Daniel Bryan, the Miz and Latest WWE News and Rumors from Ring Rust Radio

Ring Rust Radio is the best wrestling show on the airwaves, and this week was no different. With strong opinions on the Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt and more, this is where you need to go to get all of your weekly WWE nuggets.

Bleacher Report Featured Columnists Mike Chiari, Donald Wood and Brandon Galvin give the lowdown on everything going on in the wrestling world. WWE Superstar the Miz also joined the show to offer his inside perspective on the business.

With another unpredictable episode of Ring Rust Radio in the books, you can't afford to miss another second of the action. Catch us live every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET (some language NSFW) or follow us on Twitter @RingRustRadio.

We may just read your questions and comments live on the air. Visit our new website at RingRustRadio.com. You can also email us here: [e-mail].

*Some language NSFW.

Daniel Bryan Earns Chance to Take Roman Reigns' Spot

Just when WWE fans were resigned to a WrestleMania main event of Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns, WWE threw a potential wrench into those plans.

After the Authority coaxed Reigns into putting his No. 1 contendership for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line at Fastlane, Daniel Bryan defeated Seth Rollins on Raw to become Reigns' opponent in that hugely important match.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Who Will Main Event WrestleMania?

At the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, there was no question that the live crowd rejected Reigns as the Rumble winner.

The reality of the situation is that Reigns has actually received a positive reaction since then, but Bryan is still the challenger of choice among the WWE Universe. Giving the former WWE World Heavyweight champion a chance to regain that title creates a great deal of intrigue entering Fastlane, but it may ultimately prove to be nothing more than another obstacle for Reigns to demolish.

If nothing else, there is already an interesting dynamic between the two Superstars. Despite being a face, Reigns wasn't overly cordial on Raw. He told Bryan to get out of his locker room prior to the match against Rollins.

At the same time, Reigns interfered in that match when the Authority attempted to stack the deck against Bryan. Reigns is becoming more unpredictable by the week, which adds even more uncertainty to the Fastlane clash.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

Bryan fans have every right to get excited and dream about their guy main eventing WrestleMania against Lesnar, but it is tough to envision that happening at this point.

WWE already called an audible by adding Bryan to the main event at WrestleMania XXX. That doesn't mean it can't do the same thing two years in a row, but the odds aren't in its favor. WWE officials had to be aware that Reigns wouldn't get a great response from the Philadelphia crowd at the Royal Rumble, yet they went forward with him winning anyway. That suggests they are steadfast in their belief that he is a main event star.

Even if Reigns beats Bryan, the Fastlane match serves multiple purposes. Perhaps first and foremost, it gives Reigns an opportunity to have a one-on-one singles match on pay-per-view against an elite in-ring performer. That should help Reigns be more prepared for the big stage against Lesnar.

Also, it stands to reason that there will be some backlash against Reigns if he beats Bryan. That will feed into his new tweener-esque character and perhaps set the stage for a heel turn at WrestleMania. A few tiny seeds have been planted in that regard since the Royal Rumble and a win over Bryan could be a significant catalyst.

Rumor Mill

Backstage news on Bryan versus Reigns (Wrestling Observer Newsletter via WrestlingInc.com)

Bray Wyatt Hints at Major WrestleMania Feud

With victories over Dean Ambrose, Bryan and Dolph Ziggler in recent weeks, Bray Wyatt has been built to look extremely strong entering WrestleMania season.

On the heels of some cryptic promos on Raw and SmackDown, it turns out that Wyatt's recent development could have a lot to do with a potential match against the Undertaker at the Showcase of the Immortals.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Wyatt vs. the Undertaker a Wise Move?

Although Wyatt has yet to call out the Phenom by name, some of the language in his promos has hinted strongly toward a feud with Taker.

The Eater of Worlds mentioned that he fears nothing "living or dead." He also seemed to prey on the fans' love for nostalgia, which suggests that he is calling out a legend of sorts. The term "legend" describes the Undertaker perfectly, and this is the time of year he normally resurfaces.

Many have questioned the Undertaker's status on the heels of Lesnar snapping his undefeated streak at WrestleMania last year. One school of thought is that Taker's career is over. Others felt as though a WrestleMania XXXI match with Sting was in the cards, but with Sting seemingly set to face Triple H, that may not take place until WrestleMania XXXII—if ever.

