Power Rankings — Week of November 05, 2023

Welcome to the Midcarder Power Rankings. Every week, our wrestling experts—Cameron Carstensen, David Carstensen, and Justin Glazner—will rank the top wrestlers in the world in order from No. 1 to No. 25. We’re taking into account recent performance, championship reign, win/loss records, backstage shenanigans, message board buzz, and much more to rank the top performers, every week. This week, Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn burn it down, Devil Worshippers continue to meddle with MJF, and War (Games) is declared. Did your favorite crack the rankings this week? Find out below.
Welcome to the most accurate wrestler power rankings on the World Wide Web:
01
02
+1
LAST WEEK
25-5
2023 TV RECORD
Seth Rollins
World Heavyweight Champion

With a strong performance at Crown Jewel, and an instant classic on RAW against Sami Zayn, it’s no surprise Seth Rollins tops the list at no. 1. He is, arguably, the best in-ring performer on the planet, and no one's close. And with a upcoming War Games match against Judgment Day, he’s likely to hold onto this spot for a while. — CC
02
01
-1
LAST WEEK
19-14
2023 TV RECORD
LA Knight

The amazing outing of Seth Rollins against Sami Zayn outshined LA Knight against Grayson "What's With The Spongebob Motif" Waller this week. LA landed some hard verbal zingers against Waller. I dare not spoil it for you... you have YouTube, go look for it, it's worth it, and I can't do it justice inside a ranking. Otherwise, is he still the top guy on SmackDown? YEAH! — JG
03
04
+1
LAST WEEK
5-2
2023 TV RECORD
Roman Reigns
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion

The Tribal Chief managed to move up the rankings despite being on another extended leave. His presence is felt on SmackDown even when gone, and with LA Knight promising he isn’t done with Roman and the Bloodline, we could see LA work his way back to the Head of the Table. Are we heading towards a WrestleMania main event against Cody, LA or his cousin? 8 ball says “Ask again later”. — DC
04
14
+10
LAST WEEK
20-18
2023 TV RECORD
Sami Zayn

A personal favorite of mine, seeing Sami Zayn shoot up these rankings was cathartic. Coming off a sensational match against Seth Rollins on RAW, and with his inclusion in War Games at Survivor Series, suddenly the thought of Sami holding a major single championship again doesn’t seem too far fetched. — CC
05
03
-2
LAST WEEK
18-7
2023 TV RECORD
Gunther
WWE Intercontinental Champion

I hate seeing that Gunther has to drop in the rankings. I also hate that he hasn't wrestled for very nearly a month. (We've seen longer lately.) In fact, except for Ludwig Kaiser wrestling and defeating Apollo Crews on Main Event (it counts as TV, folks!), Imperium didn't wrestle at all this week. I understand the "how can I miss you if you won't go away" logic. Just don't stay away too long, please? — JG
06
06
LAST WEEK
11-11
2023 TV RECORD
Shinsuke Nakamura

Despite telling everyone he needs to be awakened, Shinsuke Nakamura was wide awake this week on RAW against Tozawa (Who's amazing, by the way, rankings be damned!). Shinsuke has consistenly been one of the most entertaining parts of RAW for the last few months, and has become a personal favorite of mine. His work, both in-ring and out, has reached the upper echeleon, and a potential Survivor Series dream match could propel him higher. — CC
07
05
-2
LAST WEEK
41-7
2023 TV RECORD
Orange Cassidy
AEW International Champion

Even though he didn’t defend his AEW International Championship this week, Orange Cassidy still maintained a high spot in our rankings. With Jon Moxley recovered from his concussion and looking to squeeze some juice, their anticipated rematch at Full Gear could spill “Freshly Squeezed” back up the rankings. — CC
08
16
+8
LAST WEEK
17-3
2023 TV RECORD
Rhea Ripley
World Women's Champion

