DISCUSSION - The WWE are booking Daniel Bryan perfectly (RR spoilers)

[Heyman]

DISCUSSION - The WWE are booking Daniel Bryan perfectly (RR spoilers)

I'm going to go out on a limb and state that the WWE are booking Daniel Bryan almost perfectly right now and I'll tell you why:

IF the WWE had gone the "traditional" route and had Bryan win the Rumble.....to then be followed by a victory at Mania........it would be extremely predictable and formulaic.

What I believe the WWE will do, is have Daniel Bryan win his next few matches on RAW over Bray Wyatt, Sheamus, and perhaps another guy (Reigns?), which will earn him a title match against Orton at the February PPV. Bryan will either go over Orton at the Feb PPV or the next night on RAW, which will then set up a title match and eventual victory over Batista in the main-event.


Daniel Bryan marks need to relax in my opinion. The WWE aren't THAT stupid...........I think?

[Fignuts]

Wouldn't put it past them, but I'm still waiting to see where it goes.

[Heyman]

I think the matches at Wrestlemania will be as follows:

-World Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. Dave Batista
-Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar
-Triple H vs. CM Punk
-John Cena and Hulk Hogan vs. The Wyatt Family
-Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins
-Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust
-Usos vs. New Age Outlaws

And then some other matches involving Orton, etc.,

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by Fignuts Wouldn't put it past them, but I'm still waiting to see where it goes.

Same here.

Perhaps I'm giving the WWE too much credit, but I highly doubt that they're THAT stupid.

My best guess is that they are simply trying to avoid being too predictable......and lets face it: Bryan winning the rumble last night would have been VERY predictable.

The WWE have both marks AND smarks pissed off and guessing right now. In a weird sort of way, this could be a good thing.

Controversy sells.

I'll be tuning in to RAW tonight for what I expect to be an extremely hostile crowd.

[The Rogerer]

Nope. There was no reason or explanation as to why Bryan wasn't in the rumble. There was no explanation that Bryan was sacrifing his rumble spot to fight Wyatt. The WWE Championship doesn't exist in Bryan's mind right now, nor does the royal rumble. When does he suddenly remember?

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by The Rogerer Nope. There was no reason or explanation as to why Bryan wasn't in the rumble. There was no explanation that Bryan was sacrifing his rumble spot to fight Wyatt. The WWE Championship doesn't exist in Bryan's mind right now, nor does the royal rumble. When does he suddenly remember?

Bryan did give an explanation on Twitter that "The Machine" prevented him from entering the rumble, and so I don't know if that answers that question.

Again - I just can't see the WWE being this stupid or naive. They just can't be.

I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and am assuming that they are simply trying to not be overly predictable.

[BigCrippyZ]

The problem is, outside of a couple of tweets by Bryan himself, there was no focus put on why he was not going to be a part of the Rumble, let alone win it.

Does anyone think that Rock, Foley, Taker, HHH, Cena or Austin would have not been included in the Rumble during their respective main event runs or even ascents to main event status, without a reason or storyline behind it being the focus of their television time? Absolutely not.

If Bray vs Bryan was going to be on the card at RR and Bryan was not going to be a part of the Rumble, then they should have had a reason established for it, as opposed to Bryan randomly joining and then turning on the Wyatts on RAW.

Bray/the Wyatts could have cost Bryan a match that would have guaranteed him entry into the Rumble. He could have then chosen to join them or not leading to the match and a viable explanation as to why Bryan was not in the Rumble. This could have been a major focus of DB, the Authority and the Wyatts on RAW and Smackdown leading into the Rumble. Instead, he was just randomly thrown into a new feud with Bray Wyatt that also was just as quickly scheduled to end, and for no reason and no planning around it.

A year or two ago, I would've said there's no way Bryan deserves to win the Rumble and/or headline a WM for the World Title. I also said 5 months ago, after the Summerslam finish, nobody panic, let's see how this plays out, surely WWE will give Bryan his well deserved moment and title run in the long run. I figured worst case, he's SO over that he'd at least win the Rumble and go on to WM.

