10 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jan 29)

3. The Planet's Champion

Daniel Bryan Rowan
WWE.com

The New Daniel Bryan is almost a guaranteed Up at this stage, and while this week's promo wasn't quite as glorious as some of his recent work, the WWE Champion still knocked it out of the park.

The most sanctimonious man in wrestling promised to change WWE's climate last night. He did so not only by preaching from his pedestal, calling himself 'The Planet's Champion' again, and claiming he fights for "the greatest good," but also by finally addressing the elephant in the room: his title belt.

A vegan eco-warrior can't be carrying a leather championship around with him, so Bryan pulled a Madusa. He drooped WWE's most storied belt in the trash, then pulled out one of his own creation. Made from hemp, wood, and pebbles, he called it the "new symbol of excellence," then chastised the "ignorant" fans who jeered him, seconds before the cameras cut to an "Evil Vegan" sign in the audience. Well played.

Bryan's latest diatribe was inevitably interrupted by AJ Styles, who, bizarrely, asked the Champion if he'd smoked the belt. Thus commenced the evening's last big development...

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.