Another non-wrestling week for someone, but she's gone UP in the rankings? How is this?! Pretty simple, really. The "Totally Leaderless" Judgment Day's de-facto leader has a new contender in Zoey Stark. Zoey claimed she had Rhea beat at her last match (the Fatal 5 Way at Crown Jewel). Rhea's response was that she DID beat FOUR people, and Zoey couldn't beat one. That's a build. — JG
09
20
+11
LAST WEEK
22-4
2023 TV RECORD
Cody Rhodes

Adrenaline in my soul, 11 spots up for Cody Rhodes! The American Nightmare’s week may not at first glance warrant such a climb up the rankings, however, may I argue his case with one word: WARGAMES!!! Wrestling for the first time in his father’s creation, with a who’s who of the RAW roster, Cody will no doubt create another special WWE moment. — DC
10
NA
LAST WEEK
46-36
2023 TV RECORD
Judgment Day (Finn Bálor & Damian Priest)
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions

How about that? A Championship team wrestles on TV and enters the rankings! Señor Money In The Bank gets his briefcase back, and with Bálor, they beat The New Day in a non-title match. Further, I guess Priest and Seth Rollins will probably be a match soon. What a deal! — JG
11
10
-1
LAST WEEK
2-3
2023 TV RECORD
Logan Paul
WWE United States Champion

MIA from SmackDown the week, Logan Paul was seen in attendance at UFC 295 with his newly won WWE United States Championship. Another stellar performance against Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel, Logan has announced he has retired from boxing to pursue a “full-time” WWE career. So… expect more of the Maverick, I guess? This is a good thing, maybe? — DC
12
11
-1
LAST WEEK
18-3
2023 TV RECORD
MJF
AEW World Heavyweight Champion

MJF had a throwaway match this week on Dynamite against Daniel Garcia, although it was nice to see the World Champ wrestle on TV, even if he didn’t have his belt. MJF is clearly a star, but his never ending feud against Bullet Club Gold, awkward Acclaimed story, and this Devil Worshipper nonsense has left me wondering if his light has dimmed. — CC
13
12
-1
LAST WEEK
14-7
2023 TV RECORD
Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre slid down the rankings this week, with no RAW appearance after his loss to Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel. The Visionary, however, made sure to point out how highly he thought of Drew for not joining Judgment Day. I’m sure that’s in no way related to the fact Judgment Day are now one man short for War Games. — DC
14
17
+3
LAST WEEK
23-16
2023 TV RECORD
Dominik Mysterio
NXT North American Champion

Dirty Dom only slid up a little bit here because so many slid down, if we're being completely blunt. He's in the WarGames match and he was involved in the Finn Bálor and Damian Priest match. Basically, that's your week for Dominik Mysterio. Still a heat magnet, though. — JG
15
7
-8
LAST WEEK
41-8
2023 TV RECORD
Will Ospreay
IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion

Another case of nothing-doing for this week. New Japan's "Anjo Rainy Days" event - Kazuchika Okada's hometown show - did not feature the Commonwealth Kingpin. Their next event is on November 17, and Will Ospreay is not listed on the card. There is no card listed for the next event, November 19. The World Tag League series begins November 20 and ends December 10. While literally every promotion has interest in acquiring Ospreay's services however they can, there's many reports that WWE has made preliminary overtures to that end. Will we see Ospreay again soon? And where? — JG
16
08
-8
LAST WEEK
48-20
2023 TV RECORD
Alex Shelley
IMPACT World Champion

Alex Shelley had another solid outing this week on IMPACT! by successfully defending his IMPACT World Championship against Jonathan Gresham. When others at his stage of his career begin to slow down, Shelley has done no such thing, and seems hellbent on proving he’s much more than a tag team specialist. A successful title defense at Hard To Kill against Moose could propel him back into the Top 10. — DC
17
25
+8
LAST WEEK
38-49
2023 TV RECORD
Damage CTRL
WWE Women's Champion (Iyo Sky)

