By Will Pruett

These rankings are scientifically calculated by the Rank-o-matic 4000 and verified by four out of five top scientists in the wrestling arts. They are to be taken solemnly and with absolute seriousness.

1. Daniel Bryan. Bryan was clearly built around as the number one babyface in WWE on Monday, as he had a fiery confrontation with The Authority, then was the highlight of the main event segment. I'm not sure what the plans are for Bryan, but it is clear WWE has figured out how popular he is and how important said popularity is to their future plans. Bryan is in a major spot in WWE (and is definitely not being buried). It's about damn time.

2. The Authority. When Triple H and Stephanie McMahon want people to hate them, they are really good at making them do so. Monday night was an example of a hot crowd booing some very good heels. They walked the line of insider fans' predisposed opinions of them and the wrestling angle really well. They also made Daniel Bryan look like a very sympathetic babyface. Nice work, Authority, now do it again for the next month or two.

3. Seth Rollins. Rollins was the least important member of The Shield going into Monday night. While he was commonly (at least by Michael Cole) referred to as "the architect," he didn't have a true purpose. This changed on Monday. Rollins put on a highlight-reel performance for the first part of The Shield's match with The Wyatt Family. In the second half, he walked out on his partners because they weren't there for him. I am now a believer in Seth Rollins. This Shield breakup drama is terrifically booked.

4. Samoa Joe. Samoe Joe finally looks like the Joe that was going to kill you from 2005. Sure, he's a little larger than past Joe, but the killing spirit is back. It's refreshing to see TNA push a star as hard as they've pushed Joe. Hopefully this wasn't just for Lockdown, as Joe deserves a greet story throughout 2014.

5. The Wyatt Family. For another week The Wyatt Family beat The Shield and had an amazing match. The match was more focused on The Shield than Bray and company, but they were also highlighted with a nice creepy promo aimed at Cena. These bearded warriors are looking to make an impact and WWE seems ready.

6. Kevin Steen. Steen is currently scheduled for a WWE tryout and is apparently getting in shape for it. While I'm concerned about what shape he shows up in, I am also encouraged. Steen is a rare performer with a different look, amazing charisma, and phenomenal wrestling ability. If Steen shows up able to work, WWE could have a breakout star going down to NXT very soon.

7. Paul Heyman. Heyman's promo on Monday night was another example of how great he is. He had a hostile crowd threatening to ruin the show and he turned them into standard wrestling fans cheering for an angle between Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker. Heyman added another chapter to an already amazing portfolio of work.

8. The Uso's. The new WWE Tag Team Champions seemed legitimately emotionally moved by winning the titles. Jay and Jimmy put on a great match (and the Middle Aged Outlaws deserve credit for rising to their level for one night). The Uso's connected with the crowd, demonstrated great heart, and were great babyfaces. The tag division could easily build around them as long-term champions.

9. MVP. As much as I have not enjoyed the authority figure drama in TNA, I have to compliment the performance MVP has put in. He seems game on the mic and in the ring. MVP is one of the bright spots of watching TNA right now. In a land dense with new talent, he is a welcome familiar presence.

10. Wrestling Fans. I'm not talking about attention-starved basement dwellers attempting to "hijack" a wrestling show and make it about themselves. I'm talking about the majority of the fans who showed up in Chicago on Monday night. They seemed game for a great show. Being a fan of wrestling is not a revolutionary thing. It's not about inciting change. It's about liking something. Cheer for what you like. Don't try to make the thing you like about you.

Just missing the cut: Heel Batista, The Middle Aged Outlaws, Davey Richards, Bobby Roode, Magnus, backflips, Adrian Neville, Sami Zayn, Breakdown: In Your House 1998, and El Torito.

Nowhere near this list: Alberto Del Rio, Dixie Carter, Eddie Edwards, Robbie E., "Sycho" Sid, steel cages, WCW Fall Brawl 1994, and B-Boy.

Will Pruett writes about wrestling in a facetious and often humorous way. Feel free to email him at itswilltime@gmail.com or to follow him and interact on twitter at twitter.com/itswilltime.

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