*SPOILERS* SD! results for 7/23

[BizarroKing]

From PWInsider

The show opened with Randy Orton in the ring. He referenced the changing of the guard at the end of Raw and then talked MITB and called our Christian. He came out on the stage and said that when he spit on Orton at the PPV it was an accident. Orton demanded his rematch but Teddy Long told him he was booked against Kane in a streetfight tonight. Orton got mad and went after Christian. After that broke up, Long told Christian he had to face Big Zeke.

Christian beat Zeke with the Killswitch. Either they are behind Christian as champ or Zeke is on his way down. I am not sure which it is.

Michael Cole interviewed the "you got lucky" MITB winner Daniel Bryan. Cole was a jerk to him and said he would cash in the title when the champ was down. Bryan blew Cole off and said he earned the title shot was announcing right now that he will cash in the shot at WrestleMania XXVIII.

Bryan then beat Heath Slater in a long, good match.

Mark Henry did a promo saying he was happy to destroy and hurt Big Show.

Sheamus and Wade Barrett brawled to a no decision on the floor. It could have been a count out. Sheamus got the upper hand at the end laying out Barrett with the Brogue Kick. The crowd was behind Sheamus.

Kane did a promo and then had his street fight with Orton. This was a good back and forth match. Both guys got out of the other's finisher. Orton finally won with the RKO and they shook hands in respect after the match.

After the match, Mark Henry came out and destroyed Kane. He did the same move with the chair that he did to Big Show at the PPV.

In the dark match, Randy Orton took on Christian. Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes came down and Orton laid them all out.

[Droford]

Daniel Bryan Co-Main Eventing Wrestlemania with Cena/Rock.

LOL

more than likely he'll be Edged by putting the SD Title match as the opener for no reason at all.

[Fox]

Looks like they're going to run the "I'm cashing in at WrestleMania" angle with Daniel Bryan that they were going to do with Kennedy. I'm all for it as long as we get a legit pay-off.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Looks like they're going to run the "I'm cashing in at WrestleMania" angle with Daniel Bryan that they were going to do with Kennedy. I'm all for it as long as we get a legit pay-off.

Assuming he somehow doesn't lose the briefcase, do you think they can build him into a legit world title contender by April 1st? I don't mean making him seem like a credible threat in the ring either, I mean making him a guy that the majority fans actually care about, and want to see.

[Lock Jaw]

Daniel Bryan in one of the main events of Wrestlemania? :nono:

Terrible.

I guess with The Rock in a main event already, they figure it makes up for the lack of charisma on Bryan's part.

[glanville6]

Yes! Christian is having at least a one week reign! Unless of course he loses it at a live event. Which wouldn't shock me.

And I hope Bryan DOES cash in at Mania

[#1-norm-fan]

I definitely feel like now that Bryan is gonna be challenged for the briefcase and lose it.

[Corndad]

After how he and Sheamus were screwed out of their match at this year's Mania, I can't freakin wait. Tearin the damn house down.

[Mr. Pierre]

I don't see anything wrong with Bryan cashing in at Mania if he's "main eventing" like Edge/Del Rio "main evented".

[Razzamajazz]

yeah, just like the royal rumble winner always "main events"

[Razzamajazz]

alicia fox beat natalya, and kozlov beat jtg for the superstars taping

[Juan]

Justin Gabriel vs Tyson Kidd should be good too

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Daniel Bryan in one of the main events of Wrestlemania? :nono:

Terrible.

I guess with The Rock in a main event already, they figure it makes up for the lack of charisma on Bryan's part.

For me to buy Wrestlemania with the main event they have in place, the undercard (and make no bones about it, unless Punk carries his momentum all the way to WM and faces Austin or HHH, everything else will be the undercard) has to have some damn good wrestling regardless of the build.

I totally agree that Bryan has no charisma, but I'd love to see the guy pull out all the stops and put on a match that could steal the show against Cody, Wade, Christian or Orton off the top of my head. Doesn't need a build, just would be a great match.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Daniel Bryan has charisma. He's got that Chris Benoit-like "no frills, just rasslin'" kind of charisma. I, for one, feel that him cashing in for WrestleMania makes perfect sense. It's the biggest stage of them all, and it makes sense for a babyface to confirm his shot ahead of time like that.

