:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37713356/Wrestler-Wrankings-Logo.0.png){kind=logo}
Seth Rollins. Roman Reigns.
Star crossed friends who dominated WWE for over a year as members of The Shield. One remained true to the virtues of justice and consequences, while the other was seduced by the promise of wealth and power. Both men are great wrestlers who embarked on decidedly different paths after the implosion of their dominant faction.
Rollins immediately suffered the wrath of the Dean Ambrose. Their feud lasted through the summer until recently, when the combined forces of The Authority finally put the renegade Ambrose out of commission. They accomplished this by stomping Ambrose's head through a pile of cinder blocks. This is diabolical behavior that should be frowned upon by all, but I'd expect no less from The Authority.
Reigns took a different tact in his search for retribution. He sought out Randy Orton and derailed his legitimate claim as number one contender for the WWE world heavyweight championship. He embarrassed The Viper by roughing him up in front of Authority kingpin, Triple H. This led to a semi-main event clash at SummerSlam where Reigns defeated Orton in a classic encounter. Reigns simultaneously ruined Orton's title ambitions, while establishing himself as a force in the singles division.
That brings us to this past week on RAW and Rollins' "eulogy" for the career of Dean Ambrose. After a few pointed barbs at Ambrose's expense, chaos ensued when Reigns interrupted the proceedings. His attack was swift, brutal, and morally repugnant.
I'm all for righteous vengeance on the part of Reigns. His friend was nearly killed by sinister forces. But when Reigns narrowly missed Rollins' head with a cinder block projectile, he went too far. Put bluntly, Rollins could have been killed. And that's to say nothing of the safety of the audience or poor Jerry Lawler, who was struck by stray debris and clearly rattled for the rest of the broadcast.
Certainly, the actions of The Authority were reprehensible and it's awful that they aren't punished appropriately, but righting evil with reciprocal evil is dangerous ground. Good must triumph without violating the principles that they fight for, lest they become the very thing they are battling against.
Could Gandalf have defeated Sauron in single combat with the aid of The One Ring? Or Luke Skywalker bested Darth Vader by embracing the Dark Side fully? Or Stone Cold Steve Austin ended Vince McMahon's reign of terror by shooting him with a real gun instead of that gag prop? Sure, but at what cost? The acquisition of power, resources or influence, by any means necessary, is practically the definition of evil.
Roman, we're all rooting for you to take The Authority down a peg, but please, strive to keep the body count as low as possible. Even Brock Lesnar stopped short of killing John Cena when he had the chance at Summerslam. Just stay kinder than Brock Lesnar. It's a pretty low bar.
Until then, I cannot condone your crusade against Rollins. I'm just too outraged.
So now I leave it to you, readers. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns are separated by a single point in the Wrestler Wrankings. A virtual tie at this point in the season. Who do you think will possess more Wrankings points when the season concludes after WrestleMania 31? Make your voice heard in the reader poll!
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 -- 8/25/14
Main Event -- 8/27/14
Smackdown -- 8/29/14
-----------------------------------
WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 22 *TOP TEN*
1. RUSEV -- 64 points
2. Sheamus -- 54.5
3. John Cena -- 40
4. Cesaro -- 39.5
5. Seth Rollins -- 38
6. Bo Dallas -- 37.5
T7. Bad News Barrett -- 37
T7. Roman Reigns -- 37
9. Dolph Ziggler -- 34.5
10. Rob Van Dam -- 25,5
Thanks for reading, Cagesiders. We'll see you back here next week!