*SPOILERS* SD! results for 7/23

**Mr. Nerfect** · 07-20-2011, 04:40 AM

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.

07-20-2011, 04:40 AM	#11
Mr. Nerfect Posts: 61,547	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.