Now is the build, and that's the story. This angle actually reminds me of the rise of Chris Benoit. It was pretty much a story that began with one match -- in Benoit's case, his WWE Championship match against Kurt Angle at the 2003 Royal Rumble. Benoit then slowly rose through the ranks, trying to convince people he could actually break the glass ceiling and become the top guy. The evil authority figure (or in this case, I'm sure it will be the nay-saying commentator) told him no, and Benoit then earned his title shot and got his fairy tale match at WrestleMania XX.

Instead of the Royal Rumble, Bryan has won Money in the Bank, has earned his shot, and he should not be compelled to defend it. The story will be a unique one -- is Bryan really that top guy? The idea will be to get fans behind him (and they will get behind him), but the doubt is what really makes this what it is. For once, we're getting a seemingly random underdog challenger for a World Title at WrestleMania, and that is something we've never really seen before. You could maybe count Rey Mysterio in 2006, but he was a much bigger deal then than people give him credit for, and got the whole "Eddie push."

I also like the RAW/SmackDown! dynamic. Cena vs. Rock will be all entertainment, while Bryan's match will focus on presenting a damn, good pure wrestling match with whoever his opponent is. All bases covered right out the gate. Triple H is a huge fan of the business, and I'm sure he's well aware of the days when WrestleMania had blow-offs to stories that would often stretch for most of the year heading into it. Plus, Bryan is a student of Shawn Michaels, and I'm sure Triple H has a tremendous amount of respect for him. Not only do I think Bryan will head into WrestleMania challenging for the World Heavyweight Title, but I'm sure the trigger will actually be pulled, and Bryan will make the World Heavyweight Champion (more than likely Randy Orton) tap-out.

The only other thing to consider is that the Royal Rumble Winner will also get a title shot. It's very possible they'll be added to the World Heavyweight Title match, making it a Triple Threat. But it's also very possible that the RR winner will challenge for the WWE Title, while Cena vs. Rock will be away from the belt. I want to say that if we do get a third main event for Mania XXVIII, it'll probably feature Alberto Del Rio or The Miz as the heel WWE Champion, looking to be unseated by a babyface. Depending on how well this teased face-turn of Sheamus goes, it could be him challenging, or it could even be John Morrison, Kofi Kingston or Randy Orton (jumping from SmackDown!).

Now, as for this show? Both Superstars and SmackDown! seem like a must-watch to me, as a wrestling fan. Alicia Fox and Natalya actually tore the house down last time, so I expect another good showing from them. Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd will just be awesome, and I'm actually expecting Slater to win the IC Title soon and then put it on the line against Gabriel. Well, maybe that is me just wishful thinking. I guess Rhodes winning the title and then DiBiase turning face and getting the title shot is a little more likely.

Bryan vs. Slater has me really intrigued. Unlike others, I really do like Heath Slater. He's got an intangible quality I can't put my finger on. The guy's really solid in the ring, and he's got a unique presence. It's kind of easy-breezy. Plus, the man's accent and appearance make him a heat-machine. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with Bryan, and I hope his stock goes up, and he eventually gets a solid crack at being a mid-card heel. I truthfully believe the guy could get that Michael Cole/Vickie Guerrero type heat -- except he'd be a wrestling character, which is a bonus.

Also loving that Christian was put over Zeke quite strong. Here's hoping this World Title run is given the quality it deserves.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Also, the IWC should be jizzing themselves. The tentative SmackDown! main event of WrestleMania XXVIII is Christian vs. Daniel Bryan. How is that not fucking awesome?!? If the reigns have really changed, like Sean Waltman seems to believe, then Triple H has got his finger on a pulse somewhere.

[VSG]

I feel they can make Daniel Bryan a indy cinderella story. I WANT to ride this journey with him and see a Chris Benoit-esque win at WM 28.

[Cuse8]

noid, i completely agree with you on slater. over time he has really grown on me, going from the goofy prancing around guy on nxt to more of a cocky smug heel. i thought he put on a great showing at mitb where he showed he can more then hold his own with some of the top guys of sd. i think its only a matter of time till we have a slater/gabriel fued which i think has a lot of potential to be very very good.

[Innovator]

When did TPWW start to equate mic skills to charisma?

[Volare]

Since Punk left.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

I was just thinking. It'd be fucking badass if Jericho came back and won the World Title before Mania.

