{"id":166192,"date":"2023-09-22T16:09:20","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T21:09:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=166192"},"modified":"2023-09-22T16:09:20","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T21:09:20","slug":"rocket-straps-using-key-metrics-to-rank-the-top-ten-wrestlers-prioritized-by-wwe-this-week-including-la-knight-the-rock-nia-jax-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2023\/09\/22\/rocket-straps-using-key-metrics-to-rank-the-top-ten-wrestlers-prioritized-by-wwe-this-week-including-la-knight-the-rock-nia-jax-more\/","title":{"rendered":"ROCKET STRAPS: Using key Metrics to rank the top ten wrestlers prioritized by WWE this week, including LA Knight, The Rock, Nia Jax, more"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-1209372856\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p>Welcome to the second week of Rocket Straps, where we attempt to sort out WWE\u2019s booking priorities based on the information we\u2019re given. For a better idea of how this process works, check out last week\u2019s debut column:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2023\/09\/15\/rocket-straps-debut-column-ranking-the-top-ten-wrestlers-that-wwe-is-prioritizing-based-on-key-metrics-from-judgment-day-to-jey-uso\/\">ROCKET STRAPS (Debut Column): Ranking the Top Ten Wrestlers that WWE is Prioritizing based on key metrics from Judgment Day to Jey Uso<\/a><\/p>\n<p>These rankings are based on the latest editions of Smackdown (9\/15) and Raw (9\/18).<\/p>\n<p><strong>1 &#8211; Judgement Day (1)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The faces that run the places are back on top by a wide margin once again this week. As we\u2019re often reminded, there are no leaders in the Judgement Day and this week was Dirty Dom\u2019s time to shine. He flew without a parachute, as Rhea Ripley was out with \u201cbruised ribs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As such, Dom displayed a more aggressive character than we\u2019re used to seeing, jawing with Cody and later Dragon Lee instead of hiding behind Mami or playing the little brother of his faction.<\/p>\n<p>Having unrequited overtures towards both Uso brothers is not the most flattering look for such a presumably powerful group, though. Additionally, J.D. McDonagh was absent without mention.<\/p>\n<p>Hopefully these things aren\u2019t an indication of creative losing their direction with the faction. Either way, they continue to dominate storylines on both shows.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3959920094\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>2 &#8211; Cody Rhodes (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Using only Raw metrics, the Judgement Day still came out on top this week, but Cody made for a close second.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s more impressive with his standing is he\u2019s the only singles wrestler in the top five not to have received a bump from top merchandise sales.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, Cody made his mark by factoring into just about every key segment of the show, from his opening match victory over Dom to making the heroic save at Raw\u2019s close.<\/p>\n<p>In between, he also finally got to air his motivation for bringing Jey to Raw, though his identifying personally with the need to give second chances was a bit confusing. Was he referring to his overcoming of several bad gimmicks or was this something of an apology for being brought back after challenging WWE with the start of another company?<\/p>\n<p>In either event, this is the placement we expect to see most weeks from the clear leader on the babyface side of the roster.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3 &#8211; Jey Uso (2)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Even when another group runs rampant over WWE programing, the Bloodline still manages to dominate the conversation. Though Jey\u2019s decision to spurn the Judgement Day felt somewhat accelerated, his joining never felt realistic, so it was best to get on with the next chapter here.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3386446580\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>When the trigger is finally pulled on the Smackdown compensatory trade prompted by Jey\u2019s arrival on Raw, the show would not miss a beat should Cody be revealed as the departure.<\/p>\n<p>Jey continues to benefit from, well, main event level placement on Monday nights, and the reaction he garners from live audiences each week provides all the justification needed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4 &#8211; Seth Rollins (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The difficult task handed to Seth upon becoming the inaugural World Champion was to make the title feel on par with that of the Universal Championship. He\u2019s doing everything he can, but for now, it\u2019s not even the top storyline on Raw.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe it has to do with his foil having been defined down to mid-card status for years before this program began, but it likely has as much to do with the premise of the feud.<\/p>\n<p>How invested can fans get in a fighting champion with a bad back who, at least in storylines, clearly needs to take some time off? At the end of the day, though, the champ is still the champ.<\/p>\n<p>His big angle was featured at the top of the 9 p.m. hour and his fiery backstage promo served as the opening act to the main event, creating a slight quarter-hour bump in the process.