While some outlets do power rankings, at Cageside, we offer a stock report instead.
In this weekly series, we highlight three Superstars (or groups) whose stock is rising, as well as three who are experiencing a decline. After a hectic week marked by WWE’s debut on ESPN with Wrestlepalooza, many fortunes have shifted.
With that in mind, let’s analyze who saw the most significant stock drop this week:
Stock Down #3: Motor City Machine Guns
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin made a brief appearance away from WWE catering during a backstage segment on SmackDown, where R-Truth shared tips on accessing Wrestlepalooza via the ESPN App.
Although it’s a light-hearted comedy moment, it signifies WWE’s lack of a creative plan for MCMG. They’re portrayed as individuals searching for ways to watch WWE PLEs on their phones, implying they aren’t deemed worthy of being part of those events.
It’s difficult to believe WWE’s assertion that John Cena is the greatest of all time after witnessing his easy defeat by Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza.
Cena won’t appear again until the Crown Jewel event in Australia on October 11, meaning he’ll be absent for a while. The prospect of him returning for a rematch with Brock for redemption seems unappealing, especially since he won’t be around for a proper build-up.
In an effort to somewhat shield Drew McIntyre from a loss at Wrestlepalooza, Ryan Tran was depicted as an incompetent referee. His interference during the match ultimately resulted in Drew injuring himself and losing.
This situation repeated itself on SmackDown, where his actions again contributed to a major match outcome. It’s disappointing that poor referee decisions marred WWE’s inaugural PLE main event in this new era on ESPN.
Now, let’s examine which Superstars saw their stock rise significantly this week:
Stock Up #3: Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
The duo enjoyed an excellent week, securing victories over notable opponents. If WWE recalls the existence of the tag team championship, it’s clear they should be the top contenders.
Even if this path isn’t their direction, they can take pride in defeating one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history.
Stock Up #2: Stephanie Vaquer
Vaquer’s victory over IYO SKY for the vacant women’s world championship during Wrestlepalooza was a highlight of the event, showcasing a match that thrilled fans and positioned her as a rising star.
Stock Up #1: Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman
Lesnar made his return after a two-year absence, decisively defeating John Cena. This comeback also saw him reunite with Paul Heyman, who remains a significant player in WWE’s narrative landscape.
Considering Cena’s past dominance and his recent public defeat, it is clear that Lesnar is a formidable contender for the WWE championship, likely surpassing even Drew McIntyre as a threat.
That’s it for this week’s stock report, Cagesiders. Which Superstars do you believe had the most impactful stock changes this week?
