bryan — page 2

Daniel Bryan Surgery Update

15th May 2014 by Scott Keith

The following was reported by Mike Johnson from PWInsider.com:

“WWE announced this afternoon that WWE World Heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan has successfully underwent neck surgery earlier today in Pittsburgh, PA.
A WWE news update referred to the issue as a “lingering” nerve issue with his neck and that Bryan underwent a cervical foraminotomy in order to decompress the nerve root. During that procedure, surgeons go in through the back of the neck and shave the inside edges of joints in the neck and spine that are causing compression in order to prevent the eventual collapse of a spinal disc.
Bryan is already out of bed and wearing a soft neck brace. He is expected to be released from the hospital in 1-2 days.
WWE noted there is no timetable yet for Bryan’s return but the usual recovery from such a procedure for heavy physical activity is 2-3 months.
Prior to the surgery, WWE sources noted to PWInsider.com that they expected Bryan out for about two months and that Summerslam was a likely return.

WWE announced they would officially explain what the status of the WWE World Heavyweight championship is during this Monday’s Raw, which will be taped in London, Great Britain.”

Rants →

Daniel Bryan = Zach Ryder v 2.0

10th May 2014 by Scott Keith
Why is Daniel Bryan running away from Kane like a pussy?  How is anyone supposed to cheer for a little bitch coward?  What's next after the failed car escape from Monday Night?  Bryan's wife leaves him for Kane?
​Look, all the great World champions were booked like this, it's nothing to worry about.  Steve Austin used to run away in terror in a cheap rental car every week, and he turned out fine.  I can't count all the times that Rock looked like a dork in interview situations.  And don't get me started on poor HHH and how he would always have to sell being afraid of guys he had already beaten cleanly! 
Plus, it's really unfair to make the comparison with Ryder.  Ryder had much better merchandise.  ​
Rants →

Daniel Bryan initial push

2nd May 2014 by Scott Keith
Much like you and a some other BODers I fell away from the product around 05 till 2011. It was the Summer of Punk and the rise of Daniel Bryan that brought me back into the mix around then. 

Since I wasn't following during that time and I was never much of an indy fan, the only stuff I had to go on about Bryan was the little snippets from people on the blog and what I saw on TV. Plus the poor booking of the mid 2000s is part of the reason why I stopped watching so it was easy to buy  into this "burying" of Daniel Bryan idea. I never thought it was as bad as some people thought. But it did seem like at times that  the "B Plus Player" comment was based on how the company really felt about Byran overall. 

So after watching the Bryan "Road to Wrestlemania" doc it got me thinking. I went back and watched the Summerslam 2010 match when Bryan returned and then the next three PPVs. 

Here is my question: How did Bryan go from some Indy geek who's 10 years of experience wasn't good enough for more then a developmental deal and an NXT spot, to getting fired for being too violent to getting resigned and being put in the main even of the second biggest PPV of the year? 

Then that is followed up by winning the US Belt by beating The Miz clean with a submission. The Miz, the guy who would be WWE champ a few months after that, headlining Wrestlemania and BEATING JOHN CENA! 

Bryan follows that up with a clean submission win over Ted Dibiase From everything I've read Dibiase was a guy they wanted to push huge,and the next PPV Bryan makes Miz tap AGAIN in a threeway with John Morrison. 

That's quite the return for a short guy with supposedly no charisma who was "too Indy". Cena mentioned in the doc vaguely that he was some how involved in Bryan's return at Summerslam. I could understand that now since they are practically brothers in law. But I don't think either of them were dating the Bellas at that point. Was Cena just a fan of his work? Did he really have something to do with Bryan's return and initial push?

And it wasn't like the extent of his run was a little mid-card push with a meaningless title. The next year he wins the Money in the Bank, then goes on to become World Heavyweight Champion. The year after that he gets a multiple match run with Punk for the WWE title, a 200 plus day run as tag champ with Kane in a solid mid card comedy angle. And then of course the Summerslam main event with a clean victory over John Cena for the WWE title and finally the Wrestlemania main event with another clean title victory. Punk never got to main event Wrestlemania. 

And that's not to say there hasn't been some odd booking moves by the WWE when it comes to Bryan. But even before I realized all this I thought the whole "burying" theory was a stretch. 


​That's exactly what they WANT you to think so that it'll be all the more satisfying for them to bury him even further.  ​

Rants →

Kane’s beatdown of Bryan

23rd April 2014 by Scott Keith
Doesn't Cena come off as an asshole for not running out to help Bryan?  While, Daniel can normally defend himself, they purposefully set it up that:
– Kane was an uncontrollable monster
– Brie *ran to the back*

Are we to believe she ran to the back and didn't grab the guy dating her sister to help?

