What do you think of this week's POWER 25 rankings?
Send your comments to The Academy now.
Feature Promo
WWE.com, in conjunction with The Academy of Wrestling Arts & Sciences (AWAS), ranks the Top 25 Superstars in wrestling each week with POWER 25. The rankings are based on victories, quality of opponents, momentum and overall in-ring dominance, as well as intangibles. Be sure to check back every Saturday for the latest POWER 25. Here are the rankings for May 19:
Also, find out what the number next to the Superstar name means. Continue...
| This Week | Movement | Superstar | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
BOBBY LASHLEY (16) The former ECW World Champion was knocked out cold by Mr. McMahon with the very championship he used to carry, but rebounded to defeat Matt Striker, Elijah Burke & Marcus Cor Von on ECW. |
4 | |
| 2 |
JOHN CENA (2) The Champ moves down one spot thanks to a vicious beating by The Great Khali on Raw. Cena is 0 for 3 when facing the massive Khali; can he turn his luck around at Judgment Day? |
1 | |
| 3 |
The Rated-R Superstar started his first week as World Heavyweight Champion with a less than stellar performance against Shawn Michaels in a farewell match on Raw. What does the future hold for this marked man? |
2 | |
| 4 |
THE GREAT KHALI (1) Khali stole John Cena’s WWE Championship and laid The Champ out three times in as many weeks. Judgment Day is sure to change everything for these two competitors. |
7 | |
| 5 | 5 | ||
| 6 |
MVP has had the Rabid Wolverine in his sights for quite some time on SmackDown. This week, Benoit won his match with Finlay via DQ after MVP got involved and destroyed the legendary Wolverine. |
6 | |
| 7 |
This week, The Showstopper sent Edge off to SmackDown with a classic HBK beat down. After the match, Randy Orton appeared out of nowhere to decimate an already injured Michaels. |
9 | |
| 8 |
A week after his tremendous Steel Cage Match with Undertaker, Batista was missing from action on SmackDown. Is The Animal taking some time for recovery, or is he simply planning his next move? |
8 | |
| 9 |
As one-third of the team responsible for countless attacks on Bobby Lashley, Umaga seems to be in a good position for his match at Judgment Day. Does Lashley have what it takes to defeat Umaga & the McMahons? |
10 | |
| 10 |
The Straightedge Superstar is back in the winner's circle after defeating Stevie Richards on ECW. What does the future hold for this talented competitor? |
11 | |
| 11 |
The Big Red Machine gave a monster-sized SmackDown to William Regal. A little help from the gruesome twosome of Boogeyman and Little Boogeyman helped Kane secure a win. |
12 | |
| 12 |
After losing the World Heavyweight Championship under dubious circumstances, Undertaker was nowhere to be found this week on SmackDown. When will The Deadman rise again? |
3 | |
| 13 |
The ECW World Champion is no stranger to controversy. An attack on Bobby Lashley with the ECW World Championship gold is pretty much par for the course. |
14 | |
| 14 |
MVP has been an impressive force since he became a SmackDown Superstar. MVP has been relentless in his pursuit of the United States Championship lately; will he be able to weaken the Wolverine? |
16 | |
| 15 |
This ECW Original was able to keep up in the ring with the demented Snitsky. A vicious chair shot from the enormous monster knocked RVD out cold. |
15 | |
| 16 |
The duo promised to activate their title rematch clause when London was 100 percent. After two wins over Deuce and Domino in as many weeks, that tag title tilt can’t be far off. |
19 | |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| 18 |
The Women’s Champion was not in action this week on Raw, but had a ringside seat to witness Candice Michelle’s win over Victoria. Is Melina feeling the heat from this rising contender? |
18 | |
| 19 |
The aggressive giant got disqualified in his ECW match against Rob Van Dam, then clobbered Van Dam with a steel chair. Can anyone put the brakes on this beast’s path of rage? |
20 | |
| 20 |
Seeing Edge’s recent championship acquisition using the Money in the Bank briefcase is just more motivation for the Green Bay gladiator to bounce back quickly from his recent injury. |
13 | |
| 21 |
The Intercontinental Champion continues to impress after another victory over Chris Masters. Those who thought the Italian wonder was just a flash in the pan might get burned by Marella’s hot streak. |
23 | |
| 22 |
Did the Judgment Day challenge by HBK flip a switch in the young Superstar, as he beat down Michaels as Raw went off the air? We’ll see if Orton’s aggressiveness leads to a victory this Sunday. |
21 | |
| 23 |
While Murdoch just missed a huge upset of Jeff Hardy on Raw, he did it with no cheating. Looks like the transformation of these blue-collar boys from mean to clean is not just smoke and mirrors. |
22 | |
| 24 |
The World’s Strongest Man continues to impose his will upon the SmackDown roster, following up his Undertaker attack with a thorough demolition of Funaki. |
NR | |
| 25 |
The worm-chomping bruiser from the Bottomless Pit continues his odd pairing with Kane, and even odder pairing with “Little Boogie,” his pint-sized companion. But good things come in small packages, we hear. |
24 |
Do You Agree?
WHAT YOU'RE SAYING
"I thought the P25 is cumulative. Why is a former champion No. 1?" - Ann
The Academy replies: It is cumulative, but Bobby Lashley has been on fire lately. His huge week is enough to power over the champions.
"Edge isn't getting any love. He belongs at No. 1!" - Mark
The Academy replies: He needs to stay hot to hold his spot. He's got a great chance this Sunday when he puts his gold on the line.
"Deuce & Domino below London & Kendrick? What gives?" - Keith
The Academy replies: It's true the greasers won the gold, but London & Kendrick have had their number since.
FAREWELL...
The following Superstar(s) failed to maintain their spot on the POWER 25 this week:
Marcus Cor Von - The New Breed’s 3-on-1 loss to Bobby Lashley knocks The Alpha Male out of the POWER 25. Just another thing to blame Matt Striker for.
OTHERS EARNING VOTES...
The following Superstar(s) also received votes from members of the Academy:
Jimmy Wang Yang - The up-and-coming cowboy scored the pinfall in his six-man tag this week. He’s worth another look.
Candice Michelle - Her one-on-one victory over Victoria turned some heads…well, more heads than usual anyway when this delicious Diva walks by.
Kevin Thorn - Breaking away from the New Breed might just be the thing to launch Thorn up the ranks. He started off on the right fang...err, foot, with a win over Nunzio.