WWE: 15 Entertaining Story Lines We Could See for Daniel Bryan Post-Draft
Since returning to the WWE in August 2010, Daniel Bryan has showed much promise in becoming a top main event player in WWE with his technical wrestling skills. His popularity is what got him his job back after his incident in June, but since then his credibility has been put in question.
The renewal of his feud with The Miz in the fall was amazing. It gave us excellent matches, good booking and paved the way for Bryan's future in WWE. However, that has been the only feud that Bryan has participated in since October, if you don't count his on again off again rivalry with Ted Dibiase a feud.
It seems as if the only reason he was given the title was to satisfy those who rioted when he was released, but having The American Dragon dominate every potential challenger to his United States Championship was a mistake and bad booking.
Although Bryan is no longer champion as of now, I would expect him to invoke his rematch clause for the US Championship at WrestleMania 27 against Sheamus in what could be an awesome opening match.
With the WWE Draft quickly approaching, I present to you 10 potential feuds I see for Bryan following WrestleMania 27 that do not include Divas. Make sure to leave your feedback in comments below.
Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps, and more.
15. Drew McIntyre
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Coming in at No. 15, Drew McIntyre should not be taken lightly.
These two have yet to cross paths, and in my mind could could provide a decent match. Bryan's submission specialties to clash with McIntyre's forceful style would be interesting. Promos would not be great, but would be passable.
14. Christian
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With a Christian heel turn being heavily discussed, it could always be possible.
I've always enjoyed Christian, as he brought quality matches with a lot of charisma (no pun intended). This feud would be fitting over the Intercontinental Championship, and give Bryan a ton of credibility if he would be booked to go over this veteran.
13. William Regal
3 of 16These two competed against one another on an episode of RAW in December, but it was disappointing to hear no reaction from the crowd.
For those not familiar, William Regal took part in Bryan's training (not to mention Shawn Michaels) and taught him most of the submission moves he executes today. Their match was classic old school, and certainly satisfied this viewer.
With Regal's brilliant mic work, he could pass the torch to Bryan through this feud. In my mind, this would be the perfect transition into Regal's retirement.
12. Evan Bourne
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Most of the IWC has highly anticipated this match for a while now, and I'm certain it wouldn't disappoint. I'm not sure it would make for a good feud given they're both faces, however, it would be a dream match if the United States Championship was on the line.
I could see these two clashing courses in a future Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
11. Kofi Kingston
5 of 16Again, their roles as faces won't allow them to put on a memorable feud, but they will still put on a memorable match. Their mix of styles would make for a suspenseful contest, especially over a championship.
Look for this feud to occur on SmackDown if Bryan gets drafted.
10. John Morrison
6 of 16Of all the babyfaces on this list, this feud would be the most intriguing. Unlike Bourne and Kingston, John Morrison's gimmick and personality brings a lot to his character.
Morrison has the potential to one day become a World Champion, as well as Bryan, making this a top feud on RAW. If Morrison eventually reverts back to his heel status, this would a dream match for a future WrestleMania.
They had a match two months ago for the first time ever, however, it only lasted five minutes. Hopefully we see more from these two down the line.
9. Cody Rhodes
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Although Cody Rhodes seems to be going through an identity crisis right now, his wrestling skills still have the same magic that has made his matches watchable since moving to SmackDown.
If Rhodes can put on an excellent match with Kofi Kingston, he can certainly put on a five star contest with Bryan. However, I don't see either man moving in the draft this year, so we unfortunately may have to wait awhile before we see this rivalry come to fruition.
8. Jack Swagger
8 of 16As seen on the cover of my slideshow, Daniel Bryan and Jack Swagger competed in a match on the Old School edition of RAW last November. It was a highly entertaining match, especially with WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross on commentary.
The entire match had the crowd on their feet with suspense, with Bryan picking up the win. A future rematch is needed between the two, possibly over the United States Championship.
With Swagger finally back in the swing of things, this match could be the present version of Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit.
7. Dolph Ziggler
9 of 16Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler engaged in a mini-feud around Bragging Rights in October being the United States Champion and Intercontinental Champion respectively. Their three match series on RAW, SmackDown and specifically the pay-per-view, ranked second in the best matches of 2010.
