I write a wrestling column every Monday and Friday for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. It can be found online at TribLIVE.com.
Today, I wrote about how WWE is backed into a corner. I've spoken to people in WWE and they've informed me of the two scenarios they have to choose from concerning Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 30. I break down each of those options.
The following is an excerpt:
The Daniel Bryan fan base and the CM Punk loyalists have forced WWE into a corner.
The original plan was for CM Punk to face Triple H at WrestleMania. It apparently wasn't good enough for the straight edge star who had been down that road before. To me, it's a guarantee WrestleMania match that won't get cut due to time or politics.
As it stands, Bryan is on a collision course with Triple H. I like this.
These two have had a feud brewing whether they planned for it or not. Triple H cost Bryan walking out of SummerSlam in August with the world title. Triple H has been designated the villain via the online wrestling community which populates Bryan's initial fan base. The two have created a classic wrestling battle where they've barely touched each other while obviously being at odds.
WWE is trapped with the predicament of Triple H and Bryan needing to resolve their issues. At the same time, WWE doesn't have a babyface for its inaugural WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 30.
Vince McMahon has held true to something: that at WrestleMania, the fans go home happy. This means no forced heel agenda.
The Miz left WrestleMania 27 as the champ, but The Rock and John Cena left a story to be completed which was addressed the next night and culminated in a match made for the following year.
WrestleMania 17 saw Steve Austin turn heel, but even then, it was the biggest babyface ever winning the title, aligning with McMahon and a supporting population remained for him.
WrestleMania 30 is not going to be without a babyface in the world title match. WrestleMania 30 also will not feature a “leave them hanging” type of promotion if Bryan wins a match. This means no goofy stipulation such as if he wins he gets a title shot later in the night.
WWE is all about what it can promote. It wants to advertise, print on shirts, print on programs, hold press conferences. Randy Orton defending against Batista is not it. Even the WWE brass knows it.
Click here to read the two options WWE has.
