The world of WWE is in constant flux, with some superstars rising swiftly while others stumble or diminish in value. But here's where it gets controversial... Understanding whose stock goes up or down can often reveal deeper stories about the company's direction, creative frustrations, or emerging talents. In this weekly WWE stock report, we highlight three Superstars or groups gaining momentum and three experiencing setbacks, giving you a clearer picture of the ongoing narrative.
After an eventful week filled with significant moments—Finn Balor openly challenging CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship, GUNTHER defeating AJ Styles in Raw’s main event, and Jordynne Grace proudly defending her WWE women’s championship on SmackDown—the landscape has shifted noticeably. Let's begin with those whose stock has taken a hit this week:
Stock Down #3: Kiana James & Giulia
WWE continues to grapple with crafting meaningful storylines for its women’s champions on SmackDown. Recently, Kiana James and United States Champion Giulia lost a tag team match against Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Interestingly, despite their loss, WWE has slated James and Giulia for a three-team tag team number one contender’s match next week. This puzzling booking suggests WWE might be nudging Giulia towards the women’s tag team titles—possibly because they haven't yet developed a compelling direction for her US title reign.
Stock Down #2: Matt Cardona
Last night on SmackDown, Matt Cardona, the fan-favorite character, narrowly lost to heel Trick Williams in the qualifying match for the upcoming WWE Championship number one contender's Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event. To add insult to injury, after the match, Cardona was laid out by jobber Kit Wilson, and that was the last time fans saw him. Fans are eager to understand WWE’s long-term plan for Cardona’s return, but early signs suggest his push may resemble the infamous “burial” of Zack Ryder in 2012—an unceremonious descent that often signals a lack of clear direction.
Stock Down #1: Kabuki Warriors
The Kabuki Warriors have faced a challenging period following the loss of their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Last week’s defeat was followed by another loss on Raw—this time in a high-stakes tag match—where Kairi Sane was pinned in a three-way number one contender’s match. Additionally, WWE announced another such match scheduled for January 23, but notably, the Kabuki Warriors aren’t included, pushing their title shot further into the future. At this point, perhaps it’s time for Asuka and Kairi to shift focus from titles to preparing for the upcoming Women’s Royal Rumble, which still has all 30 spots open, offering fresh opportunities and storylines.
Now, let’s shift gears to those who saw a boost in their stock this week:
Stock Up #3: Bron Breakker
Many fans were worried about Bron Breakker’s position after he lost a heavily promoted match to World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk at the start of 2026 on Raw. But in just a week, a phenomenal spear attack on Dragon Lee and an intense declaration to Adam Pearce (“I’ll kill you!”) proved that Breakker remains a major force. Despite being indefinitely suspended by WWE, he’s already competed at a house show, indicating that his momentum is far from over. With such compelling performances, Bron is firmly in the running to win the Royal Rumble—if WWE keeps him on this trajectory.
Stock Up #2: Carmelo Hayes & Leon Slater
While Leon Slater is technically outside WWE, his rapid rise cannot be ignored. Commentators gushed over his challenge to Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship during SmackDown—signaling WWE’s keen interest in signing the exceptional 21-year-old talent as soon as he's available. Meanwhile, Carmelo Hayes continues to impress as a fighting champion, and his recent match with Slater has only boosted his profile on the main roster, marking a significant step forward in his career.
Stock Up #1: Trick Williams
WWE has perfected Trick Williams’ main roster debut, and the fans are loving it. Williams exudes star power, both in appearance and speaking ability, making him a natural fit for the main event scene. His interactions with top stars like Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, and Damian Priest illustrate WWE’s confidence in his potential. Most recently, he laid out Sami Zayn after qualifying for the upcoming WWE Championship contender’s match, further cementing his status as a credible threat. WWE seems poised to push him aggressively, and with such momentum, Trick Williams could very well be a future top star.
And there you have it, Cagesiders. Who do you think experienced the biggest shift in stock this week? Do you agree with these assessments, or do you see different superstars deserving of attention? The WWE landscape is always changing—are you ready to keep up?
