Using Daniel Bryan's MMA and grappling skills as a draw for SummerSlam

I appreciate what WWE is trying to do with Daniel Bryan as we lead up to SummerSlam. They build him up as an underdog who is persistent. That is fine.

Now it is time to put over how dangerous he is. His grappling skills are well known and celebrated.

The Xtreme Couture MMA gym has put over how good he is. So why is this not being promoted on tv? This would do a lot for Bryan's credibility, and build him up as a real threat to John Cena. This surely would lead to more people watching SummerSlam, in the interests of seeing whether Bryan can unseat Cena?

WWE needs to trust in Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan has seen a meteoric rise to the top of WWE. In a time when WWE is lacking legitimate top tier main-event stars that can draw, it is time for WWE to take a chance on Bryan.

Think back to the Attitude Era - Mick Foley, HHH, The Rock, Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Vince McMahon, Kurt Angle, Kane, Chris Jericho, and others were all a staple part of main-event WWE programming.

The number of current established main-event stars could be described as: Cena, Punk and Orton as the top three, followed by Del Rio , Sheamus, Big Show and Kane. In my opinion, once Orton / Cena / Punk are removed from the picture, the current group really struggles to compare to the previous era. The depth of talent at the top is clearly smaller.

 It is clear. WWE needs to build to the future. How much longer does CM Punk have in the ring? This is man who has one goal left in the business, to main-event Wrestlemania. His frustration dealing with the system is well documented. This is a man that could leave when his contract is up and not look back.

John Cena started wrestling for WWE in 2002. He grew into the company's number one star. Years of carrying that mantle must take a toll on the mind and body. Whilst Cena appears to thrive under the pressure, how much longer will his body hold together? Steve Austin remarked on Twitter recently that Cena should look after his health - perhaps implying the need to slow down to preserve his long-term career.

Randy Orton  is on strike number two of the Wellness Policy. It is indeed surprising that he won Money in the Bank, indicating perhaps that the company is willing to trust him as a firm fixture in the main-event scene. However, how long till strike three?

So, if Cena, Punk and Orton all departed, what would the WWE be left with in the main-event scene? Del Rio vs Big Show for an eternity?

Therefore, the WWE must take a risk with Daniel Bryan. Arguably, he rivals Cena in terms of crowd reactions. Some would say he is already a main-eventer based on reaction alone. It's just that WWE does not seem to fully accept him as a main-eventer. Bryan's road to SummerSlam hopefully allows for complete company and fan acceptance of his main-event status. If WWE are to build for the future, Daniel Bryan needs to win the title. Cena will not lose any momentum. Not only that, Bryan should walk out of SummerSlam still as the champion - i.e. no Orton cash-in.

Let him run with the title for two or three months. See what impact this has on ratings, house show attendance and PPV buys. More importantly, make him look strong. Daniel Bryan presented as a lame duck champion who struggles to win matches convincingly will not help his cause. WWE need to take a chance with Daniel Bryan as a fully fledged main-event star who overcomes John Cena. They have no choice. 

The future will soon be calling, and if WWE are not careful, they will have little  to show for it in the main-event scene.

Daniel Bryan - Yes, Yes, Yes - Push him now!

In replying to a post at www.wrestlingforum.com, I came to an interesting realisation. 

The evidence base for pushing Daniel Bryan to the main event is overwhelming.

To quote from my reply:


"Seemingly, the 2nd most over guy in the company.
One of the best wrestlers on the roster.
One of the most charismatic guys on the roster.
Works well with any other worker.
Has made Kane look like a million dollars.
Has been comedic gold - which is a huge achievement, considering that most WWE comedy falls flat.
Has remained consistently over for more than a year now."

So... what is WWE waiting for?

Daniel Bryan's new found aggression could be WWE's way of getting fans to take him more seriously. It is also predicting a heel turn. 

However, my preferred version of Daniel Bryan as a heel is the character he played whilst ROH Champion - the best wrestler in the world, methodical and submission based, who could tie you up in knots and make you tap, whilst being very smug about it - getting under the fans' skin. He pulled that off with great success - a heel character that is very different to his current more energetic  and comedic role in WWE.

Daniel Bryan's conversation with WWE Creative - as it is currently being played out in my mind...

Daniel Bryan's recent aggressive actions on Smackdown appears to be WWE Creative's way of saying:



Creative team staff:

"We are turning you heel soon. You will feud with Kane. You will still exist in mid-card hell despite being the second most over guy in the company. Vince just doesn't see anything in you. Yes I know the crowd still reacts to you - over a year after you came up with the Yes catchphrase. That is impressive. However, Vince didn't invent the catchphrase. You did. That was a big mistake. Anyway, after feuding with Kane, Vince will push you again since the Internet fans will be up in arms if we don't. But do not worry - he will try and kill your heat by making you lose in less than 60 seconds again at WrestleMania."



Daniel Bryan:

"Ok, I have no problems with that. I will do what I am told. However, you do realise that I could draw money for you by feuding with the likes of Randy Orton, John Cena, Brock Lesnar and Chris Jericho. I think the fans react positively to me as a face or heel."


Creative team staff:

"I know, but Vince does not understand you. You are small with no muscles. And you have a goat face."



Daniel Bryan: 

"Yes, but that is the gimmick you gave me!"



Creative team staff:

"Yes... well... Vince does enjoy some comedy."

Daniel Bryan: 

"Look... I think it is important that the WWE offers something for everyone. There is still a market out there for good quality wrestling. There are fans out there who will buy into the product if you let me wrestle."



Creative team staff:

"Oh no - you are not allowed to say that w word. You are an entertainer. NOT a wrestler. How many times have we been through this?"

Daniel Bryan: 

"I am MMA trained - there is a potential crossover audience there who will invest in our product."

Creative team staff:

"Oh... MMA and UFC - it is not competition for us. Vince said so..."

Daniel Bryan: 

"I have some ideas of how you could book me... I have mapped them out. Could you at least show them to  Vince?"

Creative team staff:

"Ummm well that is not a good idea. The last Head of Creative only lasted 6 weeks. Vince is in a bad mood - and he has already decided what to do with you for the next year. You see, we at WWE pride ourselves on long term planning. We know how to book money making feuds."

*crickets chirping in the background*

Dragon - The Bryan Danielson Story

One of the most inspirational videos I have had the pleasure of watching. The journey of Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) early in his WWE career. It ends by going full circle and celebrating his independent career.