Why Daniel Bryan will wrestle again

WWE gave Daniel Bryan a send-off on RAW fit for a Hall of Famer. After months of uncertainty, the company finally closed the ongoing issue of Bryan’s likelihood of returning to a ring. In private they made it clear they were never going to clear him to wrestle. But that doesn’t mean the former World Champion is finished with wrestling.

It’s been a standoff that has dragged on for months. Bryan has been cleared by a multitude of private doctors but has been unable to convince WWE medical staff that there is no danger after years of consecutive concussions.

The writing was on the wall for him when they failed to give in to his demands despite Vince McMahon’s outfit suffering injury after injury to top level stars. There must have been a temptation to agree with Bryan’s private doctors. But the WWE is currently being sued by former wrestlers (that never made the main roster) for concussion injuries. They just couldn’t take the risk.

Vince no longer sees the point of in-ring dangers, or even entertaining storylines, his risks are all on the stock market. The days of making the best product to ward off WCW have been replaced by keeping profit margins up. This method is bearing financial fruits; there was no reason to take a risk that could have cost him millions.

Bryan is somewhat tied to WWE. They handled his autobiography release and helped market it. His wife works for the company on the active roster and they both feature in Total Divas. His unique connection to the WWE Universe forced the company to elevate him to the main championship.

But before all this he is a wrestler.

Severing ties with WWE was his way to seek his thrills elsewhere. In July 2015 he told Sirius XM 92's: “I told them, regardless of them, if they won't clear me . . . we're independent contractors, in theory . . . I will wrestle again. I am cleared by the neurologist in Phoenix that I've been going to see. It's not like he's a quack doctor. He was the neurologist for the Super Bowl.”

That was a not-so subtle warning to WWE: “Use me or lose me.” After much deliberation they have decided to let him go.

Why they took so long only Vince can answer honestly – and probably never will.

Did they want to ensure they had all the facts and gave the docs enough time before axing him? Did they want to kill his momentum before he competed elsewhere?

It’s likely a little bit of both.

One thing’s for sure, even though WWE said, “No!” to a return we’ll see Bryan back in the ring before he retires for real.

Am I happy about this?

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” 

Fury/Klitschko: Boxing becomes real Sports Entertainment

You may be wondering why a wrestling blog has taken a moment to comment on boxing. Well, Sports Entertainment could be described as fictitious characters performing physical excursions to fulfil predetermined results. In this regard, Saturday’s World Heavyweight Championship boxing match is pure “Sports Entertainment.”

Just like in the world of WWE, everyone knows how the result should go unless there’s a mistake. And this doesn’t matter, we’ll be watching for the spectacle. Tyson Fury has played his part well. Unable to bring equal boxing ability to the ring, he’s been an excellent entertainer. Whether he is aware of the sideshow he’s become is debatable. He probably thinks the entire would is laughing with him.

But he is playing a part: The role of a fictitious boxer. In his 24 bouts there has been no evidence to suggest he is worthy of being a world champion. When compared to upcoming talents like Anthony Joshua, it’s clear his performance in the role, which he has fully embraced like a method actor, is the main reason he fights for gold on Saturday night.

In Wladimir Klitschko we have the giant from the Eastern Bloc, but in the politically correct world of today, rather than play the stereotypical Cold War villain, he plays the soft-spoken good guy. The brains to Fury’s village idiot act.

Tyson deserves credit for making the public ponder the possibility that an upset could occur. He’s out jabbed Wlad with words all week in the run-up to the fight. Minds will be cast back to Klitschko’s two defeats, when he was knockout by Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster.

This is the same narrative contenders use every time they face Wladimir and threaten a repeat. But the last of those KOs was over 11 years ago. What makes Fury’s hope less probable is the belief he lacks a powerful punch.

Cliché Alert! But in the heavyweight division anyone can land a knockout. The wrong punch at the right time will end a fight. Klitschko has reinvented himself since the last defeat and has become as defensive as Mayweather, highly unlikely to make a mistake.

Mistakes do occur though. We also know the Klitschko DNA drops away fast when age sets in. His brother, Vitali, was the better boxer. But when age caught up with him it happened all at once. Against Dereck Chisora he flattered the British boxer, making him appear more credible than he is, and laboured through to a points victory.

Wladimir could well face such a moment in a fight anytime soon. Tyson Fury proved against Chisora he can be patient and manage a fight correctly when he cares to concentrate. What if he tears up the script and lands an accidental knockout punch?