[Bad News Gertner]

I'll tell you what, to all those fans saying this killed the company, check Tuesday when Raw's ratings come in. I'm betting on a 3.7 rating.

Let's say Bryan was in the Rumble and Batista still won? You don't have the reaction that Bryan not being in the Rumble did. I'll be watching Raw for sure and I hardly ever watch a full Raw anymore. Should be interesting to see where they go with this. I'm telling you if Bryan ends up in the title match at Wrestlemania, then the WWE is genius for doing what they did last night. They got everybody talking and even more behind one of their wrestlers. This is either going to go two ways: a disaster or one of the more brilliant moves in the history of the company.

[BigCrippyZ]

Originally Posted by Bad News Gertner I'll tell you what, to all those fans saying this killed the company, check Tuesday when Raw's ratings come in. I'm betting on a 3.7 rating.

Who's saying that this will or has killed the company?

I'm just saying that as a loyal fan for the last 20 some odd years, when someone is as over as DB is, it's kind of weird when they're not in the Rumble and outside of 2 tweets from DB himself, no reason or focus is really given as to why.

[BigCrippyZ]

Originally Posted by Bad News Gertner I'm telling you if Bryan ends up in the title match at Wrestlemania, then the WWE is genius for doing what they did last night. They got everybody talking and even more behind one of their wrestlers. This is either going to go two ways: a disaster or one of the more brilliant moves in the history of the company.

I agree. If they come up with a cool way to put Bryan in the main event, that makes sense and doesn't just discount the validity, history or importance of the Rumble match leading into the main event at WM, then yes, that would be genius. However, they could JUST as easily flounder this and make it a disaster. We shall see.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I just want to know how it's OK for El Torito to earn a spot in the illustrious Royal Rumble match, but not Daniel Bryan.

[The Rogerer]

Originally Posted by He-Man Bryan did give an explanation on Twitter that "The Machine" prevented him from entering the rumble, and so I don't know if that answers that question. Again - I just can't see the WWE being this stupid or naive. They just can't be. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and am assuming that they are simply trying to not be overly predictable.

After the fact.

It's pretty easy not to be predictable.

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol all the smarks on the internet claiming they are done watching. It's b.s. They'll tune in Monday and if this is played out correctly it's an ingenius move.

The "no reason or focus", makes people pissed, but they'll tune in to voice their opinion even more.. They've got something potentially huge on their hands. Like I said, I could be wrong and it's a disaster. Not really giving my opinion yet, gonna see how they handle this.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

If Bryan eventually gets to where we believe he should be, I'm not sure it was worth sending all those PPV crowds home disappointed to get there. It's seriously dragging on.

There's long-term booking, and then there's just being silly.

It's like fooling a child into thinking he didn't get any Christmas presents, but not actually pulling out the sack and surprising him until June.

[Bad News Gertner]

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla I just want to know how it's OK for El Torito to earn a spot in the illustrious Royal Rumble match, but not Daniel Bryan.

It's not ok, but if in the storyline Bryan ends up in the title match, they've created a fanbase who is foaming at the mouth over this "injustice" and behind a character like we haven't seen in years. HUGE potential with this.

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by BigCrippyZ Does anyone think that Rock, Foley, Taker, HHH, Cena or Austin would have not been included in the Rumble during their respective main event runs or even ascents to main event status, without a reason or storyline behind it being the focus of their television time? Absolutely not.

That's the thing though:

Perhaps the WWE is simply trying to avoid being formulaic.

A large part of Daniel Bryan's appeal is that he's an underdog face that is being held down by "The Machine." Fans can relate to that and that is why they are extremely angry right now.

Guys like Austin, Cena, HHH, Taker, and The Rock are all 'alpha males.' Bryan is not.

The fact that Bryan was held back from competing in the rumble by "The Machine" fits into his character, gimmick, and how the WWE want to position him, perfectly.

But again though - time will tell.

If Daniel Bryan does not win the World title at Wrestlemania, I take back everything I said.

