How Should the WWE Book Bryan Danielson?

[Turd Ferguson]

Meltzer confirmed that Danielson is most definitely not going to join Nigel in TNA, and that the only reason the WWE decided not to sign Nigel was because he's a major injury concern. Meltzer also said said Danielson's debut is "imminent".

In Danielson, the WWE gains a wrestler who is incredibly talented. He's without a doubt the premier technical wrestler in the WWE, basically another version of Benoit. While he's incredibly talented in the ring, he's not one of the most charismatic guys that's out there. Needless to say, I think he'll be fine, just because he's got connections with HBK (who trained him), and Regal (who is his mentor).

But as far as booking him correctly goes, why not book him sort of similar to how Lyoto Machida is marketed by the UFC? Like Danielson, Machida is a ridiculously nice guy. He's also the most skilled all-around fighter in MMA today. Despite this, he's not exactly the most popular guy, because he's not brash or outgoing like Rampage or Griffin. However, every person that has stepped into the octagon with Machida hasn't been able to solve him, because he's just so unorthodox, and the best all-around fighter in the UFC.

Why not book Danielson just like that, where everyone who he takes on just flat-out cannot solve him at the beginning? Of course, he has to lose at some point, and that's when he starts taking on the upper echelon guys. Don't think I'm suggesting that he just gets booked as a person who never loses. But if he cleans up the midcard for a little bit, that would gain him so much momentum that he'll get over with no problem and have the fans fully behind him.

Before you bring up that the WWE doesn't book ROH guys correctly, here's a quick rundown of some of the guys that were in both ROH and the WWE and why it didn't work out:

Paul London - Was an all-around dick backstage. Defied management, including laughing right before Vince's limo was supposed to blow up when everyone was supposed to be serious. By the way, still held the tag titles for a year. The WWE wanted to push him, not their fault he was a dick.

Brian Kendrick - Reportedly failed 13 drug tests for marijuana use. Despite this, the WWE still wanted to try to push him. Don't forget that he was in the WWE Championship Scramble and actually was the interim champion during that match for about 10 minutes. I'm sure that they had plans to make him at the very least an upper midcarder, and he blew it because he liked smoking pot. They gave him numerous chances to clean up his act.

Evan Bourne - He's lost a lot of his momentum because he's like Kendrick. Don't forget that he had a lot of momentum from the start and at one point, they shot a promo for ECW with him as being champion.

Scotty Goldman - Just didn't fit in with the WWE's plans. For one reason or another, despite having loads of charisma, they just didn't see a future for him. It's not like he was ever going to be a World Champion, but he would have been a serviceable midcard face. This is the only one former ROH guy whose release perplexes me.

CM Punk - He's doing quite well if you ask me, and the only supporter he had when starting off was Heyman... which if anything made him only a bigger candidate to not last... especially with how much of a dick he seems to be out of the ring.

Danielson is a good wrestler and has the backing of HBK and Regal. As long as he doesn't develop a habit of smoking marijuana, then the sky is the limit.

 

[johnnyblaze3:16]

they should book danielson as a main eenter, the me has been stale for a while now why not shake things up with danielson comes in beats all the mid cards thrown his way and earns a title shot against cena/orton of course im sure it wont be right away that he wins the strap but to book him twords a me guy is important, on a off note i hope they dont do what tna did with miginuss and steal old wwe storylines ie: :the next big thing ala brock lesner and the thing with angel is an exact duplicate to what they did with cena at his debut when he took on angel

 

[waylonmercy]

He'll probably end up being Jamie Noble's brother and be portrayed as a joke unless he does something very flashy that gets people excited. If you are under 6'0" and don't have some VERY special talent (incredible on the mic and in the ring - Kurt Angle) or be a high flyer with unique moves (Evan Bourne) you will be destined to be in the same boat as Noble and Funaki.

 

[byrnside]

I haven't seen much of Bryan Danielson as I don't watch a lot of ROH. I've heard nothing but good things, so I just checked out his "top 10 moves" video on youtube. I wasn't that impressed with his top 10. His regalplex pinning combo was pretty cool, as was his "Danielson special," they only show a brief clip, but if it's a submission move, than that's very impressive. I'm still not sure, but I'm not judging just yet. As I have not seen a full match, so I don't know what his story telling ability is like. Can anyone recommend a good match of his I can watch on youtube? After I see some of his best work, then I can make a judgment on how he should be booked. If he is indeed "the next Chris Benoit" or whatever, I gotta see it.

 

[The Con Volt]

Honestly I think we can all agree that if technical ability were still the most important factor determining how far a guy can get in the business, then Bryan Danielson should be the WWE champ by this time next year. But unfortunately, the WWE is more politics and ass kissing than anything else. I am well aware of his so called "connections" with the company.( and don't get me wrong, Michaels is a doosey of a connect) But not everyone can be as lucky as Brock Lesnar.

