This goes all the way back to MITB in Barrett's case, when he got hurt. Remember how Trips was putting Barrett over in that "line up reveal" promo? He did the impression of him which was a real foreshadow that he was planned to walk out with the case rather than Rollins, the whole ending with Kane seemed to be improvised around Barrett suddenly not being "that guy".
So now Barrett is back, the best thing they can do is build him for this years MITB (which I am pretty sure he will win as IC champ..) and another feud with Dolph isn't going to do that.
As I've mentioned in other threads, there is one direction this is going in for BNB... and it's to face Chris Jericho, possibly at Wrestlemania if they can talk him into it. This feud has never happened yet has the most "sizzle" and history of almost any potential feud WWE have. NXT Rookie and Mentor facing off would be a major selling point with NXT being so prominent, also that Jericho would be going for the 10th IC title... indeed, they made a big point of telling you on the post match promo BNB is now a 5 time IC champion... Jericho perhaps gets his 10th title at Mania and the feud goes through to Summerslam... Those two in the MITB match for example would add a real feud element... perhaps Jericho doesn't get that 10th title and falls found of a "Bad News" moment where it was a career match? Either way Barrett elevates both the title and himself if that feud can happen.
If not Jericho? Then perhaps a feud with Sheamus when he returns or even a debuting Adrian Neville? Remember they always do a UK tour the fortnight after Mania, so a returning Sheamus or Neville would be a great "live crowd" match for that.
There have been a relativly high number of IC title changes, but that's not really a bad thing. Ziggler's character lends itself to shorter reigns and re-capturing the belt, but the reality is had Barrett not been hurt, he would very likely STILL be IC champion now and the MITB holder... Things like Survivor Series would have been different and Rollins may not have gotten quite the mega push he has.
I agree there is a bit of a "reset" going on, but the reality is that they have to reset some of the pieces now Bryan is returning. WWE have been smart in neutralising the "face" turn that seemed inevitable for BNB, in favour of keeping him a strong upper mid card heel. He's currently far stronger than anyone pretty much below Rollins and Trips, which for a week back is good going.
Quite where they are going with Dolph now I am not so sure... I am guessing a Rumble return for all 3 "fired" guys is on the cards once Sting gets involved. One thing I did think of, especially if BNB did join the Authority would be this could be the time for Ric Flair to return along with Orton, Ziggler, Ryback and Rowan as a variation of the Four Horsemen... Rowan in particular could get some storyline potential from being "taught" by Ric... We've long seen Zig and Ric touted as a pair... we know Ric and Orton have history, Ryback is a pretty good "enforcer" and Rowan could be the hidden "gem" just waiting to be polished by Flair with Sting or Jericho as alternates if they decide to have Ryback outside to feud with Rusev... Horsemen v Authority is a pretty interesting idea.
