Dragons
6 of 12Previous Rank: 9
Movement: Up 2
The Lucha Dragons had a solid showing on the week. On Raw, Kalisto defeated Kofi Kingston, while Sin Cara lost to Big E. A split in singles action against the WWE tag team champions isn't a bad way to start the week.
Then on SmackDown, Kalisto and The Dudley Boyz teamed up to defeat The New Day in a six-man tag team match. Sin Cara wasn't involved, but Kalisto carried his team's banner in another win. The question now is, following high-profile failures against New Day, can The Lucha Dragons get another chance? And if so, can they finally win the titles?
6. The New Day
7 of 12Previous Rank: 5
Movement: Down 1
WWE tag team champions The New Day didn't have a great week. On Raw, Kofi Kingston lost to Kalisto. Big E made up for the loss by defeating Sin Cara immediately afterward. But the win would not translate to further success.
On SmackDown, The New Day teamed up against Kalisto and The Dudley Boyz. They lost. Just when they thought they might be done with The Lucha Dragons, they lose two out of three matches featuring Lucha Dragon members. Will New Day find themselves facing The Lucha Dragons once again?
5. The Wyatt Family
8 of 12Previous Rank: 4
Movement: Down 1
The Wyatt Family had a slow week. They didn't compete on Raw, and their only match of the week came on SmackDown. Braun Strowman and Luke Harper teamed up to face The Usos. They won the match.
It's not clear what's next for The Wyatts. If they so desired, they could probably dominate the tag team division. And with a win over The Usos, they could make a case that they're in the conversation for a shot at the tag titles.
4. Sheamus
9 of 12Previous Rank: 6
Movement: Up 2
Sheamus had a decent week in the ring but got a major boost from Vince McMahon that could propel him back to the top of the rankings. On Raw, he teamed with Rusev and King Barrett in a win over Dean Ambrose and The Usos. After that match, Vince McMahon (fresh off being released from jail) announced that this week would see Sheamus face Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and that McMahon himself would be the special guest referee.
On SmackDown, though, Sheamus and teammate Kevin Owens were disqualified in a tag match against Reigns and Ambrose. The loss wasn't ideal, but Sheamus will get the match he really wants, under favorable conditions no less, this week on Raw. Can Sheamus make the most of this golden opportunity?
3. Alberto Del Rio
10 of 12Previous Rank: 3
Movement: None
WWE United States champion Alberto Del Rio had just one match this week and is lucky to have emerged from it with his title reign intact. On Raw, John Cena returned and was slated to face Del Rio. Cena goaded Del Rio into putting the title on the line, and had it not been for The League of Nations interfering in the match, Del Rio might be a former champion.
Cena fought through the interference and nearly defeated Del Rio before Del Rio was disqualified. "Champion's advantage" means Del Rio keeps the title. But the loss likely means he'll face Cena again at some point, perhaps at the Royal Rumble.
2. Dean Ambrose
11 of 12Previous Rank: 2
Movement: None
WWE intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose had an up and down week. Or rather, a down and up week. On Raw, he teamed with The Usos in a match against Rusev, King Barrett and Sheamus. His team lost, and he was attacked by Kevin Owens after the match.
Then on SmackDown, he and Roman Reigns faced off against Kevin Owens and Sheamus. His team won by disqualification, and then he narrowly avoided being put through an announce table.
It appears Kevin Owens is making a play at Ambrose, perhaps trying to set up a rivalry that could lead to a title match. Will Owens and Ambrose end up facing each other in the near future?
1. Roman Reigns
12 of 12Previous Rank: 1
Movement: None
WWE world heavyweight champion Roman Reigns had quite an interesting week. It all started on Raw, when Vince McMahon tried to get Roman Reigns to attack him by insulting him. Reigns shoved McMahon, who feigned injury as he pleaded with the police to have Reigns arrested. They refused.
McMahon experienced a miraculous healing and got into it with the police. When McMahon put his hands on one of them, he was the one who ended up getting arrested. His mug shots can be seen in the opening slide of these rankings.
Reigns later would help save John Cena from an attack at the hands of The League of Nations. That prompted Vince McMahon, fresh out of jail, to announce that Reigns would face Sheamus this week on Raw with the title on the line. McMahon will be the special guest referee.
On SmackDown, Reigns teamed with Dean Ambrose in a DQ win over Sheamus and Kevin Owens, and the two barely escaped a beating after that win. Reigns now heads into Raw to face Sheamus in a match where the odds will be stacked against him. Can Reigns manage to keep his title as the Royal Rumble approaches?
.jpg?w=600 "WWE Raw Results & Grades 🔠")
