WWE no doubt will have some kind of plan to recover from all the hate they got over the Daniel Bryan loss at Royal Rumble. Right now many people are at a loss to come up with an idea beyond him getting in yet another triple threat match that would really get people excited. Even the prospect of that seems a bit forced. It took me two days, but I think I have finally come up with some good options for WWE. A few are a stretch, but I think a few also make really good sense.
Shinsuke Nakamura
I'm starting with by far the least likely and that's a match between NJPW's top star who many in the business today consider to be the best wrestler on the planet. His name is Shinsuke Nakamura and is the self proclaimed King of Strong Style. WWE has not done anything with talent exchanges on a big scale since the 90's, which really hurts this scenario, but also I wonder if anyone in creative has the vision to find their way to this piece of business.
This match would be off the charts and you can make a strong case as to why it would happen. Nakamura has only just gotten on the casual fans radar with his appearance at WK9 on January 4th and that's only if the casual fan saw this show. It was the first chance for the American market to see the NJPW product as called by live American announcers. Only in the past two weeks have they started running replay shows from 2013 (that are insanely good by the way). Nakamura has only been featured in part of one show to this point.
So, he is not widely known in the US, but there's a method to my madness here. It starts with Daniel Bryan calling out Vince McMahon. I respect keeping behind the curtain behind the curtain, but what I would have Daniel point out is that he has been screwed out of his mandatory rematch by Vince McMahon and he wants it. Bryan never lost the WWE title. He also respects the fact that he did not win the Rumble and does not wish to interfere with the WM31 main event. He will wait, but Vince needs to promise him the #1 contender spot after WM31 or else he's walking.
That would go over huge as it plays against the CM Punk walk out angle. Vince's hand would be forced and he would agree although not happily. This gives Vince a chance to utilize all the hate that he garnered with the fans as well. It gives him a reason to be on camera. When Vince goes to leave the situation Bryan demand, just like he did to HHH last year, one more thing. At WM31 he wants a chance to steal the show and the only way he can do that is against the biggest star that Vince doesn't have. Something he points out that pisses Vince off.
He asks for Nakamura. The match comes together and WWE airs highlights of Nakamura and gets him over to the states for a few weeks leading up to WM31. He does a few matches where he is made to look like a badass and he's giving a talking head to get him over as legit. Considering WM31 is in California this is not the worst idea ever either. It would take much for Nakamura to be taken seriously as he oozes charisma and has a very unique look. Bottom line is you are putting two of the best workers ever in a match.
The result is you probably get a wrestling classic and they do steal the show. Remember Bryan uses the same finisher as Nakamura, so that can be played up as well. There is probably no doubt that Nakamura would want to be on one WM card in his career and I know Bryan is someone that he would appreciate working with. He has mentioned him on twitter recently.
I'm sure all WWE would have to do is offer up Bryan for a few weeks in Japan, which based on WWE behavior towards him should not be a big deal. If not maybe they can send Cena over there and test the market. Also, get Cena away from TV for a few weeks. It's all not likely, but it's a fun idea.
Sami Zayn
Use the above angle and insert Sami Zayn. The premise here is that Zayn would create a great match and it introduces Zayn to the main roster in a big way. This could be his launching pad. They would work probably the match of the night. It's a win-win and it gets Vince some love from the portion of the fan base that is so hard on him.
I don't want to see Ziggler or Orton against Bryan at WM. I want to see something fresh and this would be WWE's chance to give us something fresh and perhaps special. This one is easy. Again for the reasons I said before Vince gets the heat off of the Rumble debacle and makes Bryan the #1 contender. He takes the NXT darling Zayn and puts him against the main roster darling in Bryan. Just sit back and watch the magic.
I think I like this one the best because it's so easy and makes so much sense. How could fans be upset after this as twitter where NXT trends big time would explode with love for this match. The downside is I doubt that anyone will think of it in WWE. It may need a hashtag to get their attention. #ZaynBryan
Vince McMahon
Vince took on CM Punk on Raw in 2012, but since his hip surgery, and according to reports, he has really slowed down physically. I don't know if he is up for the demands of a match against Bryan. Yet it would be fun to see the two go at it. Bryan the guy that Vince has no faith in with that entire crowd behind him.
Perhaps this could be one last Vince versus the top babyface angle that the WWE has probably done way too many times. Yet with all the hate built up it gives people a place to vent it. You could put Bryan's #1 spot on the line and if necessary give Vince Rollins as a tag team partner to make the match a little more believable.
