WWE Working Us?? Again??

[hatehabsforever]

So an interesting point of view is being presented in an article on the main page, part of which I think has some merit, and part of it is total nonsense.

The suggestion is made by one of the CSR dudes that WWE may be somewhat working us regarding Daniel Bryan, in that they may be over exaggerating and over reporting the severity of his injuries, as part of a work for the purpose of the effectiveness of a shocking return. Look, no one would dispute that Daniel Bryan is legitimately injured, and that he has been out for quite some time because of it. However, he could be progressing through his injuries better than what is being reported, so that a return at, for example, the Royal Rumble, would be a greater shock and therefore a more interesting story. How better to enhance the shock value of a surprise return than to constantly report that his career may be over, that he is progressing more slowly than anticipated, that he may need Tommy John surgery, etc., Lots of guys on here talk like Daniel Bryan's career may be over. How much more effective would it be to see him return in the #40 slot in the Rumble, if the fan base has been lead to believe over a period of months that he may never be coming back.

WWE has definitely done this before. I think they frequently do it when John Cena does the whole Superman schtick in his return from injuries. They report that he has an injury, which I'm sure is valid, and they estimate he will be out for six months. Then when he returns after 2 or 3, he's a phenom, a guy who cannot be stopped. And speaking of phenoms, I have been wondering for months now if reports of Undertaker's physical status are being grossly over exaggerated, to enhance the whole Sting versus Undertaker matchup at WM31. Supposedly after Undertaker's loss at the hands of Brock Lesnar, Taker is at death's door. Even though WM was about six months ago, reports make it sound like Taker can barely function and is on his way to a senior citizen's complex. How better to build an Icon versus Phenom match than to lead everyone to believe that Taker is done, when the match may already be very much part of the plan.

They could do a similar thing with Roman Reigns if they wanted as well. So I guess the question is clear. Do you think WWE may be using information, or actually misinformation, via leaked reports, Facebook, Twitter, whatever to mislead the fan base about the physical condition of one of their athletes, when the point of the misinformation is to produce a more shocking and effective surprise return?

 

[laodaron]

No.

John Cena IS a phenom, and his injuries have a very standard medical recovery time. When he comes back early, he's basically defeated medical science.

Daniel Bryan's situation is unique because he was so focused on his push that he neglected the call of his body for far too long. That mixed with the holistic stupid approach he's taking (rubbing leaves, no surgery, etc.) his time is only going to be extended. Now, had he only used the top guys like Cena does, and immediately done EVERYTHING they told him to, he'd probably be back wrestling right now.

The WWE doesn't really get too involved with false reports anymore, it isn't really a sustainable approach to wrestling.

The Undertaker looks as old as my grandpa, and I'm 33 years old. He was destroyed by Brock this year, sorry. He won't be fighting in a WWE ring any longer.

 

[Charismatic Enigma]

I absolutely think, to some degree any of those three performers are working the fans. Why wouldn't they? Reigns probably will be back asap to get his push back on track for WM, but honestly the timing of his injury was an absolute blessing because I suspect if he'd stayed on the track he was on the fans would've turned on him before WM.

Undertaker, is 100% at this point. He's doing comic con appearances with fans, he was video'd the day after WM30 and looked fine to me. There is no doubt, at his age he isn't as agile as the rest of the roster, but the guy is hardly a slouch, I guarantee he still could work another few matches without problem, if guys like Funk and Flair could.

Bryan is the wild card. I don't believe anything that happens on Total Divas, so don't put any stock in what you've seen of him on there. Not long after surgery he was able to chase down and subdue a burglar, so I doubt he's wheelchair bound either. That certainly doesn't mean he's up for traveling and wrestling 300 days a year, but I do think the whole "career threatening" aspect is being played up a bit. In the early 2000s WWE was handing out neck fusions surgeries like candy, and many big names had it and continued to work at a high level for years after Edge, Rhyno, Austin, Benoit, etc. With him arguably hitting the peak of his career at the moment, I'm sure he feels it's imperative to get his last 2-5 good years in. I know a Rumble surprise is inevitable for at least one performer, but I could see Bryan coming back even sooner because it's too obvious for RR.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Do you think WWE may be using information, or actually misinformation, via leaked reports, Facebook, Twitter, whatever to mislead the fan base about the physical condition of one of their athletes, when the point of the misinformation is to produce a more shocking and effective surprise return?

