Does the WWE Know How to Sell Daniel Bryan? Nah, Probably Not.

[Uncle Sam]

At Money in the Bank, D. Brine won, uh, well, Money in the Bank. As if that weren't enough, he then announced he was going to cash in his briefcase in the main event (or opener or third match from the end) of WrestleMania. I think we can all agree that this means the WWE has decided to invest in Daniel Bryan, and invest big time. You wouldn't know it from the uncoordinated, confusing events that have followed, though.

To me, it just seems that whatever monkey that's chained to the typewriter doesn't really know how to sell him. They're selling orange juice as root beer. They're selling a massage parlour as a brothel. They're selling Booker T as a commentator.

Exhibit A:

The problem with this-- actually, wait, what was the problem with this? It suits Bryan's character down to the ground, doesn't it? Daniel Bryan's flamboyant. He's extravagant. He's theatrical. He's baroque, bombastic, brilliant, camp, chichi, colorful, dashing, dazzling, elaborate, exciting, flaming, flashy, florid, gassy, gaudy, glamorous, jazzy, luscious, luxuriant, ornate, ostentatious, peacockish, pretentious, resplendent, rich, rococo, showy, splashy, sporty, swank and, above all, swashbuckling.

Wait. Shit, I'm thinking of THE Brian Kendrick again. I have that brain disease where I confuse THE Brian Kendrick and Daniel Bryan. It's called THE Brian Kendrick Disease and it will eventually kill me. Only me and the WWE writers have it - it's really rare.

Exhibit B:

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What, did they rip this off the fucking Onion news website? Well, obviously not. Maybe Bryan asked for a push and Vince, fumbling, just gave him whatever was at hand; you know, Brian Kendrick's jacket and a CD with the Night of Champions theme on it.

The reason you didn't like Ride of the Valkyries wasn't because it was a bad theme - it was because nobody popped for it. Nobody popped for it because of how Bryan was booked, not because it wasn't a brilliant and entirely unique theme. Also, they hacked off the awesome build at the start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V92OBNsQgxU) but I'm not about to get on the WWE's back for butchering Wagner; not after last time.

No real thought has gone into this new push. The entire idea is "Push Daniel Bryan." The next item on the list probably reads "???" and "Profit" after that. To paraphrase Coco the Monkey, they've given him a new jacket, a new theme and some TV time against arbitrary opponents - and when this "half-heartedly throw it at the wall and hopes it sticks" method inexplicably fails, they'll shrug and say, "Fuck it, we tried."

 

[ABMorales787]

Whelp, it's not like they haven't tried this countless times. To my best knowledge Jack Swagger + MITB * X = World Champion. X meaning the buildup process. Einsteins (Booker T's actually) theory of relatives is childs play next to that algorithmic. There's also how Sheamus became WWE Champion for the first time. By winning a random Battle Royal while Cena was throwing random hissy fits while Sheamus just... stared. Let's face it, aside from The Miz, no person who's broken to the main event has done it in a particularly impressive fashion or lasting fashion.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I've got no problem with the WWE not rushing into this. They're taking small steps with Bryan and I think that's the best way to go. They already implemented shock value when they had Bryan win MITB in the first place. It worked out just fine and added a very nice, unpredictable twist to an overall damn good show. Now he has to be built up in order to come across as a credible contender for the WHC.

Bryan has the ability in the ring and his promo with Michael Cole was good. Nothing earthshattering, just a good solid promo that gave fans someone to root for. While his two opponents on SD! since winning MITB have been Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd, to me, that just shows that they're intention is to just take their time with Bryan and build him up steadily over a longer period of time. It's been less than a month since he won MITB and WrestleMania is in April. That gives the WWE plenty of time to do what's necessary to really make Bryan stand out. Sure, they could screw it up but I'm hopeful that they won't squander this opportuntity. I hope they look at some mistakes they've made with MITB and some wrestlers in the past and learn from them.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Danielson is being used in an odd manner, but you need to look at it from the perspective that it is a lot better than him being used as a ladies man with Gail Kim on his shoulder.

To begin, Bryan gaining the Money In The Bank briefcase was a huge step for him, I predicted he'd take it, because when you're of his size and you associate with the WWE the only way to get to the top is find a loophole. In Vince McMahon's mind, according to reports months ago, he would love to have a locker room full of Bryan's due to his work rate and enthusiasm. This was the way WWE could create Danielson into a World Heavyweight Championship contender while making it look "realistic" in Vince McMahon's eyes.

