Power Rankings — Week of October 29, 2023

Power Rankings — Week of October 29, 2023
Ricky Cañeso Jr.

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, the Megastar shines bright at Crown Jewel, Orange Cassidy squeezes out another banger, and  Shinsuke Nakamura awaits his next sacrifice. Who cracked our inaugural list?

Welcome to the most accurate wrestler power rankings on the World Wide Web:


01

NA

LAST WEEK

18-14

2023 TV RECORD

LA Knight

No. 1 contender to WWE Undisputed Universal Championship

WWE SmackDown
LA Knight

Everyone now knows whose game it is. It’s LA Knight’s, and he hasn’t arrived, he’s been here waiting. Fresh off main eventing his first Premium Live Event, LA’s continued momentum pushed him into our coveted no. 1 spot. His impressive wins against both Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa softened being pinned by WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel. And despite looking at the lights, the Megastar won the night by continuing to prove naysayers wrong and showing no stage is too big. With continued performances both in the ring and on the stick, he may soon cause WWE to hit a cross roads, forced to decide between finishing the son of the son of a plumber’s story or starting the Megastar’s. — DC

02

NA

LAST WEEK

24-5

2023 TV RECORD

Seth Rollins

World Heavyweight Champion

WWE RAW
Seth Rollins

The Seth Rollins’ World Heavyweight Tour continues, with successful championship defenses at both RAW and Crown Jewel. Rollins has been a traveling World Heavyweight Champion, in an era where the other recognized big belt is rarely defended. With Shinsuke Nakamura and Drew McIntyre in his rear view mirror, Damian Priest now seems to be the next stop for Rollins. — DC

03

NA

LAST WEEK

18-7

2023 TV RECORD

Gunther

WWE Intercontinental Champion

WWE RAW
Gunther

No matches this week for the destructive and dominant Austrian-born WWE Intercontinental Champion of over 500 days. He had an appearance on Miz TV, where he and Imperium laid bedlam upon the A-Lister. In an interview with Austrian newspaper, Kronen Zeitung, released online Saturday, it was revealed that Gunther must stay in the United States for six months (starting date not mentioned, though he performed in Berlin on October 28) due to US residency laws he is now subject to; this is why we didn't and wouldn't see him booked for Crown Jewel. His TV presence as Intercontinental Champion, with the regular TV presence of Imperium, keeps him high on the rankings even without a match this week. — JG

04

NA

LAST WEEK

5-2

2023 TV RECORD

Roman Reigns

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion

WWE SmackDown
Roman Reigns

The good news is that Roman Reigns won (via interference) and defended his WWE Universal title in a match this week at Crown Jewel against LA Knight. The bad news is this was his first televised match since Tribal Combat at SummerSlam back in August. However, he's been in and out of television, and his mere existence keeps him relevant every week with The Bloodline. His over 1,150 day Universal Championship keeps him in the power discussion. — JG

05

NA

LAST WEEK

40-7

2023 TV RECORD

Orange Cassidy

AEW International Champion

All Elite Wrestling
Orange Cassidy

"Freshly Squeezed" is the only AEW performer to break this week's Top 10, and for good reason: No other AEW wrestler has wrestled as often while maintaining the level of quality like Orange Cassidy has done much of 2023. This week's championship defense against Claudio Castagnoli on Dynamite was yet another banger, and solidifies Cassidy as AEW's undisputed workhorse. An obvious pivot in storyline due to Jon Moxley's injury keeps OC at no. 5, but their upcoming rematch at Full Gear could either spill him higher or lower. — DC

06

NA

LAST WEEK

10-11

2023 TV RECORD

Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE RAW
Shinsuke Nakamura

Oh, Shinsuke, who are you calling out to?

Since his loss to Seth Rollins at Fastlane, Nakamura has become must-see television the last few weeks on Monday Night RAW as he continues to hint towards a dream match against a certain someone. His new direction and promo work has reignited an interest in the King of Strong Style not seen since 2014. Are we reading too much into his words? Is he really speaking out to a cult of personality? I guess we'll find out at Survivor Series in Chicago. — DC

07

NA

LAST WEEK

41-8

2023 TV RECORD

Will Ospreay

IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion

New Japan Pro Wrestling
Will Ospreay

Last week, one of the world's best in the ring, Will Ospreay had an excellent showing in to-be-TNA Impact, beating both Josh Alexander and Eddie Edwards. This week, he's back in New Japan Pro Wrestling, appearing on a Super Junior Tag League show with his United Empire in a losing tag effort to some of their newer talents and Young Lions four-on-four. He made up for this by defending his IWGP United States (don't tell him it's not the United Kingdom) Championship against one of those new and rising stars in Shota Umino at Power Struggle. — JG

