SummerSlam 2011 - Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett

[Jack-Hammer]

A fifth match has officially been added to the SummerSlam card. It was announced a little while ago that current SmackDown! MITB briefcase holder Daniel Bryan will go up against Former Intercontinental Champions & Nexus leader Wade Barrett at this sunday's event.

There's been a feud developing between them on SD! for a few weeks and their first match will be at SS. In terms of singles matches, this is the first either of them have been seen on a ppv in a while and it should be a good, competitive match.

Tonight's SmackDown! is the go home show for SummerSlam. I never read the spoilers, so I'm assuming something goes down on the show tonight that ultimately winds up finalizing this match. Also, over the course of the past few days, Bryan has given some interviews while promoting the event and has mentioned that he'd like to face Barrett at SummerSlam so it doesn't come as much of a shock that this match is now on the card.

 

[The Rich]

Good to see both these guys get a spot on the 2nd biggest PPV of the year match card. They've had an enjoyable fued going on on SmackDown. With the Nexus and The Corre coming to an end i was worried that Barrett wouldn't be used very much, but he had a run as IC champion and now has a singles match at a big time PPV, well deservedly. As for the match itself, I see Bryan winning by submission.

Bryan vs Orton for the World Title at Wrestlemania anyone?

 

[LSN80]

I like this quite a bit. While Im not a fan of the gimmick that Barrett has gone back to during his NXT Season 1 days, I have enjoyed the feud as it's been developing over the past few weeks. The Corre was a flop, and so was his feud with Big Zeke, so Im hoping for a nice long feud between the two. Bryan's stock has risen gradually since he won MITB, and he's already gotten the best of Barrett once by getting the LaBell lock on him, moments after Barrett claimed he'ld never get it on him. This feud could elevate both, Bryan stronger as he heads toward his "Wrestlemania" title match, and Barrett going forward as a single's wrestler.

I can see this feud extending over the span of two PPV's. Barrett gets the tainted win at Summerslam, and the makes the claim that he has said all along. He's better then Bryan, and deserves the briefcase more then Bryan, and it was a fluke. He then challenges Bryan to a match to "prove himself worthy", this time at Night Of Champions, with the briefcase on the line. Since the contract is a guarantee for the winner to get a title shot(and win), it's essentially a "championship match" in itself. Bryan, the honorable babyface, accepts, and he retains the case at NOC, and avenges his Summerslam loss. This could be an excellent feud with Bryan going over the man who kicked him out of Nexus, and Barrett gets his first major single's feud while on Smackdown.

I'm quite glad to see this get added to the card. It could be a sleeper match, as I like the contrast of styles, and think they'll work very well together. Here's hoping for a lengthy feud between the two that elevates both.

 

[Hunted-RKO]

I've Been Liking this fued since it started after DB won the MITB Breifcase,considering that Wade Barret hasn't yet been in a memorable fued in the WWE yet as well as Daniel Bryan i think this could be a pretty good fued,Wrestling Wise Anyway.This Should Be Used To Push Both Superstars up the card.

As for the match I see DB debuting a new Submission and making Wade tap out.After i want to see Wade pick up a win at night of champions then at HITC (Hell In The Cell) they will have a fued ending hell in a cell match With DB winning and start getting involved With the WHC Picture.
This way it don't make either men look weak and they could both be main eventers in the near future.

 

[Fisheatppl]

I like this. I actually used this as an example while talking to my friend about how to push Bryan before WM. I said a good long term opponent would be Wade Barrett. They have a nice long fued, with WB winning, which leads to the "if you win you have my MitB briefcase". To which WB wins again (every time with interferance or cheating) while having Bryan look strong. Then you go about 2 months with Bryan "injured", but every time Barret tries to cash in, Bryan stops him, asking for a rematch, which Barrett declines until finally he relents saying "fine but when I win you leave me alone". Hopefully they would do it epic and have Bryan really rolling by RR time, and either RR or EC he wins his briefcase back in epic fasion in time for his WM cash in.