Danielson having "no personality" is again such an asinine and bullshit statement. Once again, he has a personality but his character is depicting one who doesn't. He's playing just an ordinary guy, an ordinary guy with quality abilities. Has he made some attire adjustments that make him appear more flamboyant? I guess he has, and until now I never really took notice because his tights are still maroon.

As for the theme, I believe WWE had only payed for the usage rights for so long and the time expired, they probably didn't see much point in extending the contract because it isn't an entrance theme which gains much of a reaction. The new one doesn't either mind you, and what I hate is that "Ride of the Valkaries" or however it is spelled playing the background while he held the briefcase above his head atop the ladder was an epic scene to me. It all came together to make a great moment which I'm sure will be one of Danielson's prominent in his mainstream wrestling career.

But, back to Sam's point, no it doesn't seem like WWE Creative have laid out the plans for Bryan's push all that well. Currently it seems they're setting up Barrett vs. Bryan for the briefcase possibly or just in a normal match - which I see Danielson going over in because Barrett has been on the short end of the Creative stick himself for the past while.

But, is it better than Bryan being used sparingly? Yes. Is it better than Danielson being portrayed as a ladies man? Yes. Is it nice to see Danielson with success in the WWE after all the nay-sayers said he'd achieve nothing? Yes. I love it. So overall, even though he isn't like the known ROH Danielson he's doing very well and that makes me happy with the current Danielson on offer.

 

[Syborgg]

Let me ask the OP what exactly do you want? Do you want him to already be the WHC? Do you think he's ready to take that sort of thing on already?

Do you people realize that it took Bret Hart 8 or 9 years of working his ass off to become a World Champion? Now I know times are different especially since there's a WWE title and a World Heavyweight title, but still there is something to be said about patience. He's been U.S. Champ and is kind of in the upper-midcard and he's holding the MITB briefcase. That means he's almost certainly going to be WHC soon. Could they give him better music? Sure they could. Could they give him better ring attire? Maybe, but I think the individual has a little more say in that than you think. I never watched him before WWE, but from what he's shown, he's not the greatest on the mic, but he gets by. I hate to compare him to a killer, but I tend to think of him as a more laid back version of Chris Benoit. He's got all the talent and in-ring ability, but as of now it seems like his opponent is the one that has to add the personality to the fued.

The thread is titled: Does the WWE Know How to Sell Daniel Bryan? Nah, Probably Not. However, maybe it's a case of whether Daniel Bryan can sell Daniel Bryan.

 

[H33LTurn]

I know I'm just welcoming hate over this but dont you think that this is just a guy who wont sell in the WWE? So he has a good moveset, a lot of guys do and they never make it past the indys. Hes good on the mic, but apparently not good enough for WWE to give him some serious mic time. He was in the indys for 10 years, well thats really his problem now isnt it? If it took 10 years for WWE to notice him then thats that, stop making it seem like he deserves more than he has just because he wrestled in a smaller arena for almost half his life. WWE runs on a trial and error basis, if they can make something out of you then they do, if they cant then you have to go or do something else. Daniel Bryan has a guaranteed shot at the WHC, and almost a guaranteed WHC run. If that cant get you over then nothing can. I'm not trying to hate on him, I just dont see the "superstar" in Daniel Bryan. We already know how people who run wrestling promotions feel about the IWC, so I doubt they're going to keep trying with someone just because the "10% likes" him. No I'm not trying to kiss WWE's ass on this one, I just happen to enjoy what they do with the product, and the whole IWC focus they've had as of late has really derailed them from some actual storytelling.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Danielson is being used in an odd manner, but you need to look at it from the perspective that it is a lot better than him being used as a ladies man with Gail Kim on his shoulder.

Granted. Here's an oversimplification, but I think the general premise applies: They sell Big Show as big, R-Truth as crazy, John Cena as Superman, Randy Orton as Daffy Duck (explosive anger issues), Kane as a monster, John Morrison as Spiderman, Jack Swagger as obnoxious, etc etc etc.

Okay, so they've gotta find a way to sell Danny Bryan. They tried him as a ladies man and as leader of a female aerobics group.* It didn't work, so now they're "reduced" to trying to sell him as.......a technically proficient wrestler.

I mean, what kind of shit are they trying to pull here?