For now though, I am going to go out on a limb and assume that the WWE are showing tremendous creativity right now. Bryan entering and winning the rumble would have been too predictable.

[Bad News Gertner]

Originally Posted by NoJabbaNoBogRoll If Bryan eventually gets to where we believe he should be, I'm not sure it was worth sending all those PPV crowds home disappointed to get there. It's seriously dragging on. There's long-term booking, and then there's just being silly. It's like fooling a child into thinking he didn't get any Christmas presents, but not actually pulling out the sack and surprising him until June.

Yes, but he was never advertised to be in it to begin with. Wrestlemania for ever has be THE event, so how huge would the lead up to this event if Bryan goes in and wins the belt. Huge, just massive.

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by Bad News Gertner It's not ok, but if in the storyline Bryan ends up in the title match, they've created a fanbase who is foaming at the mouth over this "injustice" and behind a character like we haven't seen in years. HUGE potential with this.

Bad news Gertner nailed it too a fucking tee.

The true tragedy however, is that both of our hockey teams suck balls.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Yeah, I'm not completely sour on it. I'm still watching. I've just never really been a Batista fan outside of his initial face turn and his Douchetista schtick before he left four years ago. He still has time to turn heel if they really want to do that, and he'd probably be decent in that role.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

It's not too late for them to "salvage" this whole angle, but I think they've passed the point of optimum return.

[Bad News Gertner]

Batista is just a natural heel. He'd play well against Bryan.

[Anybody Thrilla]

If this somehow turns into heel Batista v. Bryan for the title at Mania, that would be kinda awesome, I feel.

[Heisenberg]

The travesty missed was that I didn't get a goddamn motherfucking Chokeslam til late in the Rumble. Big Show could've supplied one but no, WWE doesn't listen to the fans!!!!!!wahhhhhhhh

It was a glorious choke slam, right through the table

[Bad News Gertner]

Originally Posted by NoJabbaNoBogRoll It's not too late for them to "salvage" this whole angle, but I think they've passed the point of optimum return.

We have to remember that this is wrestling and things can turn in a blink of an eye. I can't. Remember hearing anything like this. This is the point though. If they don't go through with this then it's a gigantic waste, because the Wrestlemania crowd will dump all over it. Rumble and Mania are huge "smark" crowds. They'll either make it one of the best in history or destroy it.

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by NoJabbaNoBogRoll If Bryan eventually gets to where we believe he should be, I'm not sure it was worth sending all those PPV crowds home disappointed to get there. It's seriously dragging on. There's long-term booking, and then there's just being silly. It's like fooling a child into thinking he didn't get any Christmas presents, but not actually pulling out the sack and surprising him until June.

Completely agree.

Perhaps I'm giving the WWE too much benefit of the doubt, but I do think they'll 'strike' with Bryan at Wrestlemania.


Think about this: The WWE "busted a nut" and prematurely ejaculated with both Lesnar and Orton at Summerslam back in 2002 and 2004 respectively. A little while later however, both wrestlers lost their momentum to varying degrees.

Bryan chasing the belt has been a good thing for the WWE.

Bryan vs. The Authority, in a very indirect way, has been the subtle main storyline in the WWE and I think they have delivered big time. The fact that the WWE has both marks AND smarks so pissed off is a testament.

Again though - I take this ALL back if Bryan does not win the title at Mania.

If this doesn't happen, then I pretty much agree with your stance.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Remember when Cena won last year, and it was just like, 'oh whatever'?

At least there's a buzz right now.

[Bad News Gertner]

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla If this somehow turns into heel Batista v. Bryan for the title at Mania, that would be kinda awesome, I feel.

Batista is a huge shit talker, so riling up the Bryan fans going into it would build this thing up. Batista isn't the greatest, but he plays a great heel character. A big loudmouth heel against a Bryan crowd who is behind him more than ever would be big.

[Bad News Gertner]

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla Remember when Cena won last year, and it was just like, 'oh whatever'? At least there's a buzz right now.

