INSANE Wrestling Fan Backlashes You Didn't See Coming

3. Rey Mysterio Isn't Daniel Bryan

MJF goofy
WWE

Again, this was a nothing personal situation.

WWE's Daniel Bryan was undeniable to all in 2014, except WWE, who denied him while at the same time espousing their company motto of putting smiles on people's faces. An unbelievably great, fiery babyface who was a genius at rallying crowds, the humble, funny killer seamlessly blended those attributes to become the most over act in the company. He was the best wrestler and sports entertainer alive.

He wasn't tall and had a scraggly beard, and while this bonded him with fans, screw the fans. You will have a tall tanned dude with muscles because it's still the '80s in Vince McMahon's mind. It's actually the 1920s, looking at that abomination of a face.

WWE could have brought out Stone Cold Steve Austin and faced a 50/50 shot of him getting booed. That impossible dream scenario was the only vague shot of getting away with not putting Bryan in the match; absolutely nobody else would have generated a non-toxic reaction, even Rey Mysterio, who was jeered mercilessly. He was stale and in a state of physical decline in 2014, but he didn't deserve that.

A more elegant solution was booking Daniel Bryan to enter and win the Royal Rumble match.

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!