Who REALLY Carried WWE Every Year (1985-2026)
13. 2014 (Daniel Bryan)
Doubling down on the doubts, WWE did everything in their power to downplay Bryan in 2014. Unfortunately for them, fans rejected Batista's comeback and Royal Rumble win, because they badly wanted Daniel in the main event scene. In the interim, Bryan continued working like only he could - he put Bray Wyatt over on the undercard at the Rumble, then lined up a bout vs. Triple H at WrestleMania XXX. Win that, and he'd turn Orton vs. Batista into a Triple Threat.
He did beat 'The Game', and 'Mania XXX turned out to be the best night any old school Bryan Danielson fan could've imagined. Being totally honest and without trying to re-write history, Daniel didn't wrestle again all year after besting Del Rio on the 5 May Raw. However, yours truly will give 2014's award to him anyway because nothing else that happened in 2014 could eclipse his 'Mania magic.
No, not even Seth Rollins splitting The Shield.
That wasn't the kind of moment that "carried" WWE's product. It was important, obviously, but Rollins, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose were aspiring headliners that summer. They weren't quite on par with the likes of Bryan, Cena, Orton, Batista and Triple H just yet.
It says everything about the power of 'BryanMania' (ahem) that Daniel takes home this spot even though he didn't wrestle past May in 2014. The first half of his year was a sparkling tribute to fan power. Sometimes, those wrestling fans know a main eventer when they see one. Corporate ignorance, be damned.