With the Undisputed WWE Championship having just been the line in Canada — and with a returning Kevin Owens sustaining one hell of a hometown betrayal in the title match — it’s the perfect opportunity to take stock of the Uncrowned power rankings: our monthly assessment of the must-see personalities in pro-wrestling right now.
Who’s up? Who’s down? And who has the wind in their sails as AEW heads into its biggest stadium show of the year at All In? Here are the answers to all your questions.
MEN’S POWER RANKINGS10. Bron Breakker (Prev: NR)It’s no secret that Bron Breakker has lost a bit of shine over the course of 2026. Sure, the man still has the most devastating spear in the business, but his booking has left a lot to be desired. Thankfully that looks set to change with WWE opting to pull the trigger on the whole “most dominant newcomer” feud between Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker. We are seated for that.
9. Kenny Omega (Prev: NR)Having decided to put the AEW World Championship on Kenny Omega three weeks ahead of Redemption — where we all figured the change would happen — Tony Khan needed something special to put the spotlight on his champion going into All In. Luckily, he executed it flawlessly with a superb closing shot of Omega hitting a surprise One Winged Angel on Will Ospreay to raise the stakes for next weekend.
8. Cody Rhodes (Prev: 8)It’s a mixed verdict for “The American Nightmare” this month. Not only is he without the WWE Championship, but he lacks a plausible path to getting it back anytime soon — a situation that feels unique for QB1. On the other hand, WWE has struck gold in finding a box-office feud for their golden boy that doesn’t involve the world title. His blood-splattered rivalry with Randy Orton is one of the most intense angles in pro-wrestling right now.
Cody Rhodes (left) and Randy Orton are back at it again.Eakin Howard via Getty Images7. Randy Orton (Prev: NR)Randy Orton might not have got the result he wanted back at WrestleMania, but the defeat unlocked something that has been missing in “The Viper” in recent years. Ever since that brutal punt kick on Rhodes, Orton has rediscovered his edge as one of the more psychopathic stars in pro-wrestling. God knows what will happen when he and Rhodes finally get their hands on each other at their grudge match in Atlanta next month.
6. LA Knight (Prev: NR)Can you feel it? The LA Knight optimism is alive and kicking once again, as hopeful fans worldwide dare to dream that WWE might just put the world title on “The Megastar.” OK, reality check: no one really expects Knight to defeat Roman Reigns any time soon, but the fact that the enduring babyface is even being treated like Reigns’ biggest rival now feels like an improvement on where we were a few months ago.
Is the LA Knight push finally upon us?!?WWE via Getty Images5. Kevin Owens (Prev: NR)After all that build-up, they didn’t do it. Kevin Owens came up second-best in Toronto — albeit largely down to some Sami Zayn shenanigans — furthering what must be the least successful track record in pro-wrestling. How many times has Owens failed to take the Undisputed or Universal title now? Twelve? Abysmal statistics aside, you can’t deny that Owens feels fresh as hell right now. I’d bet my house that there’s more mileage to come in the whole Punk vs. Owens feud.
4. Will Ospreay (Prev: 1)Football didn’t come home for England this summer. But at least Will Ospreay is coming home, as England’s great pro-wrestler faces off against Kenny Omega in the main event of All In at Wembley Stadium. After four years of consistently raising the standards in Tony Khan’s promotion, you have to assume that Ospreay is in line for the prize he deserves. Should that happen, it’ll be a huge moment for Ospreay, AEW and British wrestling more broadly.
Soon. (Ricky Havlik, AEW)Ricky Havlik3. CM Punk (Prev: NR)“The Second City Saint” is still the man to beat on “SmackDown,” after his controversial victory over Kevin Owens. It was the latest chapter in what has felt like a solid title run for CM Punk on the blue brand. One thing’s for sure, he won’t be short of competitors anytime soon, with Gunther, Finn Balor and Sami Zayn all desperate for a shot. Then there’s Kevin Owens, perhaps the one man in the promotion who can give Punk a run for his money on the microphone as well as in the ring.
2. Oba Femi (Prev: 2)Here’s something that will feel novel in a few years’ time: Oba Femi being in second place. At this point in time, though, it still feels the right place for “The Ruler.” Yes, his Hell in a Cell victory over Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam was a god-tier achievement. But it looks like WWE is going to bide its time when it comes to unleashing Femi’s world champion potential, likely keeping that powder dry until WrestleMania.
1. Roman Reigns (Prev: 3)If WrestleMania was the moment that Roman Reigns became champion, August has been the month in which he became the heel champion. Watching Reigns lording over the WWE universe on “Raw” has felt like a throwback to the glory days of 2023, as “The OTC” commands his minions while sneering at would-be challengers. Sure, he may have swallowed that Samoan Spike on Monday, but you it likely won’t be long before he’s paying that one back — with interest.