If Taker is going to compete at WrestleMania XXXI, though, Wyatt certainly looks like a potential option.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

Assuming Wyatt versus the Undertaker is in the cards, it is fair to wonder if that match makes sense for either Superstar.

From Wyatt's perspective, locking horns with Taker at WrestleMania is obviously the ultimate honor. Being the Undertaker's opponent would instantly boost his profile, but it may not result in him leaving WrestleMania with a victory.

WWE would likely be hesitant to have the Deadman lose at two WrestleManias in a row, especially if a Sting match is on tap for next year. If Wyatt loses again, then he could fall into the same rut that plagued him after losing to John Cena at WrestleMania XXX.

As far as Taker is concerned, losing to Wyatt would damage his WrestleMania legacy to a certain degree. On the flip side, a win over Wyatt wouldn't do much to help him, either. Perhaps most importantly, though, the quality of the match would suffer.

The Undertaker will be 50 years old come WrestleMania, and he shouldn't be leading a match. At the same time, Wyatt is a below average worker who also can't do the bulk of the work.

The build toward this potential match could be intriguing, since both Wyatt and Taker are dark characters, but it is tough to imagine the match itself living up to the unrealistic expectations that will be heaped upon it.

Rumor Mill

Backstage news on Wyatt's possible WrestleMania opponents (WrestlingInc.com)

RRR Interview with WWE's the Miz

Few Superstars have made more progress than since entering WWE the Miz. He went from being a reality television star to WWE champion, and he is now one of the most entertaining aspects of weekly programming in addition to being a successful actor.

Prior to his guest appearance on USA Network's Sirens, the Miz stopped by Ring Rust Radio to discuss his career both as an actor and a WWE Superstar.

Question on Everybody's Mind: What's Next for the Miz?

Over the past several months, the Miz has developed a fantastic heel character based on his status as a crossover star. Bringing Damien Mizdow into the mix as his stunt double has enhanced his gimmick and revitalized Mizdow's career at the same time, which is something Miz doesn't hesitate to take credit for.

"

It's funny that everyone sees to see this tension brewing between Mizdow and myself. The fact is that Damien is a stunt double. What was he doing before he met me? Nothing. He was crazy, he was barely on TV, and he never had a championship. Since he has been with me, I have brought him to the Promised Land. I have made him relevant. I have made people cheer for him and love him.

The reason why they are cheering for him is because he is an extension of me. If you watch him, he is doing everything I do. So in a sense, everyone is cheering for me. So teasing this and that and the other thing, as long as Damien keeps doing what he is doing, then that is completely fine with me. As long as he knows his place and where he stands.

If he starts thinking that he is better than his place, then we will start having problems.

"

The Miz and Mizdow continued to tease tension on Raw, when Miz demoted his former stunt double to the role of personal assistant. With an eventual breakup looking inevitable, it stands to reason that Miz and Mizdow could collide on the WrestleMania stage.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

While Miz against Mizdow wouldn't be the WrestleMania main event, it would be a potentially great match with a meaningful storyline attached to it. That match could also end up being of the highlights of the show, which is something Miz is striving to accomplish.

"

Everybody wants that moment. That Monday after WrestleMania that everybody is talking about. Everybody saw that moment at the Super Bowl when [New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm] Butler got that amazing interception and won that game—that's the kind of moment you want. Did he get the MVP? No he didn't, but people are talking about Butler and that's what I'm doing.

Right now, Roman Reigns versus Brock Lesnar is probably going to be the main event at WrestleMania, so obviously I can't take that. I can make sure, though, that I have a moment that everybody remembers and is talking about that next morning. That is what the goal is.

"

The Miz has had a penchant for stealing the spotlight and drawing attention to himself throughout his WWE tenure. That is what has helped him become so successful both as a Superstar and an actor. If he continues on his current path, then there is little doubt the Miz will eventually find his way back to the top of the card as one of WWE's top heels.

Ring Rust Radio's Season 7 Fantasy WWE Standings

1. Brandon Galvin: 315

2. Joe Arcidiacono: 165

3. Mike Chiari: 140

4. Donald Wood: 25

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio. Catch the latest episode in the player below (some language NSFW).

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