Wrestlemania 31: Daniel Bryan VS The Rock

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

Rock said he'll probably be at WM31 and there were reports last year that WWE won't be selling any Rock merchandise until 2015 which clearly indicates that Rock will be at WM31.

I think Daniel Bryan is the best option to face The Rock.


Bryan is the best and most popular wrestler in WWE right now.

He should definitely face The Rock in Rock's next match.


Rock said that brock was his planned opponent for WM30 however he didn't say anything about his opponent at WrestleMania 31.

I think Bryan should hold the WWE title until WM31 and face Rock (who according to Booker T at post-WM29 raw still got his rematch clause).

This match was teased at RAW 1000 and is definitely going to happen.

Bryan said at RAW 1000 to Rock "somehow, someway you are going to face me and not only will I be the WWE champion but I'll be the face of the WWE" and in WWE when they tease a match like that, 99.9% of the time, it happens.




The Rock vs Daniel Bryan is an absolute dream match and I want to see it more than any other match.

• Rock needs to work a safe match without getting injured ===> Bryan won't injure Rock.
• Rock needs to work a great match ===> Bryan will carry The Rock to a great match.
• Bryan needs to go over an all-time great ===> Rocky is an all-time great.

Everybody wins!




WM31 Main Event:
The Rock vs Daniel Bryan (c) for the WWE title

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Liked where you went all big fonted and bold at the end there. TWIST!

If The Rock wrestles next year you've got to assume it'll be his last match. Maybe it'll appeal to him to face somebody who'll almost certainly get a great match out of him. Then again, Bryan is only human and Cena & Punk couldn't get much out of The Rock.

The Rock will be able to pick whatever match he wants. And if he does, he'll pick The Undertaker. Big match, won't have to do much, it'd be a great send-off.

 

[Eddie Menuek]

After his recent matches the prospect of The Rock versus Brock Lesnar is one of the few that I'm interested in seeing Rock return for at this point. I think he's shown that technical bouts in which he has to sell his opponent's fast paced offence throughout the match is too much for him. I don't think you're looking at any different a situation if you put The Rock versus Daniel Bryan, because as much as Bryan is certainly good enough to slow down his offence and help The Rock through his match, at this point he's established an exciting style that I don't think that you can't take away from him in a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestlemania. A No Holds Barred style match with Lesnar, on the flipside, allows the two of them to work a slow match with big spots and plenty of time for The Rock to lay flat on his back recovering in between those spots.

The idea of The Rock putting somebody like Daniel Bryan is one that I like in theory, I just couldn't see it being a match belonging on the biggest stage of all considering The Rock's recent run. If he's going to step into the ring again - and I won't be devastated if he doesn't - I'd rather put him in the ring with somebody who can work a style that gives The Rock the best chance of putting on a great match and 'redeeming' himself, to an extent.

Triple H is another potential opponent that I think would work, and in my head I've bounced ideas about the prospect of the Vince/Hunter feud being revived with The Rock representing Vince. That being said I could see their being a bit of resentment towards two guys who were both around in the '90s taking up a major match on Wrestlemania but it's a match that never happened on the major stage, and it probably wouldn't draw as much as Rock/Lesnar, but it's something that would intrigue me giving how little really memorable work The Rock and Triple H did together while they were virtually the best good guy and the best bad guy in the company.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

Liked where you went all big fonted and bold at the end there. TWIST!

If The Rock wrestles next year you've got to assume it'll be his last match. Maybe it'll appeal to him to face somebody who'll almost certainly get a great match out of him. Then again, Bryan is only human and Cena & Punk couldn't get much out of The Rock.

The Rock will be able to pick whatever match he wants. And if he does, he'll pick The Undertaker. Big match, won't have to do much, it'd be a great send-off.

I'm positive Rock's next match won't be his last.

Punk couldn't get much out of Rock? His match at the rumble was great.

You don't even know the condition Rock will be in his next run.

Also, Punk and Cena couldn't get much out of Ryback or Miz.
Bryan carried these two to their best match in their career.


Rock is above jobbing to some fake streak.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Punk couldn't get much out of Rock? His match at the rumble was great.