Despite not getting Bayley’s OK, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky added both Kairi Sane and Asuka to Damage CTRL. Could this be the beginning of the end for the group? Is Bayley soon-to-be bounced? Could we see her against Iyo Sky at WresleMania? So many potential directions. Color me intrigued. — CC
18
09
-9
LAST WEEK
16-8
2023 TV RECORD
Becky Lynch

Well, then. Becky Lynch was to join a RAW battle royal for a #1 contender spot at Survivor Series. She said she was going to win. Nia Jax took exception and reminded everyone she broke Lynch's face. Becky replied by mentioning going to WrestleMania while Jax got fired. OK. Then Xia Li took The Man out before she ever got to the ring. No NXT appearance, but Lyra Valkyria mentioned her. And, umm... that was literally Big Time Becks' TV week, folks. — JG
19
19
LAST WEEK
4-5
2023 TV RECORD
Christian Cage
AEW TNT Champion

Christian Cage appeared on Collision ringside as Nick Wayne took on Dalton "Please Do Something With This Guy" Castle. At the end of the show, he did a staredown on Sting, Adam Copeland, and Darby Allin. That's your TV week for Christian Cage, folks. Wait, I pretty much just said something like that before, didn't I? No matter. His presence and story hooks keep him where he is in the rankings. For now. — JG
20
NA
LAST WEEK
23-6
2023 TV RECORD
Samoa Joe

The Samoan Submission Machine successfully defended his ROH TV Championship by choking out Keith Lee this week on Dynamite (in a dream match five years too late), only to then relinquish the belt to continue pursuing the AEW World Championship. Does this make sense to you? Why did he relinquish the title after fighting so hard against Lee to retain it? These are questions I can’t answer. — CC
21
18
-3
LAST WEEK
1-2
2023 TV RECORD
John Cena

Likely the last time we see Mr. U Can’t See Me in the rankings in 2023, John Cena lost to Solo Sikoa at Crown Jewel, and is teasing retirement. This has no correlation with the the actor’s strike ending, he’s just really weighing things, you guys. But you know we’ll see him again. Likely at WrestleMania. — CC
22
13
-9
LAST WEEK
18-12
2023 TV RECORD
Pretty Deadly

The “Fun Time Boys”, as my wife likes to call them, find themselves sliding down the rankings with no SmackDown appearance this week. Another week without a meaningful appearance could land WWE’s hottest tag team outside of the rankings until they’re more prominently featured. NO, BOY! — DC
23
15
-8
LAST WEEK
13-16
2023 TV RECORD
DIY

Last week, DIY defeated Imperium in their tag tag return. This week, they lose to the Creed Brothers via interference from Ludwig Kaiser onto Johnny Gargano for reasons (well, probably only one reason, Imperium losing to them last week). The match was pretty good otherwise. That's unfortunately all we got, and that's unfortunately all I've got. — JG
24
24
LAST WEEK
74-27
2023 TV RECORD
Bullet Club Gold

The Bang Bang Gang find themselves again this week at no. 24, and risk falling entirely off of the rankings. Despite increased television time, and a featured program, their act remains in arrested development. “Switchblade” Jay White and The Gunns both wrestled on Dynamite in very forgettable matches, and their feud with MJF has taken a back seat to the mysterious Devil Worshippers. With Full Gear this week, here’s hoping they book end this story with MJF and send Bullet Club Gold back down the card. — DC
25
NA
LAST WEEK
7-10
2023 TV RECORD
Dragon Lee

Dragon Lee flies into the no. 25 spot after another solid performance on SmackDown against Cedric Alexander. Being heavily featured on SmackDown, and with Rey Mysterio looking to call it a career in the next year, Lee seems positioned to cross paths with Mysterio, perhaps as a partner and then a future opponent? — DC
Honorable mentions: Devil Worshippers, Creed Brothers, Jay Iso, Zoey Stark, Lyra Valkyria, Chase U, The Bloodline, The Righteous