WWE Superstar Power Rankings for 1/18/2016: Pre WWE Royal Rumble 2016 Edition
WWE Royal Rumble 2016 takes place on Sunday, and the WWE Superstar Power Rankings have seen a few changes. Roman Reigns still sits atop the rankings, and Dean Ambrose stayed in the No. 2 spot. After those two, there's a lot of shuffling going on. And there are a lot of unanswered questions about the Royal Rumble too.
The Royal Rumble match is one of only two scheduled matches. The only other match set so far is Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose in a Last Man Standing match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Less than half of the participants in the Royal Rumble match have been announced. Participants include Big Show, Curtis Axel, the entire Wyatt Family, Ryback, Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, Stardust, Sheamus, Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. That's just 13 men, and assuming there will be 30 participants as usual, there are still 17 people yet to declare or qualify for the match. That is surprising considering the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is on the line and will be awarded to the winner.
Speaking of Brock Lesnar, as mentioned, he will indeed be in the Royal Rumble match itself. He had originally wanted a title match against the winner at WrestleMania, but as of now, that won't be happening. Where he appears in the Rumble match will be interesting.
The first WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2016 inductee has been announced as well. NWA/Jim Crockett, WCW and TNA legend Sting (who is also a member of the TNA Hall of Fame) will be honored by WWE for his career accomplishments. Sting's career spans 30 years, and his accolades include 14 world titles and numerous awards from Pro Wrestling Illustrated, among many others.
There's plenty more to go over and recap from this past week's events and results, and the forthcoming Royal Rumble 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 the 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 had a busy but muddled week. He attacked Dean Ambrose on Raw and then faced Roman Reigns in the One vs. All match, which turned into a scrum and was called off. He then teamed with Sheamus is a match against Neville and Dean Ambrose on SmackDown, which ended in a double count-out. Owens will get a shot at Ambrose's title at Royal Rumble after accepting Ambrose's challenge on SmackDown, but can he make the most of that opportunity?
Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch had a solid week. She attacked Charlotte on Raw and defeated Brie Bella on SmackDown. She's likely next in line for a shot at the Divas title, but can she beat Charlotte when it counts?
Neville
Neville had one bout this week, a tag match on SmackDown in which he teamed with Dean Ambrose against Kevin Owens and Sheamus. The match ended in a double count-out, but afterward, Ambrose and Neville punished Kevin Owens. Can Neville find a way to pick up a few wins against quality opponents?
No. 10: The Dudley Boyz
3 of 12Previous Rank: Unranked
Movement: Into Top 10
Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley made a statement this past week on SmackDown when they defeated Erick Rowan and Luke Harper in a Tables match. They took a beating afterward, but they got the much-needed win. The Wyatts were ranked No. 3 at the time, catapulting The Dudleyz into the top 10.
Following SmackDown, The Dudleyz defeated The Ascension on Superstars. After two wins, including one over a high-ranking opponent, The Dudley Boyz may be getting back into the hunt for the WWE Tag Team Championships.
No. 9: The Usos
4 of 12Previous Rank: Watch List
Movement: Into Top 10
Just when you think Jimmy and Jey Uso are fading into the background, they find ways to win. This past week, that came on Raw. They confronted The New Day on The Highlight Reel, which led to a match.
The Usos faced Kofi Kingston and Big E. During the match, Jericho broke Xavier Woods' trombone, and that distraction allowed The Usos to get the win. With the victory, The Usos have a good case for being next in line for a shot at The New Day's titles. Will they get that chance?
No. 8: Sheamus
5 of 12Previous Rank: 8
Movement: None
Sheamus had a busy week, but not much was gained from it. On Raw, he battled with Dean Ambrose to a double count-out. He was busted open by Ambrose after the match when he was sent into the ring steps. He then helped beat down Roman Reigns after the One vs. All match, at least until Brock Lesnar destroyed everyone.
On SmackDown, he teamed with Kevin Owens in a tag team match against Dean Ambrose and Neville. The match basically ended as a no contest as the four participants brawled.
Sheamus will get a chance, alongside (presumably) 29 other competitors, to come out of the Royal Rumble as WWE world heavyweight champion. Sheamus has won the match once before—in 2012. Can he become a two-time Rumble winner and a five-time world champion?
No. 7: Charlotte
6 of 12Previous Rank: 7
Movement: None
WWE Divas champion Charlotte was set to face Brie Bella on Raw this past week, but she was attacked by Becky Lynch beforehand. She refused to fight because of the attack and did not compete for the remainder of the week.
Charlotte will almost certainly face Becky Lynch in another title defense, and it's reasonable to assume that will come at Royal Rumble. Will that match be made official this week, if it's made at all?