Think about it, DB is so close to living his dream, and the only thing standing between him and the title is the man who beat him his very first night in the WWE.

Plus, considering how good they're first match was with what little bit of time it had, these two could tear the roof off given 15 minutes. Plus, Jericho has the personality style that would play off real well in a feud between the two of them. I'd love to see Regal get involved too, since they've brought up a few times that he's trained him, etc.

Hell, I think on NXT last night Regal said something like he's proud of him, and DB is one of the best things to come out of his career or something.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

That would be a pretty fun feud, WWKD. You could have a few promos of Bryan and Regal backstage to get them on screen together and make their connection known to casual fans. Then eventually have Jericho taunting Bryan backstage at some point, and have Regal back Bryan up.

We could have them bring up bits from their old feud (Jericho pissing in Regals tea amongst other things) and have Jericho talk about how he went on to be one of the best in the world, and win the World title numerous times, while Regal went on to do nothing. Have him say that Bryan will end up exactly like Regal.

We could get a couple of nice Regal v Jericho matches and Jericho beating down Regal to add a personal rivalry between Jericho and Bryan.

[Schlomey]

wait why no cody rhodes on sd?

[RP]

Daniel Bryan has charisma. He's got that Chris Benoit-like "no frills, just rasslin'" kind of charisma. I, for one, feel that him cashing in for WrestleMania makes perfect sense. It's the biggest stage of them all, and it makes sense for a babyface to confirm his shot ahead of time like that.

Now is the build, and that's the story. This angle actually reminds me of the rise of Chris Benoit. It was pretty much a story that began with one match -- in Benoit's case, his WWE Championship match against Kurt Angle at the 2003 Royal Rumble. Benoit then slowly rose through the ranks, trying to convince people he could actually break the glass ceiling and become the top guy. The evil authority figure (or in this case, I'm sure it will be the nay-saying commentator) told him no, and Benoit then earned his title shot and got his fairy tale match at WrestleMania XX.

Instead of the Royal Rumble, Bryan has won Money in the Bank, has earned his shot, and he should not be compelled to defend it. The story will be a unique one -- is Bryan really that top guy? The idea will be to get fans behind him (and they will get behind him), but the doubt is what really makes this what it is. For once, we're getting a seemingly random underdog challenger for a World Title at WrestleMania, and that is something we've never really seen before. You could maybe count Rey Mysterio in 2006, but he was a much bigger deal then than people give him credit for, and got the whole "Eddie push."

I also like the RAW/SmackDown! dynamic. Cena vs. Rock will be all entertainment, while Bryan's match will focus on presenting a damn, good pure wrestling match with whoever his opponent is. All bases covered right out the gate. Triple H is a huge fan of the business, and I'm sure he's well aware of the days when WrestleMania had blow-offs to stories that would often stretch for most of the year heading into it. Plus, Bryan is a student of Shawn Michaels, and I'm sure Triple H has a tremendous amount of respect for him. Not only do I think Bryan will head into WrestleMania challenging for the World Heavyweight Title, but I'm sure the trigger will actually be pulled, and Bryan will make the World Heavyweight Champion (more than likely Randy Orton) tap-out.

The only other thing to consider is that the Royal Rumble Winner will also get a title shot. It's very possible they'll be added to the World Heavyweight Title match, making it a Triple Threat. But it's also very possible that the RR winner will challenge for the WWE Title, while Cena vs. Rock will be away from the belt. I want to say that if we do get a third main event for Mania XXVIII, it'll probably feature Alberto Del Rio or The Miz as the heel WWE Champion, looking to be unseated by a babyface. Depending on how well this teased face-turn of Sheamus goes, it could be him challenging, or it could even be John Morrison, Kofi Kingston or Randy Orton (jumping from SmackDown!).

Now, as for this show? Both Superstars and SmackDown! seem like a must-watch to me, as a wrestling fan. Alicia Fox and Natalya actually tore the house down last time, so I expect another good showing from them. Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd will just be awesome, and I'm actually expecting Slater to win the IC Title soon and then put it on the line against Gabriel. Well, maybe that is me just wishful thinking. I guess Rhodes winning the title and then DiBiase turning face and getting the title shot is a little more likely.