Shouldn't Cena have at least come down at the point where Bryan was clearly defenseless in a neck brace on a stretcher and his life was in danger– and still getting pounded?  
​Everything you are watching is fake, except for what you watching RIGHT NOW, which is real.  Also, Total Divas does not exist.  
That's all I got.  ​
Rants →

Bret Hart vs Daniel Bryan as a draw

27th March 2014 by Scott Keith

Hey Scott,
I was just wondering if you could chime in on a debate that's been going on today on the blog. People have been debating whether or not Bryan is more popular now than Bret and Shawn ever were and that led into a discussion about whether or not Bret was a draw and if the actual down turn in WWF business was his fault for not drawing.
So 1) do you think Bryan is more popular than Shawn or Bret in the 90's
2) Do you consider those guys "draws" for keeping the WWF alive and enjoyable in the mid 90's or are there short comings (and not the growth of wcw/steriod scandals/loss of hogan and savage) to be at blame for the down swing in business. Thanks!
I don't think Bryan is more popular because house show business hasn't gone up with him on top, whereas Bret won the title from Diesel in 95 and immediately the numbers went up noticeably.  Plus Bret was a legitimate mainstream sports star worldwide.  It's hard to do any other kind of comparison, though, because the business is completely different now and operates on a different model.  It doesn't matter who's a draw on top because people are only there to be part of the show or see John Cena.  You could argue that hijacking the show on behalf of Bryan has become as much of a part of the show as watching him wrestle, but that would send the debate too far down the rabbit hole even for me.  
So my stance:  No, Bryan is not more popular.  
Rants →

Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan in the opener…..

21st March 2014 by Scott Keith
Scott, what is your opinion on HHH and Daniel Bryan certain jerking? Prior to last week, it wouldn’t have made sense because it would have given Bryan a lot of rest if he were to win. But now that HHH believes he’s going to be in the title match, it makes perfect sense from a storyline standpoint that HHH would want as much rest as he could get. I also believe it would start the show off with a giant bang and get the fans invested into the show right off the bat (which is something they’ve struggled doing ever since they got rid of the MITB ladder match). I believe it would be the most logical thing to do.
I'm pretty sure that the Andre Rousimoff Memorial BAttle Royal (The ARMBAR, tm Justin Shapiro) is opening the show, in the grand tradition of Wrestlemania IV.  I'd run HHH-Bryan back to back with the title match just to really fuck with Bryan by having their be no rest for him and thus no apparent chance for him to win at all.  Which of course there isn't.
Rants →

Bryan or Batista?

20th March 2014 by Scott Keith
So Scott, now that the IWC is rejoicing over Bryan most likely being added to the title match at WMania. How do you see that match ending? Do they go with Big Dave (most likely the original plan), or do they do what most EVERYBODY wants and finally give Bryan the title?
They already played chicken with the fanbase once and lost badly.  I really don't see them trying it again.  Clearly HHH is going to pin Bryan after three Pedigrees and then he'll take care of business in the main event and beat both Orton & Batista with one hand behind his back before impregnating Stephanie at ringside on the post-show.  
Rants →

Daniel Bryan vs HHH

10th March 2014 by Scott Keith
Hi Scott,

There's no way that HHH beats Daniel Bryan in their Wrestlemania match, right? Is there a worse possible thing that they could do than put HHH over? I'd like to think that there is no way Bryan isn't winning, but nothing surprises me with WWE anymore.

We should just let it play out and see where it goes.
Rants →

HHH vs. Orton vs. Batista vs. Bryan

6th March 2014 by Scott Keith
Hello,

After the close of Raw, do you think it's possible they set up a four-way dance for the title? They have established an animosity (some subtle, some more overt) between all four competitors. Also, it would seriously stack the odds against Bryan and truly make him an underdog, making his (presumed) win more impressive. Plus, you could still have Batista/Bryan and HHH/Bryan later down the line.

It just doesn't make sense at the moment for them to stick with Orton/Batista, especially if it is the closing match. They would HAVE to know what the reaction would be either a complete burial on the likes of Goldberg/Lesnar or crickets like HHH/Jericho or HHH/Orton.

Thoughts?  


I know that people keep saying "They can't possibly run Orton-Batista" but they honestly think it's a big match that people want to see, and all signs point to them signing an idiotic agreement to put Batista over for the title in the main event of the show.  So no matter if everyone hates it or not, they're gonna do it.  Bryan's probably gonna have to settle for getting the belt somewhere between Wrestlemani-RAW and Extreme Rules.  
Rants →

A wild idea…RAW IS BRYAN

22nd February 2014 by Scott Keith
So, there was an incident a couple of years ago on ESPN here in the US when, aware of how much criticism they were getting for a ridiculous amount of coverage of Tim Tebow (now-former NFL quarterback), they deliberately devoted an entire hour of Sportscenter to Tebow. Every story for an entire hour (except one breaking story), all on one guy.
Having D-Bry wrestle twice to start Raw tonight got me thinking…could they have him wrestle an entire Raw? Maybe after he wins the title, the Authority makes him wrestle one match after another for an entire show in a desperate attempt to unseat him. Or, if he doesn't win the title, they make him wrestle an entire show to get another shot. Flair used to work Broadways…figure with a big long show-opening promo, commercials between matches, etc., Bryan would be in the ring two hours. Could he do it? And what would the reaction be like?
The blog would be like "I wish there was more Daniel Bryan on this show.  They should stop burying him!"
Rants →

Daniel Bryan = Buyrates??