And besides all that, the guy can't talk for shit. He'd have to be a silent killer type of character like your goldbergs and kanes and such, but there's another issue. He's a pretty small guy by main eventer status. I know, i know, Rey Mysterio and CM Punk. But Rey Mysterio is honestly more talented than any wrestler in the WWE and definitely more talented than Danielson. And Punk has some of my favorite heel promo's since Shane Douglas.

So do I wish that Danielson ends up as the next "it" guy? Yes. Do i think he needs ALOT of work first? hell to the yes. Make him kill everyone on ECW for about half a year or so and work his image and mic skills and I think this time next year, you could very well see him become somebody.

 

[Saritafan]

the WWE is going to water him down a lot,we all know he can't wrestler ROH style in WWE

TBH,danielson is kinda ugly looking so I don't how you can market him.sorry but in WWE land,looks are everything and danielson doesn't stand out on any shape or form

the internet marks may love him but the casual fans will see something totally different when they see him,a skinny man

TNA got the better talent IMO

 

[Poop Master Flex]

Assuming they do actually sign the guy, I would put him on ECW, danielson would fit in there best and would actually have a chance to get over. I would turn him heel, and have him work a program with Christian (not right away, but sooner rather than later). Christian could really help put over Danielson as a credible competitor. Danielson's style probably wouldn't get too watered down in ECW (and wrestling is where he shines) and it could help him build his character a little bit. I know he's not the most marketable person in terms of looks, but thats what I like about him, he doesn't have a great look, but he more than makes up for it in the ring and he has talent, thats what really matters at the end of the day.

Besides, I think the WWE could use more variety when it comes to their characters, they are all too similar these days, I miss back in the 80's where you didn't need to be a body to become a big star (like Dibiase and Jake Roberts) you just needed talent, and Danielson has that. I know thats not how the WWE works these days, but one can hope.

I fear he will become a background character or jobber but I really hope they realize the talent that Danielson really is and give him the push he deserves.

 

[Liakar]

i have not watched roh but i looked him up on you tube and watched a few matches hes alright i for one hopes he gets the rub from michaels and he helps him maybe a tag title run with hbk then he should be built classically tag titles midcard title battle for it for a while then a shot at the big championship if hhh gets the belt and he has the backing of michaels should be a good little storyline.

and completely off subject (sorry folks but i gotta know) i just have a question why was hbk wearing a band around his throat on raw?????? was he injured in someway is that why he didnt wrestle the main event whats up i wanna know thanks all

 

[RVDgurl]

The WWE should book him in a similar manner to how CM Punk has been booked. CM Punk has been allowed to keep all the things that made him a stand out on the independent curcuit: his name, his gimmick and for the most part, his moveset. If Bryan Danielson is given the opportunity to ride his indy cred like CM Punk has, then the sky is the limit.

Give Danielson some vignettes prior to his arrival. Especially with all the rumors that have been swirling around, it would be beneficial to get his name and face associated with the WWE. And for the casual fans who aren't familiar with the name Bryan Danielson, it will get them acquainted with him and spark an interest to learn more.

Danielson has the skills to be successful. He is the best in ring wrestler in the business today and is much better on the mic than most people give him credit for. But there are very few wrestlers that have been able to overcome bad booking. If he's given a decent angle out of the gate and given some build up prior to his debut, I think he'll be just fine.

 

[jrumpi]

1ST OF here are some matches for american dragon that you can watch on youtube just simply go and visit rohbrazil page he uploads roh on HD NET and watch some of his matches and if I can recommend watch his match with tyler black they had 3 amazing matches .

Going back to subject , booking danielson cant get any more easier just do what paul heyman did with ecw hide the negatives and show the positives look at how he booked RVD now rvd isnt the best talker but what did paul do he made his matches longer and made him unleash his full talent in the ring . Thats how you book him , is it hard to make a video package or a promo before he debuts saying that the greatest wrestler in the world is coming to wwe . Then when he debuts make him walk all over his opponents by out wrestling them and making him look like a pro and too good that no one is in his level and by wrestlemania you can have him vs cena mr.wrestling vs mr.entertainment . Make him do his talking in the ring .

 

[yesindeed]

okay we can all see that wwe is trying to replicate its better years just now so why not do it with Danielson as well, so why not go back 10 years and do a Benoit V Jericho angle

i loved the idea that some one had about the silent thingy so why not do this

Put him on SD start him off by just coming in and kicking the hell out of morrison, after a few weeks of a rivalry both men will come out looking amazing

but like some one else said he's not brilliant on the mic so why not get him a decent manager hard to think of who, he would need someone like Haymen but younger and fresher......Tazz would have been perfect, maybe once jericho is finished with the tag scene

if not this why not put him in with Knox and form a fantastic tag team

 

[FromTheSouth]

The WWE should have signed McGuiness and let Danielson if they would have had the choice. McGuiness is easier to book because his look and promo skills are at the WWE level. They are left with Danielson, the better of the two in the ring, so we'll work with that.