Bryan vs. Slater has me really intrigued. Unlike others, I really do like Heath Slater. He's got an intangible quality I can't put my finger on. The guy's really solid in the ring, and he's got a unique presence. It's kind of easy-breezy. Plus, the man's accent and appearance make him a heat-machine. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with Bryan, and I hope his stock goes up, and he eventually gets a solid crack at being a mid-card heel. I truthfully believe the guy could get that Michael Cole/Vickie Guerrero type heat -- except he'd be a wrestling character, which is a bonus.

Also loving that Christian was put over Zeke quite strong. Here's hoping this World Title run is given the quality it deserves.

Not reading this shit

[Fignuts]

Benoit had incredible intensity(probably a little too much..wahey) that made up for his lack of charisma and personality. Haven't seen that from Bryan.

[Londoner]

Benoit had incredible intensity(probably a little too much..wahey) that made up for his lack of charisma and personality. Haven't seen that from Bryan.

:y:

[CSL]

Bryan clearly has more charisma and personality than Benoit, who had none whatsoever and "got by" as Fignuts mentioned on his intensity along with his monstrous build (not height) and being "the best wrestler on Earth". If DB was like 25lbs of muscle heavier he'd be well on his way. He could easily do the "best in the world" schtick and the promos would be fine, he just needs to look more impressive.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Also, I read a report that said DB won with a submission the person didn't recognize, and it wasn't the LeBell lock... Hoping for Cattle Mutilation

[#1-norm-fan]

Yeah, Bryan has way more charisma than Benoit and is about a hundred times more likable (and I'm not factoring in... well... you know...)

Benoit's "intensity" did nothing for me personally. He would just get angry looking and spit when he talked and his neck veins would pop out and he'd just look like a crazy serial killer... ... ...

[Lock Jaw]

Daniel Bryan needs to beef up some, grow his hair, maybe some facial hair.

As it is, he looks like a goof and thus I can never take him for real 100%.

He also needs to start eating meat and buy a TV.

[CSL]

He probably could actually do with eating meat. Don't think there's anything wrong with his look cosmetically though, although I will say the 2 things you mentioned are the 2 "best Danielson looks" imo (the "floppy" look and bald "Count Danielson" with the fuck off beard)

[#1-norm-fan]

Daniel Bryan needs to beef up some, grow his hair, maybe some facial hair.

As it is, he looks like a goof and thus I can never take him for real 100%.

He also needs to start eating meat and buy a TV.

TVs are over-rated anymore. Owning one no longer dictates how I feel about wrestlers.

I would however like for him to make his hulu history public before fully supporting him. IF HE EVEN HAS ONE! :mad:

[#1-norm-fan]

I feel like he could use a good "American Dragon"-like nickname too. Something more than just a seldom-used "Cerebral Assassin" or "Prince of Parkour" style moniker but an actual "Stone Cold" Steve Austin or Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat style nickname that becomes synonymous with Daniel Bryan.

[Indifferent Clox]

"what happened to the mayans?" Daniel Bryan

[Lock Jaw]

What he really needs is a new theme.

I suggest

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lix2YzFOrB0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

:shifty:

[Lock Jaw]

At least spruce up "Ride of the Valkyries" a bit:

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/spTv-cOxySg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Not like that, but in the vain of remixing it to get the audience more pumped up.

[Juan]

I see your Dean Malenko theme and raise you...

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9_zuBFGMc38" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[CSL]

boys boys, replace the 'Males' with a deadpan 'Dragon' every time and we might be onto a winner

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TyCwJ10QrHA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[#1-norm-fan]

WWE does own the rights to the theme song already. Just sayin'. "American Male" Daniel Bryan has a nice ring to it...

[Wolfpack423]

With The Rock vs. John Cena and Daniel Bryan stating he will challenge the world champion at wrestlemania, this may be one of the best Wrestlemanias of all time. Daniel Bryan deserves this push and its great to see a good wrestler getting it. Justin Gabriel seems to be getting a decent push which is always good as well. In my opinion, he's the best thing to come out of the Nexus. I am just hoping we somehow get Sheamus getting a good face push soon and Beth Phoenix vs. Natalya which would be great or a match with AJ lee as the underdog fighting Beth or Natalya for turning on her which is always a possible storyline, however, they've done nothing relevant for the women since TLC. That's the last WWE women's match I liked. The only ones this year I liked were Beth Phoenix vs. Gail Kim a couple of weeks ago and AJ Lee vs. Tamina a month ago.