I would love if they were able to sell Danny as, essentially, a modern-day Bob Backlund; a great technician whose ring persona was his real self. I don't know if it can be done, though, because even as today's wrestling fans say they clamor for people with less gimmicks, the wrestlers who sell seem to need some sort of schtick to get over.

So give Danny his briefcase and hope for the best. It's a gimmick, yes, but it doesn't compromise his excellent wrestling skills and doesn't make him look like a clown.




*Yes, WWE employees function as directed, but when Gail Kim and the Bella twins were given their assignments regarding Daniel Bryan, I can just see them saying: "What, are you kidding me?"

 

[The Crock]

Honestly, I think they're taking it slowly to see what works and what doesn't. There's a lot of time between now and WrestleMania, he doesn't need to instantly become the best Superstar on the roster. He's working his way up the ladder and as long as that Money in the Bank briefcase is with him, he's a legitimate threat. It doesn't matter if he faces Trent Baretta or Randy Orton, he's still one of two people on the roster that can get a World Title match at any time. Even if they're making some mistakes, they took a huge step with him and it's working... He's getting some changes, he's working on his character, he's progressing. It can't be done overnight.

Wouldn't you rather deal with this slow progression instead of rushing him into a World Title shot? What if they had strapped the belt onto him right away and he reached Jack Swagger levels of suck? Then you'd be complaining about how they needed to take their time and slowly let him grow into a World Champion. What they're doing right now is fine, no need to change it up.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

WWE have a world class wrestler in Daniel Bryan. Absolutely phenomenal when it comes to in-ring performance. There are very few in the world as good at WRESTLING as Daniel Bryan

And the WWE knows it. That is why they have shown their intent by giving him the MITB briefcase, its plain to see.

However, by announcing he will cash it in at WM next year, they have given themselves time to make Bryan mean something, and to give the fans chance to take to him. He has a great opportunity over the next few months to develop a character that is over and to make himself ready for his big moment.

Personally, I think Bryan should be a heel, and a vicious one who uses his submission holds to "injure" his opponents and can say about how he is taking apart the roster 1 by one until he beats the champion at Wrestlemania. He doesnt need the 20 minute in ring promos on RAW's. He can be more of a guy who says what he needs to and gets the job done in the ring, like a Benoit or a Bret Hart. He just needs to show the intensity.

Look at his ROH work, Bryan is a really good heel and I think if they book him right as a sadistic submission machine who looks like a genuine threat to the top stars in the company, then he will be prime and ready to go at WM, where he can take the World Title from whoever has it and take his spot as one of the best techinical wrestlers in the world.

It looks like they are unsure how to make him ready right now, the flamboyant jackets etc do not suit him. Let him wrestle, let him beat some of the big stars and let him be vicious and stiff, like a Chris Benoit rabid wolverine type chracter who refuses to release his submissions after the bell. It would work.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Over the course of this week, Bryan's been out in Los Angeles promoting SummerSlam. I've read that he's done a couple of radio interviews and he was interviewd by Hollywoodlife.com earlier today.

Hollywoodlife.com is apparently an entertainment gossip website, a pretty big one based on what I've read about it.

So WWE has Daniel Bryan out there giving interviews on top of everything else. It's true that these interviews aren't like he's on Conan or Regis & Kelly or anything, but it's a star. All signs point towards a major push.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

I agree that WWE is not selling Daniel Bryan correctly. They're trying to force a gimmick on him or force him to be someone he's not.

With that said, I still believe that he's merely holding the case, keeping it warm, for someone else, either Wade Barrett or Sheamus.

I think WWE will push him for sure but there's a 0% chance he cashes in MITB at WM, IMO. He'll lose the case before that but he'll get pushed through his feud with whoever beats him for the case.

 

[XXJJ]

I like that he is cashing in his MITB briefcase at WM. It gives them a lot of time to build him up. They have plenty of time to tweak his gimmick if they need to.I think they learned from Swagger when they rushed and gave him the title too soon.

Now that he is on Smackdown he is on TV every week. He kind of got lost in the shuffle on Raw. I think his WWE career is definately going in the right direction.

 

[hollowpoint]

To answer your question, I don't think they know how to, but I do think they are trying very hard. D. Bryan makes his money with his in ring ability. He can sell a match like few can. I kinda see him as a Chris Benoit type of character, but I think D. Bryan needs to pick up the intensity in all of his work. Not just rev it up to get the crowd into it. HE can be one of the greats, just give him a chance "E".