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Survivor Series shook up the world of WWE.
After weeks of stagnation, the Wrestler Wrankings Top Ten has been madeover. Also, Sheamus is our new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, which could have vast ramifications on the Wrankings going forward.
Sheamus cashing in his Money in the Bank opportunity was, of course, a foregone conclusion, but the surprise is that he waited so long to do it.
With notable exceptions (John Cena vs. CM Punk at RAW 1000 comes to mind), Money in the Bank is typically cashed in at an opportune moment while the champion is compromised, usually after an especially brutal match. Sheamus' title win over Roman Reigns at Survivor Series certainly fits this description. Reigns was physically spent after two taxing matches as well as emotionally vexed by the appearance of Triple H to "congratulate" him.
Sheamus rushes in and two Brogue Kicks later, he is the champion once again, but this was far from the most vulnerable a WWE Champion has been this Autumn.
Everyone knows that Seth Rollins suffered severe damage to his knee in a title defense against Kane at a WWE Live Event on November 4th. His immediate forfeiture of the title followed. For minutes after the match, Rollins was incapacitated and completely exposed.
What you might not know is that Sheamus was there! He was no doubt watching the main event with great interest after having just competed in the semi-main against his countryman Finn Balor.
For those of you who would argue that he was waiting for the glory of winning the title on television or on a major WWE Network special, note the location of this particular WWE Live Event. That's right. It was in Dublin, Ireland. Sheamus was born in Cabra, scarcely over a mile away! There was no better time for him to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. It literally would have been one of the greatest moments in Irish sporting history!
It was not to be. Though it was very much within his rights, The Celtic Warrior lived up to his name and chose to let Rollins return to the locker room with dignity and with his title intact, at least for another day.
This proves that, unlike Seth Rollins, this man has scruples, a certain measure of self respect, and regard for others. Keep this in mind as Sheamus enjoys his time basking in the glow of his title and the good graces of The Authority. He'll do what it takes to honor himself and the title, but there are depths to which even he won't dive.
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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 31 and culminates with WrestleMania 32. The wrestler who accumulates the most points over the course of the season, wins the coveted Wrankings Championship!
Survivor Series-- 11/22/15 (2x bonus included)
Monday Night Raw-- 11/23/15
Main Event-- 11/24/15
Smackdown-- 11/26/15
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WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 35 *TOP TEN*
1. Seth Rollins -- 92 points
2. Roman Reigns -- 76.5
3. Ryback -- 72
4. John Cena -- 71.5
5. Neville -- 63
6. Kevin Owens -- 60.5
7. Dean Ambrose -- 56.5
8. Sheamus -- 51.5
9. Randy Orton -- 39
10. Dolph Ziggler -- 37.5
Thanks for reading, Cagesiders. We'll see you back here next week!