Bryan Danielson Wrestles a Dark Match with WWE

[The Doctor]

Yesterday, before the show went on the air, Bryan Danielson wrestled and defeated Chavo Guerrero in a match. We all know Danielson as a major ROH star, who WWE is having skip the developmental stage and go straight to the main roster, or just off it.

I was at RAW, and I was extremely impressed with Danielson. I actually hadn't seen a lot of his work, so I didn't know what to expect other than some good wrestling.

And it really was. Danielson was talented in ring and had good psychology. He also seemed like a nice guy, as when my section started chanting "Dragon", "Danielson", and "ROH", he looked over at us, nodded, and smiled.

This all makes me think.
Does WWE plan to really push Danielson?
What brand do you think he would work best on?
Are you looking forward to his debut?

Personally, I think they obviously have a lot of faith in him if they're allowing him to skip developmental. They might be trying to stumble upon another CM Punk, that is signing a skilled indy wrestler and allowing him to get over.

I think he would work best on the ECW brand at first. ECW is a brand where wrestlers can get over through in-ring work alone, like Yoshi Tatsu has done, and I see Danielson becoming a contender for the title.
In fact, tonight they're advertising Henry/Punk for a match in the ECW tournament, and a match featuring Chavo. Could Danielson's debut be tonight?

I am greatly looking forward to his debut. Seeing his work live made me into a huge, huge fan. I believe he could make it big, at least on ECW and maybe Smackdown. As long as they don't send him to RAW I think he'll be OK. Chavo seemed to be impressed with him, according to his Twitter.

 

[Thriller Ant]

I am so freaking pumped for this. I discovered ROH last year, and Dragon is one of the major reasons I fell in love with it. There are so many great matches I can think of for him, Punk (a ROH alumnus in his own right), Christian, Jericho, Mysterio, Morrison, and probably some others I can't think of right now. A quick look at that list tells me that most of these guys are on SmackDown, so I guess I want him on that show.

As for a push, that will be interesting to see. It is obvious that he has the ability, but he is small and doesn't have the best mic skills ever. Best case scenario, I could see him following a similar career path as another technically skilled guy who was small and didn't have the best mic skills: Chris Benoit. Whether or not that happens will depend on if he can get reactions from WWE fans like he did from ROH fans. He better keep Cattle Mutilation as his finishing hold, too, because that shit is awesome.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

First of all, you must've had one hell of a time at Raw last night....I would've loved to be in your shoes last night. Anyway, you have to remember who he beat....Chavo. This is a man who spent 2009 jobbing to Hornswoggle, and had one of the most, if not the most, laughable squashes in Wrestlemania history.

I'm not able to get ROH, so everything I've seen from him has been on some ROH DVDS I have, and I can't really judge his much praised track record. Although, I must say what I have seen is very impressive.

Danielson would defiantly work best on ECW. He would have more chances to shine then he would on any other brand. I would say Smackdown, but he would get buried on there with Vince,Taker,Batista, Rey, and The Hart Dynasty is sure to have some follow up storyline after Vince kicked Bret in the grapefruits the other night. I would love to see him feud with Christian. I know it wouldn't happen right away, but WWE would probably get to it at some point.

 

[Wolfdemon]

I know he was introduced as Danielson.

I would like to see him start out on the ECW brand to see how we can work with WWE Stars. He could have some great matches with Christian and Benjamin and possibly be the next ECW champion.In the future i would love to see him have feuds with Morrison Mysterio or Jericho.Those would all be great matches.I see Danielson's future in the WWE as a very bright one with him getting put to the top.

 

[The Doctor]

He was indeed introduced as Bryan Danielson. He had no gimmick, other than being Danielson. He used extremely good looking and even some flashy moves while still showing some good technical skill. As I have only seen him in one short WWE match I can't really say if he was allowed to use his regular style. I hope they let him keep his name on the main roster.

