10 Biggest WWE Creative Mistakes Of 2018

3. Daniel Bryan Vs. Big Cass

Sasha Banks Bayley
WWE.com

Deeply, deeply underwhelming in itself, the Daniel Bryan Vs. Big Cass feud also underscored a major, fundamental issue with WWE: nobody really wins.

They just can't promote anybody as a megastar. For reasons that are unfathomable, virtually every WWE performer is presented on more or less the same level. Daniel Bryan, both genuine megastar and one of if not the best wrestler in a generation, made his improbable, magical return from injury this year. Big Cass, a profoundly limited and eternally green act who happened to be tall, received clearance that same day. This connection was...cute. Nothing more.

It nonetheless formed the genesis of a programme that normalised Bryan by its conclusion. Taking the broadest possible approach to the Bryan character, this underdog story, which followed two once-in-a-lifetime underdog stories, minimised Bryan's brilliance. It did not a f*cking thing for him; Cass, who somehow conspired to not be intimidating, couldn't even generate anxiety on Bryan's behalf. The fiasco was well below Bryan, and his standing plummeted. Fatalistic, is the word.

The matches had to be competitive, due to the size difference - but they tarnished Bryan's brand badly, and in part necessitated the most insane development in a thoroughly batsh*t year.

As for the other part...

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!