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Every once in a while, a WWE Superstar becomes so popular that the company’s decision-makers have no choice but to change their storyline plans and push said Superstar to the moon in order to appease fans.
There’s no better example of this than when Daniel Bryan ascended from mid-card performer to WrestleMania main-eventer in 2013-14, overcoming The Authority to walk out of WWE’s biggest show of the year as World Heavyweight champion.
Looking at the current-day WWE roster, there are multiple Superstars who could one day fit the criteria of the Bryan persona: an underdog mentality, a history of being held back by poor booking, an ability to have high-quality matches, and the potential to hold a major title.
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In this article, we take a look at five Superstars who match those characteristics and who could go on to become ‘the next Daniel Bryan’.
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#5 Chad Gable
Underdog: In a real-life wrestling match, 2012 Olympian Chad Gable would be the overwhelming favourite to win against almost everyone in WWE. However, in a ‘sports entertainment’ match, his height (5ft 8in) counts against him and immediately makes him an underdog in most of his matches.
Held back: Gable and Jason Jordan, aka American Alpha, were arguably the best tag team to come out of NXT, but you wouldn’t have known it from their booking on WWE’s main roster. While the Minnesota native has had increased television time of late, many expected him to be used in a much bigger role when he was drafted to SmackDown Live in July 2016.
High-quality matches: You only have to watch an American Alpha tag match from an NXT TakeOver event to see that Gable is an incredible in-ring performer. In WWE, he was the star of the show in the Fatal 4-Way at Clash of Champions and opened a lot of eyes in his match against A.J. Styles in 2017.
Potential to be champion: Will Gable ever be a major champion (WWE title or Universal title)? Probably not, which is why he’s fifth on this list. However, if he continues to produce great match after great match, he could easily be in the mix for a secondary title one day.
#4 Johnny Gargano
Underdog: Johnny Gargano has been the underdog in almost every match he’s had since he was brutally attacked by #DIY tag partner Tommaso Ciampa at NXT TakeOver: Chicago in May 2017, so it’s safe to say he definitely fits the criteria for this category.
Held back: Of the four categories, this one is the weakest when comparing Gargano to Daniel Bryan. Although fans can argue that “Johnny Wrestling” was misused after his split from Ciampa – he didn’t even make the main card for TakeOver: War Games – he is by no means being held back at the moment and will challenge for the NXT Championship at TakeOver: Philadelphia.
High-quality matches: Just ask anybody who watches NXT to name a few of the brand’s top performers and they’ll immediately think of Gargano. The tag match between #DIY and The Revival at TakeOver: Toronto in 2016 was so good that it was named WWE Match of the Year.
Potential to be champion: World champion? Almost certainly not. However, Gargano’s current storyline and underdog pursuit of the NXT Championship is not too dissimilar to Bryan’s chase for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in 2013-14.
#3 Rusev
Underdog: Take one look at Rusev. Does that man scream ‘UNDERDOG’ to you? Probably not. However, he is often booked to face more established WWE Superstars like John Cena and Randy Orton and it’s very rare that he’s the favorite when he's involved in a high-profile pay-per-view match.
Held back: After becoming a full-time member of the WWE main roster in 2014, Rusev went almost a year without being pinned or made to submit. Since then, his unstoppable aura has disappeared and many fans believe WWE wasted his potential by having him lose to Cena at WrestleMania 31.
High-quality matches: “The Bulgarian Brute” is always a solid performer but he isn’t usually one to steal the show in singles matches, so this is the weakest category when comparing him to Daniel Bryan.
Potential to be champion: Forgive us for getting carried away, but does “Rusev Day” have the potential to be as popular as “The Yes Movement”? It was through the power of the audience that Bryan ascended to the top of WWE, so we can't rule out a similar thing happening with Rusev!
#2 Becky Lynch
Underdog: The nickname “Becky Balboa” says it all!
Held back: When Becky Lynch became the first-ever SmackDown Women’s champion in September 2016, it looked to be a sign that she would be the woman to beat on the blue brand. However, she often finds herself on the losing side in matches and she is rarely involved in meaningful storylines.
High-quality matches: Alongside Charlotte Flair and Natalya, Becky is among the very best female performers that SmackDown Live has to offer. She is one of the most underrated in-ring talents in WWE and, like Bryan all those years ago, she just needs a few meaningful pay-per-view feuds to show what she can really do.
Potential to be champion: Of course, Becky has already been SmackDown Women’s champion, but there’s every chance she can climb her way back to the top of the division to claim the title again in 2018.
#1 Finn Balor
Underdog: Against the likes of Curt Hawkins, Elias, and Jason Jordan, there’s no way Finn Balor is an underdog. However, at 5ft 11in, the Irishman is always going to be second-favorite against current Raw heavyweights Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, Samoa Joe, and Kane.
Held back: Balor became the first-ever Universal champion when he defeated Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2016 but, due to a long-term injury and WWE’s inconsistent rules regarding rematch clauses, he still hasn’t fought for the title that he never officially lost. Because of this, plus reports that Vince McMahon doesn’t feel he is ‘over’ enough to face Brock Lesnar, many fans believe WWE is holding Finn back.
High-quality matches: Nobody can deny that “The Extraordinary Man Who Does Extra Ordinary Things” is one of the best in-ring performers in all of WWE. Just watch his NXT TakeOver matches or his battle with AJ Styles at TLC 2017 for proof.
Potential to be champion: Vince may not think Balor is ‘over’ but the fan support for the former NXT champion, both on social media and from live crowds, must have been heard loud and clear by WWE’s decision-makers over the last few weeks. Don’t be surprised if Finn has a major title around his waist again soon.
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