WWE News and Updates 2016: AJ Styles, Kevin Owens Keep Top Spots on ESPN Power Rankings
WWE is a representation of the "survival of the fittest" adage, except the survivors are determined by a planned storyline and the ability of a superstar to get over the crowd. For the longest time, the "babyfaces" of the company—The Rock, John Cena and now, Roman Reigns,—had been designated at the top of the food chain.
Meanwhile, guys like Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens had to spice up their character and constantly impress both the fans and the management with in-ring and mic skills. As reflected by the ESPN Power Rankings this week, however, it seems the tide had changed.
AJ Styles
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Just like last week, AJ Styles ended up at the top spot over a New Era roster teeming with talent. The veteran, formerly of TNA, had been unanimously picked by ESPN contributors as No. 1 on this week's list, and the way he had been pushed lately warrants that decision.
Styles is currently the WWE Champion, a belt he would be defending soon at "No Mercy" vs. Dean Ambrose and John Cena. He might also achieve the unimaginable—be the undefeated bane to Cena's never-giving-up character. He had yet to lose to Mr. Cenation.
Kevin Owens
From one champion to another, the second spot is held by Kevin Owens. KO soared to the top of the list when Triple H handed him the Universal Championship. He subsequently and successfully defended it vs. Rollins, albeit with the help of Chris Jericho.
Right now, Owens is in a big storyline with Seth Rollins, Triple H, and possibly even a future feud with his current tag team partner, Chris Jericho.
Seth Rollins
The trio at the top tier of the power rankings last week kept their spots. Rollins is on fire right now, transitioning from a tweener to a full-blown face. The change started when Triple H blindsided him to hand the title to Owens, and Rollins had been building himself up into a new chapter ever since.
The Architect delivered a convincing promo on Raw last week, stoking the fires of the Rollins vs. the Machine feud. Fans have yet to see the fruition of this setup, however, as Triple H is still out of WWE programming.
The Miz also keeps his spot at No. 4, while Charlotte moves up to No. 5 despite losing her Women's Title to Sasha Banks on Raw. John Cena, Chris Jericho, new entrant Banks, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose fill the rest of the top 10.