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5 &#8211; L.A. Knight (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Second only to the double-dipping Judgement Day, L.A. Knight finds his place this week atop the Smackdown-only priority list for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>He received second billing in the official show preview, and was then featured in both the 9 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. segments, handing a decisive defeat to the Miz and likely closing out his first major feud.<\/p>\n<p>The bigger news was the promo after his match. He listed most of the singles champions in the company as potential targets, but no one expects him to begin chasing Rey Mysterio.<\/p>\n<p>The point of the declaration was obviously to continue the slow build towards a match with Roman Reigns.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6 &#8211; The Rock (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No top-selling t-shirt, championship, victory, or even advertised segment is needed to get you towards the top of the pile when you\u2019re Dwayne Johnson appearing on WWE programming.<\/p>\n<p>The lead-off quarter hour is traditionally the highest-rated portion of Smackdown, but it\u2019s not like the Rock coasted on a softball. His presence dominated the first 45 minutes of the show, with highlights and mentions continuing throughout.<\/p>\n<p>If we were tracking those mentions from Raw as well, the Rock likely breaks into the top five. Whether he\u2019s 31 or 51, Dwayne Johnson will be a top priority anytime he decides to appear on WWE programming.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7 &#8211; Kevin Owens (10)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Up three spots from last week, KO was a major player on Raw, featured in both the highest-rated quarter (8:15 p.m.) and again at 10 p.m. in the top of the hour segment.<\/p>\n<p>His merchandise sales provide a bit of a bump, but it was someone else\u2019s shirt that caught my eye. I don\u2019t believe Owens rocking the Scott Hall \u201cBad Guys Last Forever\u201d t-shirt was an accident.<\/p>\n<p>Whether it was commentary on his continued mistrust of Jey Uso or an underlying message about who he is at his core, I anticipate KO continuing to be a presence on this chart.<\/p>\n<p><strong>8 &#8211; Shinsuke Nakamura (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Whatever the reason for WWE suddenly getting behind Nakamura last month, they appear willing to see it through. His match with Ricochet was a promotional hook heading into the show, and that along with the follow-up angle dominated two of the highest rated quarter-hours.<\/p>\n<p>The logic behind a challenger refusing to wrestle the champion they were initially obsessed with facing, even if it\u2019s being played as a psychological ploy, is distracting.<\/p>\n<p>WWE has their chips in with Nakamura this month, but the feeling that we\u2019re in stall mode until the next big challenge arrives certainly permeates.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9-11 Austin Theory (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Austin Theory we got this week must be the one Vince McMahon and others behind the scenes have known of for so long.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s had little to work with beyond the paper thin \u201cThis is my show\u201d bravado, but the smooth charisma behind that guise really shined in his interaction with Pat McAfee prior to the Rock\u2019s interruption.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps knowing the company trusted him to carry the flag of the current generation while mixing it up with two mainstream stars stirred something within Theory. If he can maintain, there will be many more show opening segments in his future.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9-11 A.J. Styles (3)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nothing Styles is currently doing seems to indicate there\u2019s a bigger investment or larger push heading his way. Instead, he\u2019s being leaned on to add quality and depth to the main event storyline. Such positioning should keep him fluctuating up and down this list as all the other pieces fall into place.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9-11 Jimmy Uso (3)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s the key piece to the ongoing Bloodline drama on Smackdown just as his brother is on Raw.<\/p>\n<p>Many have griped about perceived flimsiness in the structure of a character who now desperately wants acceptance from the group he emphatically quit just a couple months ago. If you\u2019re paying close attention, though, it all adds up perfectly.<\/p>\n<p>Jimmy didn\u2019t like being humiliated by Roman and was all for walking out with his brother by his side. When he then felt as though that brother would rise beyond him, he desperately tried to keep him down.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s not strong enough to stand alone, though, so now that Jey has left Jimmy behind, he\u2019s seeking the comfort of the only safety net he\u2019s known.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s multi-level storytelling like this that continues to land Jimmy in various key segments every Friday night.<\/p>\n<h3>Noteworthy<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Ricochet (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>His role in the ongoing Seth-Nakamura drama isn\u2019t exactly flattering, but it is resulting in heavier usage that he\u2019s used to receiving.