It would make a sport struggling for credibility fall further apart. Klitschko needs a big win to validate his title reign – which should get more recognition than it currently enjoys – and to prove that Tyson Fury is a level or two below the top prize fighters.

 

That video was just meant as a fun dig at Tyson, it was made at the start of 2014 before his planned July bout with Dereck Chisora. Its creation shows how little regard there is for Fury. Nobody would dream of such a jibe at Klitschko’s expense or would have started a humorous campaign against Lennox Lewis when he was still active in the ring.

It’s possible with Fury because no one takes his boxing ability seriously and when he’s parading around dressed as Batman it’s hard to give the man much consideration. I see the hypocrisy, as I’m sat typing with facemask and lion headwear, but I’m not claiming to be the man that will knockout Wladimir Klitschko.

For the sake of the sport he needs to finish the night lay on the canvas. But I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that was flirting with the idea of hoping he wins. It’s the same part that cheered on Sid Justice against Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania VIII, or how I secretly hope the Joker gets one over on Batman (and was chuffed when he killed Robin) or smiled when Germany thumped Brazil 7-1 in their own World Cup.

My head says it will be a Klitschko win. My heart hopes it is. The part of me that enjoys a bit of anarchy and turmoil hopes it’s Fury.

In a boxing world where everyone’s more concerned with their legacy than the contest, it’s refreshing to see Tyson Fury’s attitude. In his own words: He’s a fighting man. Regardless of the result on Saturday, his outlook will remain the same.

Why I’m Cancelling the WWE Network . . . for now.

After this week’s Monday Night Raw I made the decision to cancel the WWE Network. I can usually put my trust in the company with storylines. In the past the road they’ve been on has been shaky but I’ve stuck it out, often with scant reward. But recent events culminated in an ideology I can’t be a party to. WWE doesn’t seem to care about Raw’s pathetic weekly ratings so the only place to make a stand is by removing my payment of 9.99.

The bone of my contention is the deformation of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. We all get that John Cena is the company’s main guy. I acknowledge without any gripes that this has been his year. He’s given the US Title credibility and in the process put over performers such as Cesaro and Kevin Owens. This should have existed while the main title looked strong and its champ – the supreme Seth Rollins – was given legitimacy. Never the twain shall meet.

But they did meet. There could have been other ways to get the belt back to Cena, beforehand they could have afforded Rollins one clean win over Super Cena. Now it is unclear the benefit of the whole Cena/Rollins program. Cena certainly doesn’t need a boost. It’s etched in the fans’ minds that he is the man that runs the place. All it’s done has made the World Champ looking like he’s only good enough to be top of the mid-card.

This is diabolical. Rollins on the mic has no equal right now, and in-ring he’s shown signs he could be not just the greatest of this generation but of all time. His reward for this is a match against Kane going into Hell in a Cell with a belt that’s now worthless.

This poor writing from WWE Creative – the best example of an oxymoron ever – will be masked by the interest in the PPV. Thanks to Undertaker and Brock Lesnar being on duty it’ll appear to be a successful event. In reality it will paper over the cracks.

This is the future of WWE: Poorly managed talent and badly written stories. But as long as the t-shirt sales stay up, kids are buying toys, and the Network bounces around 1.2m subscribers, Vince won’t make a change. Until then I won’t be sending him my ten British pounds each month.

Okay, I’ll probably crack before then. Maybe. Definitely Maybe.

Rollins needs the Rub

Heading into Night of Champions there’s one thing that has been universally agreed upon: Seth Rollins has been poorly booked during his run as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. There have been too many occasions The Authority’s chosen one has lost matches or been made to look weak. At tonight’s PPV the man with two belts deserves – and needs – to get put over.

Another thing that has also been repeatedly expressed is how good Rollins is, as both a performer, and on the mic. It’s part of playing the heel, to look slippery and win by any means possible. Dirty finishes are common place for villains. What’s become unacceptable is the number of times Rollins has been made to absorb an unnecessary loss. That’s what mid-card talent is for. If say, for example, Sting needs a win on Monday Night Raw, let him get that tap-out to someone lower down the card or a bit-part player like Big Show. Don’t make the champ take the hit.

It isn’t quite at the levels The Miz endured when he was champion. That reign did nothing other than damage his top tier card beyond repair. Rollins is too talented in-ring to allow this to happen. When creative have allowed him to shine he’s flourished. The match against John Cena for the US Title demonstrated he can look strong and be a heel. That match deserved a clean finish for the former Shield member.

