WWE, AEW power rankings: Roman Reigns, Jacob Fatu set the stage for a chaotic summer

Trick Williams is leaving his mark on "WWE SmackDown."

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8. Seth Rollins (Prev: NR)

Was that whole shoulder injury a ruse too? I jest, of course — but judging by the way "The Visionary" was moving on Saturday night, you wouldn't think he was a man who had just come back from injury (or who had just taken a beating from Gunther at WrestleMania for that matter). He may not have gotten revenge on Bron Breakker this time, but he looked mighty fine on the night. And let’s not forget that brief exchange with Roman Reigns …

7. Bron Breakker (Prev: NR)

After a few months recovering from hernia surgery, wrestling's most fearsome nepo baby really needed the win on Saturday — and so it proved at Backlash, with Breakker delivering another reminder of why he's almost universally tipped as a future WrestleMania main-eventer. Can he now breathe some much-needed life into the whole Vision storyline over on “Raw”? That's the next question for Mr. Steiner Jr.

6. Darby Allin (Prev: 7)

When it comes to his world title run, Darby Allin has chosen to go full Sinatra — insisting on doing everything the way that only he can. Nowhere has that been more so than at this weekend’s Collision special Fairway to Hell, where Darby’s clash with Pac played out like an actual fever dream. It wasn’t just the surreal backdrop, but also that staggering 15 feet bump.

5. Gunther (Prev: 6)

We gritted our collective teeth at Gunther's lousy booking ahead of WrestleMania — and it looks like WWE might just have been listening. If you wanted a way to relaunch one of your most intimidating heavyweight heels, having him choke out the babyface champion largely out of the blue on “SmackDown” was the perfect way to do it. The world now awaits Rhodes vs. Gunther in Turin later this month.

4. Oba Femi (Prev: 2)

The former NXT champion set the pro-wrestling world alight when he crushed Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, earning himself an instant spot in WWE's pre-show "Then, New, Forever" vignette. Since then, though, things have plateaued slightly for Oba Femi, who has been stuck doing open challenges on “Raw.” No doubt WWE has big plans for this generational talent, but I just hope they don’t keep us waiting too long to see them.

The Oba Femi open challenge continues on "WWE Raw."

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3. Cody Rhodes (Prev: 3)

The Undisputed champion was a rare no-show at Backlash — which, given the reported plans for a Pat McAfee tag match, might have been for the best. What awaits "The American Nightmare" now the dust has settled on his controversial win at ‘Mania? On the immediate front, he has Gunther breathing down his neck. But there are whispers that the real threat might come from Randy Orton, who is apparently being lined up for a rematch this summer.

2. Jacob Fatu (Prev: 4)

Going into Backlash, the pressing task for WWE was to keep Jacob Fatu looking strong ahead of his (almost inevitable) loss to Roman Reigns — and boy did they achieve that goal. Not only did Fatu hold the line against the usual Reigns offensive of spears and Superman punches, he then launched a beastly attack on the champion following the match, leaving "The OTC" literally gasping for breath.

Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns tore the house down Saturday at WWE Backlash.

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1. Roman Reigns (Prev: 1)

Returning Roman Reigns to the top perch was WWE's big gambit at this year's WrestleMania. Over the past month, "The Tribal Chief" has set out to remind us why that was a smart move, delivering a solid pre-Backlash feud with Jacob Fatu before going on to headline the event itself with a classic "big fight" match against his errant cousin. For all the praise, though, the big question still remains: What will this title run achieve that his legendary 1,316-day streak didn't?

(Dillon Minshall, Yahoo Sports)

WOMEN'S POWER RANKINGS

10. Jacy Jayne (Prev: NR)

NXT call-ups have been the flavor of the month in WWE, with everyone tripping over themselves to praise Oba Femi and Trick Williams. While we're at it, how about a hand for Jacy Jayne, the massively underrated former NXT women's champion who’s been rustling up a storm since her call-up to “SmackDown”? Her heelish shenanigans with Fatal Influence have been getting the kind of boos even Dominik Mysterio would envy.

