7. Street Fight: Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton - Monday Night Raw (June 24, 2013)
The summer of 2013 was the genesis of the Bryan push. It was during that period that Bryan's popularity was far too intense to ignore any longer, and plans were put into place for a substantial push, if for no other reason than to shut the fans up. Or something like that. One of the most important matches that season was a Street Fight that took place between the bearded Superstar and former world champion Randy Orton. The two had been intertwined in a story also involving Kane and The Shield, but Bryan's determination to prove that he belonged, that he was a legitimate main event talent, fueled him to face Orton in the dangerous match type. For all of the times that Bryan would battle Orton in the months that followed, it was their June 24 Street Fight that stands out as their finest in-ring accomplishment. Unloading on each other with a kendo stick, they were ruthless and relentless in their systematic demolition of one another. Late in the match, a surging Bryan used the stick to trap Orton in the YES! Lock, his head and neck wrenched and shoulder nearly popping out of its place as Bryan pulled harder and harder. The Viper, an established main event star with countless world championships to his name, had no choice but to tap out and in the process, lend credibility to Bryan as he chased his first WWE title. While many will look at the Cena match from SummerSlam (more on that one in a bit) or the feud with The Authority from the fall as being the moment that Bryan was firmly entrenched in the upper portion of the card, it was Orton's selflessness in putting Bryan over as strong as he did that really gave the leader of the Yes Movement the push he needed go forward and achieve greatness.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
