WWE Power Rankings: 1st February 2014

Every Saturday, WWE.com in association with the Academy of Wrestling Arts & Sciences (AWAS) publishes a top 25 rank list which ranks the WWE superstars on basis of their performance throughout the week.

The end of a historic week in WWE, which saw Roman Reigns make history by eliminating 12 entrants in the Royal Rumble, and finally bow out to the returning Batista, who won his second Royal Rumble.

WWE have a lot of work to please the fans following the recent backlash, which included fans protesting first due to the absence of Daniel Bryan from the Royal Rumble main event and then due to the sudden departure of fans favourite CM Punk, who quit the WWE following differences with the officials.

However, some stellar performances during the week ensured a lot of up’s and down’s in the Power Rankings, so let’s take a look how things stand at the end of this week.

#25- Titus O’Neil (Previous Rank- 21)

Titus O’Neil was tired of being considered a “loser” and as such abandoned his “Prime Time” partnership with longtime partner and friend Darren Young, to ruthlessly attack him on SmackDown. Darren Young required stitches following the attack.

#24- Kofi Kingston (Previous Rank- 20)

Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kignston’s acrobatics could not hand him a Royal Rumble win or a win over Alberto Del Rio on Raw, but he did defeat Damien Sandow on SmackDown in a hard fought battle.

#23- Damien Sandow (Previous Rank- 15)

Damien Sandow

“The Intellectual Saviour of the Masses” had a woeful week, as he was unceremoniously eliminated form the Royal Rumble, which followed by a disappointing loss at the hands of Kofi Kingston on SmackDown.

#22- Christian (Previous Rank- N/A)

Christian

The Canadian climbed back into the spotlight, after he qualified for the upcoming Elimination Chamber match with a victory over Jack Swagger on SmackDown.

#21- Sheamus (Previous Rank- N/A)

The Celtic Warrior returned at the Royal Rumble, and is set to excite the WWE with another of his performances at the Elimination Chamber in February.

#20- Rey Mysterio (Previous Rank- 14)

Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio had a disappointing week, after his unfortunate exit from the Royal Rumble, he endured a wrecking spear from Roman Reigns on SmackDown.

#19- Los Matadores (Previous Rank- 17)

Los Matadores

Although 3MB were once again upstaged on WWE Superstars by the Los Matadores, but their courageous effort fell short of causing a historic upset in the Royal Rumble.

#18- The Real Americans (Previous Rank- 19)

The Real Americans

The Real Americans are set to receive serious consideration from the WWE Universe following the inclusion od Antonio Cesaro in the Elimination Chamber match later this month.

#17- Alberto Del Rio (Previous Rank- 16)

Alberto Del Rio

Batista eliminated Alberto Del Rio from the Royal Rumble Match, but the Mexican came back strongly to upstage Kofi Kingston and R-Truth later in the week.

#16- Ryback & Curtis Axel (Previous Rank- 13)

Ryback & Curtis Axel

The Prime Time players demise was triggered by a humiliating defeat at the hands of Curtis Axel & Ryback on SmackDown, who continue to stay on even footing.

#15- Brie Bella (Previous Rank- 12)

Brie Bella

Even though Brie Bella was in the winning half of the 8-Diva Tag Team Match on Raw, she still wants another title shot at a Championship Match against AJ Lee. She drops to number 15.

#14- Cody Rhodes & Goldust (Previous Rank- 8)

Cody Rhodes & Goldust

The young and old head duo of Cody Rhodes & Goldust had a torrid time as they lost the WWE Tag Team Titles to the New Age Outlaws during the Royal Rumble 2014 Kickoff and suffered Brock Lesnar’s beating the next night. They drop to number 14.

#13- AJ Lee (Previous Rank- 11)

AJ Lee

AJ Lee drops to number 13 as she was part of the losing team in the 8-Diva Tag Team Match against The Bella Twins & The Funkadactyls.

#12- Big Show (Previous Rank- 10)

Big Show

He might be the World’s Largest Athlete but he will be dreading the sight of a wheel chair after his match up with Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble 2014.

#11- The New Age Outlaws (Previous Rank- 24)

The New Age Outlaws

The New Age Outlaws won the WWE Tag Team Titles during the Royal Rumble 2014 almost 15 years after their last reign.

#10- Brock Lesnar (Previous Rank- N/A)

Brock Lesnar

Lesnar makes the top 10 after destroying Big Show at Royal Rumble.

#9- CM Punk (Previous Rank- 5)

CM Punk

Punk falls below to 9 after failing to win the Royal Rumble .

#8- The Wyatt Family (Previous Rank- 9)

The Wyatt Family

Bray Wyatt’s Royal Rumble event win over Daniel Bryan promotes them by one spot this week.

#7- Big E Langston (Previous Rank- 7)

Big E Langston

The Intercontinental Champion holds strong in the 7-spot this week thanks to a WWE Main Event victory.

#6- The Usos (Previous Rank- 6)

The Usos

The brilliant duo hold their spot at number 6 after consistent performances.

#5- Batista (Previous Rank- N/A)

Dave Batista

The Animal jumps straight into the top 5 after a Royal Rumble Match victory. He will be licking his lips and will want championship glory in the main event in Wrestlemania.

#4- Daniel Bryan (Previous Rank- 4)

Daniel Bryan

Bryan holds his spot even though he may have lost to Bray Wyatt at Royal Rumble. Daniel Bryan has qualified for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber Match. He also has the support of the fans and will look to use that as a driving force.

#3- John Cena (Previous Rank- 1)

John Cena

A loss to WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view drops Cena to number 3. The former Champion has a chance at reveng as he qualified for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber Match.

#2- The Shield (Previous Rank- 2)

The Shield

Though question marks still remain over the future of the Shield, they regrouped following a dominant win on Friday night SmackDown. The trio look more galvanized following the intervention of The Wyatt Family, which had cost them the chance of qualifying for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber Match. Roman particularly impressed in the Royal Rumble, single-handedly eliminating 12 players.

#1- Randy Orton (Previous Rank- 3)

Randy Orton

The Viper is back on top this week by pushing John Cena to number 3. He retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He’ll still have to defend his title inside the steel structure known as at Elimination Chamber. However, he’ll be a favourite to retain the title again as the “Apex Predator” looks to be at the very top of his game.