I would also suggest just having Vince back Rollins as his horse and have Bryan's #1 spot on the line if he loses. So in this case Vince doesn't wrestle. Imagine the promo's that literally write themselves for this. Vince talking about how he wants to rid the WWE of Bryan and never ever allow him to be near the title again. Bryan talking about how he's tired of being held down by Vince. This would re-energize the entire Yes Movement if you ask me.
Roman Reigns
I think Reigns sucks as a face right now, and like many I think one day he can be better. Yet, I feel like this could be the chance to flip him heel and save the day. I don't buy turning him at WM31 because what do you do for the 8 weeks until then that doesn't turn fans off. What I would instead do is have Reigns call out Bryan.
Have Reigns acknowledge that the fans booed him and that it was clear to him that they wanted Bryan to win the Rumble, but there was nothing Reigns could do about that. Have him offer his hand to Bryan and have Bryan endorse him. Bryan can point out that there is nothing Roman can do about the booing, but he shouldn't let it stop him. Make it seem like Bryan is supportive and Reigns appreciates it. Just as Bryan is about to exit the ring have Reigns attack. Specifically the neck area.
Have Reigns destroy Bryan and turn heel. End the show with Bryan getting taken away in an ambulance with a neck injury. The next week Reigns acknowledges that he would not be disrespected by Bryan or the crowd. Have him point out how easy it was to injury Bryan and how he's nothing, but a frail competitor and that Reigns is the future whether the fans like it or not. Have Reigns talk about how people like Bryan should never get in the way of guys as gifted as Reigns.
I think the heat on Reigns would be epic. You no doubt have Bryan return right there and the two battle to close the show, but are ultimately separated. The next week you have Bryan challenge Reigns at Fast Lane, but you make the stipulation that the WM31 spot is on the line. Bryan plays against Roman's ego and he accepts.
Bryan wins the match at Fast Lane due to interference by Dean Ambrose who is pissed at Reigns for turning heel. This protects Reigns. Ambrose and Reigns could have a match at WM31 that people would be hot for. You probably interject Rollins in there and you have that Shield match many are clamoring for, but in this case it's got some heat with it.
I think this Scenario works on so many levels. It makes basic common sense. It continues the idea that Bryan's road is never easy and makes the Fast Lane PPV must see. Reigns needs time and a change of pace to get over with the crowd. This would create his chance.
Seth Rollins
I think the WWE is smart enough to be considering this angle over all the ones that I have mentioned, so I think it could happen Yet, I'm not a huge fan of it. Bryan comes out on Raw and cuts a promo talking about how he appreciates everyone's support, but he did not win the Rumble so the fans should support the main event and he wishes both guys good luck.
Out comes Seth Rollins. He does his usually stick repeating Bryan's name 100 times. He makes fun of Bryan for getting knocked out of the Rumble so easy and tells him to step aside. Bryan fires back by calling out Seth for not having the guts to cash in his briefcase at all this past year. He says that he knows that Seth knows that he's not on that level of a John Cena or Brock Lesnar despite his match at the Rumble.
Bryan accuses Rollins of basically just not having any guts at all. He traps Rollins into agreeing to take him on at Fast Lane for the case. If Bryan loses he will not wrestle at WM31. Rollins let's his ego get the better of him, which is totally within his character and agrees.
Bryan wins that match and gives the briefcase to HHH the next night and says the Main Event of WM31 is now a three way. Even if WWE makes Reigns the winner Bryan can be the glue in that match. One of my biggest beefs with WWE right now is I can't figure how they think that Lesnar and Reigns are going to have anything close to a good match. As a matter of fact I don't think it's possible.
At least in this scenario the main event can be entertaining, and you could raise the level of intrigue. I don't like this angle because Bryan and Lensar one on one is way more epic. I also don't like having yet another triple threat main event just like the prior year. I don't like the fact that I still think the crowd will be way against babyface Reigns and if he wins it won't go over.
Yet I think this would appease the WWE brass and it's actually something they are probably considering even if they get there some other way. I think there is money in all five of these suggestions and as long as WWE embraces one of them on the next Raw and starts the process I think the hate for them will quickly subside. If they choose to stay on course I think the next 8 weeks are going to be an emotional battle between their fans and the people behind the curtain.
WWE needs to start getting in tune with the audience. They need to start answering for their sins a little. We all thought after Survivor Series they had, but they for some reason they are now way off course and it's time to right the ship.
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