Yeah, one for the ages.

People need to learn the defination of great. It was ok. Nothing more, nothing less.

You don't even know the condition Rock will be in his next run.

He's going to be in the same condition he was in for his initial run. I see it now. He'll change his appearance, which is a huge part of his film career, to be in the same shape he was in when he wrestled full time.

He'll also work on his cardio so he doesn't have to sit in bear hugs & chin locks for 8 minutes of the match running time.

Or maybe not.

Also, Punk and Cena couldn't get much out of Ryback or Miz. Bryan carried these two to their best match in their career.

Will Bryan get the best match of Rock's career out of him?

Rock is above jobbing to some fake streak.

Well, The Streak is real, man. Unless you're referring to wrestling being fake, in which case you need to start using spoiler tags.

There's also a difference between losing and jobbing. I'd go into it, but I'm still in shock that I've even taken the time to reply to you.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

Yeah, one for the ages.
People need to learn the defination of great. It was ok. Nothing more, nothing less.

You need to learn how to write "definition". And yeah never said "it was one for the ages", thought it was great, we all have our opinions. No need to be a b!tch about it.

He's going to be in the same condition he was in for his initial run. I see it now. He'll change his appearance, which is a huge part of his film career, to be in the same shape he was in when he wrestled full time.

I never said that. If Rock was able to get in shape like he did at survivor series 2011, it'd be more than great.

All he needs to do is get rid of the muscle mass he's gained.

Will Bryan get the best match of Rock's career out of him?

Never said that. Meant to say that Bryan will get a great match out of rock.

Well, The Streak is real, man. Unless you're referring to wrestling being fake, in which case you need to start using spoiler tags.

There's also a difference between losing and jobbing. I'd go into it, but I'm still in shock that I've even taken the time to reply to you.

Doing the job is the equivalent of losing actually.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

After his recent matches the prospect of The Rock versus Brock Lesnar is one of the few that I'm interested in seeing Rock return for at this point. I think he's shown that technical bouts in which he has to sell his opponent's fast paced offence throughout the match is too much for him. I don't think you're looking at any different a situation if you put The Rock versus Daniel Bryan, because as much as Bryan is certainly good enough to slow down his offence and help The Rock through his match, at this point he's established an exciting style that I don't think that you can't take away from him in a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestlemania. A No Holds Barred style match with Lesnar, on the flipside, allows the two of them to work a slow match with big spots and plenty of time for The Rock to lay flat on his back recovering in between those spots.

The idea of The Rock putting somebody like Daniel Bryan is one that I like in theory, I just couldn't see it being a match belonging on the biggest stage of all considering The Rock's recent run. If he's going to step into the ring again - and I won't be devastated if he doesn't - I'd rather put him in the ring with somebody who can work a style that gives The Rock the best chance of putting on a great match and 'redeeming' himself, to an extent.

Triple H is another potential opponent that I think would work, and in my head I've bounced ideas about the prospect of the Vince/Hunter feud being revived with The Rock representing Vince. That being said I could see their being a bit of resentment towards two guys who were both around in the '90s taking up a major match on Wrestlemania but it's a match that never happened on the major stage, and it probably wouldn't draw as much as Rock/Lesnar, but it's something that would intrigue me giving how little really memorable work The Rock and Triple H did together while they were virtually the best good guy and the best bad guy in the company.

Like I said, we don't know the condition Rock will be in his next run.

There's a strong possibility Brock will injure Rock, Bryan won't hurt a fly let alone The Rock.

Also, I don't want to hear complaints from smarks about two part timers main eventing mania and with punk not main eventing this wrestlemania he'll be there next year to complain about not main eventing and his followers will obey and complain as well.


Rock vs Hunter would be ideal to be Rock's last match, would be even more epic if Austin was the guest referee.

 

[Rocky84]

I really don't think Rock's performances were as bad as people say. A lot of people nit pick with in ring wrestling. His match with Cena at 28 was really entertaining and everyone seemed to love it except some people in the IWC who focus way too much on the technical crap and don't sit back and enjoy the whole thing (from the hype/build, match, and finish)...all were awesome. His Mania 29 match was solid too with a nice ending, but I wasn't a fan of the match happening because I already knew the outcome which kills it for me. The Punk match was solid too...not as bad as people make it out to be out of hate for The Rock.

