The Occupy Raw movement eclipsed just about everything else that happened during the week. Sure, Heyman and the Undertaker had a quick back and forth, but the real question there is how the WWE is going to make that match interesting since its a foregone conclusion that Taker wins. The question of Daniel Bryans involvement in Wrestlemania was still very much up in the air heading into Raw. And then, the moment happened. Bryan, with the help of several dozen Yes Movement supporters, occupied the ring at Raw and refused to leave until Triple H granted him a match at Wrestlemania. This really was both an unprecedented event, and a very cool nod from the WWE to the Internet wrestling communitywhich had been advocating for crowds to occupy or hijack Raw for months now in response to the mishandling of Bryans career (among other things). In the end, not only did Bryan get his match with Triple H (after an absolutely classic meltdown by Hunter), but he added an important stipulation: Should he win, he would be added to the main event later in the night, facing off with Batista and Randy Orton for the title. In retrospect, no one should be surprised that this happened. Being surprised at how it happened is a different matter entirely. The main event prior to Raw was a disaster waiting to happen. Batista has not been received well since returning, and Orton is a heel that draws far less interest than most main-event heels should. To put them in a match by themselves made no sense, and the WWE realized this sometime following the Royal Rumble. However, in a way, this is still a gamble on the WWEs part. Because of the stipulation in the Triple H match, Bryans inclusion in the title picture is not guaranteed (but you can rest assured, it will happen). Smarter wrestling fans realize Bryan will make it somehow to the main event, but will everyone else? Could this affect buyrates? This is the first time in history that the WWE will move forward with a main event at Wrestlemania that is not finalized, and still fluidic. Its a calculated gamble, and we wont know the payoff until after Wrestlemaniaif ever. The metrics behind how this evolving storyline drives buyrates is probably unquantifiable. Simply put, the WWE is doing something unprecedented in the hopes that most fans realize Bryan will indeed be in the main event. The tease and allure of something special happening at Wrestlemania is now on display. Daniel Bryan has been held down for a very long time, and its something unique that even on the biggest stage, hes still held back. As far as the storyline goes, anyway. Is the table set for a perfect moment? Well have to wait and see. Until next week, wrestling fans
