The 411 WWE Raw Rankings: 8.29.07

Introduction:
Once upon a time here at 411 I used to do a weekly rankings column, but in the end while there was a lot of TV, there wasn’t enough to need a weekly rankings column. So I ended it. I have had the call to arms to have them return and I have been contemplating a way to bring them back and have them work well. I think that I have come up with the right way to do things. What I will do is have two monthly rankings columns, one for TNA and one for WWE. I will do them around, usually after a WWE. I did the TNA column last week and this week it is back to WWE for Raw. For TNA I will try to maintain the traditional Top 10 listings, while for WWE due to the amount of titles, shows and such, I will maintain a Top 5 when possible.

Special thanks to THE WIFE for her awesome graphics and contributions to the column.

The Criteria:
The Csonka Commission will try to use a formula of some of, if not all of the following to determine the rankings:
-Wins and Losses
-Popularity
-Shoe Size
-Strength of Schedule
-Golf Handicap
-Championship Pedigree
-Defeating Champions in Non-Title Affairs
-Christi’s assessment of their ring gear
-If you are named #1 Contender by the Promotion

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CHAMPION: John Cena
Championship Won: September 17th 2006
Major Defenses: -V. Edge 10.02.06
V. Edge 12.18.06
V. Umaga 1.07.07
V. Umaga 1.28.07
V. HBK 4.01.07
V. Randy Orton, Edge and Shawn Michaels 4.29.07
V. The Great Khali 5.20.07
V. The Great Khali 6.03.07
V. Bobby Lashley, King Booker, Randy Orton and Mick Foley 6.24.07
V. Bobby Lashley 7.22.07
V. Randy Orton 8.26.07

The Contenders:
1. Randy Orton- While Randy Orton failed to win the WWE Title at Summerslam, it doesn’t appear as if he is going away quietly. When refused a rematch on Raw this week, he proceeded to attack John Cena in his bout with King Booker to take young John Cena out. He then crossed the line and grab Cena’s dad from the crowd and deliver the “concussion kick.” Without doubt Cena will be looking to get revenge and this will allow Orton to get another title shot.

2. Umaga – In a nod to the old school top 10 lists, the secondary singles champion; in this case the IC Champion automatically garners the #2 contender’s spot. Umaga is a dominating monster, and as we saw one year ago he could easily be vaulted into the WE Title scene at anytime, the man is a true threat to John Cena and or whoever holds the title.

3. HHH – The self proclaimed “King of Kings” returned at Summerslam with a decisive victory over King Booker at Summerslam. He is back and in great shape and continued his return with the destruction of Carlito and a complete mockery of Vince McMahon on Monday. It is only a mater of time before the Game sets his sights back on the top gold.

4. King Booker – While the true King of the WWE suffered a bad loss to HHH at Summerslam, he still remains a solid contender for the WWE Title. He had a solid bout with John Cena on Monday and while he seems to be on the down turn, the King of the WWE is always a danger to whoever holds the WWE Title.

5. Ken Kennedy – Ken Kennedy had a lot of momentum coming to Raw in the draft, but that was ended with the injury and subsequent loss of his MITB title shot. He is on the road back, including taking out Bobby Lashley and having a good showing at Summerslam. Add into this the speculation that he may in fact be Vince McMahon’s bastard child and big things could be in store for Kennedy.

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CHAMPION: Umaga
Championship Won: July 2nd
Defenses: -V. Santino Marella 7.09.07
V. Jeff Hardy 7.22.07
V. Santino Marella 7.30.07
V. Ken Kennedy and Carlito 8.26.07

The Contenders:
1. Jeff Hardy – Jeff Hardy made his triumphant return to Raw Monday night after some time off for suspension. He had a hell of a match with Ken Kennedy and seems to be picking up with his feud with Umaga, where he left off before the suspension.

2. Ken Kennedy – Ken Kennedy had a lot of momentum coming to Raw in the draft, but that was ended with the injury and subsequent loss of his MITB title shot. He is on the road back, including taking out Bobby Lashley and having a good showing at Summerslam. Add into this the speculation that he may in fact be Vince McMahon’s bastard child and big things could be in store for Kennedy.