Tonight it’s inevitable he’ll drop at least one of the belts. Many people in the run-up to the PPV have had their say on which superstar should leave with which title. Most have stated that Sheamus is probably cashing in tonight. There’s a chance that WWE Creative will swerve that angle now because it’s too obvious.

My personal feeling is that Rollins should be compensated by Creative for months of carrying the brand and getting scant reward. Okay, two belts is some reward, but his reputation is taking a hit. To cement his in-ring talent as legitimate they should allow him a clean victory over Cena. These two had great chemistry last time out and it would make sense in keeping with the story. Super Cena has been pushed to his limits and found a new level, it can be said afterward that this made the champion do the same. It’s a rub for both men.

If Rollins keeps the US Title then it stands to reason he’ll drop the main gold. This could be WWE’s thank you payment to Sting. He finally joined WWE to lose at his debut Wrestlemania to Triple H, who, while a strong talent over the years, is no Undertaker. To give him the last world strap he’s never had brings closure on a glittering career. If this does occur the commentary team can play up the war Rollins had been in with Cena and that Sting benefited from a fatigued defending champ.

What WWE cannot do is give anyone a clean win over Rollins, making him appear cowardly or throw him a cheap win. He should be made to look strong and when he loses he deserves to go out on his shield.

Nothing New to Ce

WWE have managed to do the opposite of killing two birds with one stone, the old adage of eliminating problems, and reintroduced a bunch of old ones and lost the tools to fix them. Dolph Ziggler’s stand-out, coming-of-age, Survivor Series performance, the debut of the legendary Sting, and the removal of The Authority was all for nothing. The stipulation that only John Cena could bring them back had numerous angles that could have been played over time. Instead we didn’t get anything fresh. This is ironic because Cena himself has been stale for a long time. WWE should have killed two birds with one stone – they should have turned Cena heel.

The Superman Cena gimmick has run its course. Sure, kids still chant “Let’s go Cena!” and this shifts enough merchandise for WWE decision makers to ignore the “Cena sucks!” retorts. Undoubtedly there was good reason to squeeze every last bit of life from this set-up. But it’s done now. Not even the staunchest of Cena fans can really be looking forward to his next bout with Lesnar. Cena keeps getting these gigs because they clearly don’t trust any other stars to play the main babyface of the company. It’s time they took a leap of faith on one.

They can’t take a full leap while Cena is still the super powered hero that kids love to cheer. The Daniel Bryan Yes Movement had the potential to offer a healthy alternative, and may do again now he’s back from injury. Even a successful emergence from another star doesn’t address the main problem: Cena’s act is tired. Hulkamania had run its course after a pioneering period in the 80s. Our wrestling heroes eventually become the ones we’ve seen enough of. Hulk Hogan realised this and requested he became the third member of the nWo. The rest is history.

Hogan protected the Hulkamania gimmick by donning black and becoming Hollywood Hulk Hogan. The same could have been done with Cena. He could have stepped away from “Loyalty, Hustle, Respect” and freshened up his act. The best heels are the ones that are mighty and powerful, without the need for cheating. The nWo walked over everyone. They were dominant. Cena could have played that type of heel. Super Cena would be exciting again. Those booing adults would start to cheer.

The story to turn him would have been simple and believable enough. We know from Total Divas that he’s dating Nikki Bella, the heel female wrestler. He could have said he’d had enough of the woman he loves taking the brunt of hatred from the WWE Universe. That the place had become lawless since The Authority had been removed, that it was time to bring back some order. As a bonus you’d have a Shield 2.0 with Rollins and Cena, add another of your choice. You could even throw in a turned Hogan to endorse the new Cena’s mindset. It’d generate heat like we’ve never seen before. Cena would be relevant again.

Overtime the new Cena could slowly edge back toward face by way of the anti-hero angle. Those booing adults that were now cheering would see him as this generation’s Stone Cold Steve Austin. His eventual turn against The Authority would rehabilitate his character, one that’d never have to be so worn out ever again.

There’s some sense of perfect symmetry to this. Cena is often cited as the PG generation’s Hulk Hogan, it’d be good to see his gimmick give a nod to the man that replaced Hogan at the top of the mountain, Steve Austin. Instead we get more of the same. WWE retreading the same old paths, John Cena becoming more antiquated with every moment of TV time. A great opportunity lost.

Remember when Titles Had Meaning?

Currently in WWE the World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar makes fewer public appearances than Bin Laden did before his demise. As such the main belt is void of screen time, an act that threatens to devalue it. The second tier titles, the United States and Intercontinental championships, should have been used to cover the gap. Instead these once illustrious titles have been floundered further by WWE creative. It used to be so different. It used to be so much better.