First of all, DO NOT PUT HIM ON ECW. Danielson fits very well into either midcard picture. I would put him on Raw, and make his first feud Kofi Kingston. I would have The Miz lose the belt to Swagger and have Danielson go over Kofi. After that, you would be left with Danielson and Swagger in the US Title scene. It is important that Danielson get over quickly with the WWE fans, and since he can't get over based on mic skills, he will have to do it in the ring. The best way to do that is to have him wrestle a wrestler.

Swagger and Danielson could put on a great match, and this would be very important for Danielson, in that if he doesn't get over immediately, he will be relegated to Colt Cabana status.

 

[JETER123]

I feel that the most successful way to get him over is to give him months of vignettes. Not weeks, but months. Have him say that he's the best technical wrestler ever, (which will become his gimmick, instead of Benoits) and that when he gets to the WWE, he's going straight to the top.

I wouldn't have him say his name, and finally, three months later, at the Royal Rumble, "American Dragon" flashes on the titantron. He's already in the ring and eliminates HBK and HHH at the same time.

He continues to interfere in both guys matches, defeating HHH at the Elimination Chamber PPV in February.

And at Mania 26, in an outstanding match, he defeats HBK, solidifying him as a top star already, and only known as "American Dragon." (WWE can trademark that.)

 

[RVDgurl]

the WWE is going to water him down a lot,we all know he can't wrestler ROH style in WWE

Maybe. But they didn't water CM Punk or Evan Bourne down too much. Danielson doesn't routinely utilize too many moves that would be considered too risky for the WWE, so there is still an outside chance that he will be allowed to keep most of his moveset.

TBH,danielson is kinda ugly looking so I don't how you can market him.sorry but in WWE land,looks are everything and danielson doesn't stand out on any shape or form

Well.....this may be your opinion, but I assure you that everyone does not share this same thought. In fact, I might be offended by this statement. First of all, there are plenty of guys that the WWE has marketed very successfully that are "kinda ugly" . What about Kane- do you think he's got any sex appeal? How about the Big Show? Fortunately for Bryan Danielson, he is not ugly at all.

the internet marks may love him but the casual fans will see something totally different when they see him,a skinny man

He's short, but not skinny. He has very thick and muscular legs and has a nice build to his upper body. He's not a body builder by any means- you won't catch him sharing sets in the gym with Batista, but he's very athletic looking.

TNA got the better talent IMO

TNA got a great talent in Nigel McGuiness, but they certainly didn't get the better of the two.

 

[mral82]

The WWE should have signed McGuiness and let Danielson if they would have had the choice. McGuiness is easier to book because his look and promo skills are at the WWE level. They are left with Danielson, the better of the two in the ring, so we'll work with that.

First of all, DO NOT PUT HIM ON ECW. Danielson fits very well into either midcard picture. I would put him on Raw, and make his first feud Kofi Kingston. I would have The Miz lose the belt to Swagger and have Danielson go over Kofi. After that, you would be left with Danielson and Swagger in the US Title scene. It is important that Danielson get over quickly with the WWE fans, and since he can't get over based on mic skills, he will have to do it in the ring. The best way to do that is to have him wrestle a wrestler.

Swagger and Danielson could put on a great match, and this would be very important for Danielson, in that if he doesn't get over immediately, he will be relegated to Colt Cabana status.

Have Danielson end the year by keep Swagger from goin undefeated as he said he was goin 2 b by years end. That would be a way to solitify him by feuded w/ Swagger over the US title aftr The Miz drops it some point.

 

[near_expert22]

Here is how you fix not only the problem with danielson but the problem with ALL smaller guys and/or midcarders.......BRING BACK THE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE!!!!!!!!......its just that simple.evan bourne isnt getting the right push or tv time....cruiserweight title.no one knows what to do with primo (not that i care).....cruiserweight title.what does wee do with rey rey (cuz he isnt a realistic whc title contender,nothing personal,i LOOOOVE rey but it is what it is0.....cruiserweight title.what to do with THE brian danielson?.....cruiserweight title.i remember when they had that title and they had killer matches with it (wm20 battle royal elimination i think it was called?????).that title would solve EVERY dilema and problem the wwe is having with keeping their older fans happy.they could rebirth the division AND push bourne at the same time.then use him and daniels (while allowing them to utilize their original and most fun-to-watch moveset) to bring prestige to the title and steal tv time from those idiotic backstage comedy skits,giving us the REAL WRESTLING we've (IWC) have been hungry for.......what do you guys think?????