By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

A reminder that the PWTorch Monthly Power Rankings are based on the following criteria - (1) Who is positioned as a top star to help draw money? (2) Who best-performed in his or her position or was best-booked in his or her position? This opens it up to non-wrestlers who are positioned to sell big matches and feuds.

WWE February Power Rankings

(1) John Cena. It's his time. Classic TV victory over C.M. Punk combined with The Rock's lackluster match against C.M. Punk at Elimination Chamber put Cena at the #1 spot this month. (Last Month: #2, up one spot.)

(2) The Rock Rock is still one of two central figures in the company and entire industry right now leading to WrestleMania. Cena just had a better month than Rock did. (Last Month: #1, down one spot.)

(3) C.M. Punk. Punk was the third wheel in the Cena-Rock feud, but he still performed at a high level and set himself up for a big WrestleMania match, presumably against The Undertaker. (Last Month: #3, no change.)

(4) The Shield. After the Cena/Rock/Punk trio, there's a drop-off to the next level. At the top of the Second Level has to be The Shield after two major six-man tag victories in February and being positioned as serious threats in an era of Even-Steven booking. The part-timers returning to WWE TV (Hunter, Lesnar, Jericho) were not on TV enough, nor fully engaged in Mania programs to justify the #4 slot. This could change in March. (Last Month: #7, up three spots.)

(5) Alberto Del Rio. WWE is so intent on making Del Rio a top star that they were willing to completely ignore Del Rio's Mania opponent, Jack Swagger, arrested for an alleged DUI and possession in order to keep the Del Rio-Swagger program going. Del Rio is still rough around the edges as a lead babyface, but WWE positioned him as a huge deal in February. (Last Month: #8, up three spots.)

(6) Brock Lesnar. Lesnar had his moments in the ring, was positioned in a central angle with Mr. McMahon setting up Triple H's return, and continues to be involved in very physical segments, but there isn't as much juice behind Lesnar as would be expected. (Last Month: #5, down one spot.)

(7) Zeb Colter. Dutch Mantell returned to TV in a big way, was positioned as the central figure in WWE's biggest Smackdown program leading to Mania, helped create WWE's much-desired publicity for the month, and was darn good in his role. Whereas Swagger is interchangeable in the "pupil" role, Mantell is irreplaceable as Zeb Celter. (Last Month: completely off the radar.)

(8) Chris Jericho. Jericho returned to WWE in the Royal Rumble at the end of January, then rode the momentum to a hot February. Unlike other returning part-timers, though, Jericho is not positioned for a money match at Mania. What he ends up doing at Mania could determine where he ranks in March. (Last Month: #11, up three spots.)

(9) Mark Henry. Henry would have been much higher in the list if WWE booked him to win the Chamber match and advance to face Del Rio at WrestleMania. However, that spot went to Swagger. Instead, Henry was just awesome, but his character lacked direction at the end of the month. (Last Month: n/a, off TV.)

(10) Paul Heyman. Heyman was in the Top 4 last month after one of the best promo segments of the year trying to downplay evidence of his association with The Shield. In February, Heyman became more of a background player, but his stock could return to the Top 5 again in March depending on how WWE handles Heyman as the middle-man between unlinked associates C.M. Punk and Brock Lesnar. (Last Month: #4, down six spots.)

(11) Vince McMahon. Similar to Heyman - more of a background player and he missed a few weeks selling a hip injury. But, he was positioned as a central figure setting up Triple H's return on the last Raw of the month. (Last Month: #6, down five spots.)

(12) Triple H. Hunter returned on the final Raw of the month, so he's penalized for only being around for one episode. But, he will skyrocket in March when he becomes a regular on TV setting up one of Mania's headline matches. (Last Month: n/a, off TV.)

(13) Jack Swagger. Positioned as the top heel opposite Del Rio, won the Chamber match, but was arrested for alleged DUI and looked interchangeable standing behind Colter. Swagger is not essential to Smackdown's top feud even though he is positioned as the brand's top wrestling heel. (Last Month: n/a, completely off the radar.)

(14) Ryback. Is Ryback ever going to become a top face? Or, is Ryback being built to transition to a feared heel? During February, Ryback was stuck as the #2 or #3 guy behind John Cena in the fight against The Shield, resulting in two more big losses for Ryback. (Last Month: #9, down five spots.)

(15) Sheamus. Sheamus is right there with Ryback, but now finds himself in the middle of two programs leading to WrestleMania - vs. The Shield and vs. Wade Barrett. Where he ends up during Mania build-up could dictate his ranking next month. (Last Month: #10, down five spots.)

(16) Randy Orton. Orton was right behind Ryback and Sheamus mixing it up with Shield on an unofficial basis, but also wandering aimlessly some weeks, then looking very strong other weeks. Plus, there was the RawActive polling debacle that showed WWE where Orton ranks with the audience. (Last Month: #14, down two spots.)

