5 possible directions for the Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan storyline

One of the most intriguing storylines that have developed on Smackdown Live has been the ongoing situation between Shane McMahon, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens.

What had initially emerged as an issue between Owens and McMahon later grew to include Zayn, and now Daniel Bryan.

Similarly, the situation that was based on the battle between McMahon and Owens has transitioned into an issue between Bryan and McMahon. Shane's best efforts to have Owens and Zayn removed from WWE were thwarted as a result of Bryan stepping in and stating that ‘equal opportunity' was the best course of action.

What will ultimately happen in this storyline for all involved, who will walk away better for it, and who won't? The next few weeks will be telling for all involved.

Here are five different directions the WWE creative team could go with the Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon storyline.

#5 Zayn and Owens continue to try and manipulate Bryan

Could Zayn and Owens continue to blow smoke up Bryan's back?

We are often torn about where this storyline is headed, as all involved bring different elements and motivations, leading fans to question either Daniel Bryan or Shane McMahon, depending on developments from week to week.

What has continued to be the situation is that, despite how often Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens believe they are being ‘screwed' and complain to Daniel Bryan, they ultimately come out victorious while believing there will be no consequences.

In Bryan's quest for equal opportunity for all, he is almost dismissive of certain shortcuts that Zayn and Owens have taken.

Bryan often discusses the integrity of the show, but it appears that the character, rightly or wrongly, continuously allows Owens and Zayn to showcase just how capable they are of working around stipulations or circumstances, and ultimately putting them in a position to succeed.

The line between whether Bryan is a face or a heel appears to be a grey area, at least until the storyline reaches its fevered pitch.

#4 Bryan 'quits'

Bryan could eventually tell Shane what he can do with this job

Fans have often seen Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan engage in exchanges about how they see the product, the brand and what signifies success for Smackdown Live. It should also be noted that, regardless of the subject of their exchanges with one another, there is normally a sense of respect.

McMahon will say that he respects Bryan and believes in him; he has done this time and time again. The most recent time was the Smackdown Live after Clash of Champions after Zayn and Owens walked away victorious.

However, despite the fact that McMahon has said that he believes in him that hasn't meant he is above questioning Bryan. For example, he questioned not having the former US champion be granted a rematch for the title and setting up a tournament instead.

He questioned the booking of Gable and Benjamin to challenge for the tag titles at the Royal Rumble. While Bryan can usually justify his reasoning that doesn't mean it won't eventually get on Bryan's nerves, and he becomes sick and tired of getting questioned.

We could see a moment when Bryan becomes quite defensive about his boss questioning his decision making.

#3 McMahon 'fires' Bryan

Could Shane pull rank over Bryan at one point?

On the flip side of the notion of Bryan quitting, because he feels tired of having to justify his actions, it could be a case where other talents begin to complain about Bryan.

McMahon could remind Bryan that others feel he is showing favouritism resonates. Whether that means talent such as Mike Kanellis starts complaining, or some of the women begin to complain about the handling of their division, McMahon could finally fire back at Bryan, stating that he is becoming the one person he never thought he would become, and that was Triple H.

Despite using the words ‘best for business,' McMahon will state that Bryan's show of favouritism and dismissive attitude towards others means that a change will be needed. It could be at this time where he fires his General Manager.

Bryan may say that Shane had become his father once again, but Bryan would come across more like a disgruntled employee failing to see that he is showing favouritism, and eventually he would be escorted from the ring.

#2 McMahon plots against Zayn and Owens with a series of 'accidents'

McMahon could get to Owens and Zayn, one way or another.

While the issues between McMahon and Zayn and Owens have clearly been defined, we may see a situation where things take place that doesn't appear to be outright underhanded, but ultimately negatively impact the two Canadians.

Fans may recall how the tension between Matt and Jeff Hardy years ago led to Matt turning on his brother, with Matt stating that the series of accidents that happened to Jeff leading up to the heel turn was due to his actions.

What fans could see is that Zayn and Owens will fall victim to a number of ‘accidents,' either costing them matches or hurting their chances of succeeding.

Whether that meant slipping in the dressing room, lights randomly blinding both men temporarily, or the power going out during their matches, these seemingly random situations could lead to them being screwed. It could come about that Shane was responsible for these circumstances that happened to either Zayn or Owens.

#1 Bryan undermines McMahon and changes stipulations without consultation, McMahon would do the same to Bryan, leading to anarchy

Is Bryan really looking for equality?

Unlike Shane McMahon, Daniel Bryan can appreciate where Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have been in their career. He can respect the time taken by both men as they travelled around the world trying to make a name for themselves. This could lead to other questionable actions by Bryan.

As the tension between Bryan and McMahon continues, we could ultimately see matches and stipulations that McMahon makes either removed entirely or ignored by Bryan. While we have already seen Stephanie undermine her General Managers on Raw, we could see Bryan undermining McMahon and Shane not addressing these issues until the following week.

It becomes less about right or wrong and more about ‘having each other back'. Bryan said he didn't support certain decisions, so he changed them, and then McMahon does the same in return.

All this contradiction leads to chaos on the Smackdown Live roster, and the turmoil leaves the talent unsure who to go to regarding decision making since the General Manager and Commissioner isn't on the same page.