10 Biggest WWE Creative Success Stories Of 2018

2. Daniel Bryan's Heel Turn

Daniel Bryan
WWE.com

The principle behind this still reeks. It reeks; with so few organic babyfaces on the roster, merged with WWE's total inability to manufacture one, the idea of Daniel Bryan playing heel paints a deeply troubling picture.

But Daniel Bryan is an outstanding heel. The stench dissipates with every appearance.

The best wrestlers take our fantasy booking ideas, and they tap them the f*ck out. At the sight of Daniel Bryan kicking AJ Styles in the balls, many presaged a return to the brutal-looking, shaven-headed American Dragon of old. Instead, Bryan leant further into his shabby aesthetic, taking it beyond the everyman and into the realm of the unhinged. This new Daniel Bryan, consumed only by conspiracy and hatred, seems to exist in a metaphysical hyperbaric oxygen chamber. It is an ingenious twist on the mandatory "each and every one of you" motive.

Though we've not seen much of this new heel persona in the ring, the glimpses so far have approached this legendary performer's best work. His Survivor Series performance made the lofty tweener ideal an incredible reality, and, when he does turn babyface once more, we surely can't see a return to the underdog of old.

This stuff is far too advanced to go that far back.

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!