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With the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on hiatus and a tag team elimination extravaganza as the main event, you might think that the singles-oriented Wrestler Wrankings would take a backseat for WWE's upcoming pay per view show, Payback.
You'd be wrong.
Except for the injured Daniel Bryan and the vexing Dolph Ziggler, the entire Wrankings Top 10 will be in action. And with no world title at stake, the lesser championships take center stage and become even more crucial for competitors looking to pick up points.
Of particular interest is the grudge match for the United States Championship, pitting Sheamus against the newest of Paul Heyman's guys, Cesaro.
These are two of the physically strongest competitors in wrestling today, both of whom distinguish themselves from their fellow strongmen with their ability to work a standard heavyweight style in addition to just showcasing raw power. This combination of skillsets usually leads to world title contention in the mold of a John Cena or Triple H. Surely both men have designs on the top of the card, but first they must prove themselves with a successful US Title reign.
Of course, winning the Wrankings Championship wouldn't hurt matters either!
OFFICIAL WRESTLER WRANKINGS FORMULA
ANY WIN = 2 POINTS
US OR INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE BOUT = 1 POINT
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT = 3 POINTS
NON "BIG 4" PPV BONUS = 1.5X
SUMMERSLAM, SURVIVOR SERIES, ROYAL RUMBLE = 2X BONUS
WRESTLEMANIA = 3X BONUS
The WWE season begins on the day after WrestleMania 30 and culminates with WrestleMania 31. The wrestler who accumulates the most points over the course of the season, wins the coveted Wrankings Championship!
Monday Night Raw -- 5/26/14
Main Event -- 5/28/14
Smackdown -- 5/30/14
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WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 8 *TOP TEN*
1. RUSEV -- 25 points
2. Sheamus -- 24 points
3. Bad News Barrett -- 21.5 points
4. Cesaro -- 21 points
5. Rob Van Dam -- 16
6. Big E -- 12.5
T7. Dolph Ziggler -- 11
T7. El Torito -- 11
9. Daniel Bryan -- 9.5
T10. Batista -- 7
T10. Bray Wyatt -- 7
Thanks for reading, Cagesiders. We'll see you back here next week!