Regardless of storylines and the characters involved, during the boom periods of sports entertainment championship gold meant everything. The gravitas of results revolved around which side of a rivalry ended the night with a belt held aloft. From the dawn of the new brand of wrestling, sports entertainment as we now know it, in the 80s, personalities that transcended the ring and fell into popular culture came into being. Characters like Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior. Their defining moment came at the start of 1990 when WWF champion, Hogan, faced the Intercontinental Champion, The Warrior, at Wrestlemania VI.

What added to the bout, one already soaked in electricity, was the two main titles. It was like a pro-wrestling unification bout, the type only seen before in boxing rings. Hard to call, a unique chance to see the two great titles face off. The belts weren’t an added gimmick, they were revered and desired. They made a win all the more credible. Of course, Warrior triumphed that night, vacated the I/C title, but not before holding both belts high above his head with pride.

Moving through the 90s the titles still had great value. So much so that Vince screwed Bret (or Bret screw Bret, depending on your take) to keep his main belt from appearing on WCW television. An era when the WWF Womens Championship was dumped in a bin on WCW Nitro by Medusa, a shock at the time, a title that disappeared without fanfare. Before that The British Bulldog defeated Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Title in a packed-out Wembley Arena. That was when 90,000 Brits believed it was a belt worth holding. Nowadays it’s a tool to place a ceiling on the mid-card.

Back then belts were an extension of a performer’s power, a visual representation that validated them, never better emphasised than when Ric Flair brought the Big Gold Belt from WCW to WWF. Now they feel like awkward afterthoughts. Something the WWE hates to accommodate but does so to shift kids’ replica merchandise. The last time they had genuine importance was after the Invasion storyline. They went to great lengths to enforce how important championship gold was. They had, after all, just bought WCW’s history; they had to drive home how important each championship aspect was. It culminated in belts becoming unified, separated, and unified some more.

For example, Chris Jericho became the first unified champ by holding the WWF belt and WCW world heavyweight title. That became the unified belt and then singular WWF title again. Due to the brand extension they soon brought the big gold belt back, in doing so it saw the I/C title, US title, European Championship and the Hardcore Championship all being unified, across a period of time from Survivor Series 2001 to No Mercy 2002, into the World Heavyweight Championship. The US and I/C titles did re-emerge at Judgement Day 2003, but by then the stage had been set to devalue the once highly regarded belts.

Recently we saw the World Heavyweight Championship – the Big Gold Belt’s ghost title – unified again, this time by Randy Orton. WWE tried to remind us the great lineage of both titles, successfully reminding us how mistreated all the current titles have been in recent years. Now Lesnar holds the belt without making any appearances for months. I’m all for the main belt having reduced screen time. It makes it feel more special. But an absence of one month is enough. One PPV, tops. Never more than this. It should be defended at every monthly event that requires subscribers to pay more or headlines the network during that period. Now the WWE World Heavyweight Title doesn’t feel special, it feels unnecessary.

In its absence the secondary titles could have been used to fill the void. It was a great chance to return their former value. The higher mid-card could have evolved to the main event scene, like Warrior did with his I/C title in 1990. With the I/C title becoming the new top title, the US champ could have become a good number two, like the Intercontinental title of years gone by.

Instead we witnessed Sheamus holding the belt without ever really defending it. It was prop, not authentic. And Ziggler went on a losing streak while holding I/C gold. Even though he was the holder of such an illustrious title, there was no way WWE creative could allow him to overcome Seth Rollins. In doing so they told the viewers that the I/C champ was good, but not that good. That a higher level existed beyond the title.

To enforce this, Ziggler himself overcame the current holder, Luke Harper, this week on Smackdown. Telling us that Ziggler is now in the top group. The Intercontinental Championship should be validation of the top group by them holding it, not by the champ jobbing to them. Top tier and the upper mid-card shouldn’t face off on regular programming, especially to the detriment of titles. Only Rusev holding the US title has stemmed the tide for now.

The WWE needs to address its current title problem. It’ll take time but the long term benefits are worth the efforts required to restructure its current stance. Would a ladder match for the I/C title tomorrow have the same aurora as Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon did? No. And it’s not for a lack of talent, but the title has zero importance now. Does anyone actually care who the WWE Champion is now? No. And it’s not because WWE lacks main event star power. Better titles creates bigger buzz around PPVs. Prestige on the belt gives holders a step closer to immortality, and instant validation with the WWE Universe.

A competition without a main prize isn’t sport at all. It’s not even entertainment.