Daniel Bryan Losing vs. Randy Orton Would Ruin His Credibility as a Main Eventer

These are precarious times for WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan.

And at this Sunday’s Hell in a Cell, the wrestler is at grave risk of losing all his credibility if he loses to Randy Orton in their WWE Title match.

In August, things looked great for the former ROH performer.

He was all over television as the plucky underdog bravely challenging Randy Orton and The Corporation. Furthermore, John Cena’s surgery and time off for his torn triceps meant that Bryan got to genuinely be the company’s No. 1 babyface and not play second fiddle to Cena like so many before him.

Alas, due to some very questionable booking on WWE’s part, Bryan doesn’t seem to be the star he was nearly two months ago.

Stripping Daniel of the WWE Title after Night of Champions and holding the belt in “abeyance” for weeks and weeks was almost certainly a mistake. And let’s not even get started on the absolutely awful Battleground ending.

Involving Brie Bella, Bryan’s real-life girlfriend, in his feud with Orton probably wasn’t the best course of action either. Brie isn’t terribly over as a face; nor is she much of an actress. She’s at least part of why this rivalry has lost some of its steam.

Cena’s much-heralded return at Hell in a Cell may also indicate a demotion for Bryan in the future.

But what has really damaged him is Triple H and Stephanie’s constant belittling on him on television. We’ve heard the remarks: He’s not a star. He looks like a Hobbit. He’s not cut out to be the face of the company, like Orton.

At this point, this has gone so beyond the usual “evil heel tears down babyface” stuff and turned into something deeply counterproductive.

Notably, Bryan is never allowed to respond to Triple H’s litany of accusations and just has to stand there while he’s verbally ripped apart.

Triple H’s scathing, ego-driven promo Monday was particularly bad, with the executive once again reinforcing his belief in Bryan’s inadequacy and stresses the star’s weaknesses.

Per Triple H, not only was Bryan not a real star, he wasn’t even someone a real star would waste their time wrestling (which also makes Orton look incredibly weak and useless, but that probably didn’t cross his mind).

For the record, the inept executive also delivered cheap shots to Rob Van Dam, Chris Jericho and Edge, so at least it wasn’t just Bryan taking the heat.

Per PWInsider, even people in WWE realized how foolish and ultimately self-defeating this promo was after the show.

A victory—and title win—at Hell in a Cell may not turn things around drastically for Bryan, but it will at least stop his credibility falling further. It would also set him for a must-see rematch against Cena.

Of course, some would argue that Bryan is talented and popular enough to overcome even the most horrible booking and that he could remain over even if he suffers a loss on Sunday.

This may be true.

But, really, why risk it? Hasn’t WWE booked enough younger wrestlers into oblivion?

So, Bryan needs to win at Hell in a Cell. It’s the only correct course of action.

Oh, and he also needs to stay away from Triple H on Raw.

Like, actually get out of the arena if he sees Hunter holding a mic—maybe even catch a plane out of the state—because his struggling credibility can’t handle one more verbal dressing down, either.