User blog comment:Aizen.sama/Are Espadas, Vasto Lorde(s)?/@comment-1769234-20100422002606

Well like Ulquiorra says even Aizen doesn't know about his Segunda Etapa. Though I believe all the Espada rank one through four were AVERAGE Vasto Lordes meaning their may be stronger ones, and for Nel her release was good but it term of raw spiritual force her power is not as high as Tia the new Tres Espada.