Well, there are no regulations that say they can't. I think of pro football teams that are required to submit reports of player injuries to the league office at a specified time each week. If any team dares lie about the severity of an injury in an attempt to fake out their upcoming opponent, there'll be hell to pay if the ruse is discovered.

Pro wrestling has nothing like that; in fact, it's part and parcel of why it's known as sports entertainment. Many of us considered the idea of John Cena's injuries being exaggerated as part of a campaign to make him look like Superman. We don't like being lied to by WWE, but there's no law against it.......nor does it negatively affect anything in real life, when you come right down to it. Pro wrestling is pre-scripted; this could be considered part of the act.

All that said, it seems the Daniel Bryan saga has gone on too long for the whole thing to be a work. If anything, I think the powers-that-be attempted to downplay his maladies a few months ago, only to discover (to their dismay) that he's in more difficulty than originally believed.

Of course, I'd love to be wrong on this one....and to see Bryan come running to the ring at the Royal Rumble, despite the earlier dire reports.

But, would WWE pull this kind of bullshit on us?

Sure, they would.

 

[The Fabulous Rougeau's]

I'm hoping that we are getting some misdirection from WWE and that Reigns and Bryan will be back sooner rather than later. Imagine how epic it could be if we have a Survivor Series main event of Authority v Cena/Ambrose/Bryan/Reigns. Put up control of the show to the winning team like it was back in 2004 and you have a main event worth something.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Sure, it's entirely possible. Bryan returning at the Royal Rumble with WWE going for months without even mentioning him and the only source of info on him coming from various wrestling sites would be a big surprise. Every year, people are always asking who'll be some of the surprise entrants into the Royal Rumble and Bryan returning unannounced could be a huge moment.

How well he'd do in the match could depend on how over he still is. Just based on what we've seen from the few times his name has been dropped by Brie during in-ring promos, it doesn't seem as though his popularity has faded. The Yes chant is also still being widely used in baseball games, thereby giving WWE some degree of mainstream media attention and we all know how much Vince loves any positive attention from the media. If Bryan's still hugely popular, which I have a feeling he is, putting him in the Royal Rumble has the potential to bite WWE in the ass. Bryan making a surprise return could very well cause people to immediately want him to win the Rumble match, especially if he was entrant #40. If he was the last man in the match and didn't win, you'd quite possibly have a good number of disgruntled fans because, let's face it, no other rising babyface on the roster is anywhere close to being as over as Bryan's been, including Reigns and Ambrose.

If Bryan entered at #1, had a strong showing, was maybe even one of the last guys, and was screwed out of winning by a marquee level star whom he'd face at WrestleMania XXXI, I think fans would be okay with that. One idea, and this is pure fantasy booking that I know has virtually no chance of happening, could involve Bryan & Reigns as the last two in the match, The Rock's music suddenly hits and he comes down to ringside. He climbs up on the apron or gets into the ring, Roman Reigns is also a member of the Anoa'i family after all, Bryan is distracted and both he & Reigns are climbing to their feet, The Rock suddenly puts Bryan in the Rock Bottom as Reigns is getting to his feet, The Rock gets out of the ring, Reigns picks Bryan up and tosses him out leading to a match between Bryan & The Rock at WrestleMania XXXI. Aside from costing him a WM main event, they could bring up the fact that The Rock also hit Bryan with the Rock Bottom on Raw 1,000 to further the feud.

As I said, there's virtually no chance of this happening but if The Rock does intend to wrestle at WrestleMania XXXI, Bryan could be a great opponent to carry much of the match. Plus, it's also a way of keeping Bryan in the underdog role as he's a "normal guy" up against the guy many claim is the ultimate embodiment of a "Superstar" by WWE standards.

 

[bioshock]

Who knows, but wouldn't be shocked if WWE works us over the years, and far as Bryan goes. one thing is 100% for sure, him returning in the Royal Rumble isn't shocking. Not anymore, and no matter what they say his return wont be shocking at all, just because its become something we expect now.

