Analyzing Daniel Bryan and His Worth to WWE

Daniel Bryan is the best mat wrestler on the planet and one of its best entertainers.  Long after the "Yes" chants have died out, Bryan will be dropkicking his way into wrestling history books. 

With Bryan as a key member of its core roster, WWE's future is bright.

The American Dragon keeps diehard fans interested and dazzles casual fans with his wrestling expertise.

In a way, Bryan is this generation's Chris Benoit, a fantastic worker who makes every match a story, sliding fans' butts to the edge of their seats. 

Though Bryan will never have the mainstream appeal of a Hulk Hogan or Steve Austin, he is more charismatic than Benoit, a true star.  He's recently been shining as much outside of the ring as he has inside, making him doubly valuable.   

In the Ring      

Bryan has already proven himself several times over in terms of wrestling talent.  Every opportunity he gets to turn the wrestling ring into a stage, he impresses. 

Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk at Over the Limit 2012.  Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus at Extreme Rules 2012.  Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler at Bragging Rights 2010.

Bryan's been accumulating classics like Alberto Del Rio has supposedly been collecting cars.  Factor in his highly acclaimed work with Ring of Honor and Bryan's body of work is already reaching all-time great status. 

Wrestling Observer Newsletter has showered him in awards.

Bryan has won their Best Technical Wrestler award seven consecutive times and won their Most Outstanding Wrestler award every year from 2006-2010.

In the last two years, no one in WWE other than CM Punk has been able to produce high-quality matches at the rate that Bryan has. 

WWE's roster boasts a number of less-than-awesome in-ring performers.  With Bryan on the payroll, though, he can make them look their best. 

Bryan draws the finest performances from his opponents.

An injury-plagued Mark Henry, an inconsistent Sin Cara and an average Trent Barreta all benefited from the Bryan experience.  Brodus Clay and David Otunga can both get the same treatment if need be. 

Outside of the Ring

A year ago, WWE fans thought Daniel Bryan was a great technical wrestler with nothing else to offer.  WWE might have thought that, too. 

Sure he'd be able to entertain Dave Meltzer, the IWC and wrestling purists, but what about casual fans?

Bryan has since proven he can deliver the showmanship side of the sport.

Getting shafted at WrestleMania 28 actually helped propel his career as we got to see how vicious and enthralling he could be as a heel.  Bryan is not a paper heel, getting cheap heat just by insulting the city his match is in. 

He's grown as a character, weasel-like at time, arrogant at others. 

His psychiatric evaluation on Raw was one of the highlights of the show.

The question is, when the "Yes" craze grows tired, when his storyline with AJ is over, can he maintain his momentum? Can WWE find another angle for him to deliver the acting goods?

Bryan is that rare combination of great wrestler, compelling mic worker and storyteller. 

He''ll never be a transcending star like Hogan or The Rock, stars known by people who don’t even watch wrestling.  WWE doesn’t need him to be, though. 

If Cena is this era's Hogan, Bryan is our Randy Savage. 

Hogan's star was helped tremendously by the great ring skills and charisma of his rival and tag partner, Savage.  Bryan does the same for WWE, providing the wrestling foundation to build upon. 

The Future

Bryan is only 31 years old.  Barring injury or unforeseen tragedy, we could see 10-plus years of Bryan's brilliance. 

Bryan isn't likely to leave for Hollywood or UFC.  He, like Punk, is a wrestler at heart, not an aspiring star using wrestling as a springboard. 

Along with Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes and a number of young guys, Bryan could lead WWE into the next era. 

Hopefully WWE recognizes that he is a top-level talent and a rare commodity.  Aside from the cash cow that is John Cena, Bryan is the most valuable wrestler on the roster.