No. 6: The New Day
7 of 12Previous Rank: 5
Movement: Down 1
It was a bad week for The New Day. On The Highlight Reel, they were confronted by The Usos. A match was made. Big E and Kofi Kingston competed with Xavier Woods at ringside. During the match, Chris Jericho broke Woods' trombone, and the distraction cost New Day the match. Later, they participated in the beatdown on Roman Reigns, but like everyone else, they were destroyed by Brock Lesnar.
New Day might not have to worry about The Lucha Dragons for now, seeing as Sin Cara is missing time because of injury. But The Usos showed they, too, can defeat New Day. Will New Day defend their titles at the Royal Rumble? If so, will The Usos be their foes?
No. 5: The Wyatt Family
8 of 12Previous Rank: 3
Movement: Down 2
The Wyatt Family had a tough week. On Raw, in an 8-Man Tag team match, they faced newly formed faction The Social Outcasts. The match was called off when Ryback attacked The Wyatts, who were then run off by Ryback and The Social Outcasts.
On SmackDown, Erick Rowan and Luke Harper faced The Dudley Boyz in a Tables match while Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman were ringside. Rowan and Harper lost. Strowman made The Dudleyz pay thereafter, but the loss still hurts.
What's next up for The Wyatts? They'll all be in the Royal Rumble match, but will they face anyone else? And if one of them doesn't win the title in the Rumble, what will The Wyatts do next?
No. 4: The Lucha Dragons
9 of 12Previous Rank: 6
Movement: Up 2
The Lucha Dragons are still down a man with Sin Cara out through injury. That has left Kalisto to fend for himself, but he's more than risen to the challenge. Following a win over Alberto Del Rio a few weeks ago, Kalisto got a shot at the WWE United States Championship. Shockingly, Kalisto pinned Del Rio and won the title. It was Kalisto's first singles title in WWE.
His reign would not last long, though. Del Rio invoked his rematch clause on SmackDown. Del Rio had fellow League of Nations member King Barrett at ringside, and that would prove the difference. Barrett distracted Kalisto, and Del Rio regained the U.S. title.
Still, in spite of the short reign, there are two major takeaways. First, Kalisto will himself get a rematch, meaning he could find himself a champion again in the near future. Second, that Kalisto is an emerging star. He showed he can compete with the best and, more importantly, can win a big match. Can he regain the belt from Del Rio when they next square off?
No. 3: Alberto Del Rio
10 of 12Previous Rank: 4
Movement: Up 1
WWE United States champion Alberto Del Rio started his week off with a terrible loss, but he made up for it when it counted. He defended the U.S. title against Kalisto on Raw and lost in what Michael Cole dubbed one of the "biggest upsets in the history of Raw." Del Rio, a former world champion, lost to a relative newcomer in Kalisto. Del Rio didn't make the same mistake on SmackDown, though.
On SmackDown, Del Rio invoked his rematch clause and brought some help with him. King Barrett, Del Rio's League of Nations ally, gave his stablemate the assist he needed, and Del Rio regained the title.
Kalisto now has a rematch clause. When will that be invoked?
No. 2: Dean Ambrose
11 of 12Previous Rank: 2
Movement: None
WWE Intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose had an eventful week. On Raw, he faced Sheamus, but the match ended in a double count-out. Ambrose was attacked by Kevin Owens after that bout ended while he was brawling with Sheamus.
On SmackDown, he challenged Owens to a Last man Standing match at the Royal Rumble. Owens accepted, and then he and Sheamus moved in to attack Ambrose. Neville saved Ambrose from a beating, leading to a match. In the main event, Neville and Ambrose battled Sheamus and Owens to a double count-out as they all brawled. Ambrose and Neville would get the best of Sheamus and Owens thereafter.
Will Ambrose be able to defeat Owens at the Royal Rumble?
No. 1: Roman Reigns
12 of 12Previous Rank: 1
Movement: None
WWE world heavyweight champion Roman Reigns had a rough week. Or rather, he had a rough Raw since that was his only appearance. Vince McMahon announced Roman Reigns would compete in a One vs. All match (which really was just a gauntlet match) in the main event. The bout would not make it past the first opponent.
Mr. McMahon wanted the match to run until Reigns could no longer move, and he started off by facing Kevin Owens. The two battled hard until Mr. McMahon basically called the match off and ordered everyone to attack Reigns. Reigns was taking a beating, but then Brock Lesnar appeared.
Lesnar took out The New Day, Owens, Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus. Then he took out Roman Reigns, hitting the F5 on the champion to end Raw.
Reigns will defend his title in the Royal Rumble match on Sunday. With top competitors and now Brock Lesnar scheduled to be in the contest, does Reigns even stand a chance? Is there any hope for him to leave Royal Rumble as champion?
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