[Indifferent Clox]

"Akin to the stars of Orion."
beep beep
"Who is:" Daniel Bryan

that's how his theme song should start

[DAMN iNATOR]

Well...so much for the originally planned Zeke v. Cody for the IC title match. Perhaps we'll still get to see that sometime in the near future though.

[Tazz Dan]

Just watched this. Danielson/Slater was actually a good match. Cole's commentary shit me to tears though.

Sheamus seems to be getting a nice slow face turn also. Seemed like the crowd was cheering but boo's were piped in.

[Ultra Mantis]

Just started watching this, counted about six vatiations on an attempted Eziekial Jackson chant during his match along with one guy yelling "Christian sucks" a few times before giving up. Hopefully this erratic behavior continues.

[XCaliber]

If DB is in fact going to use MITB @ WM28 then I predict Wade Barrett shall be the holder of the WHC at that point as it would be the top 2 guys from nXt squaring off against one another.

[Lock Jaw]

Seeing the Daniel Bryan segment for tonight I have to admit...






Heath Slater is winning me over.

[#1-norm-fan]

If DB is in fact going to use MITB @ WM28 then I predict Wade Barrett shall be the holder of the WHC at that point as it would be the top 2 guys from nXt squaring off against one another.

I don't like the idea of to guys who came from a "win a contract" show fighting for the world title a year and a half after the show. This seems like a horrible attempt at just pushing two guys as quickly as possible by throwing them in a situation that is way above them.

[#1-norm-fan]

Of course, there's a LITTLE bias since, while I like Barrett, he doesn't have any AMAZING quality that screams "push this man NOW" to me. Bryan at least is currently one of the best technical wrestlers in the world. Barrett is a "well rounded, future of the company" type. The way he is dealt with is more fragile. Bryan can always fall back on wrestling skill.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

DB was also rocking some new tights. Pretty slick/distinct look actually.

I also like that he's using the guillotine choke as a submission now too. A good looking finisher that can be used against anyone, regardless of their size. Also, with the tweets about the "MMA training" and new submission holds coming, I wonder what he'll bust out.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I don't like the idea of to guys who came from a "win a contract" show fighting for the world title a year and a half after the show. This seems like a horrible attempt at just pushing two guys as quickly as possible by throwing them in a situation that is way above them.

Yeah I'm not against that idea totally, but there is no way that's a Wrestlemania match.

[MIZantine Empire]

boys boys, replace the 'Males' with a deadpan 'Dragon' every time and we might be onto a winner

<IFRAME src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TyCwJ10QrHA" frameBorder=0 width=480 height=390 allowfullscreen></IFRAME>
i can not in my right mind believe this was a theme. someone made this, and someone else said "thats great, lets use it" SMH, and now that i clicked it the little jingle "american males, american males, american males etc" is going to be stuck in my head all day

[MIZantine Empire]

Just watched this. Danielson/Slater was actually a good match. Cole's commentary shit me to tears though.

Sheamus seems to be getting a nice slow face turn also. Seemed like the crowd was cheering but boo's were piped in.
i think wwe realized after the huge pop/following he got at MITB that they can market him into a top face. i can buy into that easily. i have always liked sheamus

[Skippord]

came in here just to to the American Males theme song

[Skippord]

creepy grunt before that singer says American males

[Gertner]

Daniel Bryan being World Champion would result in Smackdown being canceled in a month.

In all honesty, he's boring as hell and would result in no buys for Wrestlemania. Didn't everybody learn from his shitty U.S Title run where had got basically no pop and nobody cared whatsoever?

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Daniel Bryan being World Champion would result in Smackdown being canceled in a month.

In all honesty, he's boring as hell and would result in no buys for Wrestlemania. Didn't everybody learn from his shitty U.S Title run where had got basically no pop and nobody cared whatsoever?

You forget, Smackdown is on SyFy. Syfy = Nerds. Daniel Bryab = Nerd. They're just catering to the channel.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Again, I re-iterate -- this Daniel Bryan stuff is so interesting to me, because of the criticisms people lash out at him. The man's actually pretty decent on a mic, and his promo with Cole was entirely serviceable. Plus, people popped. As he gains upwards momentum, they will pop more. Also, it will be a WrestleMania moment when Bryan makes the World Heavyweight Champion tap-out, and Michael Cole says something like "I admit it -- I was wrong about Daniel Bryan. This man deserves to be the World Heavyweight Champion." It'd be like Bryan's "the boyhood dream has come true!"