Roman Reigns remains the king ... for now.WWE via Getty ImagesWOMEN’S POWER RANKINGS10. Blake Monroe (Prev: NR)This week’s “SmackDown” finally saw the much-anticipated in-ring debut of Blake Monroe — well, sort of. In the end, WWE opted to have the competitor formerly known as Mariah May jump the gun in dispensing a hefty beatdown to Giulia, thus forcing the match to be called off. WWE clearly sees big potential in Monroe, but let’s just hope they can avoid the curse of the vignettes — far too many names have been hyped with video packages in recent years only to fade away when they actually debut.
9. Stephanie Vaquer (Prev: NR)After her long post-WrestleMania absence, Stephanie Vaquer made her return on the “Raw” after SummerSlam, picking up straight where she left off, making it clear to Liv Morgan that she wants the belt back. Given the way “La Primera” was pushed to the moon back in her initial main roster run in 2025, you have to assume a rematch will be on the cards at some point. The South American talent is just too damn good not to get one.
8. Iyo Sky (Prev: 2)Being the best bell-to-bell wrestler (at least according to Michael Cole) is all well and good, but it hasn’t served Iyo Sky particularly well this year. After her failed title shot against Liv Morgan at SummerSlam, the Japanese star appears to be back where she was in the spring: getting a massive babyface pop every time she makes a run-in to save someone on “Raw.” Right now, she feels like a top-tier talent in need of a challenge.
7. Mercedes Moné (Prev: 3)One of the traditions of All In has been the bombastic entrances for Mercedes Moné, with the “CEO” managing to get everything from a vintage Fairlane 500 to a pack of corgis on Tony Khan’s credit card. What does she have planned this year, I wonder? Then there's the other question: can Moné finally secure the AEW Women’s Championship for the first time in her career? It feels like either answer to that question would be a big deal right now.
Can Mercedes Mone finally capture the AEW Women's Championship?Etsuo Hara via Getty Images6. Becky Lynch (Prev: NR)Whether she’s in face or heel mode, Becky Lynch is consistently among the most charismatic personalities in pro-wrestling. Having seemingly left the IC title behind for now — and not a moment too soon — “The Man” has wasted no time in inserting herself back into the big leagues, trading blows with Liv Morgan and Stephanie Vaquer on “WWE Raw” in what looks like the obvious build to a triple-threat match.
5. Tiffany Stratton (Prev: 6)She might be a polarizing figure among some wrestling fans, but Tiffany Stratton remains a moneymaker on “WWE SmackDown” — even without gold around her waist. Right now, Stratton’s most exciting work is her combustible BFF alliance with Chelsea Green. It’s the perfect layup for a serious Tiffy heel turn before long, when she inevitably betrays her friend in an attempt to end the most popular title reign on television.
4. Jacy Jayne (Prev: 9)Rhea Ripley’s absence on “SmackDown” has created an opportunity for new names to shine, not least of which has been Jacy Jayne, who managed to become women’s U.S. Champion earlier this month. The Fatal Influence leader has been generating major heat ever since her main roster debut, and it’s good to see WWE responding in kind. With all three members of Jayne’s stable now holding gold, the future is looking bright for the former NXT champion.
3. Willow Nightingale (Prev: NR)It’s a good month for up-and-coming talent, as AEW’s Willow Nightingale secures a podium place finish. Her win over Thekla at Redemption was arguably the biggest takeaway of AEW’s July pay-per-view, delivering a brilliant example of those heartwarming babyface title changes that don’t come along too often. Having won over the fans’ hearts, “The Babe with the Power” now faces the challenge of a lifetime at All In against Mercedes Mone.
2. Liv Morgan (Prev: 1)After three long months, the injustice has been rectified: Liv Morgan has finally defended her WWE Women’s World Championship. The 104-day run without a single defense had been one of the most baffling situations in pro-wrestling: why have such a charismatic champion appearing every week on “Raw” if no one is going to step up to her? Now, after the long wait, Ms. Morgan has not one but two challengers — so let’s get another title defense booked ASAP.
Was there ever really a question?WWE via Getty Images1. Chelsea Green (Prev: NR)Just when you thought you’d seen it all with Chelsea Green getting gold at SummerSlam, last week’s “SmackDown” delivered the real star-making turn, as the injured babyface champion stood firm against Nick Aldis’ attempt to take the gold from her. The segment has already been tipped as the promo of the year. It’s also served up the perfect stipulation for Green’s unlikely title run: she now has 30 days (well, 24 by now) to overcome her injury and prove her champion credentials.
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