Mean time both superstars come out looking better, Bryan triumphs over the evil Barrett and shows his "intestinal fortitude" and Barrett holds a few big time wins over the (hopefully) eventual WHC.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I'd bump this off the card to make way for a that hamster looking bloke to sing his song. Seriously both are nobodies these days and really don't need to be featured on this card. Bryan might be holding a MITB briefcase, but before that PPV WWE Hadn't done anything with him in months. I'm not suddenly going to buy into him again. As for Barrett, a month ago it looked like he'd be feuding with Sheamus.

Should be an ok match, given enough time. But its still worthless.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

im glad they announced another match as i dont like it when theirs random unannounced ppv matches and theres actullay a fued here so thats good as well id like to see daniel bryan beat wade barrett via submission at summerslam to help build him up as a main eventer plus the fact if wade barrett wins i have a feeling the IWC would go even more crazy over the possiblity of daniel bryan possibly defending the money in the bank briefcase against wade barrett even though ken anderson only defended his against edge because he was hurt and they thought he would miss monthes of tv time! also i wanna say rvd defending his once against shelton benjamin in a title vs briefcase match but i could be wrong either way bryan should win and go on to start facing more of the top heels on smackdown and having good matches with them and see how it goes

 

[AnthonyM4]

This will be a good match. I think Bryan will win. Barrett is probably the first of many heels he will beat on his way to being a title contender and cashing in the briefcase. I wouldn't mind if Bryan cashed it in on Christian(who I think wil l beat Orton).

 

[#hamler]

This match just gives Daniel Bryan someone with a little credibily to go over before he cashes in his Money in the Bank breifcase. I think a feud between these two over the case is what both if their careers need right now as they both seem a bit irrelevant lately. I still think Bryan needs a heel turn before he can grab the World Heavyweight Championship and I hope it happens soon. Wade Barrett is a future World Champion no doubt, but he's lost a ton of momentum since his Nexus days. He needs a proper feud with someone like Daniel Bryan to make him relevant again. I think a feud with Sheamus would help him but the Bryan/Barrett chemistry is already there so I can't wait to see how this feud will unfold.

Hamler's Prediction - Daniel Bryan will beat Wade Barrett

 

[Mighty NorCal]

Yea, odd match, awkward, forced build. Could have been ten times better, should have been over the IC title, since it doesnt even seem like that title will be getting on the show. Zeke is awful, not like you can blame them.

You can scarcely make people matter in 3 weeks of build. Especially not to an LA crowd. Please oh please dont let it open the show.

 

[zman21]

bryan will win at ss then have a rematch at nite of champions with the briefcase on the line. barrett will win that one. i think wwe is going to use bryan to help get barrett over and become a future world champ. i really dnt see wwe puting the world tittle on bryan especially at mania

 

[Барбоса]

I don't really get the negativity surrounding this match. I think it could be good. Barrett's mic skills can be more than useful in getting Bryan over as MitB while Bryan can be more than useful in polishing Barrett's in ring abilities, while showcasing his own. I look for this to continue after Summerslam.

 

[ctln4rko]

I really wish this was given a proper buildup. Instead, Barrett taps out to the Lebell lock while not in a match, beats Bryan down, then announced. Sigh. Barrett needs to more than Bryan. Barrett should have won MITB. Even though Bryan lost to ADR on SD, he's Mr. MITB! Barrett needs it more, and that's the bottom line.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Bryan might be holding a MITB briefcase, but before that PPV WWE Hadn't done anything with him in months. I'm not suddenly going to buy into him again.

Asides the WWE United States Championship reign, miniature feud with Sheamus and his feud with the team of Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase which was featured on Smackdown every show for a month and a half? Even brought to RAW one night? Yeah, I wouldn't say they've done nothing with him for months.

Back on topic, this match is going back one whole year, Barrett has been constantly speaking out on the occurances of SummerSlam 2010, on how Danielson returned to help defeat The Nexus in which Wade called two weeks ago on Smackdown, "The initial dying blow of The Nexus," in otherwords he's saying that Bryan began the end of his group.