Just look at all the guys who have returned in the Rumble, Edge, Cena, Triple H, Big Show, could name so many more. Its just not shocking anymore, of course the fans will go nuts and seem shocked, but for me no matter what they say, I'll expect him in it. Just part of something WWE goes overkill on over time. Just like the fact its no longer shocking for Undertaker to show up after the February PPV.

 

[kadroan]

That would be great, especially in these days and times where the internet and social media definitely affects the programming.

I just hope if it is true, they have a legit plan for him - not just be another popular guy they have nothing legit to do.

 

[Navi]

Sure anything is possible in this industry, we are lied to all the time by the WWE, and we should be used to it.

Bryan has been out since May and while his injury is legitimate, I personally have no idea how long it takes someone to recover from neck surgery. It was reported not long after the first surgery that he would have to have another, then those plans were scrapped. Now we're hearing it again, so I don't know.

In his case he shouldn't come back until he is completely healed, whenever that it, and he should have a shot at the title since he was stripped of it. Reigns I would assume will be back earlier, hopefully in time for Survivor Series, and it's interesting that they really haven't said anything about him in quite some time.

The last I heard was his interview with Cole on RAW and nothing since. Same with Barrett, haven't heard anything about him in forever it seems, and Ryback. So if any of them turn up soon, the WWE can't really be accused of lying, considering they haven't said much about them since they went out.

Bryan is the only wrestler out injured that is uncertain as to whether he is completely healed or actually does require more medical treatment.

 

[GOOZEKING]

We got the news first about him needing a second surgery about a month ago yet he has not gone "under the knife again". And I doubt that it is because doctor are still doing test because how long does a test take. And we all know now much bryan wants to come back so it just seems that if he finally has to get the second surgery he would have taken it by now and would be in recovery.. So do you think that all this bryan needing another surgery news is false?

 

[Scrotie McBoogerballs]

Personally I think it was 'leaked' to trick people into thinking he is out for some time, but I think he will be revealed at Survivor Series as John Cena's secret partner. The WWE are now aware of the internet, and if they are using it like this, it wouldn't be the first time they have used the dirt sheets to work the smarks.

 

[kumarjtk]

these type of news comes regularly bcoz they do people to care about daniel bryan. If those type of news wasnt come regularly then most of fans move on to another wrestler.

 

[HeroForHire]

This is my theory on this whole subject.

John Cena went out with his injury, and was suppose to be out for however long they said he would be out. John Cena recovers much faster than expected, and he is ready to go by the Rumble. The place blew up when he hit the ring at that Rumble. It was a great moment.

I think that was probably the last time someone came back from an injury that quick and was legit.

Look at Edge's injury. He was suppose to be out past the Rumble, and the talks were him coming back around WM. Guess who is a surprise entrant in that years RR.

I'm not saying these guys aren't hurt, or that they didn't recover from an injury sooner. I'm a LEO, and the guys who are in very good shape when they are hurt come back a lot faster than the guys who aren't. If your body is healthy, it works much better, and therefore you come back sooner. That is why I think John Cena came back sooner, because the guy is a freak of nature.

Edge has to be in decent shape if not good so it wouldn't surprise me if he did come back sooner because he healed faster than expected...But I don't rule out that the WWE is using social media to create a great moment. I wouldn't be surprised at all if DB and Reigns came back at the RR and were the last two in the ring.

 

[Mudlup50]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if DB and Reigns came back at the RR and were the last two in the ring.

I don't quite agree with this part, you had me on board until this part in particular. Last year face Batista, got booed to hell for not being Daniel Bryan basically. Roman Reigns went from super over to over pretty quickly after being shoved down our throat. The fans might unintentionally force WWE to turn Reigns heel if this situation occurred.

There's also the idea that the fans would just be pure exhausted by this point, crazy statement I know but imagine if Bryan comes out at say 28. We've already seen 27 other guys to react to, now the entire arena is doing the Yes chant as Bryan slides in the ring. Then 29 here comes Roman Reigns, we just lost our collective minds when Daniel came out.

Granted I've considered your idea, I just feel like it wouldn't work. It'd be better to have one return either at Survivor Series or the Raw after TLC.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

There are major differences in the approach to the injuries and the talents concerned that make a shock Bryan return less likely.

Cena, whether you want to believe or not, has used roids at various points for his body... one of the benefits of this is injuries of the type he had will inherently heal faster as a result. He wasn't near 100% when he returned at the Rumble, but was able to go enough to wrestle the 4 minutes and win the match... his schedule was pretty light in the weeks after, just as it was for Edge.