In regards to Mania 31...Rock vs Bryan...No, No, No, No, No! There's only one match and one person that makes sense for The Rock to have his send off with, and that's Triple H. They were like Scorpion and Sub Zero...worst of enemies. This is the most obvious imo. Brock vs Rock would've been fine if it wasn't Rocks last match but if so...it's gotta be HHH. I'd have it no other way. Hopefully everyone backstage feels the same.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Like I said, we don't know the condition Rock will be in his next run.

He's going to be in prime wrestling shape...for a 40-odd year old actor.

There's a strong possibility Brock will injure Rock

This is based on what exactly?

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

I really don't think Rock's performances were as bad as people say. A lot of people nit pick with in ring wrestling. His match with Cena at 28 was really entertaining and everyone seemed to love it except some people in the IWC who focus way too much on the technical crap and don't sit back and enjoy the whole thing (from the hype/build, match, and finish)...all were awesome. His Mania 29 match was solid too with a nice ending, but I wasn't a fan of the match happening because I already knew the outcome which kills it for me. The Punk match was solid too...not as bad as people make it out to be out of hate for The Rock.

In regards to Mania 31...Rock vs Bryan...No, No, No, No, No! There's only one match and one person that makes sense for The Rock to have his send off with, and that's Triple H. They were like Scorpion and Sub Zero...worst of enemies. This is the most obvious imo. Brock vs Rock would've been fine if it wasn't Rocks last match but if so...it's gotta be HHH. I'd have it no other way. Hopefully everyone backstage feels the same.

Who said anything about that match being Rock's last?

I'm 100% sure WM31 won't be The Rock's final match.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

This is based on what exactly?

Based on the fact that Brock is a stiff worker.

Rock already got injured the last 2 WMs.

Putting him in the ring with Lesnar isn't the smartest idea.

 

[Mustang Sally]

It's hard to say. Daniel vs. Rock would be terrific this year, but WM31 is a long way off and a lot could change for Daniel by then.

Will he be a current or ex-world titleholder by then? Will he still be the fan's favorite? Will his "Yes!" chant have gone the way of all popular mass movements in a year's time?

It's impossible to say, and Daniel's standing with the fans will most likely be the determining factor in whether or not he gets to work with the Rock.

But, sure, if he's as hot then as he is today, the match-up would be a winner. It would be interesting to see what scenario the creative people could build to make the contest a must-see......but in any event, it would be a visually exciting match to watch.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Based on the fact that Brock is a stiff worker.

Being stiff doesn't make you dangerous. I'm also sure Lesnar has ended up with more cuts & concussions that the people he's come into contact with since his return.

Rock already got injured the last 2 WMs.

The perils of being overly muscular, wrestling 6-times in a decade and being close to middle age.

Putting him in the ring with Lesnar isn't the smartest idea.

It's the best for business.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

It's hard to say. Daniel vs. Rock would be terrific this year, but WM31 is a long way off and a lot could change for Daniel by then.

Will he be a current or ex-world titleholder by then? Will he still be the fan's favorite? Will his "Yes!" chant have gone the way of all popular mass movements in a year's time?

It's impossible to say, and Daniel's standing with the fans will most likely be the determining factor in whether or not he gets to work with the Rock.

But, sure, if he's as hot then as he is today, the match-up would be a winner. It would be interesting to see what scenario the creative people could build to make the contest a must-see......but in any event, it would be a visually exciting match to watch.

That's my point!

By then, Bryan's character would've gotten stale!

Kind of like Rock in 2002 when he faced Hogan!

A feud with Rock would do wonders for Bryan's career!!

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

It's the best for business.

I actually want to see Bryan Rock more than any other match.

But I would enjoy Rock vs Brock II as well.


But do you honestly see a match of that magnitude that will break records not main eventing mania?

Smarks will complain about 2 part timers main eventing mania and The Big Crybaby cm punk will be back next year and he'll b!tch if he doesn't get the WM main event spot.