(17) Dolph Ziggler. The entire, Ziggler/A.J. Lee/Big E. Langston act took a dip this month, as Ziggler resumed his role as enhancing the top stars. It's just not Ziggler's time right now. (Last Month: #12, down five spots.)

(18) Big Show. Big Show lost to Alberto Del Rio yet again at Elimination Chamber and is now in a transition phase leading to Mania. (Last Month: #13, down five spots.)

(19) The Miz. Miz is positioned as a future top face, but his execution was poor and his material to work with was even worse. (Last Month: n/a).

(20) Daniel Bryan & Kane. The tag champions continued to leak momentum as it became more obvious that their program has run its course. Will they split off before, at, or after Mania? The answer could dictate whether their act gains any traction or continues to feel tired and repetitive. (Last Month: #15, down five spots.)

(21) Antonio Cesaro. The U.S. champion should be much higher on the list, but WWE curiously booked him in clean losses in short order to top stars during the month. Also, being the guy called upon to help Miz along as a face did not help his cause. (Last Month: #16, down five spots.)

(22) Wade Barrett. Barrett is in a movie. Yet, his program is that he was nowhere to be found in said movie. Kind of sums up the state of the Intercontinental Title division. (Last Month: #17, down five spots.)

(23t) Damien Sandow. Sandow split off from Cody Rhodes, but did not do much afterward. (Last Month: Waiting List.)

(23t) Kofi Kingston. Kingston was at the exact same level as Sandow, but on the face side of the ledger. (Last Month: Waiting List.)

(25) Cody Rhodes. Rhodes split off from Damien Sandow, but did not do much afterward. (Last Month: Waiting List.)

Others: (26) Big E. Langston, (27) A.J. Lee, (28) Divas champion Kaitlyn, (29) R-Truth, (30) Brodus Clay. Not enough TV time - Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara.

Looking Ahead: The influx of part-time stars and non-wrestlers in key positions during WrestleMania Season will greatly affect the March Rankings and push some full-time wrestlers even further down the list.

TNA February Power Rankings

(1) Bully Ray. Bully remained the central figure in TNA's top angle that played out throughout the month both in the U.K. and Orlando. And, he continued to execute his role at a high-level. (Last Month: #1, no change.)

(2) Jeff Hardy. The TNA World champ missed nearly the entire month selling injuries while TNA was in the U.K. But, he remained a central figure in TNA's weak attempt to determine a new #1 contender. Then, Hardy returned to TV on the final Impact of the month and helped draw the top rating of the month. (Last Month: #2, no change.)

(3) Hulk Hogan. Hogan was featured heavily in the U.K. and continued to be positioned as the central non-wrestling figure in TNA's top angle. TNA went so far as to tease Hogan returning to the ring in a six-man tag match, but the match did not occur due to an injury angle. (Last Month: #3, no change.)

(4) Sting. Sting was also positioned as a central figure in TNA's top angle and he actually looked like a former top star in the industry in front of an arena-sized audience in the U.K. (Last Month: #5, up one spot.)

(5) Austin Aries. Aries delivered throughout the U.K. Tour, won the Tag Titles with Bobby Roode, and was a central figure in Hogan's weak attempt to determine a new #1 contender to the TNA Title. (Last Month: #7, up two spots.)

(6) Bobby Roode. Aries was more of the focal point in the new Aries & Roode pairing, putting him one spot below Aries. (Last Month: #8, up two spots.)

(7) Kurt Angle. Angle was one of the central babyface stars opposite Aces & Eights in TNA's ongoing feud. But, Angle instead of being involved in the TNA Title picture or Lethal Lockdown, Angle has been tasked with trying to elevate Wes Brisco. That put him below Aries & Roode. (Last Month: #10, up three spots.)

(8) James Storm. Storm continued to dominate on television, racking up a 7-0 record on Impact during the first two months of 2013. But, his character wandered aimlessly at times until he was selected for Lethal Lockdown on the final Impact of the month. (Last Month: #11, up three spots.)

(9) Magnus. In his home-country, Magnus was positioned like a future top star and he carried himself like he deserves the spot. TNA followed through with an important assignment for Magnus at Lethal Lockdown when TNA returned to Orlando. (Last Month: n/a.)

(10) Samoa Joe. Joe always comes across like a bigger deal in front of international audiences than in front of the tourist-heavy Orlando audience, so he improved three spots this month despite being involved in a feud with Aces & Eights's C-Level squad. (Last Month: #13, up three spots.)

(11) Brooke Hogan. Brooke continues to be involved in TNA's top angle, but she was more of a background player this month, as opposed to "marrying" Bully Ray last month. (Last Month: #6, down five spots.)

(12) Daniels. Daniels was positioned as a secondary heel in the TNA Title picture this month after challenging for the TNA World Title last month. (Last Month: #9, down three spots.)

(13) Kazarian. Kaz joined Daniels at the hip in their secondary role this month, which was actually an improvement over last month when Daniels was spotlighted and Kaz played "manager." (Last Month: #16, up three spots.)