Imagine what they could accomplish if their feud lasted longer than a week? It could elevate both men tremendously, and become a must watch rivalry on Monday nights.
6. Alberto Del Rio
10 of 16With similar submission styles, a feud between Alberto Del Rio and Bryan would be nothing short of epic. Del Rio had an excellent match with Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston back at Elimination Chamber, so why not Bryan?
Del Rio has quickly risen to the top of SmackDown and a feud between the two would be likely if Del Rio is drafted this year. They had a terrific match in the 2010 King of the Ring tournament, and a video is attached above.
5. Randy Orton
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As we brake into our top five, Randy Orton shows up.
Going through my list of rivalries, I find this one the most interesting. Both men are tremendous wrestlers, but I don't think we would see this unless Orton was to revert back to the strong heel he used to be.
A match between Bryan and Orton would make a great main event for the WWE Championship and would be similar to the match Orton had with Ziggler two months ago.
4. Edge
12 of 16It was hard deciding between Orton and Edge on who should get the No. 4 spot, and I ultimately chose Edge.
I think there is a bigger chance of Edge turning heel sooner than Orton. The Rated-R Superstar could really bring out the potential of Bryan in the main event, which we were able to see when these two collided on an episode of RAW in September.
I don't see either man trading places in the draft this year, but hopefully we can see this match once again before Edge retires.
3. John Cena
13 of 16No, I did not rank Cena second merely because I dislike him, so CenaNation, please don't send me hate mail.
However, this feud is a rivalry that would guarantee Daniel Bryan's spot as a headliner in WWE. Interesting enough, Bryan wrestled under his real name Bryan Danielson in a tryout match against John Cena on Velocity in 2003.
We saw a taste of this feud when Bryan was originally apart of Nexus before being released in June of last year, as the American Dragon spat in the face of Cena before kicking him forcefully in the back of the head. I had a feeling we would see this again when they were both the remaining men in the SummerSlam main event last year, with the possibility of either man turning heel. But knowing the WWE, there was no chance.
Much like Orton, we may never see this again until either Bryan moves up to main event or until either turns heel, which will not be anytime soon.
2. CM Punk
14 of 16Being familiar with the IWC for nearly a year now, I know for a fact that this a must see feud for any pro wrestling fan.
Bryan and Punk have similar backgrounds in the Independent Circuit before coming to WWE, which basically guarantees that they have talent. Punk is currently the No. 2 heel on RAW right behind Miz, with his popularity higher than ever. Punk's skills on the mic and in the ring have certainly impressed me, and hopefully the WWE Championship is in his future.
CM Punk was scheduled to feud with Bryan following Bragging Rights, however, a Punk injury prevented the rivalry to come into fruition. Many fans anticipated this showdown to go down at this year's WrestleMania, but again, no such luck.
Hopefully neither man will be sent packing in the draft this year, and cross paths at a future pay-per-view event.
1. Wade Barrett
15 of 16Before you start your complaints as to why Wade Barrett is ahead of Punk, it is due to Barrett's past history with Daniel Bryan in WWE NXT and the Nexus.
After both competed in WWE NXT season one, Bryan joined Barrett's new alliance on June 7th, 2010, on their debut invasion. Bryan was released days later following his brutal antics, and Barrett explained his release the next week on RAW that Bryan felt remorse for his actions.
Bryan made his return to the company two months later at SummerSlam as apart of John Cena's winning team, however, Bryan never was able to gain revenge on the Nexus leader due to his feud with The Miz.
Although it may not be as perfect as a match with CM Punk, Bryan and Barrett's history and emotion would make an awesome match on any show. I don't see Corre being drafted, so it may need to wait.
But rest assured, The American Dragon will soon seek redemption for his abrupt exile from the Nexus.
Conclusion
16 of 16Honorable Mentions
-Zack Ryder
-Tyson Kidd
-Chris Masters
-Kane
-Rey Mysterio
Hope you enjoyed Bleachers! Feel free to leave comments on whether you would change the order of my picks for future Daniel Bryan rivalries, or even add people you think I failed to mention.
Don't forget to join me tomorrow for my third edition of WWE's Pushed to Punished. GSM out.
Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps, and more. Follow me at @GSM2ndComing on Twitter for more updates.
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