 

[Mustang Sally]

A feud with Rock would do wonders for Bryan's career!!

Your point is well taken, but a lot depends on what happens to Daniel during the year leading up to WM31. Presumably, he wouldn't be doing the same stuff as he's doing now. His current program is a phenomenon; probably the sort of once-in-a-lifetime sensation that all performers in every type of entertainment industry hope for.....but rarely get. Daniel's got it......now.

The problem with that kind of thing is that it has a shelf life, and while the fans in the arena are thrilled to chant "Yes!" now, the attraction will surely fade.....and what Creative is able to come up with for Daniel in the coming year will determine whether he'll still be enough of a star to merit his shot at a returning dignitary like the Rock by April, 2015. If he's dropped off the pace in the coming months....and someone else has picked up the mantle.....that guy might get the match against Rock.

I'm figuring it's a year-long process. Daniel Bryan has known the heights of WWE.....and the basement. After attaining everything he has in these past months, if he can either keep the flames burning until WM31.....or sink lower during the year but have his career revitalized by a feud with the Rock next year.....all the power to him.

 

[Pedigree1]

Mustang sally brings up a great point! in 99.999%of all phenomenons they do have a shelf life. This Yes chant I believe truly will never ever die. Its like the what chant you hear. That will never die as well.. Daniel Bryan is living the dream right now,having the time of his life,what every entertainer past and present dreams of..

Daniel Bryan has been to the depths of the WWE roster bottom of the barrel. Remember his time on NXT? He went something like 0-8 before he won his first match,and clearly he was the gem of the whole group.. His popularity is unlike we have ever seen.. Even more so the SCSA at the height of his career imo.

A year away a lot could happen to make this match between him and the rock happen. DB could be the current champion which i think it should be that way or an ex-champ. The last two WMs for the rock have been lackluster to say the least. His cardio is shit,being overly muscular doesn't help him at all. A feud with the great one,would do wonders for DB. I truly think a match between him and the rock would be epic,providing the YES movement is as popular as it is now,and if the rock can get into cardio shape. I can just picture these two on the mic trading shots at one another right now..

 

[Eddie Menuek]

Yeah, The Rock's conditioning isn't significantly improving any time soon. He's a huge deal in the action movie business, to the point that he's on the verge of being typecast, and he's not going to completely alter his workout regime and body type for the sake of a one night deal, especially considering (in the hypothetical situation that he does work Wrestlemania 31) that he'd likely be back on the movie set within a couple of months.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

It's hard to say. Daniel vs. Rock would be terrific this year, but WM31 is a long way off and a lot could change for Daniel by then.

Not just for Bryan; for the roster too.

The Shield are being slowly primed to go their separate ways, Bray could very well be on his own in a year, Cesaro may have cemented himself as a ME player, people may need to do an Edge and retire out of nowhere. Fuck, even Sting could be on the Mania card next year!

Rock is an attraction, not a week-in-week-out performer. He isn't someone whose last match you want to throw away on some up and comer unless you're sure that they are WWE for life. (Y'know, barring untimely deaths etc) Part of me thinks that this is why 'Taker has, save for Punk, taken on veterans of the company in the last several years of the streak.

Rock - Reigns would be nice for the family moment.
Rock - HHH has history behind it.
Rock - Taker would be decent but I'm not sold on them being each others' last opponents.

My dark horse pick?

Spoiler

Rock - Angle

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

I really don't think Rock's performances were as bad as people say. A lot of people nit pick with in ring wrestling. His match with Cena at 28 was really entertaining and everyone seemed to love it except some people in the IWC who focus way too much on the technical crap and don't sit back and enjoy the whole thing (from the hype/build, match, and finish)...all were awesome. His Mania 29 match was solid too with a nice ending, but I wasn't a fan of the match happening because I already knew the outcome which kills it for me. The Punk match was solid too...not as bad as people make it out to be out of hate for The Rock.

