WWE Friday Night SmackDown Power Rankings: Week of Oct. 14

Friday Night SmackDown Men’s Power Rankings

No. 1: Brock Lesnar – The Beast is a former UFC Champion, a five-time WWE Champion and a three-time WWE Universal Champion. His accolades could warrant an entire article themselves due to his success in the business. Right now, he’s signed to SmackDown and is the reigning WWE Heavyweight Champion, a title he took from Kofi Kingston and a title he won’t give up easily.

No. 2: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt – Wyatt’s recent move from Raw to SmackDown is huge for the blue brand. His fearsome antics and ability to get into the heads of his opponents is superior to that of anyone else. He’s his own freak show, but with the talent to back up his words. He plays a psychological game and uses it to physically dominate his opponents.

No. 3: Shinsuke Nakamura – The current Intercontinental Champion is the King of Strong Style. He feigns an inability to speak English when it pleases him and uses Sami Zayn to be his voice. His finisher, the Kinshasa, is a brutal attack that wipes out any opponent. His wiry frame is deceiving of his strength, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to get the win. Some might look past him for a variety of reasons, but he will make you pay for doing so.

No. 4: Roman Reigns – The Big Dog battled back from his second bout with leukemia and returned to WWE with a vengeance. After being blindly attacked by Erick Rowan, Reigns showed the world what he is truly made of: Spears, Superman punches and fun matches to watch. Reigns has fought bigger battles than what he finds in the ring, and his talent makes him one of the top Superstars across both brands.

No. 5: Luke Harper – Harper returned from injury recently and made his presence known as he had the back of his fellow Bludgeon Brother, Erick Rowan. Harper’s crazy eyes and wild hair make him look a bit psychotic, but don’t let that fool you. Crazy he may be, but he is not without talent or smarts. He will make you pay for entering the ring with him.

No. 6: Braun Strowman – The Monster Among Men has a big match coming up against boxing champion Tyson Fury, but Strowman isn’t worried. Anyone who gets in the ring with him knows that he’s not easy to take down. Far more agile and speedy than he looks, Strowman will likely challenge Lesnar for the WWE Championship sooner than later.

No. 7: Shorty Gable – Don’t let his size fool you like it did King Corbin. Gable is a former Olympian and Pan-American Champion. At 5-foot-8, he is one of the shortest competitors on the men’s WWE roster, but he’s talented enough and strong enough that Corbin felt the need to use weapons in order to beat him. Gable is tough, and while his reach isn’t far, if he gets hold of you, you’re likely to tap out.

No. 8: Daniel Bryan – The Planet’s Champion changed his attitude when he returned to action after a three-year break from the ring. Since his return, he’s been the WWE Heavyweight Champion and a Tag Team Champion. Another one on the short side, Bryan’s talent makes up for what he lacks in height. No wrestler is going to overlook Bryan given his history, and it’s likely he will earn a shot at the title again at some point.

No. 9: King Corbin – “King” Baron Corbin earned his title by winning the King of the Ring tournament earlier this year. A former acting general manager and a former Mr. Money in the Bank, Corbin is one who will shirk the rules to gain victory. Whether it’s his scepter, a chair, a ladder or a kendo stick, Corbin will use every avenue he has to win a match. Or just beat the crap out of his opponent if he gets frustrated.

No. 10: The Miz – The Miz hasn’t been in the ring much lately, largely in part to the birth of his second daughter recently. Now a dad of two, Miz is still as cunning and devious as he always was. He’s a little softer in tone, but not at all in the ring. He believes he is the best and that he deserves title opportunities, and he’s likely to get them. He’s tough and won’t go down easy, and talented enough to grab one of the titles given the opportunity.