WWE Extreme Rules 2012: Epic Performance Proves Daniel Bryan on Brink of Stardom

With the 2012 Extreme Rules pay-per-view and subsequent Raw out of the way, it’s time to look forward for one of the brightest stars in the company—Daniel Bryan.

After what should be considered the best match of the night, Bryan and Sheamus blew the lid off the arena in Chicago.

While Bryan may have lost, he looked as strong as he ever has.

With the “Yes!” chants growing in volume, his heel persona coming off as naturally as ever and the maroon shirts flying off the merchandise stands, the WWE brass has been forced to take notice.

Unlike Zack Ryder, Bryan has the substance to back up the momentum he has created and WWE can capitalize on it. If it makes money, Vince McMahon will love it.

Just ask CM Punk.

What It Means

As great as the two-out-of-three falls match between Sheamus and Bryan was, it means the end of their feud and Bryan’s time around the World Title. While it feels far too soon, this was one of the greatest first title reigns in wrestling history.

In a matter of a few months, Bryan went from being nothing to one of the biggest stars in the world.

Let’s not forget Bryan spent the last five months around the world championship and held it for almost four. This is the 2011 Money in the Bank winner that turned heel to steal the title from a face Big Show.

Frankly, this run has been epic.

While it's true Bryan lost the title in 18 seconds at WrestleMania 28, the unexpected backlash it caused has shown the WWE what kind of talent and following Bryan really has.

What’s Next?

While there were questions about where Bryan would go after leaving the Sheamus feud, many fans thought the star would be relegated to mid-card status.

Not so fast, though.

After winning the beat-the-clock challenge on Raw, Bryan has earned himself a spot in the WWE Championship match at Over the Limit with CM Punk.

You read that right. Please pause and collect your emotions.

Ready?

In what should be any wrestling fan’s dream feud, two modern-day stars will square off in what could be one of the greatest WWE feuds of all time.

While that may seem far-fetched already, let’s think about this.

Bryan and Punk have worked more matches together through their years in Ring of Honor and the Indy circuit than almost any other pair of stars in the WWE right now. With a real-life friendship, this duo would be absolutely vicious towards each other in their promos and in the ring.

Each of these fighters will be trying to outdo the other, leaving everything in the ring every time they step into it against each other.

If the fans thought CM Punk vs. Jericho was good, they haven’t seen anything until Bryan shows just how good he can be.

I wonder if Ricky Steamboat will get involved?

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For the latest episode of Ring Rust Radio featuring ECW legends New Jack and “Franchise” Shane Douglas and all the 2012 WWE Extreme Rules talk you could want, catch it here! (Some language NSFW).

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Check back for more on the World Wrestling Entertainment as it comes, and visit Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of WWE/TNA. For more Wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss (some language NSFW).

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