3. Carlito – Carlito has seen a lot of ups and downs recently. But with a win over John Cena, drawing Mr. Kennedy and avoiding the pin fall at Summerslam he remains in contention for the IC Title in the middle of the mix.

4. Snitsky – While Snitsky is not a favorite of the Csonka Commission, his win/loss record is undeniable since moving to Raw. He is on a roll and recently took John Cena to the limit. Snitsky could hold gold sooner than later and if he gets it, I don’t know who’ll be able to take it from him.

5. Cody Rhodes – Cody Rhodes got off to a rough start against the much more experienced Randy Orton, but since then has obtained wins over Shelton, Haas and Daivari in singles action. He still has a way to go but is hungry and if he keeps up this streak he could be holding gold sooner than later.

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CHAMPIONS: The Redneck Whirling Dervish (Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch)
Championship Won: June 4th
Defenses: -V. The Hardy’s 6.24.07

The Contenders:
1. Cryme Time – Back on January 7th of 2007 Cryme Time defeated The Redneck Whirling Dervish, The World’s Greatest Tag Team, The Highlanders and Super Crazy and Hacksaw to win “a future tag team title match.” In essence they were the #1 contenders, and since their run they have only lost one TV tag team match. They have never officially received this “phantom” title shot. Take that into account with the fact that they have a much better win loss record than the rest of the teams and they are the undisputed #1 contenders.

2. Brian Kendrick and Paul London – The former WWE tag Team Champions of almost a year came to Raw in the recent Supplemental Draft. Unfortunately for them they have had a slow start, splitting wins with The World’s Greatest Tag Team. But recently they were able to score a huge non-title victory over The Redneck Whirling Dervish, which is what vaults them over Haas and Benjamin.

3. The World’s Greatest Tag Team – The World’s Greatest Tag Team, consisting of Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin has had their ups and downs since reforming on Raw; unfortunately for them there have been more downs than ups. They recently scored a big win over London and Kendrick and showed people why they were known as “The World’s Greatest Tag Team.” They are a deadly team and could run through the division like they did years ago on Smackdown if given the shot.

4. The Highlanders – The Highlanders are the bottom of the Raw barrel of tag teams. It also appears as if they will not be on the show for long, so add that to their colossal losing streak and they are, without a doubt the bottom of the tag team division.

5. N/A

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CHAMPION: Candice Michelle
Championship Won: June 24th
Defenses: – V. Melina 7.22.07

The Contenders:
1. Beth Phoenix – This past weekend’s Summerslam PPV was an event that saw an Inter-Promotional Diva’s Battle Royal, with the winner becoming the #1 contender to Candice Michelle’s title. Beth Phoenix went through Melina, Mickie James, Maria, Jillian Hall, Victoria, Torrie Wilson, Krystal, Michelle McCool, Layla, Kelly Kelly, and Brooke Adams on her way to winning the bout. The “Glamazon” now sets her sights on the women’s title, and with her natural strength and athletic ability could cause a lot of problems for not only Candice but the rest of the division.

2. Melina – The former women’s champion is not a happy lady to be sure. After taking the title from Mickie James she looked to rule over the division, but Playboy Model turned wrestler Candice Michelle has improved at a rate at which no one, especially Melina expected. Her efforts have fallen short in regards to getting the title back and have lessened since losing at Summerslam.

3. Mickie James – The former champion, who lost that title to Melina has been in a funk for a while now. Picking up the occasional win is fine, but it seems as if Mickie has become Candice’s little buddy, as they have done a lot of tag bouts together. If she gets focused, once again she’s a threat to the title.

4. Jillian Hall – Jillian Hall’s move to Raw was the best thing for her since the Women’s title is on the show. She is a trained wrestler and has the skills to take that title at any time. She’s looking for towards her singing career right now, but if she were to focus she’ll be major competition to whom ever the champion is at the time.

5. Maria – In all honesty Maria is here as filler. She is in the division to look good and barely passes as a wrestler. Unless she pulls a big turn around like Candice has done, I wouldn’t expect to see here move from here anytime soon.

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