WWE: Why Daniel Bryan's Imminent Heel Turn Is a Step in the Right Direction

A lot has been said about Daniel Bryan’s recent World Title win, and what appears to be his imminent heel turn in WWE.  A lot of wrestling purists are upset about the way he’s being presented, that he went from being considered one of the best in the game to being a cowardly heel.  Many fans don’t understand where this is going, and why the company felt the need to go this route with the man that is widely considered one of the most technically proficient workers in the business.

I, for one, say, "Oh my God, let’s everyone freaking calm down, shall we?"

One thing I learned very early on in behavioral psychology was that you should never tell someone to calm down; it only infuriates them more.  The more desired response is to let them know that you recognize that they’re upset, and that you’re trying to understand.

No, I think I’m going to stick with everyone freaking calm down.

Here we are, five minutes into what could be a major character change for Daniel Bryan, and already fans are beginning to lose their minds.  Instead of trying to analyze what it means, and how it could possibly benefit him, the assumptions are being made, as we speak, that Bryan is being turned into a joke.

Man, there is just no pleasing some people.

Not too long ago, in fact very recently, well, yesterday, all of the talk was about how Bryan deserved to cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase and become World Champion.  CM Punk, another ring technician, was getting a monster push on Raw, and a very real WWE Title run, so why not Bryan?  If it worked for Punk, who was also a “real” wrestler, then why would it not work for Daniel Bryan?

So, now Bryan has the strap, is the top dog on SmackDown and the same fans who went around proclaiming his worthiness, are now turning on him by the truckload.

Why?  Because WWE creative are finally taking the time to actually do something with his character?  Because they’re going a route with Bryan that has not been done with him before?

Here’s the deal, as I see it.  There are two ways that WWE could have gone with this.

The first way, the most obvious one, is that Bryan be presented as a legitimate tough guy, a submission specialist.  He may not be the biggest dog in the fight, but he is the most dangerous, because just when you think you have him beat, he manages to hook you into some crazy hold that you can’t get out of, and next thing you know, the match is over.

That is the easiest route.  It makes the most sense and could totally work for him.  It’s the best idea, considering his size and inability to consistently go over on opponents by pinfall.

It’s also the most predictable, most boring idea they could have used.

Honestly, why would anyone care about a straight-laced Superstar who has not displayed much charisma, suddenly playing the role of World Champion that wins the majority of his matches with submission holds?  More importantly, how could anyone buy it? 

Bryan wasn’t winning much in the first place, why would all of that instantly change just because he has the World Championship?  It’s not as if he went on some sort of incredible win streak with the title ahead of him in a big-time main event, a payoff for him and his character.

The belt landed on him because of Mark Henry’s injury, and likely because WWE is attempting to mix it up a little on SmackDown.  After all, who expected him to cash it in for a second time and actually be successful?

It’s different, it’s unexpected, and yes, it’s very unpredictable.

For me, there is no drama in Daniel Bryan going from zero to hero in the blink of an eye.  It’s just not real, and it would only raise more problems in the long run.  After all, if the switch could be flipped just like that, then why not do it much sooner than now?  What about all of the matches he lost before winning the belt, did he just have an off night every time he was pinned?

WWE is going the only other way they could have gone with Bryan, and that’s to turn him heel.  Being heel means he does not have to be a winner, at least not right away.  It also does not mean that he has to be perfect all the time with all the pressures of the World Championship hanging over him.

Despite how he won the belt, the fact is that he could not defend in the same opportunistic way.  He would have to legitimately begin winning his matches.  That sounds great, and would likely satisfy his fans, but again, we’re talking about what appears plausible and what doesn’t.  To me, this way just does not work.

Yes, Edge did it.  So did CM Punk.  But neither one of these men were in the spot that Bryan was in, or has been in, in his entire WWE career thus far.  It’s a far different situation.

I dig Ring of Honor.  I do.  I see their contributions and hope they continue to grow and are successful. But WWE is not Ring of Honor.  In ROH, Daniel Bryan was a god among men, a star who got it done in the ring with hard work and paying his dues through the proverbial blood, sweat and tears.

In WWE, Daniel Bryan is just another Superstar who has to find a way to get over and sell himself in an environment where everyone else is attempting to do the same thing.  He has to take what he’s given and make it work if he truly wants to be relevant in the biggest pro wrestling company in the world.  

He made it to the dance.  Now it’s time to take center stage and prove he deserves to be there.

Besides, I happen to like the way his character is being handled right now.  He’s cocky, in a very subtle way, and that goofy post-match celebration is getting just annoying enough to make fans start shaking their heads.  It’s uncomfortable, it’s over the top and don’t be surprised when it actually starts working for him.

The fact is, this current gimmick is not necessarily one Bryan will be saddled with for the rest of his career.  It’s a phase, a step, hopefully in the right direction, to establishing him as a man who has a real place in WWE. 

Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  And if that’s too deep for you, I have another one.

Let’s everyone freaking calm down, shall we?