We’re almost two weeks removed from SummerSlam and things are heating up for the next PPV. We have one match that is already confirmed and I called it last week. Both shows this week were very solid again. It appears that they’re starting to become more serious about meaningful storylines and angles. I hope this is a trend moving forward. This week’s rankings were fairly simple. The stories are pretty clear, for the most part, and the King of the Ring matches will be a nice change of scenery in the next little bit. Here are my rankings for this week.

- 10: Roman Reigns (5)

I debated putting Roman in the rankings this week, but he still has a big story on TV, so I think he is worthy of garnering a spot at number 10. He and Dolph Ziggler put on an excellent match on Monday, but the biggest thing regarding Roman at the moment is finding out who is behind the attacks. We finally found out who was responsible for all of his mishaps, but did we? It appears that they are just buying time until SmackDown debuts on FOX, or that’s what I personally think. The story has a certain level of intrigue, but I can’t see it being interesting for very long.

- 9: Charlotte Flair/Bayley (3, NR)

This match was just added to the Clash of Champions PPV in Charlotte. This will be a nice feud between two great competitors and they could honestly stretch it out for a little bit. I just don’t think Charlotte will walk out without the title at the next PPV. Unless something crazy happens, my mind isn’t changing.

- 8: Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn (NR, NR)

This was an interesting twist. Sami Zayn looks like he will be in a speaking role for Shinsuke Nakamura and I think this will be pretty cool in short term. I enjoy when performers with minimal English skills speak, because they can be themselves. I will never forget Nakamura’s “Sorry, no speak English” response to Renee Young on the SmackDown after WrestleMania 34. It seemed like it was genuinely him and it made for a better moment. We’ll see how this plays out, but I think it is a good thing, for now.

- 7: Bray Wyatt (2)

Wyatt dropped a few spots this week, but he played a meaningful part this week He attack Jerry “The King” Lawler at the top of the stage after he was supposed to host a segment. The Fiend appeared and hit Lawler with the Mandible Claw. I don’t know what is next for Wyatt, but it should be entertaining whatever it may be.

- 6: Sasha Banks (4)

Some of you probably think that Sasha is rated too low this week, but I just didn’t think she had as good of a week as she potentially could’ve. She attacked Natalya again, but her feud right now is with Becky Lynch, why is she going after Natalya again? She will be an interesting part of the show for the next few weeks, but I think the way they utilized her this week was unsuccessful.

- 5: Becky Lynch (NR)

Speaking of Becky Lynch, she was used perfectly this week. She cut a promo that was amazing and every time she speaks, she has the power to bring you in. Not many performers have this ability, but I think Lynch is one of the best in the business, if not the best. The way they have built her up I still think that there are only three people who are worthy enough to take Lynch’s title at the moment. One is in a tag team, the other is on another show, and the last one isn’t currently on TV, and may never come back. They have to build another big-time character if they are going to take the title off of her and I just don’t think they have that yet with Sasha Banks.

- 4: Randy Orton and The Revival (8, NR)

This was an interesting surprise. Randy Orton and The Revival are allied forces and I think it is a perfect fit. They complement each other with their hard-hitting style. They both played a big part on both shows this week, but will it last? I’m not sure if this will be a short-term thing, but I like the idea of this trio.

- 3: Kofi Kingston (8)

Kofi appeared on both shows, but his impact was felt on SmackDown more so. He was very aggressive in the show’s opener when he attacked Orton. This is the side of Kofi Kingston that people wanted to see and they got it on Tuesday. If he keeps putting together segments like this, I can’t see him losing the title at Clash of Champions.

- 2: Buddy Murphy (5)

After a huge week last week, he was even bigger this week. He pinned Daniel Bryan on SmackDown and did it ever make an impression. Pinning a former champion is huge, especially one as highly regarded as Daniel Bryan. I don’t know what Murphy will be involved with next, but he is a hot commodity right now and should be treated like one. It’s good to see guys like this getting this kind of opportunity. He is a great wrestler and deserves the push that he is getting.

- 1: Braun Strowman and Seth Rollins (10,1)

I was debating between Murphy and these two for the number 1 spot, but I felt like I had to give the new, surprise tag team champs the top spot this week. I totally didn’t expect Strowman and Rollins to form a team, much less win the RAW Tag Team Championships. I didn’t see this coming, but there has to be something else going on here. There has to be a backlash coming up soon. It may be next Monday night, but I guess we’ll see.

Yacs

WWE Power Rankings: Week of August 22nd