(14) Devon. The "face of Aces & Eights" continued A&E's losing ways before the group finally scored their first TV victory of 2013 seven weeks into the year. A&E was booked to be ineffective throughout the month, otherwise Devon would be higher up the list based on the TV time the group continues to receive. (Last Month: #15, up one spot.)

(15) Joseph Park. Park rubbed elbows with Hogan and Sting, so that counts for something. Plus, Park was over with the U.K. audience, but he remains more of a comedy figure than serious threat. (Last Month: #12, down three spots.)

(16) Wes Brisco. TNA gave Wes a big spotlight moment turning heel on Kurt Angle, then addressing his reasons for joining A&E. He was better than Garett Bischoff in that moment, but still showed indescribable awkwardness. (Last Month: n/a.)

(17) Velvet Sky. The Knockouts division - like the Tag and X Divisions - is nowhere near what it once was in terms of being positioned as a calling card for TNA, but Sky's Knockouts Title victory vaults her into the Top 20. (Last Month: n/a.)

(18) Kenny King. King captured the X Division Title to little fanfare on the final Impact of the month as the X Division continues to be a complete afterthought. (Last Month: n/a.)

(19) Rob Van Dam. RVD dropped the X Title to King on the final Impact of the month and continued going through the motions in the ring, which perfectly captures how TNA is handling the division right now. (Last Month: #17, down two spots.)

(20) Chavo Guerrero. Chavo & Hernandez dropped the Tag Titles to Aries & Roode, then drifted in and out of television, not making much of a splash. (Last Month: n/a).

(21) Hernandez. TNA continues to find new ways to make Hernandez less marketable. (Last Month: n/a).

(22) Mr. Anderson. Anderson is so far in the background of Aces & Eights that he's essentially wallpaper. TNA has done nothing with Anderson since he joined the group. (Last Month: #14, down eight spots.)

(23) Garett Bischoff. Bischoff was spotlighted with Wes Brisco when the rebellious youths turned on Angle, but his big Explanation Promo was so short and unmemorable that it remains unclear if there's actually a reason why his character turned. (Last Month: n/a).

(24) D.O.C. A&E's muscle-guy found himself in some big TV matches, but was only there to fill a spot and take a loss - the Aces & Eights way. (Last Month: n/a.)

(25) Rockstar Spud. The British Bootcamp Winner gets the nod this month, but TNA doesn't seem to have immediate plans for him after he played a novelty role as the local star in the U.K. (Last Month: n/a.)

Looking Ahead: TNA has a PPV in March, so that could shift around the Rankings depending on how top matches play out. Plus, A.J. Styles and Matt Morgan returned to television on the final Impact of the month, so if they actually get involved again, they might join the ranks in March.

WWE Rankings - February (Last Month)

(1) John Cena (1)
(2) WWE champion The Rock (2)
(3) C.M. Punk (3)
(4) The Shield (7)
(5) Alberto Del Rio (8)
(6) Brock Lesnar (5)
(7) Zeb Colter (n/a)
(8) Chris Jericho (11)
(9) Mark Henry (n/a)
(10) Paul Heyman (4)
(11) Vince McMahon (6)
(12) Triple H (n/a)
(13) Jack Swagger (n/a)
(14) Ryback (9)
(15) Sheamus (10)
(16) Randy Orton (14)
(17) Dolph Ziggler (12)
(18) Big Show (13)
(19) The Miz (n/a)
(20) WWE tag champs Team Hell No (15)
(21) U.S. champion Antonio Cesaro (16)
(22) IC champion Wade Barrett (17)
(23t) Damien Sandow (n/a)
(23t) Kofi Kingston (n/a)
(25) Cody Rhodes (n/a)
(26) Big E. Langston (20)
(27) A.J. Lee (19)
(28) Divas champ Kaitlyn (n/a)
(29) R-Truth (n/a)
(30) Brodus Clay (n/a)
Not Enough TV time - Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara.

TNA Rankings - February (Last Month)

(1) Bully Ray (1)
(2) TNA Champ Jeff Hardy (2)
(3) Hulk Hogan (3)
(4) Sting (5)
(5) Austin Aries (7)
(6) Bobby Roode (8)
(7) Kurt Angle (10)
(8) James Storm (11)
(9) Magnus (n/a)
(10) Samoa Joe
(11) Brooke Hogan (6)
(12) Daniels (9)
(13) Kaz (16)
(14) Devon (15)
(15) Joseph Park (12)
(16) Wes Brisco (n/a)
(17) Velvet Sky (n/a)
(18) Kenny King (n/a)
(19) RVD (17)
(20) Chavo Guerrero (n/a)
(21) Hernandez (n/a)
(22) Mr. Anderson (14)
(23) Garett Bischoff (n/a)
(24) D.O.C. (n/a)
(25) Rockstar Spud (n/a)

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