21st February 2014 by Scott Keith

I was looking at a synopsis of the Buyrates for HIAC, Survivor Series and TLC over the last 5 years. Interesting to me that HIAC 2013 with Bryan/Orton blew 2012 with the first Punk/Ryback out of the water. About 30,000 more buys and the largest HIAC buyrate since 2009. At the time, I was far more interested in that match, given Rybacks winning streak and heat, than I had been in quite a while for a middling PPV main event. Then, Survivor Series did horribly in comparison with Orton/Show in the main and Bryan w Punk against the Wyatts.
 I know Cena returned against Del Rio at HIAC as well. But it seems that the D-Bry chase may have been drawing some. Your thoughts?
 Sent from my iPhone

Considering that Battleground is the lowest buyrate of the modern era, I'd say that it was Cena that popped the number for HIAC.  Although TLC then flopped, showing that it was probably just a fluke for his return.  
Rants →

Bryan Maintsream

19th February 2014 by Scott Keith

Jesus, how many times does Vince have to tell you that Bryan is too small to get over and that you should love Batista instead before you all get it?  Dave's in a MOVIE.  In AUGUST.  Do I have to draw you a map here?  Clearly those crowds are all a bunch of anti-smarks who are doing the Yes chants ironically and/or for the Big Show.  
Rants →

A Quick Daniel Bryan Idea

16th February 2014 by Scott Keith

Okay, I just thought of a brilliant idea that would make WWE ridiculous amounts of money:
Selling pairs of Daniel Bryan foam fingers for "YES!" chants.

I am legitimately shocked that no one in marketed has attempted that one yet.  An arena full of foam fingers would look crazy on TV, and as noted, make them a shitload of money.  
Rants →

Important Q on Punk and Bryan

30th January 2014 by Scott Keith

>

> Why did Curtis Hughes always have a job for a major company in the 90s? I don't get his appeal, as it seems there were plenty of other guys who were better than him whom could fit his desired role. Whether it was bodyguard (Nash, Sid), big man (Vader, Kamala), or tough black guy (Ron Simmons, Butch Reed, Michael Hayes). So do you have any idea who he knew and what he witnessed to always be employed?

>

I don't know how you can call Nash or Sid better workers than Hughes with a straight face. Hughes was fine for a big man. And he had friends.

Rants →

Daniel Bryan Update

29th January 2014 by Scott Keith

According to Dave Scherer of PWInsider.com, the WWE is now considering Daniel Bryan facing both Batista and Randy Orton at WrestleMania for the Heavyweight Championship. This is reportedly the result of the overwhelming response for Bryan the past two shows and also partly due to fear that the crowd will hijack the show with Daniel Bryan chants. One big thing to note is that Batista was promised the Rumble and a main event match at WrestleMania when he re-signed with the company. There is also some speculation that Bryan winning the belt and being on RAW the day the network debuts would boost ratings.

Rants →

Way to salvage Bryan while keeping everyone in main event

27th January 2014 by Scott Keith


Scott,
        Here's an idea to tie up every loose end and actually save face for Bryan.  On Raw, the Authority hosts a celebration for Batista, which of course is SHITTED on by the live crowd.  Out comes Bryan who immediately gets chastised by the H's.  Batista says the fans ruined his moment and he blames Bryan.  Bryan says he's only out because he got a message from @realauthority to be out there.  Suddenly a G-TV type video plays showing Triple H hand Batista the #28 and telling him "dont worry about anything, I got Kane on it, and Bryan wont be there."  Triple H is obviously furious and demands to know who it was playing the video when, "NO CHANCE!!!" starts playing.  Vince struts out and says the only time he never "fixed" a Rumble AND he won one!  He says due to the footage he has no choice but to VOID the Rumble!   He says that Batista will be one of 6-men in the Elimination Chamber match with the winner facing the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at WM 30.  It's Batista, Sheamus, John Cena, Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns… and THIS MAN, Daniel Bryan!   Also, Punk faces Kane in a streetfight and if Punk wins, he gets Triple H at WM.  Orton defends against the Beast.
        At EC – Punk wins, Orton retains after Taker's presence spooks Lesnar, and Bryan wins the EC countering the Batista Bomb into a small package.  This gives a Mania card of (c) Orton vs. Bryan with Triple H and Vince there and then the undercard of Punk/Triple H, Brock/Taker, Cena/Bray, Batista/Reigns.  Throw in a Warrior/Ryback (!), Cody/Goldust and you got a hell of a show that the crowd WONT SHIT ON!  Wrestlemania ends in massive YES! chant.  Heel Batista is Bryan first post-Mania challenger.

Sorry if this makes too much sense.
I do think that we'll be getting Heel Batista sooner rather than later and Daniel Bryan facing off against the Authority Round Two so that Vince and HHH can be "See, we tanked our own PPV on purpose-like because we had a plan and shit."  Like really, the more they dig in and go against the fans, the more the storyline writes itself.  You could even have Vince threaten to fire anyone who helps Bryan, which leads to Foley or Shawn Michaels or both coming back to assist him and REALLY giving him the rub.  
Rants →