How The New Daniel Bryan Is Elevating EVERYTHING In WWE

by Michael Sidgwick
Daniel Bryan Smackdown
WWE.com

And if you’re reading this, but don’t give one sh*t about your carbon footprint, or you think global warming is some sort of liberal-created hoax, who better to hate than this deluded hippy? Whether you agree with or don’t buy into the message at all, Bryan is the perfect heel to unite a detached, smartened up fanbase. In the age of the cool heel, there is nothing cool whatsoever about an eco-terrorist crusty.

Those cries of “Fickle! Fickle! Fickle!”, roared to remind us all of our empty, consumer-driven impulses, might one day see Bryan internalise his inability to reconnect with his people, and lash out at our new chosen saviour. There’s fertile narrative ground in such a development…

…and that’s about the only flaw in this genius creation: beyond AJ Styles, nobody is on Bryan’s level as a performer, or has been pushed to that level. What looms for Daniel Bryan in New Jersey feels like a puzzle, one the process of deduction cannot solve. To craft a programme and match befitting of Bryan’s genius, WWE, or an enterprising performer, must heed the message Bryan delivered in cutting the best promo of 2018: some deep, deep thinking is required.

The New Daniel Bryan isn’t going to save the wildlife on this planet, nor the planet itself—but Bryan is so good that the only thing he casually disposes of is WWE’s broken in-ring and narrative playbook.

Advertisement

Watch Next


In this post: 
Daniel Bryan
 
Posted On: 
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!