Not only that but Wade is also talking up how Danielson hurled him from the ladder at Money in The Bank to gain the briefcase, which adds to it, so really they have a certain degree of animosity going into this bout but they just don't have all that much build-up, but with the assault segment on Smackdown I'm sure that'll add even more to the match, which in-total qualifies it to appear on the card.

Looking forward to this bout, love DBD, he was far more impressive than ADR(What else is new?) on Smackdown and once again, even coming off a defeat is able to look good in the process, while Wade Barrett could be in the beginning of a miniature resurgence which would make a lot of people happy, with Wade being demoted from his former post as WWE's "Next Star" esq role.

I'm sure Danielson is going to take it. This is just a way for WWE to build some momentum around him, doing it on Pay-Per-View to get him even more noticed and build his stature while continuing to use Barrett in some role which sees him featured. Should be a good match, and a good addition to the SummerSlam card.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Asides the WWE United States Championship reign,

Which ended month ago, thus validating my comment.

miniature feud with Sheamus

See above.

and his feud with the team of Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase which was featured on Smackdown every show for a month and a half?

You mean the feud that existed to help Sin Cara that wasn't deemed worth enough to feature on PPV?

Even brought to RAW one night?

Very nice of WWE it was too.

Yeah, I wouldn't say they've done nothing with him for months.

If you think that is utilizing somebody over a 6 month period then you should probably look at other mid-carders like R-Truth or Alex Riley. Both guys were given prominent mid card roles post Mania. Having a feud with a former world champion in The Miz or being given a complete character overhaul, that is WWE doing something productive with you. Being used to fill air time with no meaningful role or direction isn't.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Which ended month ago, thus validating my comment.

You said "months", he held the US Championship "months" ago and coming off the back of it had a miniature feud with Sheamus leading into the WWE draft. Therefore, they did do something with him, much like The Miz as you later point out isn't Sheamus not a former WWE Champion? Yeah, he is.

You mean the feud that existed to help Sin Cara that wasn't deemed worth enough to feature on PPV?

On recollection, Danielson and Rhodes faced off in singles matches a good three times with Bryan and Ted doing the same twice. Sin Cara was involved at the start but faded out, therefore the feud transitioned more into Danielson vs. Rhodes/DiBiase.

And no, it didn't make PPV, it was a mid-card feud. Not every mid-card feud makes it to PPV, but it was still entertaining.

Very nice of WWE it was too.

Indeed. Danielson even got the victory.

If you think that is utilizing somebody over a 6 month period then you should probably look at other mid-carders like R-Truth or Alex Riley. Both guys were given prominent mid card roles post Mania. Having a feud with a former world champion in The Miz or being given a complete character overhaul, that is WWE doing something productive with you. Being used to fill air time with no meaningful role or direction isn't.

R-Truth and Riley have been pushed heavily, not denying that, but Danielson has been used over the past six months in different ways which makes your, "but before that PPV WWE Hadn't done anything with him in months" incorrect. WWE had been doing something with him and are still doing pretty much the same thing with him now.

They gave him a failed "ladies man" gimmick, that blew up in his face and since his draft to Smackdown they've been building him steadily back up. He defeated Cody Rhodes, twice, who the WWE have been pushing and giving a good amount of air-time to over the past few months. They've definitely been doing something with him.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

You said "months", he held the US Championship "months" ago and coming off the back of it had a miniature feud with Sheamus leading into the WWE draft.

I missed off an "s", my bad. Still not sure what you're correcting me on though, in fact you're agreeing with me. Sheamus vs. Bryan was indeed months ago.

Therefore, they did do something with him, much like The Miz as you later point out isn't Sheamus not a former WWE Champion? Yeah, he is.

Yeah, err, months ago. It also ceased to be significant when WWE dumped it from the main Mania card.

And no, it didn't make PPV, it was a mid-card feud. Not every mid-card feud makes it to PPV, but it was still entertaining.

