Roman Reigns Will Not Be Hurt by Daniel Bryan's Return

Daniel Bryan's return was music to Twitter's ears and seemingly damning to Roman Reigns:

"

That sound you just heard was Roman Reigns bubble bursting. Welcome back Daniel Bryan! #YESYESYES #RAW

— Will Mahoney (@HeelWillMahoney) December 30, 2014"

"

Roman Reigns upon hearing that Daniel Bryan will be in the 2015 Royal Rumble match. #RAW pic.twitter.com/uk5hBgNnul

— WrestlingRumors.net (@WrestleRumors) December 30, 2014"

"

Well played, @WWEDanielBryan. Win that #RoyalRumble for us! Win it for yourself! The heck with Roman Reigns! #YESYESYES #RAW

— The Steel Cage (@thesteelcage) December 30, 2014"

Right on cue, reports poured in speculating on the backstage Royal Rumble favorite, per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t WrestlingInc).

Reigns is in danger of becoming the victim of another Yes Movement Revolt, just as Batista was in 2014. The road to WrestleMania seems to have taken a pit stop at Hotel California. But after a year of mistakes that led to Bryan's fan-fueled WWE Championship run, WWE smartened up.

By including Bryan in the 2015 Royal Rumble match, WWE is already giving fans what they want. Last year's Royal Rumble was disappointing mostly because Bryan was not even included in the match. This led to unrest among Bryan's vocal fanbase directed at WWE's front offices. 

Hijacking ensued.

Many WrestleMania storylines are spawned by Royal Rumble eliminations. In 2014, Bryan was eliminated from the Royal Rumble by WWE officials. As a result, art imitated life, and Bryan feuded with The Authority.

Despite popular opinion, WWE can avoid a similar dilemma altogether in 2015. Reigns can still win without incident. A creative, well-timed elimination of Bryan will make a top heel out of anybody. Any fan unrest would be directed at the heel in question.

Suddenly, Bryan's quest to seek revenge would become the story.

Fans desperately want to see Bryan back on top, but that passion can be used against them. WWE can manipulate fervent support for Bryan into anger toward anybody who dares to stop his championship campaign.

Bryan has a fair chance to win the Royal Rumble. By giving him his shot, the WWE front office is not in direct conflict with its own storyline.

As long as Bryan is screwed by one of his peers and not his superiors, Reigns will win the Royal Rumble comfortably.

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