No one was saying people were expecting an Angle/Benoit reincarnation between Cena/Rock. Rock's problem was that he got so big that he wasn't very mobile in his matches. For those that has seen The Rock at his best, we all know The Rock is not a technical wrestler but for his size he was very athletic and nimble all things considered. Watching Cena/Rock was like seeing them recreating Hogan/Warrior, where it should have been more similar to Austin/Rock, a competitive match both having something to prove with so much emotion. Instead Rock/Cena felt robotic and lacking in emotion, it wasn't a bad match but not that good either.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

Not just for Bryan; for the roster too.

The Shield are being slowly primed to go their separate ways, Bray could very well be on his own in a year, Cesaro may have cemented himself as a ME player, people may need to do an Edge and retire out of nowhere. Fuck, even Sting could be on the Mania card next year!

Rock is an attraction, not a week-in-week-out performer. He isn't someone whose last match you want to throw away on some up and comer unless you're sure that they are WWE for life. (Y'know, barring untimely deaths etc) Part of me thinks that this is why 'Taker has, save for Punk, taken on veterans of the company in the last several years of the streak.

Rock - Reigns would be nice for the family moment.
Rock - HHH has history behind it.
Rock - Taker would be decent but I'm not sold on them being each others' last opponents.

My dark horse pick?

Spoiler

Rock - Angle

That would truly be epic!

When asked who would he like to retire with, Angle mentioned 4 names, one of them is Rock.

 

[kadroan]

I doubt he'll face Bryan, it's not much mainstream appeal. Knowing WWE, I wouldn't be surprised if they try Brock vs. The Rock in the main event of WM 31.

What better way for The Rock to go out than for him to say he's beaten everybody that he has lost that's still on the active roster.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

I doubt he'll face Bryan, it's not much mainstream appeal. Knowing WWE, I wouldn't be surprised if they try Brock vs. The Rock in the main event of WM 31.

What better way for The Rock to go out than for him to say he's beaten everybody that he has lost that's still on the active roster.

Who said WM31 is Rock's last match?

If it is, then he deserves to retire with an all time great not Lesnar.

 

[JJ15776]

Chances are The Rock is done with the WWE/WHC title. People have rematch clauses all the time that don't go anywhere, so that meant nothing. The only way he has a title match is if it's NOT at WrestleMania, but an event like SummerSlam, where he comes back and challenges a major heel like Brock Lesnar/Batista/Randy Orton for the title, invoking his rematch clause. He's not going to challenge for the title at Mania since that's the Royal Rumble winner's spot, and he's not going to enter and win the Royal Rumble, especially since he doesn't need to with his rematch clause...and if he invokes his rematch clause to get his title shot at Mania, what does the Royal Rumble winner do? You made no mention of a triple threat, and I doubt he would be involved in a triple threat anyway, so that really doesn't work at all.

And I certainly can't see him fighting Daniel Bryan in either case, because Daniel Bryan is a face. He has no history with The Rock. And I would be shocked if WWE turned him heel within the next year. I don't think they could even if they wanted to. Why would The Rock challenge a face Daniel Bryan? Why would a face Daniel Bryan challenge The Rock? Neither one makes any sense, even if Bryan has the title. And a Rock vs. Bryan match with both as faces and the title not involved really doesn't work at all. So we can rule that out. Obviously their interaction at Raw 1000 doesn't mean anything, since Bryan was a heel then and just talking crap to a major face. Sometimes matches like that happen, but often times they don't. Maybe in a few years when Bryan is stale and has turned heel? Sure, maybe. But not at WrestleMania 31.

Will Rock wrestle at WrestleMania 31? Maybe, maybe not. Personally, I highly doubt it. He definitely hasn't committed to wrestling at WrestleMania 31, or gave any indication whatsoever that he will, and honestly he hasn't given any indication that he'll ever wrestle again. He never said probably, all he's done is left the door open by saying it's a possibility, and the door was left open for WrestleMania 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 too...and we saw what happened there. I think Rock will wrestle again eventually, but maybe not this soon.

I would guess that they'll revisit the Rock vs. Brock Lesnar feud if/when he does come back. Usually when the WWE has something planned and it gets cancelled or postponed, they find a way to do it eventually anyway. If they wanted to do Rock vs. Brock Lesnar, odds are they're still going to do that. The only way it doesn't happen at WrestleMania is if, as I mentioned earlier, Rock invokes his rematch clause against Brock Lesnar. That wouldn't happen at WrestleMania, so it could happen at an event like SummerSlam.

