WWE Raw: 5 Ways Daniel Bryan Can Turn Face

Judging on the basis of how much a crowd will chant in his direction, Daniel Bryan is one of the hottest names in WWE.  Aside from the dueling Cena chants, I have not heard anyone incite such energy as Bryan when he is in or around the ring.

A little more than a week ago, I wrote about how CM Punk and Daniel Bryan could headline WrestleMania with an Iron Man match.  The uncertainty for me was how Bryan could turn into a babyface along the way.  I have spent the past few days brainstorming and believe I have come up with a few solutions.  Whether or not they are feasible or even good ideas is for you to decide.

The Iron Man match is still a pipe dream, but Daniel Bryan turning face once again seems like much more of a reality.  Let's discuss how this can take place.

1. Bryan Earns Respect from the Rock

One thing I am completely sold on is Daniel Bryan winning the 2013 Royal Rumble.

I believe The Rock is going to end up wrestling Punk that same night.  The next night on Raw, Bryan and The Rock will inevitably cross paths.  The Rock could apologize for mocking Bryan back at Raw 1000, especially after Bryan went on to win the Rumble (something The Rock has done himself).  The Rock could even bring up the fact that the loudest chant of the night after he beat Cena at WrestleMania was not "Rocky" or "Boots to Asses" but the simple "Yes" that continued the whole night.

With the respect of The Rock, Bryan automatically becomes legitimate in the eyes of any remaining doubters.

2. AJ Aligns with Punk, Bryan Leads a Charge Against Them

CM Punk has continued to demand respect for himself and for the WWE Championship.  So far, he has conquered every obstacle AJ has attempted to put in his way.  Punk keeps referencing the time she spent obsessing over him, and I think it is only a matter of time before these two get reunited and we see the newest power couple in WWE.

Having already beaten John Cena multiple times over, Punk will need a new adversary.  This is where Bryan can step up to the plate, perhaps even forming an alliance with Cena to take down the evil tyranny of the AJ/Punk alliance.

3. Bryan Says "NO!" to Submission

Before Bryan came into his own as a charismatic personality, he was about one thing: making people tap.  There are few wrestlers today that are as well-versed at submission holds as Bryan; slap any hold on him and he will be able to not only counter but reverse it on his opponent.

Should a large scale match come his way against a heel like Alberto Del Rio, who would utilize a cross armbreaker against the No Lock, or CM Punk's Anaconda Vice, Bryan could pass out from the pain in the same way Stone Cold Steve Austin did against Bret Hart's Sharpshooter and refuse to give up.  Not only would this make Bryan look like a tough guy, you would know he could turn your move against you any time he wants. 

4. Bryan Sets New Royal Rumble Record

The Royal Rumble can be a career-maker and record-setting event in one night.  Bryan can do both.  Whether he outlasts Rey Mysterio's record for longest surviving entrant in the match or eliminates more people than Kane has in one Rumble, Bryan can not only win the guaranteed Championship shot but do it with an exclamation point. 

5. Cena and Bryan Double Switch

CM Punk could be planting the seeds in John Cena for something that Kane attempted to do but could not.  While the cries of Kane for Cena to "embrace the hate" could be written off as the ramblings of a lunatic, the calm explanation of the same concept from Punk could bother Cena on a different level. 

What could a CM Punk victory over John Cena at the TD Garden in Boston at Night of Champions do?  Cena can say all he wants about loyalty, but it will have to get to him...especially if his home crowd is not fully behind him as Punk's are every single time he is in Chicago.   If Cena snaps, Bryan could be the one to absorb the damage and become a sympathetic victim in the process.

As always with these lists, they are just ideas and one is not more likely to happen than another as far as their numbers go.  Thanks again to everyone for reading!