Yeah Kisame isn't a girly-man, but he will always be Itachi's gimp though, so I consider him 2nd-tier .. like Kabuto is to Oro, or Haku to Zabuza. That said, there's nothing conrete to prove the levels of strength of these characters .. although Zabuza said something to the effect of Haku being 'beyond' his ability. I think Zabuza's killer intent and incredible stamina (continuing to fight even through mortal injuries!) was more impressive than Haku's ice games.