5. Daniel Bryan
No one expected Daniel Bryan to be where he is today. CM Punks cinderella-esque rise to glory last year was surprising, but Bryans meteoric ascension into the main event was (and still is) downright astounding. From the slow-burn heel turn, to his breakout performances against the likes of CM Punk and Sheamus, Daniel Bryan has proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he can play in the big leagues. I couldnt help but fear it was only a matter of time, though, before Bryans dreamlike position ran out, and he was shuffled around back down the ladder. Cue the recent suspensions of Chris Jericho and Randy Orton, and suddenly, Bryans future isnt looking so glib. Daniel Bryan, much like Sheamus, is quickly establishing himself as a concrete main eventer, and with two of WWEs biggest superstars sidelined, hes got significantly more time to prove himself than the average competitor in his position would. Bryan is a special athlete in a special time of professional wrestling, and it appears as though all his stars are aligning.
How to do it: Bryan simply needs to maintain credibility and continue to develop his wildly entertaining character. The YES! chants speak volumes - the fans love to hate (or just love) Daniel Bryan. A sizzling summer rivalry with CM Punk and continued excellence in the ring should keep Bryan on the tip of wrestling fans tongues for many months to come. Generally speaking, no one wants to see a performer lose his job, get injured, or in this case, suspended, but the interesting opportunities such circumstances create are undoubtedly intriguing. Agree with my picks? Disagree? Feel free to chime in with your own suggestions.