10 Fascinating WWE SummerSlam 2014 Facts
3. Daniel Bryan Was Supposed To Face Brock Lesnar
Daniel Bryan's dramatic World Championship win at WrestleMania 30 vindicated the fans who believed in him, and had vocally refused to let the New Orleans 'Mania pass without him getting his due. Sadly, a neck injury would sideline him come June, and he had to vacate the WWE Championship he'd worked so hard for. John Cena captured the abeyance'd belt in an eight-way ladder match at Money in the Bank.
Dave Meltzer confirmed that Bryan vs. Lesnar was the plan for SummerSlam 2014. It would have most likely followed the same formula as Cena's nightmarish trip through the suplex wringer, which is a bit sobering when you realize what bad shape Bryan was in by that time.
The long-term plan was to put the belt on Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 31 anyway (you know, before Fan Hijacking 2: The Hijackening). Bryan was merely the planned transfer guy to Lesnar, so that Roman could theoretically conquer The Conqueror.