Do you think Daniel Bryan will ever main event a WrestleMania?

[Xero]

Straight and to the point, do you think Daniel Bryan will main event WrestleMania?

Also, discuss how he has been used in WWE thus far and if you think he's on the right track to bigger and better things or not.

[The Naitch]

no

[whiteyford]

I dont think so, i hope he does, but i can see him as a world champ after a MITB win though.

[The Jayman]

I don't see Daniel Bryan ever being in the main event period. It just seems to me that he is doomed to the mid card.

[Razzamajazz]

it's way too early to tell. if he ever does it will be with a completely different gimmick than he has now

[Brigstocke]

I can see it in my mind and I know how I would do it but the WWE won't allow it.

He would be a fantastic heel champion though, could see him mentally 'snapping' and going on a rampage of high profile tapouts. Can just imagine a match being on and suddenly the titantron coming on and him having HHH/Orton/Cena/Edge/Show/Barrett/Sheamus tapping in the back for seemingly no reason. He's not a great stickman and this gimmick would mean less of him talking and more of him dominating.

Obviously he wouldn't make The Miz tap though.

His only line would be 'Why did I do this? Because I can! Will I do it again? Yes

[VSG]

Yes, and within the next 2 Wrestlemania's as well. Vince is no fool, he is recognizing to establish smaller guys and he definitely feels the audience response to all those great PPV starting matches Bryan has put up.

[XL]

Hmmmmmmmmm. I could see it, Benoit did it after all.

But, honestly, I don't think he will Main Event WM but that's no bad thing. Only a select few get to headline the biggest show of the year after all.

[Tazz Dan]

Honestly, I can wee him doing it. If he stays with WWE he has a decent career ahead of him. It may take a few years but I don't think it's out of the question.

[Madness42]

I think there's a chance he will, but it's small, and not for awhile.

[Joesgonnakillyou]

I don't want to spout cliches but "anything can happen in the WWE". He's pretty popular and he certainly could talent wise but depends on so many factors it's impossible to predict.

I'm reluctant to make any solid wrestling predictions after my "Test will be world champ by 2005" prediction made in 1999...

[RatedGSuperstar]

I think it'd be fun to see, but it doesn't seem likely. Even with Benoit, it took him 4 years in the company and getting obscenely juiced up for Vince to finally put the belt on him.

He might have a World Heavyweight title or two in him, but if it does happen, I think it'll be as a heel and I think it'll be during those "not as important" summer months. It'd still be a fun run to watch, though.

[Nowhere Man]

As absolutely fantastic as Bryan is in the ring, I don't see him ever being WWE's flagship guy, face or heel. I think he's going to be one of those almost-but-not-quite guys for a very long time, maybe given a transitional World Title run here and there, and used as the guy to make other main-eventers look good by having great matches with them.

So no, I don't think we'll ever see him main event a Mania. I do, however, think he will regularly have the best match on the card several times over.

[Chavo Classic]

No chance. And there's nothing wrong with that. Where he is right now is great - a champion on television regularly and putting on stellar PPV matches.

[Savio]

I see him holding the title once or twice like punk

[Triple Naitch]

I could see him in a World title match at Wrestlemania, but it wouldn't be the headliner. They won't build the entire event around him. Kinda like Edge vs. Jericho was for the title this year, but HBK vs. Taker was the main match hyped for Wrestlemania.

[VSG]

There is THE main event, and then there are main events. Edge vs Jericho was a main event.

[JimmyMess]

As they always say in the wrestling industry, and WWE more specifically.. "never say never" but I am pretty sure that Bryan will not headline a WrestleMania event, ever.

Vince wouldn't put the biggest event of the year on the shoulders of a Bryan because he can't market him to everyone. Only hardcore fans appreciate Daniel Bryan. Its partially a size thing (Jericho and others could do it because they had the "larger than life" image, and charisma to back it up), as well as he's pretty generic in general.