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

What some of us have been confused about is the whole Danielson working with a jobber thing. See, Chavo is a great, GREAT wrestler. His character's a jobber, but he's a wrestler with an excellent pedigree and someone who can make Danielson look real good. This was a great intro match for him. Danielson is a great talent and as what was said before, I see him going the Punk route as far as his push is concerned. He may take the belt off of Christian or at least challenge for it. And putting him on Raw would be a detriment to him at this point.

So the future for Danielson has a lot of potential. If only the WWE can see it.

 

[AMH]

I thought this might be a cool idea. But since Danielson and CM Punk used to be in ROH, wouldn't it neat to have him come in and challence Punk's straight edge reputation. You know, like someone from his past. I say this simply because I think these two could put on one HELL of a match against each other. Although, I doubt that will ever happen. Attempting to be part of the creative team again.

 

[MoneyMack]

Somewhat going off of what AMH just talked about: Rather then him going right into a fued with Punk...what about Punk introducing Danielson as his newest "straight-edge minion"?

I dont really know anything about the guy- but from what i've read here...it seems he may need some help on the stick. Have Punk bring him in as an "old friend" that is also straight-edge. Punk gives him a bit of a rub & if all goes well with Danielson over a decent amount of time...THEN maybe you turn him on Punk- then take AMHs idea & run with it.

Just a thought...

 

[kokobwareofdog]

Honestly, I'm afraid if Danielson ends up on ECW first, he'll get lost in the shuffle of the "new superstar initiative". He's a fantastic pure wrestler, and I think with the proper character developement, could really get over on Smackdown. I think he and Morrison could have some fantastic matches, as could he and Ziggler.

 

[Ghostboy259]

Brain Danielson is one of the greatest underrated pro wrestlers today. He will suffer the same as punk, more will know him, but he will never wrestle to his fullest extent like his 60 minute draws in ROH. Then again, i'm a ROH Fanboy, as i discovered it not to long ago, and found it way more entertaining than any current WWE product.

 

[AMH]

Yeah, that might work turning him into a minion. I was just thinking that it'd be cool if he just started appearing in the audience during Punk's promos. Punk yelling at the security to get him out of there. Till finally he speaks, claiming that Punk isn't as "straight edged" as you think. Then goes on about how they knew each other. And in a drunken rage, Punk attacked him one night. Then a fight will ensue, and eventually Danielson will claim that the real reason Punk attacked him wasn't because he was drunk that night, but because deep down he knew Danielson was better. I know it's silly, but it's fun. Beats the typical arguing that pollutes these threads. LOL.

 

[JayBriscoe2010]

Danielson is 1 of the top 5 in the World no joke. Yeah I love ROH "WWE Elitist bash away" but he can carry a broomstick to a 4 star match he's that damn uhhhhhh good uhhhhhh, PUN INTENDED. Chavo has been a joke the past year or so yeah but he's still a good Wrestler and Dragon beating him IS a big deal, at least to start off. I wouldent mind seeing Dragon and Kaval aka Lo-Ki come in as a tag team, that could be quite interesting...

 

[Spaceman Spif]

Danielson will likely debut on ECW, where with his amazing ability, even if he restrained some, will terrorize the roster, rise quickly to the top and secure the ECW title within a few months of his debut. He will remain on top of ECW for the better part of the year, proving to the WWE that he will make it in their company. He will then when WWE realizes they have a massive gem in their midst, move him to Smackdown, where he will again terrorize that show, and within a couple of years he will be in a top feud and win the WHC. It's Danielson, how could that not happen? WWE has another Punk on their hands and them some, however I think his puch and rise to the top will be smoother than Punks.

 

[JayMiine]

I dont care whatever route they take with Danielson but as long as he eventually ends up on Smackdown with Mysterio, Punk, Morrison, Ziggler, and Mcintyre. There will be some AMAZING feuds throughout the years between those guys. Now when Morrison or one of them is the WHchampion think about the amazing matches these guys can put on for a title. Maybe years and years down the line we get an iron man match Danielson vs Morrison? It would prob come close to the matches of Hart and HBK. Hopefully WWE knows already the gem they have in Danielson and realize it before they make a mistake.

