WWE Superstars' Fortunes Fluctuate: Who's Rising and Who's Falling?
Forget power rankings – at Cageside, we dissect the ever-shifting landscape of WWE with our weekly stock report. We pinpoint three Superstars (or groups) whose stars are ascending and three whose momentum is waning. This week was a whirlwind, with Finn Bálor challenging CM Punk, GUNTHER besting AJ Styles, and Jordynne Grace holding the WWE Women's Championship aloft. Let's dive into the winners and losers.
Stock Down: Creative Struggles and Missed Opportunities
#3: Kiana James & Giulia: WWE's creative team seems stumped when it comes to showcasing their singles women's champions on SmackDown. James, alongside United States Champion Giulia, fell to Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair in a tag team match. Despite the loss, they inexplicably secured a spot in next week's number one contender's match. This feels like a bandaid solution, suggesting WWE lacks a clear direction for Giulia's title reign.
See AlsoWWE Makes Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY's Ship Name OfficialDixie Carter Returns to TNA: Crowd Reacts with Boos! | Impact Wrestling on AMCAgit Kabayel vs Damian Knyba: Highlights & Controversial TKO! What's Next for Kabayel?Gable Steveson's UFC Potential: The Next Brock Lesnar? | MMA Analyst Breakdown#2: Matt Cardona: Cardona's return to WWE hasn't been the triumphant homecoming fans hoped for. On SmackDown, he suffered a clean defeat to Trick Williams in a Fatal 4-Way qualifier, followed by a post-match attack from jobber Kit Wilson. This treatment echoes the lackluster booking of his previous persona, Zack Ryder, leaving fans wondering if history is repeating itself.
#1: Kabuki Warriors: After losing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship last week, the Kabuki Warriors suffered another setback on Raw, with Kairi Sane taking the pin in a number one contender's match. Their exclusion from the upcoming January 23rd contender's match further marginalizes them. Perhaps Asuka and Kairi should shift their focus to the Royal Rumble, where 30 spots remain up for grabs.
Stock Up: Rising Stars and Strategic Pushes
#3: Bron Breakker: Despite a loss to CM Punk on Raw, Breakker's stock remains high. His ferocious spear on Dragon Lee and intense confrontation with Adam Pearce reignited fan interest. Even his indefinite suspension seems like a mere blip, as he's already wrestled at a house show. Breakker remains a strong contender for the Royal Rumble.
#2: Carmelo Hayes & Leon Slater: While Slater isn't technically WWE talent, his challenge to Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship on SmackDown generated significant buzz. The commentary team's praise for Slater hints at WWE's interest in acquiring this young star. Hayes also benefited from the match, solidifying his position as a fighting babyface champion.
#1: Trick Williams: WWE has masterfully packaged Trick Williams since his main roster call-up. His charisma, mic skills, and in-ring ability have captivated audiences. His interactions with established stars like Randy Orton and Sami Zayn elevate his status, and his victory over Zayn on SmackDown solidified his position as a top contender for the WWE Championship. WWE is clearly invested in pushing Williams to the top.
Food for Thought:
WWE's booking decisions often spark debate. Is WWE doing enough to elevate their women's division beyond tag team matches? Is Matt Cardona being utilized to his full potential? And is Trick Williams truly ready for the main event scene? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
