Bryan’s fairytale run saw him win the WWE World Heavyweight title at WrestleMania 30Last year’s WrestleMania witnessed something magical unfold. In professional wrestling, there are very few instances where a fairytale esque storyline plays out. There is a reason why the Randy Savage – Ms. Elizabeth relationship, especially their on – screen marriage proposal and the wedding has become iconic, and is still remembered by fans today, years after both of them passed.The feel good factor is something that is lost in professional wrestling and the WWE, but last year, something remarkable happened. The last time the fans got emotionally invested in a superstar, he became the biggest superstar in the history of the business, and his name is Stone Cold Steve Austin.After Austin, the only other superstar who managed to captivate the audience and made them care about him is Daniel Bryan. Whether it is because of his average Joe physique or because Bryan is in fact one of the nicest people you could meet, the fans started caring about Bryan’s character.Although he wasn’t in the main event scene back in 2013, the WWE fans identified themselves with Bryan, and by the summer, he became a bona fide main eventer in the company.Unfortunately for Bryan, he injured himself soon after winning the WWE World Heavyweight title, and since then, the WWE management and especially Vince McMahon have been skeptical about bringing Bryan back.Although WWE always takes a cautious approach when it comes to injuries (taking examples of Austin and Edge), they might have to rethink about Bryan’s situation. With the likes of Cena and Seth Rollins taking time off due to injuries or otherwise, WWE now has to fill a huge void, and the one person who can do that is Daniel Bryan.In this article, we give you five reasons why WWE needs Bryan back.
#5 Thin roster and a lack of star power
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With the likes of Cena, Rollins and more recently, Cesaro being written off TV, WWE’s top talent has thinned down considerably. Although Cena is set to return by the end of the year, WWE still has to deal with the fact that their star power has decreased considerably in the last decade.
Now with The Undertaker and Sting rumored to retire next year, and with Brock Lesnar working limited dates, WWE needs Daniel Bryan now more than ever.
With Bryan’s doctor clearing him for competition, Bryan is still waiting for his final consultation with the WWE doctors, and the WWE management will take a final call about Bryan’s in – ring career.
However, with Bryan being the only superstar who could bring more eyeballs to the product, it would be wise on WWE’s part to let Bryan compete in the ring.
#4 Decline in the ratings
One of the biggest complaints about WWE recently has been its monotonous and dull product, and with WWE getting firmly behind the Roman Reigns hype train, they have either turned away most of their fans, or the fans aren’t interested in watching the product anymore.
RAW’s sharp decline in ratings once again highlights the need for compelling storylines and angles, and bringing Daniel Bryan back and putting him in the main event picture would boost the ratings.
Recent reports have suggested that neither Vince McMahon nor the USA Network is worried about the decline in the ratings. However, the network would ideally need more eyeballs tuning in, and WWE would know the impact of losing viewers, and the possibility of a strained relationship with USA Network as a result.
Hence, it would be in WWE’s interest to improve the quality of their product, and one of the ways they can do that is by bringing Bryan back on TV.
#3 History with Roman Reigns
WWE can put the spotlight on Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan, and still groom Roman Reigns to become the next face of the company. With both the superstars previously involved in a feud earlier this year, it would be a natural transition for WWE to go back to their feud.
With Daniel Bryan being a former WWE World Heavyweight champion, and the fact that he never lost the title in a match, WWE can put both the superstars in a program, and use Bryan’s popularity to put Roman Reigns over, while giving Bryan his due.
It would make sense for both the performers, and WWE would succeed in their intention to make Roman Reigns the next face of the company.
#2 WWEs expansion into international markets
Daniel Bryan is one of the very few superstars who have a cross border appeal. With thousands of people from different countries sending videos of them doing the ‘Yes!’ chants, WWE understands the added value Bryan brings to the table.
One such example was WWE sending Daniel Bryan to India for their recent press conference, and the fact that thousands of fans flocked to get a glimpse of their favorite superstar speaks volumes about how much the fans want to see Bryan back in the ring.
With WWE’s plans to keep expanding into different international markets, especially in Asia, Daniel Bryan could replace John Cena as WWE’s go to guy for marketing and promotion.
#1 Need for compelling storylines
The last truly memorable storyline in the WWE was the angle between Daniel Bryan and The Authority, where the underdog fought overwhelming odds to realize his dream. With The Authority stripping Bryan off the WWE World Heavyweight title, it would make a lot of sense for WWE to capitalize on the feud, and thereby recreating the magic, and come up with compelling storylines.
WWE’s current product needs to be altered as soon as possible, and one of the main ways that can be achieved is by coming up with good storylines and angles. With Daniel Bryan’s return, a lot of different avenues open up, and WWE can capitalize on Bryan’s past feuds.
Although it is understandable that Vince McMahon and the WWE management would be wary of Bryan’s past injuries and wouldn’t want to risk Bryan’s health, with Bryan’s doctor clearing him for in – ring competition, the wise thing would be to bring Bryan back and give him a lighter schedule.
One thing is for certain – WWE needs Daniel Bryan now more than ever, and it would be in their best interest if they brought him back by the beginning of next year.