Note: Noticeably absent from this list are Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who I’ve purposely neglected due to the current WrestleMania match already fulfilling that goal. We’re going to get that, and we’ll be talking about it for the next few weeks, so let’s focus on what happens beyond that point.
1.) AJ Styles
This list isn’t in any particular order, but if one person did stand out above the rest, it would definitely be The Phenomenal One.
AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan is a match that needs zero build or storyline and people would still go crazy over it just by seeing those two names paired up on the promotional material.
In fact, if Bryan had been cleared in January, I would have suggested going with him as the Royal Rumble winner and pushing Shinsuke Nakamura aside, as I don’t think there’s any room for argument against saying Styles vs. Bryan is by far the bigger match.
There is a deep respect for each other and their in-ring styles would mesh well, on top of giving the fans a match where they wouldn’t know who to necessarily cheer for, as both are so beloved.
Here’s hoping this is one of the headlining matches at next year’s WrestleMania 35.
2.) The Miz
The writing is on the wall with this one, and it should be fairly obvious why this is an absolute must—not just a hope, a necessity.
These two have had their careers linked together ever since they were partnered up in NXT with The Miz being Bryan’s “pro” superior, which has worked perfectly over the years as a great antagonizing factor as it is insulting in just the most perfect way.
One of the greatest things The Miz has ever done for his career was lashing out during Talking Smack about the state of the Intercontinental Championship and his frustration about being a safe worker who is criticized by people like Bryan who wrestled a harder style and suffered the career-threatening injuries that come with it.
Stealing the Yes Kicks just rubbed more salt into the wound and now that Bryan can step back into the ring, WWE Creative and the WWE Universe alike should be salivating at watching these two go at it.
While many of the names on this list are there purely for the technical side of things, this would be the most worthwhile story of them all, by far.
This should be one of two perplexing choices on this list, but before you write it off as lunacy, hear me out.
If you haven’t been watching Patrick Clark’s career from Tough Enough through his current status in NXT, you’re missing out on the development of a bona fide future star.
This kid is as talented as they come and seems to have a great head on his shoulders not just in terms of respect for the industry, but how it operates.
He’s clearly a hard worker and he’s managed to prove that not just by his in-ring abilities, which put him as one of the best wrestlers on the NXT roster today, but also his increasingly better character work.
That was the one thing holding him back at first and he’s managed to flip the script and become an over-the-top and supremely entertaining Superstar to watch.
As far as having Daniel Bryan work with the future of the company to help mold them into even better wrestlers, The Velveteen Dream is perhaps the best possible choice to take on that apprenticeship.
By that, I don’t mean that they would become a tag team or anything of the sort, but that TVD could learn a lot just by stepping in the ring once with Bryan, let alone a few times.
They have at least some history together through Tough Enough, although acknowledging that wouldn’t be necessary for this to still be something to look forward to, and if you’re not familiar enough with what TVD is doing in NXT, start watching.
NEXT PAGE: 7 Must-See Feuds for Daniel Bryan Following his Return to In-Ring Action
