The reason the WWE is trying to screw with DB is that Vince is trying to recapture lightning in a bottle. Let me tell you a story about two wrestlers: One who was technically gifted, but did not have a real physical presence, was not a great talker with a real vanilla gimmick. The other had charisma in spades, a great physique, had a poor moveset, and a gimmick to die for. Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns? No.
Bob Backlund and Hulk Hogan
When VKM took over WWWF from his father, Backlund was the champ, and Hogan was a failed heel who wrestled Backlund in 1980 and lost in the Garden. Hogan started a feud with Andre the Giant, and it played before crickets. Despite Hogan claiming that he was responsible for the sellout crowd at Vince Srs Shea Stadium show, it was sold out because of the war Bruno was having with Larry Zbyzsko. Hogan was a non-entity. However, it was not until he left the WWWF to make Rocky III (against Vince Srs. wishes, mind you) that he began to see stardom.
Backlund was well received. He was a great technical wrestler. He was worshiped by children, and parents loved him because he was seen as a wholesome character. Very similar to Bruno in those areas. BTW, there was a time when children under 16 could not attend wrestling matches in some of the major places in New York. (Yes, there was a law in New York State at the time). It was through the efforts of Bob Backlund, who personally lobbied the New York State Legislature, that Governor Hugh Carey signed into law the bill that would lift the age restriction in 1979. This would allow for kids to see their hero in the major arenas in New York (it was never fully enforced in the smaller gyms.). It was then that the money really started being printed.
The problem was what worked for Vince Sr did not work for Vince Jr. VKM had delusions of grandeur that his father simply did not have. But, circumstances around Backlund did not help, either. One thing was that Backlund only fought heels for the title. Though it is like "big deal!" for us now, it was serious back then. Backlund was EXTREMELY protected by VJM. So much to the point that the Wrestling media started calling the WWWF title a "Regional" rather than a "World" strap. Enter VKM, his expansion dreams, and a blunder along the way.
Hulk Hogan, who left WWWF on bad terms to make Rocky III (Which VJM absolutely opposed), was dropped into VKM's lap after Verne Gagne and the AWA made the mistake of not making him Champion when the public clamored for it. Hogan just came off a huge crossover from being Thunderlips in Rocky III, and he was being cheered for everywhere. Gagne was too "old school" for the changing times. VKM took over from his father in 1982, and immediately set upon the wrestling world. He needed Backlund out. So, how did VKM do it? He had Hogan rescue Backlund from the Wild Samoans. Sound familiar? Backlund praised Hogan, and in less than a month after arriving, Hogan would win the WWF strap from the Iron Sheik (who beat Backlund for the belt a few weeks earlier).
Moving along 30 years, and several attempts to recreate that moment. VKM is at it again. This time Roman Reigns is Hogan and Bryan is Backlund. Problem with Reigns is that he has not done anything in Hollywood as of yet. Nor has he proven anything in regards to crossing over. However, who could you see as a member of the Champions of the Galaxy? Justice League? Super Friends? The X Men? It is not Bryan, who I could see as a dwarf in Lord of the Rings. But, Reigns looks like the stereotypical superhero, coming in to save that damsel in distress. The one who will save a plane from crashing, or hold together that nuclear plant to keep it from blowing up. In the case of Bryan, he has been well received almost from Day One. If I sent out the Miz, Seth Rollins or even Rey Misterio to Daniel Bryan's music and "Yes!" chants, they are going to get lynched. That is an organic Bryan support network, which is similar to what Backlund had.
Problem is that people are NOT anywhere near sold on Reigns as they were on Hogan. Sure, Bryan may job to Reigns, but that does not mean Reigns is going to get as popular as Hogan was. Backlund only praised Hogan, as he refused to job to him. But, there was no need for Backlund to put over someone who was very much over already. Reigns NEEDS someone to put him over, because he sure is not over. The Rock could not do it the way he did it. Bryan may not be able to do it. The fans are NOT going to hate Bryan anymore than people hated Backlund back in the day. The problem is that Reigns is NO Hogan, and by trying to bury Bryan, may end up burying Reigns.
Just like the failed experiments with Lex Luger, Sid Justice and Shawn Michaels. Maybe VKM will learn someday.