Exactly, and when has there been a buzz like this that draws in the marks and smarks? Been quite a while. You could have a Hogan vs Rock type crowd reaction for this. Time will tell though.

[Heisenberg]

I would've booked Ultimate Warrior clotheslining 3 ppl out and shaking the ropes catapulting himself onto Chris Benoit's casket busting it open and having Bryan put his remains in the Yes Lock.

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla Yeah, I'm not completely sour on it. I'm still watching. I've just never really been a Batista fan outside of his initial face turn and his Douchetista schtick before he left four years ago. He still has time to turn heel if they really want to do that, and he'd probably be decent in that role.

Of course you'll watch tonight.

In a weird sort of way, I think the WWE delivered big time last night since the fans are so pissed off.........and it has everyone talking. Marks AND smarks.

We will very likely see some extremely hostile crowd reactions tonight.

I honestly a tournament being held to see who will be #1 contender for Orton's belt at the February PPV. Bryan will win said tournament, and will go against Orton.

My guess is that the WWE will throw yet another curve ball where Orton defeats Bryan with HHH's help......pissing off the fans even more.

The next night on RAW, someone like Vince or Shane 'flexes their corporate' muscle and gives Bryan another shot at Orton........a clean one on one.

HHH tries to interfere during the match, but CM Punk decks him. Bryan beats Orton cleanly and goes onto face Batista.


That is EXACTLY how I see things playing out.

[Mr. Pierre]

Heyman, I hope you're right that the WWE isn't that stupid, and they indeed have an un-traditional plan to get Bryan into the main event. Was thinking about it myself after the show.

In the closing segment tonight, Orton and HHH have their typical promo. Out comes Batista, "I'm going to Mania, etc etc". Batista plays up the history he's had with both Triple H and Orton in the past. Batista challenges Orton to start Mania early. Orton and Triple H refuse and go backstage. Batista poses in the ring for a bit, then makes his way up the ramp and to the back to close the show.

Next week, as Orton, Batista, and Triple H are set to have another segment, Bryan interrupts on the ramp and says that he came across some really confusing footage last week. The titantron cuts to a "found footage camera" that contains a clip after Raw went off the air the week prior. It's a 30 second spot of Batista walking through the curtain, meeting Orton and Hunter with big smiles on their faces, handshakes, hugs, etc.

Everyone is now completely confused. Orton, Hunter, and Bats are looking at each other, not sure what to say next. Finally Hunter grabs the mic and snaps and admits his entire plan.

He admits that he purposely excluded Bryan from the Rumble, that he gave Batista a late entry to increase his Rumble chances, and that his entire plan has worked. Now the WrestleMania main event stays within the Authority's jurisdiction no matter who wins. It's been planned that regardless of which superstar wins at Mania, the other will respectfully grant a rematch at numerous pay-per-view events following WrestleMania. Batista and Orton have been his two hand-picked Champions for 10 years, and it's his dream to see them compete for the Championship at Mania, and he doesn't give a damn if the crowd wants Daniel Bryan. Triple H concludes his promo by firing Bryan for airing the footage, trying to sabotage his main event.

No Chance in Hell hits. Vinny Mac stands beside Bryan on the ramp. Vince cuts a promo saying how disappointed he was in Triple H for not giving the people what they want. Vince re-hires Bryan, and books a match for Chamber. Batista vs. Bryan, if Bryan wins, he's entered into the main event with Orton and Batista in a triple threat.

Bryan goes over Batista after dodging obstacles, and wins via roll-up.

The build going into the show can start as a 2-on-1 where Hunter's gameplan is, "I don't care who wins, just NOT Bryan." Bryan then starts to form rifts within the Authority, as he is starting chaos amongst Batista, Orton, and Triple H.

Then at Mania 30, Punk goes over Triple H and Bryan finally and decisively wins the WWE Championship, as Punk and Bryan finally "kill the machine" in one night.

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla Remember when Cena won last year, and it was just like, 'oh whatever'? At least there's a buzz right now.

Exactly.

You nailed it.

