WWE Royal Rumble 2012 Results: What We Learned from Daniel Bryan's Win

Daniel Bryan was able to escape the Royal Rumble with his championship.

Major emphasis should be put on the word escape.

He had a triple-threat steel cage match with both the Big Show and Mark Henry and won not by eliminating either man, but by escaping the cage.

That isn't the worst ending the WWE could have planned for him, and against two giants, it actually makes sense. Bryan's maneuverability was limited, and he was going to have serious problems against those two no matter what.

If he had just started beating them easily, it would have been too unbelievable. He could take one on, but not both. The match was booked well and shouldn't be disparaged, but it is the outcome that is shocking.

Bryan didn't really cheat or use underhanded maneuvers to win.

Many times, the WWE will make most of their heels the same: cowards who prey upon opponents and do anything they can to avoid a challenge. Yes, Bryan went for the best possible choice by escaping the cage, but he didn't violate the rules.

Cheap, yes. Cheating, no.

Bryan's character is a little harder to peg down because he isn't part of the WWE's standard formula. He is being shown as a capable, if not strong, champion.

That means that he might get a real run out of his time with the title yet. The angle with the Big Show isn't done yet, and it should end with the big man getting the belt.

That is, if Bryan was a heel through and through. He isn't.

There is still a chance that the WWE could leave Bryan with the belt all the way to WrestleMania.

It's a long shot, but possible.

The only things that could change this are whatever role AJ ends up playing and if Bryan continues to play by the rules, even if he uses them to his advantage.

Personally, I was against this turn with his character. I am still wary and dislike the turn of AJ's character, but if the WWE keeps doing things like this with it, they may just get me to become a fan.

Whatever happens on Smackdown this Friday will let us know what this win will develop into, but so far, it looks good.

Matthew Hemphill writes for the MMA and professional wrestling portion of Bleacher Report.  He also hosts a blog elbaexiled.blogspot.com which focuses on books, music, comic books, video games, film and generally anything that could be related to the realms of nerdom.