 

[Doctor Awesome]

Make no mistake about it, the WWE knows what they have in Brian Danielson, it's just a matter of how they want to use him. For those who aren't that familiar with his work, he is all the hype that he is recieving from many of us. Contrary to the belief of some, he is good on the mic. Quick and witty one minute, and when he get's serious you know he is gonna be business in the ring.

There are many ways he can be brought into the company and several feuds that could play out over time. From being a grad of The Texas Wrestling Academy (Shawn Michaels), trained by William Regal, and has wrestled punk a hundred times to name a few. I started a similar thread to this one when he first signed in principal to the WWE. At that time I posed the same question and my response for the best place for him to make his bones is ECW (or whatever it gets renamed). He WILL be champion if he goes there! As stated before, he will get to be introduced to audiences doing what he does just as well as the very best in the business, Wrestle. His style will be toned down some but I am optimistic about this one, but then again, I have met the guy and hung out with him before. He is a super cool guy, very humble, and It would be great to see a guy who has worked all over the world and busted his ass, make it on the largest stage there is. Nigel got a great setup in TNA, there wasn't room for the two of them there, and Danielson is more a WWE type to be made. Just hope they don't give him a shit name...

 

[Pestilence]

Saying that I believe ECW is dying, and this homecoming stuff is just being used to keep and change the ECW title on a different brand, no, Dragon should not be debuted on SyFy on ECW. He needs to debut on RAW to add more usable talent, that already has a good reputation among true fans of WRESTLING. He would most likely just be another forgotten wrestler with tons of potential that failed on afailing brand. I just hope that they make him marketable, and don't give him a gimmick no one will take seriously.

 

[Ender]

The real question is how are they gonna throw him into the big brand.

That guy is golden, pure champion material. ECW will be a waste of time for him. Face it, with the low rating that ecw gets every week, he wont gain a lot of exposure. Now, how to push him in smackdown or Raw ? You already have shame-us (oh, I meant sheamus) and MacIntyre as "The relatively new but dominant guys".
He could face with mcIntyre for the title (as the "I'm not choosen by vince but I'm still better than you") or he could feud with Randy. I know that sounds stupid, but sheamus did feud with Cena right, didn't he ? If they do want to push Danielson as a face, Randy is the guy to work with. Even if that would be a huge step down for him (after feuding with kofi), danielson working with randy would immediately push him to the moon.

Or, like I said, they could make a "normal" push, by throwing him in smackdown and booking him in a feud fo the IC championship. He could then developped quite well there, feud with the big guys. But he definitely needs to be in raw in 2011. This guy is golden, let him shine in the A show, live, every week.

 

[wiKid hoRse]

I was always under the impression that ecw was filmed prior to smackdown. the fact he wrestled before raw would to me indicate that he is on their travel schedule and would likely debut on that brand. not all new talent start on ecw take drew mcintyre for example. if wwe can take a page from how tna booked desmond wolfe there is no reason danielson can't start a feud with a upper midcarder or even main event level star on raw and have it work (if he can back it up with good matches that is)

 

[BWEEZY2009]

I hope they give Danielson a push right away. He's got the ability to be a huge star... As one of the best wrestlers on the planet today i'd like to see him take on the likes of Morrison, Punk, Rey, ect... If you guys haven't seen him there is a channel on Youtube called ROHBrazil where they show weekly ROH... great channel

 

[RVDgurl]

He was indeed introduced as Bryan Danielson. He had no gimmick, other than being Danielson. He used extremely good looking and even some flashy moves while still showing some good technical skill. As I have only seen him in one short WWE match I can't really say if he was allowed to use his regular style. I hope they let him keep his name on the main roster.

This one single post just made my day. It's common knowledge that Danielson is my favorite wrestler and that I was saddened by his departure from ROH. Part of this due to the fact that there is a real chance that the WWE will give him a ridiculous gimmick that has a snowball's chance in hell to be successful.

