Friday Night SmackDown Power Rankings: Week of Oct. 28
By Serena Burks
Women’s Division
No. 1: Bayley
Bayley joined commentary on Friday while watching Nikki Cross dispatch of Mandy Rose. She will remain at the top of this list while she holds the SmackDown Women’s Championship, which is on the line against Cross very soon.
No. 2: Nikki Cross
As if winning the six-pack challenge last week wasn’t enough, Cross further showed her value to the blue brand by defeating Mandy Rose this week. She wasn’t just fighting Rose, either. Sonya Deville was at ringside while Sasha Banks and Bayley were on commentary. None of that mattered to Nikki, though, who defeated Rose and continues to prove she belongs at the top of the division.
No. 3: Lacey Evans
She may have fought a local “nasty” and gotten a somewhat easy victory, but Evans makes a point to be in the ring as often as possible. You may not like her antics or her attitude, but she prides herself on being present and getting wins, something she does consistently.
No. 4: Sasha Banks
We’re still waiting on Banks to have a match of her own on Friday Night SmackDown instead of being attached to Bayley, but that doesn’t change her talent level. Banks is a fighter, and she will get back in the ring. Once that happens, she’s no longer going to be second to her BFF.
No. 5: Alexa Bliss
Similar to Banks, Bliss hasn’t had a match on Friday Night SmackDown since being traded to the brand. Her talent alone, though, will keep her on this list. Where she lands will always depend on if she gets in the ring, and if she doesn’t, what the other women in the division do with their time.
No. 6: Mandy Rose
She may have lost her match to Nikki Cross, but that doesn’t mean that Mandy Rose is going away. She’s still talented, and she makes an appearance in the ring whenever she can. Sometimes she only wins with the help of her BFF, Sonya Deville, but she’s out there giving it her all.
No. 7: Carmella
Mella is one of the most entertaining female Superstars to watch in the ring. She doesn’t physically look like she belongs out there, but the Princess of Staten Island will make you pay for thinking that. Given the opportunity, she will moonwalk her way to victory.
No. 8: Sonya Deville
Deville would likely be higher on this list if she had some of her own singles matches as opposed to always being at the side of Mandy Rose. Deville has a ton of potential and talent, but we don’t get to see it on display that often.
No. 9: Dana Brooke
Brooke clamors for time in the ring and wants more opportunities. Her biggest problem is doing something with the opportunities she is given. Most of the time, she doesn’t do well enough to come away with the win, but a lot of that is due to inexperience. If she continues to get matches, her stock will go up.
No. 10: Tamina
If Tamina could get in the ring, it’s likely that she would move up on this list. She has familial history in WWE, not to mention her own raw talent. Look for her to move up the rankings with a few matches, or drop off entirely if she doesn’t get in the ring soon.