08

NA

LAST WEEK

48-20

2023 TV RECORD

Alex Shelley

IMPACT World Champion

TNA Wrestling
Alex Shelley

Riding a wave of nostalgia into the Top 10, Alex Shelley as IMPACT World Champion has delivered nothing but Total Nonstop Action. With another successful championship defense at Bound For Glory against Josh Alexander, Shelley is poised to lead IMPACT Wrestling back to the future under the TNA banner, as the rebranded company's first recognized World Champion since 2017. — DC

09

NA

LAST WEEK

16-8

2023 TV RECORD

Becky Lynch

WWE RAW
Becky Lynch

Big Time Becks still finds herself in the Top 10, after dropping the NXT Women's Championship to Lyra Valkyria at Halloween Havoc. Despite the loss, The Man defended her championship during her short reign more times than both Roman Reigns and Rhea Ripley in the calendar year. With Jade Cargill watching her NXT Halloween Havoc loss closely, Lynch could be positioned to be the first to work with the former TBS champion. — DC

10

NA

LAST WEEK

2-3

2023 TV RECORD

Logan Paul

WWE United States Champion

WWE SmackDown
Logan Paul

Certainly the discussion on this one is going to stay civil and respectful. Let's get it out of the way. He cheated to win at Crown Jewel against Rey Mysterio to win the WWE United States Championship in his 5th match of the year, and 8th match ever. He's not on WWE television often. However, unlike a certain Head of the Table, we all know precisely where he's been when he's off WWE TV. We have to tip our hat: nobody's picked up the game this fast since Kurt Angle, and he's a natural heat magnet working either face or heel. He's just got "it", whatever "it" is. Let's hope that he's more of a presence as a champion. — JG

11

NA

LAST WEEK

17-3

2023 TV RECORD

MJF

AEW World Heavyweight Champion

All Elite Wrestling
MJF

Maxwell Jacob Friedman finds himself outside the Top 10 looking in, despite being the AEW World Heavyweight champion. Questionable creative around his character, and a lack of ready-made heels to challenge him, severely stunted his championship run early on. And this never ending feud with Jay White and the Bullet Club Gold isn't doing him any favors. If AEW can't quickly pivot and stabilize the title scene, poor Maxwell may find himself becoming what he despises most: Mid. — DC

12

NA

LAST WEEK

14-7

2023 TV RECORD

Drew McIntyre

WWE RAW
Drew McIntyre

He said he wanted no more broken dreams, but he got one. In a hellacious challenge that came up short against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, where he showed more of his frustrated edge, and somewhat got outshined once again by the Judgment Day via an attempted cash-in on Rollins, we have to believe that he is going to absolutely lash out on anyone and anything in his way this week. Stay tuned for Drew. — JG

13

NA

LAST WEEK

21-23

2023 TV RECORD

Pretty Deadly

WWE SmackDown
Pretty Deadly

Elton Prince and Kit Wilson have easily become the most entertaining and electric tag team in WWE. With an impressive win against the Brawling Brutes in a Donnybrook pub-style brawl match this week on SmackDown, Pretty Deadly continue to ascend the WWE tag team ranks. Could we soon see SmackDown-exclusive tag team championships again? And perhaps around the waists of these two tasty snacks? YES BOY! — CC

14

NA

LAST WEEK

20-17

2023 TV RECORD

Sami Zayn

WWE RAW
Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn finds himself in the middle of the rankings, much like his current position on the RAW roster. Despite wins on both RAW and at the pre-show for Crown Jewel, Sami lacks any creative direction at this point, which will stunt his advancement in the rankings. Still one of the most popular acts in WWE. — DC

15

NA

LAST WEEK

13-14

2023 TV RECORD

DIY

WWE RAW
DIY

With a win on RAW, DIY has definitely returned. We had some difficulty with this entry. Going back to the tag team reunion seemed in some ways like a step back. However, we have to look at what "back" actually was. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano were floating around against the non-Gunther portions of Imperium. Gargano was otherwise barely on TV in some things that felt like "throw him in there why not" was the rationale, Ciampa was back and forth with The Miz. This step backward may be the step forward. Besides, DIY gets it done in the ring. — JG

16

NA

LAST WEEK

17-3

2023 TV RECORD

Rhea Ripley

World Women's Champion

WWE RAW
Rhea Ripley

Mami successfully defended her World Women's championship in a four-way at Crown Jewel, continuing her polarizing run as top women's wrestler in WWE. In order for the self-proclaimed most dominant Women's champion to rise higher, she will need to defend the championship more regularly, as well as involve herself in more interesting feuds with other women's wrestlers, instead of being thrown into larger Judgment Day stories. — CC