Smackdown is full of interesting little matches and angles. But if they're significant or they serve a purpose they will get on PPV. WWE had time to fit forgettable Chavo vs. Cara & Barrett vs. Jackson matches on PPV, yet not this semi-feud. And this is after Rhodes was featured in a well built feud with Rey Mysterio. Going from feuding with Mysterio on PPV to feuding with Bryan on TV is a massive step down, I think you'll agree.

Danielson has been used over the past six months in different ways which makes your, "but before that PPV WWE Hadn't done anything with him in months" incorrect. WWE had been doing something with him and are still doing pretty much the same thing with him now.

Just putting him on TV doesn't mean they've been doing something with him. Kofi Kingston is on TV every week, he holds titles periodically, he's involved in feuds, yet WWE aren't doing anything with him. Same thing here. They've only started to do anything with Bryan in the three weeks since Money In The Bank.

They've definitely been doing something with him.

If they were doing something with him would his MITB victory have been so much of a surprise?

 

[The Dragon Saga]

I missed off an "s", my bad. Still not sure what you're correcting me on though, in fact you're agreeing with me. Sheamus vs. Bryan was indeed months ago.

I'm agreeing with you in a sense. If you didn't mean to say "months" than I took the whole thing the wrong way, if not, then I still stand by my stance that WWE have used Bryan in a decent manor over the past few "months" and he has done more than nothing, or "WWE hadn't done anything with him in months."

Yeah, err, months ago. It also ceased to be significant when WWE dumped it from the main Mania card.

In fairness it was dumped to dark match due to time constraints. WWE made the mistake booking shit like Snooki, so that they could show some use for Dolph and Morrison. And The Rock didn't help either with his opening promo and several backstage scenes. Not like they could have removed Punk/Orton, Taker/HHH or Rey/Rhodes from the card to make way for Sheamus and Bryan. They had a decent feud going on but it was the obvious lacklustre one on the WM card and neither are celebrities(If Snooki the troll can be classified as a celebrity.)

Smackdown is full of interesting little matches and angles. But if they're significant or they serve a purpose they will get on PPV. WWE had time to fit forgettable Chavo vs. Cara & Barrett vs. Jackson matches on PPV, yet not this semi-feud. And this is after Rhodes was featured in a well built feud with Rey Mysterio. Going from feuding with Mysterio on PPV to feuding with Bryan on TV is a massive step down, I think you'll agree.

Chavo and Cara was made simply to put Mistico over. Nothing more or less. WWE needed to cash in on their signing and they decided that was the avenue. Barrett and Jackson was probably added to build something around their feud and the eventual Jackson IC reign, so again, not quality matches but they had purposes, while Rhodes/Bryan was simply just a back-and-forth win/loss feud. So it was a perfect fit for Smackdown.

I agree. Rhodes going from defeating Rey at WM to Bryan on Smackdown was a step down, but personally I felt Rhodes was being too heavily pushed, currently I think he's better suited to holding the IC Championship that say "main eventing." But at the same time, Danielson and Rhodes, although entertaining and featuring great matches didn't really need a PPV bout. If anything, they had a back-and-forth exchance during MITB and they were both made to seem focused on the other at the beginning of the match.

Just putting him on TV doesn't mean they've been doing something with him. Kofi Kingston is on TV every week, he holds titles periodically, he's involved in feuds, yet WWE aren't doing anything with him. Same thing here. They've only started to do anything with Bryan in the three weeks since Money In The Bank.

Have to agree. Kingston sucks though - find him overly bland and has no qualities which stand out. At the same time, I still stand by the fact, WWE have been steadily building Danielson, even pre-MITB I claimed regularly he was the second biggest face on SD!

If they were doing something with him would his MITB victory have been so much of a surprise?

It was a factor to add, but I thought more people would be surprised because it was DBD. Simply because it was him. He isn't one of the sterotypical guy WWE would have even step from the undercard. But they obviously let him have it because, if anything, the fans wanted it and it was good for business.

 

[Wade's Public Transit Bomb]

I think Wade has gotten legitimately good at merging his loud mouth character with a ruthless fighting style. He has made any real interest in this match (if there is anything to begin with). However, Daniel Bryan hasn't been very sympathetic as a face and that could lead to a dead crowd. I think this will be a sleeper match.