I'd love to see it, but I don't think it will happen.

[jskinnyg]

I don't see it happening... Then again Rey has had the strap...

[Nicky Fives]

I wouldn't put any money on it.....

[Nark Order]

What? Of course not.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>If you mean main event as in the final match of the show? No. Unless he happens to stick around for a decade and get a Benoit-esque push.

If you main main event as in title match earlier in the show, then sure. I could see him getting a WHW Title run on SmackDown in a couple years.</font>

[Rammsteinmad]

Maybe for WM28, I'd love to see a world title triple threat match with Daniel Bryan, CM Punk and Kaval. For obvious reasons...

[Savio]

I will say that if they do unify the titles then I can not see this happening.

[Vastardikai]

I'll put it like this:

In the late '80s/early '90s, would anyone have believed one half of a tag team would wind up as WWF champ, especially the small member of the team? Not only did a smaller tag team guy become WWF champ, it happened TWICE.

And BOTH have headlined Wrestlemania.

[Testicle]

Main event? As in the last match? No.

Undercard 'main event' match at WM? Possibly.

[thedamndest]

If he doesn't it won't be for lack of ability. It depends on who sticks around over the next few years. I think it's likely that a younger guy with more of a "look" (like Alberto Del Rio or even McIntyre) will get there before him. But there's really no way to tell.

[Gertner]

Uh no. Vanilla midget don't headline Wrestlemania.

[CSL]

At least one that doesn't choke out his son anyway.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

What was the question again I got distracted by Daffney.

[Aguakate]

No. I really believe the only reason WWE re-hired him was because of the fans' outrage when he was fired, not because they suddenly felt he could be a star.

[Emperor Smeat]

I'd say it depends on how long WWE and Vince continue pushing smaller or less roided up wrestlers by the time Daniel Bryan can reach the main event scene. So far it has benefited a lot of "smaller" wrestlers but at the same time, it might be just a phase to get the negative attention away from the WWE, roids, and early wrestler deaths.

Seeing as now Wrestlemania now has about 3 "main events" per show, its possible and probably will occur especially since Smackdown tends to push and develop more main event stars than Raw since the split occurred.

[BollywoodSingh]

I hope he does but I don't think he will. He just doesn't have anything close to a WWE look. It's not just his height but he doesn't have much a body anyway like Benoit did. And Rey Mysterio has such a unique style that Bryan doesn't really have.

[DaVe]

Nope.

[dronepool]

Headline? I hope so but I doubt it. Be a significant part of it and put on a hell of a show? Yes.

[Lock Jaw]

Depends on whether he shows some charisma.

[Aguakate]

Depends on whether he shows some charisma.

You either have it or you don't. You can perfect your charisma, you can develop it more, you can tweek it out so it "clicks" with the fans, but bottom line is, it's gotta be there in the first place, you've gotta have it. He doesn't.

[Kane Knight]

Hmmmmmmmmm. I could see it, Benoit did it after all.

But, honestly, I don't think he will Main Event WM but that's no bad thing. Only a select few get to headline the biggest show of the year after all.

:y:

It's a shame so many people will ruin what they've got by wishing for more.

Not a shot at the general idea of him in the ME, only a commentary on the way a bunch of people tend to view the worth of wrestlers as measured by WWE.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

You either have it or you don't. You can perfect your charisma, you can develop it more, you can tweek it out so it "clicks" with the fans, but bottom line is, it's gotta be there in the first place, you've gotta have it. He doesn't.

Yes he does.

[MoFo]

No, tbh he'll be lucky to be involved at all.

[Tom Guycott]

I'll put it like this:

In the late '80s/early '90s, would anyone have believed one half of a tag team would wind up as WWF champ, especially the small member of the team? Not only did a smaller tag team guy become WWF champ, it happened TWICE.

And BOTH have headlined Wrestlemania.

