5 WWE Superstars who could fill Daniel Bryan's spot on SmackDown

Daniel Bryan's run on SmackDown ended on April 30th, 2021. From an in-ring perspective, it began in 2018. If you take into account Bryan's run as SmackDown General Manager, then it started in 2016.

It felt a lot longer than it was, but it will go down as one of the best individual runs in SmackDown history - arguably alongside AJ Styles (2016-2019), Eddie Guerrero (2003-2005), Batista (2005-2008), Edge and more. It was a run that saw him have a miraculous return to the ring after a career-ending injury, his greatest World Title run (as a heel, nonetheless), and the final stage where he put over multiple superstars while also getting to headline WrestleMania for the last time.

A Universal Title match against Roman Reigns was a great way to go out, and Daniel Bryan's absence means that there's a vital spot to be filled as SmackDown's top babyface.

There are a few options that we can name, and here are five superstars who could take Daniel Bryan's spot on SmackDown:

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#5. Cesaro - The short-term Daniel Bryan replacement?

Cesaro and Daniel Bryan have crossed paths on numerous occasions

Daniel Bryan played a big part in elevating Cesaro in 2021. While 2015 was the year that fans wanted to see The Swiss Superman get pushed, it took longer than expected. But the COVID-19 era has seen some unlikely superstars getting pushed, and Cesaro has benefited greatly in 2021.

Not only did Bryan put over the former United States Champion on multiple occasions this year, but he pushed for him to get a Universal Title shot against Roman Reigns. While Cesaro may not be an all-round superstar like Daniel Bryan, he's one of the closest on the roster in terms of in-ring ability.

The Swiss Superman would be a great choice to fill Bryan's spot, even if it's short-term. 2021 has proven that he can be a top-tier babyface, and even if he loses against Reigns, there is an upward trajectory for him.

#4. Sami Zayn - The expected Daniel Bryan successor?

Daniel Bryan vs Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 36

Sami Zayn was a superstar who a lot of people expected would be the successor to Daniel Bryan. When looking at his NXT and main roster run up until 2017, he had all the makings of an underdog babyface.

Thankfully, WWE decided to go in another direction, and he has now been a heel longer than he was a babyface on the main roster. Zayn's heel run proved that he is one of the rare all-round performers on the roster.

He might be one of the most annoying heels now, but it can also translate into him becoming a big babyface. Sami Zayn is capable of it, and all it takes is a good storyline and perfect execution. We've seen over the years that superstars can get hot with a single story, a single match, and sometimes, a single moment.

Sami Zayn is the best option to be Daniel Bryan's successor, especially since he has quite a few years left in his career.

#3. Aleister Black - An unlikely Daniel Bryan successor?

Is Aleister Black the unorthodox babyface that WWE needs?

Aleister Black seems like the least likely option on this list as a Daniel Bryan replacement. Just because he would take Bryan's spot, it doesn't mean that he has to be like him.

It would mean taking his spot as a babyface, with the flexibility to have a heel run or two. Aleister Black is set to return right as Daniel Bryan has departed SmackDown, and it's a long-overdue comeback for the former NXT Champion.

Despite the lack of utilization that Black has faced post-Paul Heyman, there's a lot of time for his career to get back on track. He will return as a heel, and it's a good place to pick up where he left off.

Aleister Black would present a darker and more grim babyface, but in 2021, that might be the change that the WWE Universe needs to see. WWE has to keep changing with times, and as they continue to target a young demographic, an unorthodox babyface might be the way to go.

#2. Chad Gable - The best available Daniel Bryan successor?

Daniel Bryan and Chad Gable in the SmackDown Live era

Looking at Chad Gable's career in WWE post-2017, it's hard to see him getting pushed as a Daniel Bryan replacement. That doesn't mean that he isn't the best option.

While Sami Zayn might fit the bill in terms of ability, Gable is a homegrown talent who could fill Bryan's spot. He has been paired up with numerous superstars over the years, but he hasn't been utilized to his full potential.

Gable may not have the same level of experience that Daniel Bryan had (even before joining WWE), but he has all the tools to be the kind of babyface that Bryan was.

He is a "small man" who happens to be a great technical wrestler. He has even shown moments of diverse ability in terms of character, and all it would take is the right opportunity and execution.

He would be the best long-term option to take Daniel Bryan's spot, and he would need a year or two to reach that point.

#1. Dominik Mysterio - The ultimate long-term replacement for Daniel Bryan

Many consider Dominik Mysterio a future World Champion

Dominik Mysterio has been praised in the early stages of his WWE career, and it's a long way to go to reach the spot that Daniel Bryan had. Given that he's only 24 years old, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

We wouldn't be surprised to see Dominik have a lengthy build to his first World Championship. Bryan only took over a year to reach that point, but he was already an established veteran by then.

Dominik Mysterio has all the tools. He's a prodigy, at least in terms of his in-ring ability. He has yet to have his first big test in front of a crowd, but if he performs how he has before, there's no doubt that he can get over.

Dominik is truly a superstar for the future, and WWE will be in no rush to give him Daniel Bryan's spot. But if they want someone to fill that role long-term, he is the best option.