[Indifferent Clox]

If he starts beating top names using random submissions he'll have ppl beehind him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Noid Post on how I would handle Daniel Bryan over the next few months:

* Next week, Daniel Bryan & Justin Gabriel team up to defeat Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd when Bryan makes Kidd submit to the LeBell Lock. After the match, with Bryan celebrating in the ring, and Gabriel regarding his fellow NXT/Nexus alumni, Shawn Michaels' music hits in a true sudden mark out moment. HBK comes to the ring, and he says he just couldn't resist coming here when he heard that Daniel Bryan gets to make his boyhood dream come true. HBK basically just puts Bryan over as his student, and gives him his vote of confidence heading into WrestleMania XXVIII.

* Later on in the same show, a cameraman is rushing to reach the scene of an "incident." Shawn Michaels is writhing around on the ground in pain, and new Intercontinental Champion (he beats Zeke in the opening match) Cody Rhodes is standing over Jackson. "You think you're a Sexy Boy, Shawn? You're a crippled old man!"

* Daniel Bryan and Triple H are not happy about this. Bryan wants Cody Rhodes. Triple H also wants Rhodes to pay, but is new to this Chairman stuff, and he doesn't want to piss off stockholders by getting personally involved. He gives Bryan his confidence heading into a confirmed SummerSlam match with Cody Rhodes. Meanwhile, Rhodes cuts promos saying that it's him against the world, and all that.

* Rhodes wants Daniel Bryan's WrestleMania title shot. He's beaten Bryan in the past, and he beat Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania this year. It's wasted on Bryan, who got bumped off the card. Triple H cannot compel Bryan to defend his briefcase, but Bryan agrees -- if he gets Rhodes with No Holds Barred.

* So at SummerSlam, it's Cody Rhodes vs. Daniel Bryan -- No Holds Barred -- Title vs. Contract. Ted DiBiase tries to get involved to help out Bryan, but former Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson cancels him out. Bryan rips the mask off Rhodes and goes to town, and then puts Rhodes and his (mentally) broken nose in the LeBell Lock. Rhodes taps, and Bryan retains his title shot and becomes the new Intercontinental Champion.

* Heading into Night of Champions, since there are only six titles, a seventh match could be a Battle Royal featuring some of the top stars on both RAW and SmackDown! -- with the winner receiving a shot at their respective brand's World Title. With SmackDown! being quite thing on talent, you put pretty much all of your active guys in that match, but Bryan defends the IC Title in a very special match to him -- a defense against his former mentor William Regal.

* Bryan makes Regal submit to the Regal Stretch, while wearing his burgundy trunks as an homage to Regal. This is basically a chance for Regal to have one last really great match before he moves away from active competition for good.

* Bryan then goes on a pretty random tear through Hell in a Cell and Vengeance (I can't remember what is going on with those PPVs). He defends the Intercontinental Title against pretty much anyone -- face or heel. He beats Heath Slater, Tyson Kidd, Justin Gabriel, Ted DiBiase, Ezekiel Jackson and Sin Cara. One or two of those matches would probably make a PPV mid-card.

* At Survivor Series, he teams up with Randy Orton and SmackDown!'s other top faces against the top heels on SmackDown!. In that match, Bryan & Orton survive -- Orton the World Heavyweight Champion and Bryan his tentatively scheduled WrestleMania opponent. The two have a moment where they regard each other in the ring to close their segment at the November PPV.

* Basically, Bryan just continues to make people tap and builds momentum. He can even defend the IC Title against bigger names like Wade Barrett and Mark Henry. He heads into WrestleMania the Intercontinental Champion -- giving us not only the great wrestler proves everyone wrong story, ala Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit; but there are shades of Hogan/Warrior. Bryan's match at WrestleMania (probably against Randy Orton) is title vs. title, and Bryan manages to make Orton submit, and wins the World Heavyweight Title, leaving WrestleMania with both pieces of gold -- vacating the IC Title, giving us a tournament to crown a new champion heading into Extreme Rules.

[Gertner]

God no.