AEW released their latest rankings (Apr. 28, 2021). Let’s check out the movers and shakers.
Men:
I’ll just come out and say it. This week’s men’s rankings are stupid.
Orange Cassidy came out of nowhere to land at #2. The idea that wins over Luther, Steven Stetson, Ryan Nemeth, John Skyler, Prince Kai, and Dean Alexander puts him on the doorstep to a world title shot is ridiculous. It’s not like the rankings were ever an efficiently oiled machine, but that shows a serious flaw in the system. Cassidy will put that position to the test against Pentagon on Dynamite. OC could very well become #1 if Brian Cage knocks off Hangman Page tonight.
It can be pointed out that Dr. Britt Baker DMD and SCU also feasted on cupcakes to pad their records in reaching the top. I don’t like that either, especially if they are rewarded a title shot without wrestling a top 5 opponent in a #1 contender match. The difference is at least those have stories attached. Cassidy popping straight into #2 is weak. The men’s division is a shark tank, and Cassidy’s résumé does not reflect that.
There was a lot of movement this week in the top 5. Last week, Jungle Boy lost to Darby Allin in a TNT title match, and Will Hobbs was bested by Christian Cage. Both men fell out of the rankings from #3 and #4 respectively. Moxley dropped one spot to #3 with the emergence of Cassidy. PAC popped up one spot to #4. 10 broke through to #5 right before his TNT title match against Allin tonight.
Women:
There is a new #1 in the women’s rankings. Dr. Britt Baker DMD played the game and rose to #1. Time will tell if traveling down jabroni road will earn her a title shot against Hikaru Shida or if Baker will first have to earn a victory over someone more formidable.
Tay Conti’s loss to Shida in an AEW Women’s World Championship match last week dropped her from the top spot to #3. Thunder Rosa moved up one position to #2. Nyla Rose and Red Velvet stand pat.
Tag Team:
Butcher & Blade dropped out from #4 to be replaced by The Acclaimed. I don’t know why that happened. Matt Hardy’s men did not lose. On Dark, Bunny and Blade mentioned an injury to Butcher’s cleaver hand, so maybe the big man is actually on the IR.
Do you agree with AEW’s rankings this week? If not, what would you change?