Opinion: Why WWE needs to book Daniel Bryan vs Kofi Kingston at Wrestlemania 35
As of this moment, we know that Kofi Kingston is going to challenge the Planet's champion at the upcoming PPV, Fastlane. This signifies that the chances of WWE going all the way with Kofi are very slim. Here's why WWE should alter their plans and recreate the legendary underdog storyline of Bryan from 2014, with Kofi!
Back in 2009, Kofi was white hot, going toe to toe with the Viper, Randy Orton for months on end. It ended on a sour note though, when Orton got mad at Kofi during a match and played a key role in halting his main event push. By a pure stroke of luck, WWE has finally got another chance to push Kofi towards the top prize!
Mustafa Ali's injury came as a boon for Kingston, as he replaced Ali in the Gauntlet match on Smackdown and wrestled for an hour, in an incredible display of athleticism. What followed was another phenomenal performance at the Elimination Chamber PPV, as the WWE Universe watched in bated breath and cheered for Kofi's every single move.
After the match, an exhausted Kofi sat on the chamber steps with his New Day brothers, with the Wrestlemania logo hanging behind them on the rafters, in a visual that made the fan in me shed a tear.
We've come to a point where he's getting the response that rivals the ones that Bryan was getting during his feud with the Authority in 2014. With the show of shows looming on the horizon, there's no better story to tell than Kofi's struggle towards securing a title shot at Wrestlemania 35, and dethroning Bryan to become the WWE champion!
It's a well-known fact that New Day's ultimate goal is to help Kofi become the WWE Champion. Xavier Woods and Big E have made it known multiple times on social media and backstage interviews. It would be a mistake on WWE's part to let all of this buzz go to waste and not capitalize on Kofi's current popularity.
The dirt sheets are reporting that WWE has a variety of wrestlers pencilled in to face Bryan, most notably a returning Kevin Owens. As much as fans would love to see a 'face' Owens take on a 'heel' Bryan at Wrestlemania, the match wouldn't be able to get the kind of reaction that a Bryan-Kofi outing would get.
The sea of humanity surrounding the Elimination Chamber erupted and gasped in unison for Kofi's every move. Imagine what would happen if WWE gives Kofi a chance to showcase his skills in front of 80,000 roaring fans at the Metlife Stadium!
Bryan is a heel who is obsessed with saving the Earth. Kofi and his brothers are the true embodiment of a lifestyle that Daniel Bryan hates so dearly. They gorge on pancakes, prefer Booty-O's to fresh fruit, and promote products that Bryan doesn't approve of.
The story writes itself!
Let Bryan take the role of the Authority while Kofi gets to be the underdog, someone Bryan once was. If the WWE plays their cards right, we could see Kofi hitting Bryan with the "Trouble in Paradise" and pin him to FINALLY realize his dream of becoming the WWE champion!
Imagine this scenario: Kofi defeats Bryan after a 20-minute classic. His old theme, "S.O.S." plays as Woods and Big E hurls him on their shoulders with 80,000 fans chanting his name! An emotional Kofi raises the championship above his shoulders in a visual that would make for a tear-jerking Wrestlemania moment.
This has been long overdue. Kofi Kingston has done it all, and it's finally his time to win the big one.