If it's not that, The Undertaker makes some sense. Certainly more than Daniel Bryan at this point. (Again, Daniel Bryan would only make sense if it's a few years from now, when he's gotten stale and turned heel.) It would be kind of heelish of Rock to go after Undertaker's streak, but they made it work with Shawn Michaels and Triple H four years in a row, and Batista before that. All they need to do is have Rock say he's done everything there is to do in the WWE...except fight Undertaker at WrestleMania.

So there you go. The Rock vs. Daniel Bryan(c) at WrestleMania 31? No for a lot of reasons, but there are plenty of other possibilities. Hope this cleared some things up for ya.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

Chances are The Rock is done with the WWE/WHC title. People have rematch clauses all the time that don't go anywhere, so that meant nothing. The only way he has a title match is if it's NOT at WrestleMania, but an event like SummerSlam, where he comes back and challenges a major heel like Brock Lesnar/Batista/Randy Orton for the title, invoking his rematch clause. He's not going to challenge for the title at Mania since that's the Royal Rumble winner's spot, and he's not going to enter and win the Royal Rumble, especially since he doesn't need to with his rematch clause...and if he invokes his rematch clause to get his title shot at Mania, what does the Royal Rumble winner do? You made no mention of a triple threat, and I doubt he would be involved in a triple threat anyway, so that really doesn't work at all.

And I certainly can't see him fighting Daniel Bryan in either case, because Daniel Bryan is a face. He has no history with The Rock. And I would be shocked if WWE turned him heel within the next year. I don't think they could even if they wanted to. Why would The Rock challenge a face Daniel Bryan? Why would a face Daniel Bryan challenge The Rock? Neither one makes any sense, even if Bryan has the title. And a Rock vs. Bryan match with both as faces and the title not involved really doesn't work at all. So we can rule that out. Obviously their interaction at Raw 1000 doesn't mean anything, since Bryan was a heel then and just talking crap to a major face. Sometimes matches like that happen, but often times they don't. Maybe in a few years when Bryan is stale and has turned heel? Sure, maybe. But not at WrestleMania 31.

Will Rock wrestle at WrestleMania 31? Maybe, maybe not. Personally, I highly doubt it. He definitely hasn't committed to wrestling at WrestleMania 31, or gave any indication whatsoever that he will, and honestly he hasn't given any indication that he'll ever wrestle again. He never said probably, all he's done is left the door open by saying it's a possibility, and the door was left open for WrestleMania 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 too...and we saw what happened there. I think Rock will wrestle again eventually, but maybe not this soon.

I would guess that they'll revisit the Rock vs. Brock Lesnar feud if/when he does come back. Usually when the WWE has something planned and it gets cancelled or postponed, they find a way to do it eventually anyway. If they wanted to do Rock vs. Brock Lesnar, odds are they're still going to do that. The only way it doesn't happen at WrestleMania is if, as I mentioned earlier, Rock invokes his rematch clause against Brock Lesnar. That wouldn't happen at WrestleMania, so it could happen at an event like SummerSlam.

If it's not that, The Undertaker makes some sense. Certainly more than Daniel Bryan at this point. (Again, Daniel Bryan would only make sense if it's a few years from now, when he's gotten stale and turned heel.) It would be kind of heelish of Rock to go after Undertaker's streak, but they made it work with Shawn Michaels and Triple H four years in a row, and Batista before that. All they need to do is have Rock say he's done everything there is to do in the WWE...except fight Undertaker at WrestleMania.

So there you go. The Rock vs. Daniel Bryan(c) at WrestleMania 31? No for a lot of reasons, but there are plenty of other possibilities. Hope this cleared some things up for ya.

I don't think Rock will miss WM31.

He said he'll probably be there and I'm 99% sure he'll be there.

I think this 2 year absence was just for fans to not get bored of him, I think if he came back this year he'd probably get the same reaction Batista got.