All signs point to Daniel Bryan picking up the win, especially when Wade said he would never be put in a submission by Bryan. But I am hopeful of the match.

 

[Hulk Hogan's Brother]

Well, not every feud needs to be epic and this is a good example of that. I do not see this feud rapidly elevating any of the two performers but it will keep them relevant for the time being.

As for the result, I'll go with the scenario that LSN has mentioned. Barrett wins by nefarious means, taunts Bryan and challenges him for the briefcase. Bryan wins at NOC and then it's up to the WWE where they want to take it from there onwards.

 

[Dagger Dias]

This should be a fun match. Barrett needs something to do and Bryan needs to be built up for when he eventually cashes in the blue briefcase. Their Nexus history could be brought up some and I am looking forward to seeing what they can do in the ring against one another given their styles. I can see this opening the show. Bryan should win because he needs to start collecting a lot of big wins to help break into the upper card and this is a great place to get him another of those wins.

DAGGER'S PREDICTION
Daniel Bryan will defeat Wade Barrett.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

I think Bryan needs a win. Getting a lot of wins won't get you over if that's all you do, but it helps. It's not just wins he needs though, he needs feud wins. Feuds make people care about both guys more and winning those feuds lets people know you're good and they remember it more I hope this feud goes at least another PPV.

 

[LSN80]

Seriously both are nobodies these days and really don't need to be featured on this card.

This logic I fail to follow. If theyre nobodies "these days", but with upside, then why wouldn't you want them on the Summerslam card? Bryan and Barrett were both extremely hot this time last year, but have cooled off greatly since coming to SD. What better way to re-introduce them to the large audience by having them be one of only the five featured matches on the card? If theyre serious about building Bryan up to challenge for the title at WM, he needs to be on every PPV leading up to it.

I stand behind what I said earlier. NOC is a month away, and Barrett's entire motivation in this feud has been to steal Bryan's lunch money......MITB contract. He's rocking his old NXT season 1 role as the power and money obsessed British dude. Except this match isnt for the briefcase, which I expect a rematch at NOC to be about. For this to happen, Barrett needs to win dirty, then challenge Bryan for the briefcase. Bryan, the honorable babyface, accepts, and he beats Barrett there. But for this match, Im going w Barrett as its a feud that just started three weeks ago.

Should be an ok match, given enough time. But its still worthless.

Pompous British guy wants the champiosnhip contract Bryan won and this is the way to get to a match where that takes place. How exactly is that worthless? Its not as if Barrett has the credibility to just demand the match now, but if beats Bryan tonight, the stakes are raised, and a feud over the case becomes a reality at NOC. If done properly and Barrett wins, this could be very meaningful, and elevate Bryan as he heads toward WM.

LSN's prediction: Wade Barrett defeats Daniel Bryan

 

[Mitch Henessey]

I don't know about this. I'm very nervous about this one, because I have this bad feeling about Bryan's briefcase. Barrett could lose the match, but there's a chance he could beatdown Bryan after this one. He could put Bryan on the shelf, and he could take the briefcase, cash it in somewhere down the line, and Barrett could become the World Heavyweight Champion. I'm sorry, but I just can't buy into this "I'm cashing the briefcase in at Wrestlemania 28" stuff. I'm a fan of Bryan, but do you really think he would wrestle in a World Championship match at Wrestlemania? I have to believe that spot will be saved for the bigger names in WWE.

Still, this should be a good match, because Bryan can always deliver in the ring. I'll pick Bryan to grab the win here, but I wouldn't be surprised if Barrett beat the hell out of Bryan after the match, causing some sort of kayfabe injury that puts him on the shelf for a while. I am looking forward to this one, but the aftermath of this match scares me.

 

[deadman896]

I'll try not to spoil this, but after that ending- what is supposed to happen with bryan now? I don't see where WWE can put him now other than more feuding with Barrett which i don't think will help build to WM