Vince McMahon Wanted Ex-WWE Star To Be "Taller Daniel Bryan"
WWE boss Vince McMahon wanted 'little and large' versions of Bryan Danielson.
Ex-WWE worker Erick Redbeard, who once wrestled for the promotion as Erick Rowan, has told the 'Wrestle Buddy' podcast that he once "had to talk Vince McMahon out of" shaving his beard off.
McMahon wanted the then-Rowan to reach for the clippers before appearing in Daniel Bryan's corner at the 2019 Royal Rumble. Vince's plan included Erick shaving down his facial fluff so that it matched Bryan's - then, he reasoned, Rowan would "look like a taller" version of the reigning WWE Champion.
Redbeard shot that down quickly.
He told Vince that both men had "to be different" or their on-screen union wouldn't work. The wrestler also didn't understand why being a bigger version of the WWE Champ would be seen as a good thing. Surely that'd draw attention away from Bryan and be counterproductive?
McMahon was disappointed when Rowan said no, but the boss didn't push too hard. It wouldn't have worked anyway, because Erick said that he "had no problems going to Vince and saying no for certain things" at that point in his WWE career.
The beard trimmer didn't come out backstage at the Rumble.