Bryan's situation is different. This is a guy not known for any roid use, indeed any use of them would stick out like a sore thumb, even if they were prescribed. He is known for being a natural type, preferring a vegan diet and holistic remedies. So they can't "fake out" quite the same way as Cena, as he didn't lose any mass during that injury... injured Cena right after surgery looked the same as the guy who entered the Rumble.

There is also the more imperative problem of the strength tests/safety aspect. Cena's injury didn't lead to loss of strength as has been reported with Bryan. If there is even a hint of reduced strength, it's actually very risky for WWE to allow him to wrestle... Edge, in his retirement speech "skated over" that he'd passed the tests to get through but going forward it was going to be an issue... he was naturally strong enough to get by on the night and was working with ADR, who was experienced enough to know the situation and adjust.

WWE right now is light on those level talents, guys with the required experience to be able to "nurse" Bryan through a match and accomdate any weakness. So it then becomes a risk to use him at all in the ring... in case either he or one of the talents he works with gets hurt from that reduced strength. It's the kind of thing if it goes wrong, WWE is liable for in law for allowing him in the ring... so they won't risk it unless he can legit pass the strength test AND have talents he can work with initially to help him get back to speed... those aren't the guys they are currently pushing bear in mind, most of whom have less than 3 years on the roster.

It's not impossible they are gonna do a shock Bryan cameo in the Rumble, it would make sense based on him NOT being in it last year.

Taker is also in a similar situation, they have taken his situation year on year, but he has never had a medical situation of the type he had after this years match. Vince going in the ambulance etc was not scripted for effect, it was real and whatever went down was serious for Taker to be a recluse and age visibly in 6 months. Taker may well be able to go... but Vince may not have that faith any longer... again it's about risk and like it or not the Warrior situation will now come into any talent evaluation... it was more luck than judgement Warrior didn't collapse on RAW... he could easily have died in the ring and created a meltdown nightmare for WWE with Taker's hospitalisation the day prior.

For Taker to get another match, if they haven;t already decided it's over... the burden of proof is going to be higher on Taker and the docs to prove he can medically take a match... we know he won't half ass one. So the chances of seeing it being a "short lead in" are reduced. McCool was pictured backstage last week and Taker was clearly there, probably making a decision with Vince IF they're gonna do it one more time... if so, then Taker knows he had 6 months or so to get into the shape required... they could go with a #30 Rumble appearance or even a shock Survivor Series membership of Team Cena... but both might detract from Taker's prep...

Reigns is another one who is a candidate for the shock return... again it's a difficult one... as his issue was digestive/stomach based it's not something that you get over quickly. For a period of time there would be little to no food in his system, leading to weight loss... conditioning would suffer as you can't do cardio with surgical injuries of that type healing. Then when you can train, it's almost rebuilding from scratch as you adjust your body and food intake...to even get back to where he was would be quite a task... to get in shape for a Mania push, probably would take longer... again the Rumble might be that little bit too soon for a "Beast" version of Reigns who looks capable of beating Brock. Rushing it would kill his push.

The most likely candidate for a shock return at the moment is Bad News Barrett...

He is "slated" for a December return, which basically means he could be ready any time... again there will be concerns over strength, as that was one of his major issues after the elbow injury, he lost some of his strength and struggled with Wasteland etc, hence them switching to the Bullhammer. But his injury is the least serious of all of them, he has the size and general build that he could come back sooner than the others and he has more of a "shock value" be it a surprise for the Authority as Cena's mystery partner to #30 in the Rumble... he's guaranteed a face reaction and there are more options for him than any of the other 3... he could go straight into a feud with a Triple H, Rollins or Jericho... he's the wildcard guy right now... he could easily be ready to go, and to be pushed before Reigns and Bryan at present...hell if Taker IS gonna do one more match, someone like Barrett might be someone they consider...

WWE could be overegging any of these guys injuries, but it's less likely now than in the past due to the Wellness Policy tightening and issues like Warrior's death, Edge's sudden retirement and the general inexperience of their roster. It's no good telling people someone should be out another 5 months, then they shockingly show up and get hurt worse cos they are with a younger, less experienced talent...