Rising Dragon: Potential Tag Partners for The American Dragon

Recently, WWE had its draft and Daniel Bryan, also known as The American Dragon, was drafted to Smackdown.

It's noted that Vince may not like Daniel much due to the fame he's achieved on the independent circuit and may never give Daniel the chance to be the top guy in the WWE that many people believe he could be.

Despite that, Daniel is a former WWE United States Champion. That said, it's unclear at this point, where Daniel goes from here.

Will he remain a fixture in the WWE mid-card chasing the Intercontinental Championship? Will he fall into lower mid-card obscurity?

Or will the impossible happen (not talking about a Zack Ryder push, and unfortunately, You Know It), and Daniel Bryan becomes a legit main-eventer?

That's not what this article is about however. Instead, it focuses on another career path. The Tag Team Division of the WWE. This slide show will feature several talents that could work as tag team partners for the former U.S. Champion, scenarios, status and formula.

Any feedback is welcome, so let's begin.

Michael Tarver

And people say these two have no personality.

I made another tag team slide show recently and these two were featured on it, and I pegged these two as tag team championship material.

Both individuals have mic skills, ring skills, and look pretty tough. The styles of these two compliment each other well. Tarver is a brawler and Daniel is a submission specialist.

WWE tried this combination awhile back on ECW with Elijah Burke and Sylvester Terkay, but I believe WWE can really do it with these two.

That said, I don't believe WWE should play on the styles of these two as a gimmick. Instead, I believe these two should be anarchists. Tarver and Bryan should be the guys who take what they want and challenge anyone to take it back from them.

The idea of this stems from the fact that both Tarver and Bryan were eliminated from NXT1 by WWE Management. Later, these two were brought back and voiced their contempt at being eliminated in such a fashion.

This is what WWE should do with these two. Let them be against the establishment as a heel team. Attacking WWE's comedy acts, big names, etc.

All to prove a point, that just because they weren't made by WWE, they can still get the job done just as well, if not better than anyone else.

Skip Sheffield

These two were allied for a short time (along with Tarver and five others) as members of The Original Nexus, however following Bryan's firing, these two became enemies as Bryan sided against the infection of The Nexus.

Later, Skip fell victim to an injury that has had him sidelined for many months now, forcing him out of The Nexus. However, this may be a blessing in disguise.

On Smackdown, Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel, and Heath Slater broke ties with Ezekiel Jackson, exiling him out of The Corre. Add that to the past experience these men have with each other, and I believe the formula for a teaming between Bryan and Skip is in the cards.

I see it like this: Skip Sheffield is looking to take Jackson's place in The Corre upon his return, but Wade doesn't want him in the group. However, Skip (now playing his Corn-fed Meathead gimmick) insists that he can be part of The Corre.

Finally, after wearing Wade down, Skip gets him to agree to team with him in a match against some random pairing. Let's say Sheamus and William Regal. Skip comes out, but Wade doesn't, instead leaving Skip to fend for himself until finally, Daniel Bryan comes to make the save.

The two could use a sort of play the gimmick of one friend (Skip), being extremely grateful and friendly to another (Daniel). Sort of like an annoying best friend type of deal. The one that means well, but does too much/tries too hard.

In this instance it's another great contrast in styles between Skip and Daniel. Not to mention, Skip could always go back into his monster character during a match when he sees the opposition really beating down on Daniel (to please the guys who like that type of character).

Zack Ryder

Take care and spike your hair.

Woo Woo Woo, You Know It. Zack Ryder would make a great partner for Daniel Bryan. I could totally see these two as one of WWE's most entertaining tag teams in recent memory as faces.

The premise is this: Zack Ryder is trying to chat up Eve, but gets shot down. Then he sees Daniel and asks him how he scored Gail Kim. At first, Daniel could just blow it off, but I could see it happening on a weekly basis.

Finally, Bryan agrees to help him pick up chicks if they can win the match Bryan has scheduled for them. Zack agrees and the two go on to beat the WWE Tag Team Champions (non title, this time around). Daniel is surprised and so takes Ryder under his wing in getting girls.