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Damage CTRL (6)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>They dropped out of the top 10, but main event placement on a show that features both the Rock and John Cena nearly got them back there.<\/p>\n<p><strong>John Cena (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Cena has a history of burying those he\u2019s supposed to be elevating, inadvertent as it may be. So using his comedic chops in a show-closing segment that saw him unable to get a word in edgewise was brilliant, even if it wasn\u2019t the intention.<\/p>\n<p>His sharing of the screen with the Rock as the two buried their decade old hatchet was cool to see as well.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Drew McIntyre (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Cody, Seth, and Nakamura all rising from unranked status a week ago was bound to serve as a detriment to someone, but it sure feels as though huge things are in store for McIntyre.<\/p>\n<p>His character is thriving with a touch of depth and I found myself rooting for him to keep walking to the back, continuing his flirtation with the dark side.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Becky Lynch (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The metric was adjusted this week to take into consideration those who are heavily promoted and featured on additional WWE broadcasting. It was almost enough to move The Man into the top 10.<\/p>\n<p>Should the NXT Women\u2019s Champ continue to cross brands, we could be looking at a potential Judgement Day-style boost for Becky.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bronson Reed (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s been a background fixture seemingly forever, so it was nice to see Bronson Reed finally receive some character beyond \u201cbig.\u201d For starters, he has a new nickname. I mean, that\u2019s something.<\/p>\n<p>Michael Cole and Corey Graves made Reed feel more special for the first time, though, by discussing Reed\u2019s love of Bam Bam Bigelow and how he designed his tights as an homage. Adding to it talk of how it was time for Reed to step up, and then watching him do so, made it seem like we finally have something to invest in.<\/p>\n<p>This felt more like WWE taking what they\u2019ve built in another character and using it to grow additional talent than it did like a burial of Chad Gable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nia Jax (NR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The sentiment towards her return has been bad. She\u2019s earned a reputation for being a careless worker in the past and boy are we ever hearing about that.<\/p>\n<p>If we live in a world where concern over wrestler safety is now paramount amongst fans, that\u2019s a good thing. I can\u2019t help but feel as though this outcry, however, comes from a less altruistic place.<\/p>\n<p>Jax has a great look, a history with many of the performers she\u2019s reacquainting with, and has shown the ability to have quality matches and work intriguing programs.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t believe me, run a quick Google search on \u201cNia Jax PWTorch 2018\u201d and peruse the results.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, how about we all tone down the vitriol?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Drop Outs:<\/strong> Rhea Ripley (5), Imperium, Alpha Academy, Ciampa (7-9)<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>RECOMMENDED NEXT: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2023\/09\/21\/wwe-smackdown-leaving-fox-and-returning-to-usa-network-in-2024-four-nbc-network-specials-also-part-of-new-five-year-deal\/\">WWE Smackdown leaving Fox and returning to USA Network in 2024, four NBC Network specials also part of new five year deal<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>OR CHECK THIS OUT AT PROWRESTLING.NET: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/prowrestling.net\/site\/2023\/09\/22\/wwe-talent-cut-tracker-the-latest-list-of-wrestler-releases\/\">WWE Talent Cut Tracker: The latest list of wrestler releases<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-1415265495\"><div id=\"pwtor-311376992\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Welcome to the second week of Rocket Straps, where we attempt to sort out WWE\u2019s booking priorities based on the information we\u2019re given. For a better idea of how this process works, check out last <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2023\/09\/22\/rocket-straps-using-key-metrics-to-rank-the-top-ten-wrestlers-prioritized-by-wwe-this-week-including-la-knight-the-rock-nia-jax-more\/\" title=\"ROCKET STRAPS: Using key Metrics to rank the top ten wrestlers prioritized by WWE this week, including LA Knight, The Rock, Nia Jax, more\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":72389,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,6927,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-166192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-rocket-straps","category-specialists"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/12\/OwensKevinBrian-Mathesen3x2_600.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=166192"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":166194,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166192\/revisions\/166194"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=166192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=166192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=166192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}