The last three weeks of WWE programming has created a lot of debate on if the booking of Daniel Bryan is being done correctly.
In Monday's column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Reivew, I take a look at how Bryan is today's version of Stone Cold Steve Austin but must be booked differently.
The parallels between Austin and Bryan both are something fresh compared to what WWE had been pushing. However, the characters are very different, which is why the booking of Bryan can't be held to the standard of Austin's.
Austin 3:16: The rebel. The common working man. The drinker and foul mouth. The guy who wanted to punch his boss in the face.
YES 3:16: The underdog. The guy who doesn't look like a typical WWE poster boy. The guy who doesn't look dangerous. The guy who doesn't drink or eat meat. The guy who doesn't own a television. The guy who can tap someone out in over 100 different ways.
It's because of this that repetition is key and is why Bryan keeps getting beat down. The bullies continue to take his lunch money week after week. Eventually Bryan gets his revenge on the bullies, but WWE is going to make you pay to see that.