I read somewhere (not sure if it was here or somewhere else) that the WWE is toying with the idea of a gimmick related to having him play a character obsessed with japanese anime- not a good fit for Danielson, not to mention that is pretty much Kenny Omega's current gimmick. The fact that they gave him a dark match this week to go out there as himself and show the WWE fans what Bryan Danielson is all about gives me a glimmer of hope that all is not lost.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I read somewhere (not sure if it was here or somewhere else) that the WWE is toying with the idea of a gimmick related to having him play a character obsessed with japanese anime- not a good fit for Danielson, not to mention that is pretty much Kenny Omega's current gimmick.

Are you serious? That's ridiculous. They should give a gimmick like that to Yoshi, not Danielson! I have heard a lot about this guy's ROH work, just let him be himself.... or only make a few small changes like they did for Desmond Wolfe in TNA. If they went through with giving Danielson a strange gimmick then I would be really disappointed because those of us who are unfamiliar with him should be able to see what he's capable of. I hope he is able to debut as either himself or a character that is still him but with a few small changes, because then people like me who are unfamiliar with him can finally see what all the hype was about concerning his work at ROH.

 

[Freddy4190]

Did you guys really expect him to fight like.. Shawn Michaels in a dark match? It's a dark match. They usually squash whoever they're fighting. They were just testing the waters with Danielson. I, too would love to see him keep his name, his style, and his moveset. But the chances of that happening are slim, it rarely does with Indy wrestlers to the major league. CM Punk is one of a few exceptions. I'd love to see him on Smackdowm, fuck.. even Raw, breathe some life into their 'wrestling' category. ECW is pretty set with wrestling. They have it going on. Raw is in desperate need of some real good technical wrestling, they have the stars to do it, they're just not doing it. Shame.

 

[theviolentmessiah]

How about he wrestles in a Survivor Series and survives than wrestles Seamus in a tables match and wins the WWE title ?

lol

ok, maybe not, but he deserves a megapush more than Seamus and Drew, and I dont dislike those two guys, I'm just saying that Danielson is loaded with talent and I hope he doesn't get lost in the shuffle, hopefully he'll pick up the ECW belt quickly and I'm sure he could have some good matches with Yoshi, Christian and Shelton then move up to Smackdown.

Something with him and Punk would obviously be a great idea, whether they choose stable or fued.

 

[RVDgurl]

Are you serious? That's ridiculous. They should give a gimmick like that to Yoshi, not Danielson! I have heard a lot about this guy's ROH work, just let him be himself.... or only make a few small changes like they did for Desmond Wolfe in TNA. If they went through with giving Danielson a strange gimmick then I would be really disappointed because those of us who are unfamiliar with him should be able to see what he's capable of. I hope he is able to debut as either himself or a character that is still him but with a few small changes, because then people like me who are unfamiliar with him can finally see what all the hype was about concerning his work at ROH.

Yep, I am serious. However, it may only be a rumor. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is only a rumor. The info that Doc provided about Danielson's dark match keeps the hope alive that everyone will get to see Bryan Danielson and not some watered down version with a shitty gimmick. TNA has done a great job with Nigel- basically we only have a name change- and we can only hope that the WWE will give Danielson the same kind of opportunity.

On a side note, if you are unfamiliar with Danielson, you're going to have to do some homework if you wanna see what all the hype is truly about. You're not going to get the entire picture in a WWE ring. I can equate Danielson to CM Punk. Punk still has a unique style, but you haven't seen Punk at his best until you've seen his ROH work. Punk had to adapt some things to better appeal to the masses. Danielson's gonna have to do the same.

 

[Random_Dude]

Imo debut him on the next raw, and have him make a similar debut like cena did back when he fought Angle

Sheamus will make "another challenge" to some wrestler, Danielson comes out wrestles Sheamus, puts in some good moves, but in the end have Sheamus win the match, and beat danielson up more prompting John Cena to come out and make the save....Cena and Danielson shake hands