Top 5 WWE Performers of the week (6th to 12th July 2019)

After a much improved Raw and SmackDown Live last week, the hope was that WWE would continue their momentum with this week's television output. The July 8th, 2019 episode of Raw and the July 9th, 2019 episode of SmackDown Live did not disappoint.

Sterile and formulaic no more; both shows were raw (pardon the pun), dynamic and logical. Crucially, they were entertaining go-home shows for this Sunday's pay per view extravaganza, Extreme Rules. SmackDown Live, in particular, was unpredictable and exciting with previously directionless performers all suddenly having a purpose and a vital role to play on the show.

There are now plenty of reasons to be optimistic about both brands. There are some familiar as well as some first-time entries on the list this week, owing to the increased profile of previously underutilized performers.

Without further delay, let's delve into the last week's television and see which WWE performers earned some vital momentum ahead of Extreme Rules.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below!

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#5 Shinsuke Nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura

Yes! Finally, Shinsuke Nakamura played a pivotal role on WWE television once again on the July 9th, 2019 edition of SmackDown Live. After months in the wilderness, the 2018 Royal Rumble winner and Japanese legend, recently resurfaced on main roster television.

The former United States Champion defeated Balor in a crisp, dynamic and immensely entertaining bout which was Nakumura's best in-ring effort in eons. Could this be the start of a career resurgence for "The Artist" in WWE after he seemingly bounced off the proverbial glass ceiling last summer?

The signs seem promising. Perhaps Nakamura and Balor could clash for the US Championship either this Sunday or at SummerSlam. If that happens, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion will likely be on this list again pretty soon.

#4 Maria Kanellis

Maria Kanellis informs her husband he may not be the father of her unborn child

A hormonal, pregnant wrestling personality is a fresh character in a business where virtually everything has been seen before. After last week's bonkers moment when Maria Kanellis castigated her husband Mike mid-match during their tag team encounter with Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, WWE continued the storyline on this week's Raw.

Maria advised Mike she was craving pickles and ice cream and eventually admitted to her poor hubby that the unborn baby may not be his after all! We know it can't be Lynch's, despite Maria's comments last week so whose child is it?

After disappearing from television for years and only recently resurfacing on 205 Live, the Kanellis' have finally landed a plum spot on Raw with what appears to be the beginnings of a long term storyline. The saga of who fathered Maria's baby will run and run and for her hugely entertaining performances this week and Maria is well-deserving of a spot on this list.

#3 Nikki Cross

Nikki Cross pastes Dana Brooke on the July 8, Raw

The most interesting personality in the Bayley/Alexa Bliss feud over the SmackDown Women's Championship is, in fact, neither of the aforementioned women, but Bliss' pal, Nikki Cross.

In an interview segment on Raw, it was set up that Bayley would face Sarah Logan and Cross would fight Dana Brooke on Bliss's behalf with the winner of the Beat The Clock challenge decided the stipulation for the Bayley/Bliss title match at Extreme Rules.

Cross defeated Brooke in 2:43 to win the challenge and choose a 2 on 1 Handicap match for the SmackDown Women's Championship match at Extreme Rules.

Cross followed this up on SmackDown Live with an impressive victory over former SmackDown Women's Champion, Carmella. With a face turn on the horizon, a spot in a title match at Extreme Rules and a likely programme with Bliss in her near future, things seem bright for Cross.

#2 Ricochet

Ricochet wrestled twice on the July 8, Raw

Rumors abound that Ricochet is a favourite of Raw's new Executive Producer, Paul Heyman, and Paul E is continuing to do a fine job in turning the high flier into a top player in WWE's red brand. Ricochet cut a promo about facing Styles and how he had previously looked up to him.

This set up a series of bouts in which Ricochet first defeated Styles's ally, Luke Gallows, with a sunset flip pin. Immediately following the match, Styles proposed another bout versus Karl Anderson. Ricochet accepted and in a fun sprint, defeated Anderson as well, nullifying Styles' interference and hitting the 630 for the win.

Post-match, Styles and The Club laid Ricochet out to earn a measure of revenge but that took nothing away from the achievements of beating two top stars in back to back matches.

The momentum is firm with Ricochet leading into the United States Championship match at Extreme Rules. Perhaps he will make it onto this list once again next week.

#1 Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens calls out Shane McMahon on the July 9 episode of Smackdown Live

Kevin Owens may have had his CM Punk Pipebomb moment on this week's SmackDown Live. After an exciting opening segment in which Owens brawled with Dolph Ziggler; KO was subsequently ejected from the building which led to their planned match being cancelled.

Owens later appeared through the crowd to chastise Shane McMahon. In a worked shoot, Owens commandeered microphones as he lambasted Shane and the rest of the McMahon family. Speaking for many WWE fans, Owens rightly pointed out that the McMahons claimed they’d listen to the fans, but all that happened is Shane got more television time at the expense of hard-working wrestlers.

This brought out Shane who kept cutting off Owens' microphone and brought out security as Owens scarpered through the crowd. Owens wasn't done though and an irate KO injected himself into the main event bout pitting Ziggler versus Roman Reigns. As Shane distracted Reigns, Owens lamped him with a Stone Cold Stunner. What a week for KO!