One wasn't even *that* charismatic. He just got over in time with ring ability and giving sunglasses away to the kids.

If he doesn't it won't be for lack of ability. It depends on who sticks around over the next few years. I think it's likely that a younger guy with more of a "look" (like Alberto Del Rio or even McIntyre) will get there before him. But there's really no way to tell.

No, tbh he'll be lucky to be involved at all.

I would love to see him get a push worthy enough warrant a Wrestlemania match as much as the next guy, but... as much as i hate to say, he'll likely get the Lance Storm treatment: being bumped from Wrestlemania to a <s>Heat</s> dark match much to the outrage of the IWC. And having it happen more than once.

No. I really believe the only reason WWE re-hired him was because of the fans' outrage when he was fired, not because they suddenly felt he could be a star.

I still don't habeeb it that he was legit fired. I think he was "fired" to let that heat blow over in light of Linda's campaign, among other things. The spit to Cena and the Tie-angle choke were two of the best spots of the evening Nexus debuted as a unit. Consider that anymore, talent can't really do anything without prior approval, and that if they originally thought those two spots were going to be a problem, they would have been edited out before the show nationally aired. Also, think of how he just glossed over what happened, all "forget about that, I'm here to spotlight indy wrestling...", and the fact that he was right back after his supposed non-compete clause ran out. I think there was a handshake deal where he was let go, but if he didn't do anything disparaging to WWE or otherwise fuck up personally, he had his job waiting for him. Just a case of outta sight, outta mind.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I still don't habeeb it that he was legit fired. I think he was "fired" to let that heat blow over in light of Linda's campaign, among other things..

Stop blaming Linda's campaign for everything in the WWE that you don't like. He was fired because somebody outside of the WWE made a complaint. It's assumed that it was somebody from Mattel, not Linda. Danielson was released and then re-hired.

[D Mac]

I dont think so, i hope he does, but i can see him as a world champ after a MITB win though.

[SaskatchewanChamp]

The answer is no.

[RP]

Didnt Rey Mysterio Main Event WM?

[itsmeJD]

yeah but so did Lawrence Taylor....

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I think he shows charisma, dunno what you people are talking about.

[Fox]

With the right gimmick, absolutely I can see it. The only way it would work would be for it to be against another technically sound opponent. Daniels vs HBK would've been ideal, but since that's no longer an option, Daniels vs Triple H or a returning Chris Jericho could both be incredible matches. Daniels vs Punk would be amazing as well, but I don't think Punk is at the level yet to main event WrestleMania AND bring up another guy at the same time.

[Tom Guycott]

Stop blaming Linda's campaign for everything in the WWE that you don't like. He was fired because somebody outside of the WWE made a complaint. It's assumed that it was somebody from Mattel, not Linda. Danielson was released and then re-hired.

Yet, you quoted the before and after, which pretty much was the part where I said that it wasn't the only reason. Never said that's expressly why, nor did I ever in the history of my posting here blame everything in the WWE I don't like on Linda's Senate campaign. Obviously, she's no longer running, and there's still bullshit happening on my TV, which in turn, shoots the firmly held "once that's over, everything will be TV-14", which somehow equates to "better" (sorry to say, that's not true... be it the change in rating or that it will suddenly "get as good as I remember it used to be" overnight.)

Also, you missed the point that, no matter what the reason may or may not have been, I still don't buy that he was "really" fired. Yes, he was let go on paper so that they can say he was fired, BUT he had his job waiting for him at the end of his so-called non-compete time.

Honestly, I don't care if is supposed "release" was caused by Linda's campaign, Mattel, some elderly grandmother watching from the crowd, or the wrestling Jesus himself Chris Jericho. I know I'm in the minority much like people who think the Montreal Screwjob was a work.

My opinion stands.

