411’s WWE RPI Rankings 06.22.13

Click here for the entire spreadsheet containing win/loss records and detailed calculations for the past two months.

Overview of this week’s rankings
Roman Reigns continues to be a force to be reckoned with as he remains on top of the RPI rankings for the second straight week. His winning percentage over the last two months is just slightly behind the Miz, R-Truth, Ricardo Rodriguez, Sheamus and Curtis Axel. However, Reigns has faced opponents with better winning percentages and as a result, gets the top spot for another week.

Over the last month, Titus O’Neil is making steady gains with his RPI rankings. The more he remains unpaired with Darren Young, the better likelihood he is to win. Sorry Mr. Young, but if any tag team has a weakest link, it might be you…

As far as WWE Superstars who are sliding down the totem pole, Wade Barrett continues his downward trajectory with his losses over the last week against Curtis Axel and Christian. It seems as though his recent reincarnation as the bare-knuckle champion from Manchester never really took off to the levels of Nexus fame. Still, his program with the Miz and Curtis Axel has been entertaining.

Finally, AJ Lee continues to keep a firm grasp on the Divas side of the RPI rankings. Since starting the RPI Report, AJ Lee has been at the top spot. But perhaps it’s not all that surprising given how few Divas matches are televised; little competition breeds few changes.

WWE Superstar	RPI Ranking	Winning %	Win-Loss-Draw Record
1) Roman Reigns	61.7	0.781	12-3-1
2) Mark Henry	60.4	0.625	5-3-0
3) Randy Orton	60.1	0.705	15-6-1
4) Kane	58.5	0.471	8-9-0
5) Daniel Bryan	57.8	0.447	8-10-1
6) Sheamus	56.6	0.824	14-3-0
7) John Cena	56.4	0.417	2-3-1
8) Chris Jericho	56.1	0.731	9-3-1
9) Seth Rollins	56.0	0.647	11-6-0
10) The Miz	55.7	0.889	8-1-0
11) Big Show	54.8	0.286	2-5-0
12) Alberto Del Rio	54.7	0.706	11-4-2
13) Dean Ambrose	54.7	0.632	11-6-2
14) Ricardo Rodriguez	54.5	0.875	3-0-1
15) Jack Swagger	53.2	0.417	4-6-2
16) Zeb Coulter	52.6	0.125	0-3-1
17) Damien Sandow	52.4	0.429	6-8-0
18) Curtis Axel	52.1	0.800	12-3-0
19) Dolph Ziggler	51.3	0.286	2-5-0
20) Jimmy Uso	51.3	0.583	7-5-0
21) Kofi Kingston	50.8	0.423	5-7-1
22) R-Truth	50.4	0.875	7-1-0
23) Big E Langston	50.2	0.292	3-8-1
24) Jey Uso	50.2	0.583	7-5-0
25) Cody Rhodes	48.6	0.353	6-11-0
26) Fandango	47.0	0.650	6-3-1
27) Ryback	46.9	0.500	4-4-1
28) Titus O’Neil	46.3	0.222	2-7-0
29) Wade Barrett	45.9	0.133	2-13-0
30) Sin Cara	45.3	0.333	3-6-0
31) Antonio Cesaro	45.2	0.333	5-10-0
32) Heath Slater	43.6	0.250	2-6-0
33) Tensai	42.9	0.700	7-3-0
34) Darren Young	41.8	0.100	1-9-0
35) Justin Gabriel	41.0	0.500	4-6-0
36) The Great Khali	40.8	0.583	3-2-1
37) Santino Marella	39.9	0.250	1-3-0
38) Brodus Clay	39.5	0.600	6-4-0
39) Drew McIntyre	38.2	0.000	0-5-0
40) Epico	37.1	0.000	0-3-0
41) Primo	37.1	0.000	0-3-0
42) Jinder Mahal	35.0	0.000	0-5-0
43) Zack Ryder	34.1	0.000	0-7-0
44) Triple H	32.6	0.000	0-4-0
45) William Regal	29.6	0.000	0-3-0

WWE Divas	RPI Ranking	Winning %	Win-Loss-Draw Record
1) AJ Lee	70.8	0.833	4-2-0
2) Naomi	59.5	0.800	4-1-0
3) Cameron	58.0	0.750	3-1-0
4) Nikki Bella	53.8	0.400	2-3-0
5) Layla	53.5	0.750	3-1-0
6) Brie Bella	47.5	0.200	1-4-0
7) Kaitlyn	46.4	0.750	6-2-0
8) Natalya	45.0	0.571	4-3-0
9) Aksana	38.6	0.000	0-4-0
10) Tamina Snuka	36.4	0.000	0-4-0

Top ten movers over the last 4 weeks

Gainers		Sliders
1) Triple H	+2.5	1) Curtis Axel	-3.3
2) Heath Slater	+2.0	2) Fandango	-2.4
3) Titus O’Neil	+1.8	3) John Cena	-2.3
4) Damien Sandow	+1.4	4) Dean Ambrose	-1.9
5) Zeb Coulter	+1.3	5) The Great Khali	-1.9
6) The Miz	+1.2	6) Brodus Clay	-1.7
7) Justin Gabriel	+1.2	7) Wade Barrett	-1.6
8) Big Show	+1.2	8) Epico	-1.5
9) Randy Orton	+1.0	9) Primo	-1.4
10) Jey Uso	+1.0	10) Seth Rollins	-1.4

RPI Explained
The ratings percentage index (RPI; out of 100) is a method which ranks teams or individuals based upon their wins, losses and strength of schedule. It is used by the NCAA to aid in the selecting and seeding of teams appearing in tournaments such as basketball’s March Madness.

Why are RPI rankings superior to simple win-loss records? Imagine a superstar that wins matches only against jobbers. Sure, their win/loss record will be stellar but by facing opponents who always lose, their RPI will not be as high as a superstar who wins half their matches but always faces opponents with stellar win/loss records. Using a statistically valid approach to examine WWE superstars will allow fans to determine if their favorite wrestler is being booked appropriately and whether their stock is rising or falling.

The factors involved are:
* 1) the superstar’s winning percentage (25%)
* 2) the average winning percentage of the superstar’s opponents (50%)
* 3) the average winning percentage of the superstar’s opponents’ opponents (25%)

Win-loss records are calculated for every WWE superstar over the past 2 months from Monday Night Raw, Smackdown, Superstars, Main Event, Saturday Morning Slam, and pay-per-views. Superstars must have competed in at least 3 matches over the past 2 months to be included in the overall RPI rankings.