Which is why the WWE is actually being ingenius right now.

If Bryan had won at Summerslam (sans screwjob), there's a chance that he could have ended up like CM Punk from 2 years earlier where he would have peaked too early and lost momentum.

The WWE aren't stupid. They'll have Bryan win the title at Mania, but they'll be as unpredictable and creative as possible to keep the marks AND smarks guessing.

If Bryan doesn't win the title at Mania', I take back everything I said..........and will agree with Jabba's comments.

[The Rogerer]

It will get bigger ratings because the Royal Rumble always drags people back.

[MIZantine Empire]

The funny thing is, I always see in this forum "the wwe is too predictable" and various degrees of that opinion.. Now they shake it up a lil, and go against the grain, and they are all of a sudden " idiots". What also bothers me is that before sheamus got hurt, he was "boring" and "needed to do something else" and was "painful to watch" surprise return at the rumble and everyone complains about the wwe booking of the rumble shitting on his epic return. Can we get some decorum please? Lol

[Bad News Gertner]

The only issue is, Lesnar is the #1 contender to face Orton at the Feb ppv. You could go Lesnar loses to Orton due to interference from Taker, Bryan gets inserted into the main event at Wrestlemani and it gets made a threeway, which also works big time. Batista vs Orton vs Bryan at Wrestlemania. The decks stacked against Bryan to win, but he pulls it off.

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by MIZantine Empire The funny thing is, I always see in this forum "the wwe is too predictable" and various degrees of that opinion.. Now they shake it up a lil, and go against the grain, and they are all of a sudden " idiots". What also bothers me is that before sheamus got hurt, he was "boring" and "needed to do something else" and was "painful to watch" surprise return at the rumble and everyone complains about the wwe booking of the rumble shitting on his epic return. Can we get some decorum please? Lol

You nailed it.

p.s._________In regards to Sheamus, the guy is bland and will never draw. Period. You can wrap a turd in silk and velvet but at the end of the day, it's still turd. Sheamus and Alberto Del Rios are bland, and the fans don't care about them all that much.

[Bad News Gertner]

Originally Posted by The Rogerer It will get bigger ratings because the Royal Rumble always drags people back.

I think it'll be bigger than the normal post Rumble rating.

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by Bad News Gertner The only issue is, Lesnar is the #1 contender to face Orton at the Feb ppv. You could go Lesnar loses to Orton due to interference from Taker, Bryan gets inserted into the main event at Wrestlemani and it gets made a threeway, which also works big time. Batista vs Orton vs Bryan at Wrestlemania. The decks stacked against Bryan to win, but he pulls it off.

Was Lesnar already announced as the guy that will face the champ at the Feb PPV?

Maybe what they can do, is have Taker challenge Lesnar BEFORE the Feb PPV (like tonight?) which prompts Heyman and Lesnar to go end the streak rather than win the title.

This then prompts HHH to create a tournament to determine the #1 contender for the Feb PPV.

[MIZantine Empire]

Originally Posted by He-Man Exactly. You nailed it. Which is why the WWE is actually being ingenius right now. If Bryan had won at Summerslam (sans screwjob), there's a chance that he could have ended up like CM Punk from 2 years earlier where he would have peaked too early and lost momentum. The WWE aren't stupid. They'll have Bryan win the title at Mania, but they'll be as unpredictable and creative as possible to keep the marks AND smarks guessing. If Bryan doesn't win the title at Mania', I take back everything I said..........and will agree with Jabba's comments.

Everyone knew cena was winning that rumble.. I was mad that I spent money on tix cuz halfway there it hit me, there is no logical other winner (unless a surprise entrant came in and went the distance, y2j=best surprise ever) with Bryan, I think they are taking it easy. I mean outside of smark crowds, not even more than a year ago he was getting little to no reactions. I think they don't wanna blow their wads like they did with Ryder.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

It's hard to tell if they're trolling the fans. It'd be pretty awesome if they were... but they do so many things that suggest they don't have any idea what the hell they're doing so all you can really do is wait and see.