Breaking Down Daniel Bryan's Value to WWE Heading into 2015 Royal Rumble

Heading into the 2015 edition of the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, one of the biggest storylines has been the return of former WWE world heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan.

Bryan had been out of action since May before returning to in-ring competition on SmackDown’s Thursday night debut.

The Royal Rumble marks the beginning of the road to WrestleMania 31, and Bryan is one of the most important pieces in the company’s biggest PPV event of the year. Looking forward, his value to the WWE has never been higher.

Of course, Bryan has monetary value to the WWE for his merchandise sales. While there is no doubting that the fans have readily supported him by purchasing his gear, his worth to the company is so much more than selling shirts.

Whether WWE will address it on Raw or not, Bryan is a mainstream star who is getting reactions wherever he goes. As an ambassador for the company while injured, Bryan took part in the San Francisco Giants World Series victory celebration and made headlines across the country throughout the summer and fall.

Add in the fact that his Yes! chants have become a phenomenon that has crossed all sports boundaries, and the mainstream notoriety he brings will force WWE officials to ensure he is near the top of the WrestleMania card, if not actually in the main event itself.

Being in one of the main events at WrestleMania is a huge honor and an even heavier responsibility. As seen last year, Bryan was able to pull off two memorable matches in the same night and achieved one of the greatest feats in wrestling history.

One of the main reasons he achieved his goal was his elite in-ring style. There are few wrestlers on Earth with as much talent in the ring as Bryan, and regardless of how big or outmatched he appears to be, he has the ability to sell himself as a viable challenger.

When asked about toning his fast-paced style down following a serious injury, Bryan spoke honestly with Scott Fishman of the Miami Herald:

"

They have told me, ‘Hey, maybe you shouldn’t be doing the diving headbutt or this or that. I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. We are all individual entities. Not to say I ignore their advice, but you also have to know your own body and where you’re at physically. Part of the thing about coming back is it’s a trial-and-error. If I started doing the top-rope dropkick and notice it jarred me, then it may be something I stay away from. I won’t know until I try. I’m not afraid to go out there and give it my all.

"

Much of what Bryan does is a technical masterpiece that would make Bret Hart proud, but what separates him from the crowd is his ability to tell a story. As one of the best in the business at selling his injuries, it’s easy for the masses to get emotionally invested in his matches.

Every time Bryan steps in the ring, he makes it feel special.

What makes Bryan such a likable character is his every-man persona. Unlike John Cena or Roman Reigns, the WWE Universe can relate to him. As the undersized star who is being held down by his bosses, the fans who watch wrestling can put themselves in his shoes and sympathize with him, ensuring his storylines are successful.

"

Reigns ??? They should push daniel Bryan tho RT @DamnShaine: @Wale who winning the royal rumble #Moonz

— Wale Folarin (@Wale) January 16, 2015"

The more the WWE Universe can invest into his character emotionally, the more company officials will have no choice but to put him back into the main event scene. Bryan made the fans believe their voices can be heard, and he will be the true voice of the voiceless against The Authority.

Let's not forget; Bryan never lost the WWE Championship.

Bryan could easily find himself in the main event of WrestleMania 31 by winning the Royal Rumble match. While a surprise return would have been more entertaining, using him during the build to the PPV to hype up the match has brought legitimate excitement and added yet another viable winner to the mix.

The underlying feud against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon is still brewing and could be the deciding factor in whether Bryan wins the Battle Royal or not. As the perfect antagonist to everything The Authority stands for, WWE would be smart to rehash one of the biggest storylines of the last several years.

Bryan’s return gives the company a legitimate top star heading into WrestleMania season, but it also affords the luxury of turning a top face into a heel. There are a plethora of top faces in the company, and the line to get a title shot is even more crowded with Bryan back.

At this point, Bryan’s return should lead to a heel turn for Dolph Ziggler. After being cast in the same underdog role while Bryan was out, Ziggler could find his way toward the top of the card as one of the few elite heels on the card. With similar size and styles, the possible matches between Ziggler and Bryan would be incredible.

Achieving the heel turn and reviving the feud with The Authority could be as easy as Ziggler joining forces with Triple H and eliminating Bryan from the Royal Rumble at The Authority’s behest.

Regardless of the eventual outcome of the match, the excitement surrounding Bryan’s return heading into the Royal Rumble will ensure many of the fans who were on the fence about ordering this event on the WWE Network or PPV make the purchase.

As WWE hits the road to WrestleMania, Bryan is proving his value more than ever.

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