9. Asuka (Prev: 10)

For all her praise from wrestling devotees, proper Asuka PLE appearances are vanishingly rare in today's WWE — which is why it was such a treat to get a classic of the genre at this weekend's Backlash. No sooner does "The Empress of Tomorrow" get the chance to sparkle, though, than rumors begin to circulate that she could be on the verge of hanging up her boots for good. If that's the case, she'll be missed.

Have we seen the last of Asuka in the WWE?

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8. Paige (Prev: 3)

It was the comeback that shook the Allegiant Stadium, when the much-missed Paige made her WWE return to help Brie Bella win the women's tag titles at WrestleMania. Since then, Paige has been appearing weekly on “SmackDown,” with all signs pointing toward some sort of her feud with her old rival Charlotte Flair — likely as a tag match with Alexa Bliss and Brie Bella too. Surely that's the perfect match for this month's European tour?

7. Thekla (Prev: 6)

Just when you thought Thekla was getting comfortable as AEW Women's Champion, Tony Kahn arranges her toughest challenge yet: An imposing looking four-way featuring not just her regular rivals Jamie Hayter and Kris Statlander, but Hikaru Shida as well. Can "The Toxic Spider" survive? These multi-woman matches have seen lots of title switches over the years. But whatever happens when Double or Nothing rolls around, no one can deny that Thekla has made her mark as champ.

6. Becky Lynch (Prev: 5)

For all her dastardly heel work, one of the genuinely lovable things about Becky Lynch is her ability to build up younger talent. That’s why it’s so exciting that it looks like "The Man" is heading for a collision course with one of WWE’s most talked-about rising star, the uber-athletic Sol Ruca, who recently got promoted from NXT. Mark your cards now: This one could be one of the best matches of the summer.

5. Roxanne Perez (Prev: NR)

I realize it feels a bit bold putting Roxanne Perez so high up on this list. On one hand, "The Prodigy" hasn’t been making the regular appearances on WWE PLEs that she was at the beginning of last year. On the other, it’s pretty evident that WWE is sowing the seeds for some big things for Ms. Perez over on “Raw,” as tensions continue to stew in the Judgment Day. That sort of thing could make an instant star out of the 24-year-old.

(Dillon Minshall, Yahoo Sports)

4. Tiffany Stratton (Prev: 9)

Some wrestlers just don't look right without gold around their waist, and the former queen of NXT is very much one of them. Having Stratton beat Giulia for the U.S. title might not have gone down brilliantly with those who feel the Japanese star has been under-booked by WWE, but those upcoming open challenges should be a lot of fun. If it means we see more of Tiffy in action, I’m all for it.

Tiffany Stratton is once again a WWE Champion.

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3. Iyo Sky (Prev: 4)

When it comes to all-round pro-wrestling stars, the former joshi remains the connoisseur's choice, as evidenced by the praise heaped on every single one of her matches. Even then, though, you have to imagine this Saturday's outing was extra special for Iyo Sky, given that it appears to have been a sendoff for her real-life senpai (and kayfabe tormentor) Asuka. Yes, it should have been at WrestleMania, but we have to let that grievance go sooner or later.

2. Liv Morgan (Prev: 2)

She might be trouble, but she's still a star — and one of the brightest on the WWE roster. Winning the Women's World Championship at WrestleMania was always going to propel the Judgment Day leader towards the top of this list. But it will be what happens throughout the rest of the year that decides whether Liv Morgan stays there. WWE is blessed with worthy challengers for the champ’s gold, so let’s hope they can make this reign more memorable than the last one.

Rhea Ripley stands tall over Liv Morgan once again on this month's power rankings.

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1. Rhea Ripley (Prev: 1)

Yes, she's been at the top of our power rankings for months now. But if no superstars on the roster have come close to dislodging Rhea Ripley from her perch, then why should we be the ones to do so? Instead, we continue to watch with interest as to what will happen next now that “The Eradicator” has been shifted across to “SmackDown,” seemingly in search of fresh challengers. You know who would be a bold choice for Ripley’s next feud? Jacy Jayne.