Royal Rumble 2014: Why WWE made a big mistake not including Daniel Bryan in the 30-man Battle Royal
No! No! No!
Daniel Bryan might not be blessed with the intimidating physique or good looking face like WWE’s biggest names, but the bearded guy has broken out as the most popular superstar in the roster with his sheer intensity and dedication.
Ever since his debut in the WWE, Bryan has been raising the bar high for all the wrestlers and all of that seemed to be paying off as the WWE fans started to take his “Yes” chants as their anthem. For an instance the company also seemed to understand the star value he bought when they put him in a storyline with the Wyatt Family.
The short heel turn he had in the angle actually made him a bigger star than he was since the fans stood by his side even in his obedient and cruel character. It seemed like what Steve Austin had back in the attitude era as the WWE tried to turn him heel and got the biggest star for the company.
But all that buildup might be wasted at the Royal Rumble when Bryan will be confined to his singles match with Bray Wyatt.
Confined by the Wyatt
Many wanted to see the ultimate underdog story reach its epitome at Rumble with Bryan winning. If there was a poll among the WWE Universe on who they want to see win the Rumble, it will be Bryan with the nearest competitor being miles away. All that expectations are gone with the wind as Bryan is not scheduled to be in the Rumble.
Then again, this is the way that Bryan has been booked ever since he gained the connection with the fans.
The guy won the WWE title two times, and didn’t have a reign that lasted for more than one week. For a man who gave John Cena a run for his money when it came to popularity, those stats are actually more than disappointing.
And his absence in the Rumble is also bound to keep him away from the title picture for the time being. Making Bryan win the Rumble and headlining WrestleMania would have been the best way to book him since he is the hottest star with the crowd.
The WWE Universe Anthem
Taking him away from the Rumble also makes it more predictable as Batista is the only clear winner from those 30 men now unless a big return occurs. The other big name CM Punk is sure to be screwed by the authority. If Bryan was in the match, the company would have avoided this predictable situation and made the match more exciting even if he doesn’t win it.
During this week’s Raw Triple H pointed out Brock Lesnar and Batista as Orton’s challengers instead of Bryan and Punk which itself is another form of unfairness to those stars. At the current stage, anyone who is willing to see Lesnar or Batista would clearly die to see Bryan for the energy he brings into the ring.
The only viable option to make Bryan re-enter the title scene now is the Elimination chamber, which is nowhere near the Rumble when it comes to the prestige of the event. If they want to do so in the Chamber it would again call out the company’s unwillingness to push Bryan as their face.
But the chances are slim however, as the chamber will boast the lights of many big names and returning superstars. Making Bryan win there is going to present the crew with a lot of unhappy workers as none of the big names would want to be involved in a six man match where they don’t win.
The dawn of PG Era has left the company seeking for more and more profit from all sources possible, but they are forgetting what took them this far. It’s the fans that stood with them during the Monday Night Wars, it’s the fans that made the company global, it’s the fans that made Vince McMahon rich, and if the company doesn’t hear what the fans want they are well on their way to extinction.
Time to come out of the darkness
We don’t want John Cena to win every match, we don’t want occasional wrestler come an hold the title for one month, we don’t want midcard with no storyline, what we want is wrestlers like Daniel Bryan, who makes it worth watching wrestling, who makes us believe in the American dream. YES! We want Daniel Bryan as the face of the company.