In return, Zack shows Daniel how to be a Broski. He gets Daniel a headband, some sunglasses, and maybe teaches him how to spike his hair. Maybe even getting the American Dragon a tan. Comedy gold.

Not only would this be taking two guys who really deserve a championship right now and giving it to them, but it would be a good way to show WWE how funny Ryder can be and how good Daniel can be on the mic.

William Regal

Who better to team up with than the man who trained you? William Regal has had a hand in not only being a great in-ring competitor, but also training the future of this business in Daniel Bryan.

These two had a great match once on RAW and it was one of a rarity these days in that it was a very good match with lots of wrestling. Taking nothing away from other styles, but it's refreshing to see a catch-as-catch-can wrestling match from time to time.

WWE really should capitalize on things like this; having a teacher and pupil on the roster and on the same brand. Teaming with his former student, Regal and Bryan could put on some great technical matches. They could also work well as either faces or heels.

Heels because Regal could teach Bryan to be more aggressive, and face, merely by teaming together (Maybe after Regal saves Bryan from a post-match beat down).

Personally, as a fan of catch-as-catch-can and William Regal, I would love to see these two team together. Especially as WWE Tag Team Champions.

As heel characters, they could show the world why catch-as-catch-can wrestling is the best/purest form or wrestling (to them), and as faces they could be heavily cheered, especially with Regal nearing the end of his career.

JTG

This one is a bit out there, but I believe it could work. WWE seems to think Daniel Bryan has no personality, so why not team him up with someone who has loads of character?

Not to mention, using his own "nerd" gimmick, Daniel and JTG could have some pretty interesting moments as a face team.

Maybe the American Dragon tries his hand at rap? Visits the hood for the first time? That sort of thing. Not to mention, these two could put on some decent and exciting matches.

JTG's got a very quick style of high flying offense. I think it could match up well with Daniels' more medium-paced style.

Add to that, it's also a way to help JTG stay relevant, so it's a win-win here.

Also, just a thought, but I wonder how a mash up theme would sound for JTG and Bryan? Mixing Bringin' The Hood to You and Ride of The Valkyries. Sounds interesting to say the least.

Justin Gabriel

Another NXT Season 1 pairing. This time, consisting of the two I think most people wanted to win the whole thing.

Ironically, these two never had a match in NXT, though I think it would have very well been a show stealer
(not saying much since it was NXT, but in retrospect, Season 1 was the best season, so a good match on it, considering what came later, is saying something).

These two, in reality, I don't think could have much going for them character-wise. I do, however, think Gabriel and Daniel could put on some entertaining matches that would offer something for everyone. Great spots by JG and great wrestling from DB.

Also, just a thought, but the two could have their names tweaked.

Maybe have Gabriel go back to using Justin Angel as his ring name and Daniel could go by Daniel Dragon. Just a thought.

CM Punk

And last, but certainly not least, we've got CM Punk; another student of William Regal and another great wrestler. WWE was planning a feud between these two, but Punk's injury forced that one out the window.

However, I think these two would make a great heel team. Punk, has many times, been tied down by people who are of considerably less skill level than him. Punk has been a member of three stables and out of those three, only one person (maybe three) were able to keep pace.

Those stables include The New Breed (where Elijah Burke was the only star of equal quality), The Straight-Edge Society (where Serena, given the time, may have been able to keep up with Punk) and now The New Nexus (where Mason Ryan showed this week he may be able to become a star in his own right).

However, WWE has never given him someone he can really work with (Yes, Punk did win the tag titles with Kofi Kingston, but it was hardly noteworthy).

WWE should give this team a chance. CM Punk is immensely popular. Especially on Smackdown. What WWE needs to do, is take Punk out of New Nexus and team him with Bryan.

Again, these two, having the same teacher and both having great skills in the ring, can really do wonders for the tag titles and help elevate any team they face.

The End

Hope you all enjoyed it. Any feedback and suggestions are welcome.