We have recently seen one of the more shocking endings to a Monday Night RAW. The NXT Season 1 Participants stormed the arena and attacked anyone and everyone within the area.
This segment was particularly shocking as it was something I did not expect to see at all. For far too long have we watched shows go off the air with the usual endings and usual storylines. This RAW saw something of a turn. However, there have been consequences. Brian Danielson AKA Daniel Bryan has been released from the WWE.
For a long period of time it was unsure whether this was a work or whether he had been actually released. Now it seems that it has been confirmed that Danielson was released from the WWE for his actions placed upon the announcer Justin Roberts. If you have not had chance to see what Danielson did to Mr. Roberts then let me explain.
Justin Roberts was graphically chocked by Danielson with his own tie. Now my first reaction when I saw this was of general shock as I didn’t think Danielson realised how hard he was choking Roberts. Roberts genuinely looked scared and was grasping for air when this was taking place, and for good reason. If Danielson had pulled any further I would have expected Roberts head to land on the third row.
It seems to have come to light through one report that WWE felt the need to release Danielson due to the relation that may be drawn to the tragedy of the Chris Benoit deaths. However, WWE may take it upon themselves to re-hire Danielson once his 90 day no compete clause expires. So I ask, why bother firing him?
WWE will say that they punished him fully to within their policies. But what does that say if they re-hire him? People could view this as taking back the person who has gone too far. If somebody wants to relate what he did to Chris Benoit then what is stopping them from doing that upon his return?
Also if this was related to the Chris Benoit tragedy then why did WWE repeat the whole segment on the following nights NXT and on Friday with Smackdown?
So I ask, why not just suspend him and WWE can make the statement that this was due to excessive force used upon a member of staff. This way they don’t have to wait for 90 days to expire, the suspension could be for 30 or 60 days, so they can use him again sooner on television. The man can still provide for his family if he isn’t suspended without pay or if they feel the need to suspend his pay at least he knows he still has a job to go back to at the end of all this.
Either way, when I watched what Danielson did, the last thing that entered my mind was the Chris Benoit tragedy. To be honest it was most probably the furthest thing from my mind.
Brian Danielson made a mistake. He was trying to make something look realistic and make an impact within a very hard industry, which I can appreciate. Brian Danielson showed really good promise in the WWE and has been involved in an original storyline with Michael Cole which I would have liked to have gone further in some fashion. With this massive heel turn for the rookies of NXT season 1 I was interested to see what direction they would take Danielson with this but I guess we may not find out now.
With that being said he did cross a line when he hurt someone who is not used to that environment. So should he really be released for this one mistake?
Email me at [email protected] with your opinions and I’ll try to get some feedback up within the next few days.
Martyn