17

NA

LAST WEEK

23-16

2023 TV RECORD

Dominik Mysterio

NXT North American Champion

WWE RAW
Dominik Mysterio

With wins against Ricochet at RAW and Nathan Frazer at NXT Halloween Havoc, Dominik Mysterio flies in at no. 17, right underneath his Mami. Dirty Dom's continued development week in, week out in front of the WWE Universe is unprecedented. He's raised the profile of the NXT North American championship, and made his appearances every Monday night must watch. Starting to build a case to be Heel of the Year. — CC

18

NA

LAST WEEK

1-2

2023 TV RECORD

John Cena

WWE SmackDown
John Cena

What can we say about John Cena that hasn't already been said? He's the undisputed GOAT. He returned full-time this summer during the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which did him no favors in some Hollywood circles. He has spent his time since working with a young Solo Sikoa, and by doing so, Cena continues to give back to the WWE machine that created him. Something Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and countless others never fully did. — DC

19

NA

LAST WEEK

4-5

2023 TV RECORD

Christian Cage

AEW TNT Champion

All Elite Wrestling
Christian Cage

The reigning AEW TNT Champion has not wrestled or defended since defeating Bryan Danielson on October 14th. He's all over AEW television, though. So many talents are in his orbit, be it by his side or facing his hateful scorn, that he stays in the power conversation. Will Adam Copeland eventually end up at his side like so many others that used to (or maybe still do) despise Christian? — JG

20

NA

LAST WEEK

22-4

2023 TV RECORD

Cody Rhodes

WWE RAW
Cody Rhodes

Whoa-oh! Cody defeated Damien Priest in a Bloodline-Judgment Day-Friends Of Cody ringside reunion at Crown Jewel to keep his side of the story going. The Saudi Arabia crowd was solidly behind the American Nightmare, as is the case everywhere he performs. As alluded to previously, might the road on this saga take a detour; a wrong left turn into Los Angeles, instead of directly towards Pensacola? — JG 

21

NA

LAST WEEK

14-6

2023 TV RECORD

Lyra Valkyria

NXT Women's Champion

WWE NXT
Lyra Valkyria

From one NXT Women's champion from across the pond to another, Lyra Valkyria has shown much promise while under WWE's developmental brand, NXT. We cannot ignore the significance of her championship win at Halloween Havoc against Becky Lynch. Potential springboard for her career. Hard worker, who rarely coasts through her matches seems poised to challenge herself as champion and continue bringing respect to the NXT women's roster. — CC

22

NA

LAST WEEK

14-19

2023 TV RECORD

Creed Brothers

WWE NXT
Creed Brothers

The Creed Brothers have become the standard for the NXT tag team division. They are world class athletes, and it shows. With wins this week against Alpha Academy in their RAW debut, and at Halloween Havoc in a Tables, Ladders and Scares match, it's refreshing to see a Steiner-esque style in an era of wrestling oversaturated with acrobats. Don't be surprised if they soon find themselves full-time on RAW. — CC

23

NA

LAST WEEK

13-14

2023 TV RECORD

Chase U

NXT Tag Team Champions

WWE NXT
Chase U

I don't really get Chase U. But credit where credit is due, the NXT audience seems to dig them, and they did pick up gold at Halloween Havoc. Curious to see where the team dynamic goes with obvious dissension in the ranks. Fun act, I guess. — DC

24

NA

LAST WEEK

71-27

2023 TV RECORD

Bullet Club Gold

All Elite Wrestling
Bullet Club Gold

All they do is win, baby! Bullet Club Gold is all over AEW television. We haven't seen much of Juice Robinson himself in the ring lately since losing the Dynamite Diamond Ring final to MJF, but his character and promo work is really keeping this thing alive. Some like Jay White's character and presentation (I'm among them), some don't, but you can't question that he's on a roll. Pretty tough for anyone to out-character Juice Robinson, though. The Gunns are keeping up their end as the tag team of this ensemble and getting better every week. If Switchblade can find a way to connect with the audience, then big things are ahead for everyone here. — JG

Editor's note: Disregard the above. They suck.

25

NA

LAST WEEK

18-17

2023 TV RECORD

Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane

WWE Women's Champion

WWE SmackDown
Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane

At Crown Jewel, Iyo Sky successfully defended her WWE Women's Championship against Bianca Belair with heavy interference at the end from the returning Kairi Sane. Iyo as Champion has been overshadowed by Rhea Ripley on Raw, as well as many of the SmackDown women's Superstars. This may be about to change. Perhaps with Kairi at Iyo's side, Iyo can gather some additional chemistry from ringside, find a groove, and start to overtake in the ranks and with the crowd. Meanwhile, what's in the cards for the stunned-at-Crown-Jewel Bayley and the not-on-that-show Dakota Kai? Will Damage Control last at all, or will this become a reincarnation of Threedom (speaking of, what's the contract status of Mayu Iwatani)? — JG


Notable mentions: Solo Sikoa, Bianca Belair, Kenny Omega, The Miz, The Acclaimed

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