[The Naitch]

Didnt Rey Mysterio Main Event WM?

it wasn't the last match. The last match for that WM was Cena vs. Triple H

only way I can see Bryan main eventing would be if he juiced up to look as big as Benoit, or his WHC/WWE title match would be the 3rd to last match on the card, just like Rey winning it at WM 22 vs. Orton and Angle

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

it wasn't the last match. The last match for that WM was Cena vs. Triple H

only way I can see Bryan main eventing would be if he juiced up to look as big as Benoit, or his WHC/WWE title match would be the 3rd to last match on the card, just like Rey winning it at WM 22 vs. Orton and Angle

Main Event doesn't mean last match anymore. Not at least in the WWE of today. There are always usually a few main event matches at a Wrestlemania card. The two title matches are considered the main events of their respected brands for Wrestlemania.

Actually in the 80s the WWF sometimes had their main event match in the middle of the card instead of the end. I remember that the first Royal Rumble had some sort of meaningless tag team match after the 20-man Rumble.

[XL]

No, tbh he'll be lucky to be involved at all.
What?

I'd bet on him putting on the match of the night at any Mania given the time and right opponent. Bryan v Jericho could be to WM28 what Jericho v HBK was to WM19.

What I'd give for Bryan v Kaval v Punk at Mania 27.

[Gertner]

Benoit was not NEARLY over as posters claim aside for a 6 month period where the WWE put the belt on him, realized it was a mistake and never gave him a shot again.

[Fignuts]

They didn't "realize they made a mistake". They knew right from the start he wouldn't draw like other main eventers, but it was more of a thank you run.

[XL]

Didnt Rey Mysterio Main Event WM?
So what Bryan needs is a close friend to die so he can ride the coat-tails to a Main Event fued?

[Fox]

Benoit was not NEARLY over as posters claim aside for a 6 month period where the WWE put the belt on him, realized it was a mistake and never gave him a shot again.

This is a pretty unfair assessment. Benoit was incredibly over for a very long time prior to his WrestleMania win. He'd had show stealing matches with everyone from The Rock, Stone Cold, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar. His victory at the Royal Rumble put him over the top and gave the WWE main event scene a badly needed breath of fresh air.

His World Title run was a sham. He was overshadowed week in and week out by Triple H's lesser storylines against the likes of Eugene and Shelton Benjamin, and even when he defended the title against Orton at SummerSlam, he was never given the ball and built as "The Guy" on RAW. They didn't really give him a chance.

[Jeritron]

It's not likely, but it's possible. If I had to bet, I'd probably say no. Just because there are only so many Wrestlemania main events to be had and a guy of his size and look usually doesn't get there.

I think there's a pretty good chance he'll be champion if he stays over, though.

Things are always changing. In the 80s, most thought a guy like Shawn or even Bret would never be champion. Macho Man was considered small.
Even after them, it was pretty much common sense that Jericho, Benoit and Eddie would never be champion, and they all headlined Wrestlemanias.
And even after those guys did it, I don't think anyone thought Rey ever would.

But all those guys did it, and I think the one constant is popularity. There were hurdles and stigmas in place, but the bottom line really is that popularity got them there.
So Bryan could get there, if he keeps working his ass off and continues to grow on the fans. It may take a while to prove himself to the powers that be, and confirm his popularity (like the others too), but I could see it.

[Jeritron]

WWE is obviously serious about pushing him, and a year or two ago people doubted that altogether.
There's no guaruntee the push will last, but it is working really well. The fans have responded quite well, and he's delivering in the ring.
It's not just a slight push either. Sure, it's not the main event but he's being built as a long term US Champion. There is certainly upside there.

They even put him over Swagger this evening, who was champion months ago. That may be more indicative of them giving up on Swagger, but there is still a push at work.
WWE is in a huge transition period, and there's a big youth movement. Most of the veterans are cycling out, and there are a handful of guys rising up. Bryan might not be at the top, but he's in that group and he will probably stay put as an upper-midcard work horse. As we've seen before, that kind of role can evolve into, or be rewarded with, a main event push.