Opinion

Is Daniel Bryan The Ultimate Thorn In Roman Reigns’ Side

Roman Reigns is the most over WWE Superstar, but Daniel Bryan is by far the most popular. Is Bryan’s popularity a thorn in the side of Reigns?

Published

7 years ago

June 9, 2018

Korey Gunz

January 2014. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Royal Rumble. Daniel Bryan loses to Bray Wyatt in a singles match and does not participate in the Rumble match itself. The live crowd in Pittsburgh continually chants for Bryan throughout the night during the Rumble and the WWE World Heavyweight title match main event, and effectively begins the “Yes Movement” that would culminate in Bryan winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in epic fashion at WrestleMania XXX.

Fast forward one year. Royal Rumble 2015. Philadelphia. Ironically the same state, different city. After returning from injury less than a month prior, Daniel Bryan enters the Rumble at number ten but is eliminated ten and a half minutes later by old nemesis Bray Wyatt (again, ironic). The crowd again revolts, chanting the Yes Man’s name throughout the rest of the match and booing other wrestlers as they enter, even beloved babyface Rey Mysterio. The crowd resents and rejects everyone not named “Daniel Bryan,” including the eventual winner- Roman Reigns.

Now here we are in 2018. WrestleMania has come and gone, and SummerSlam is still on the horizon. And, ironically again, Daniel Bryan has recently returned from injury-related retirement, reassuming his place as one of the top babyfaces in the company and the recipient of almost universal support and adulation. Meanwhile, Roman Reigns is still trying to fully emerge from the stink that Bryan unintentionally enabled to first start to settle in on him, way back at the 2015 Rumble.

In some ways, above all else, Daniel Bryan is and has been the biggest obstacle for Roman Reigns to overcome in his apparent predestined path to becoming THE face of the company. We hear all the time how important timing is in the wrestling business. Some wrestlers are believed to have both underachieved and overachieved due to the fact that they arrived too early or too late onto the scene in their careers, or couldn’t break through to the “next level” because it wasn’t necessary for the times (think Hulk Hogan circa the late 80’s). Despite all of the barbs that Reigns’ detractors might throw at him-some valid, some not, some not in his control- his biggest sin might simply be that he is being pushed as the “Big Dog” in an era when more fans prefer the underdog. And how’s this for timing? Had Daniel Bryan NOT been injured and forced to retire for a long period of time before ultimately returning, who’s to say that fans might not have turned on him and his “scruffy guy beats the odds” schtick by now in the same way they have turned on Reigns? The long sabbatical may have been the best thing to happen to Bryan for the sake of his longevity, and the worst thing to happen for Reigns’ and his eventual ascent as the undisputed “Man” in the WWE.

However, when comparing Reigns to Bryan, the same thing that was working against Roman in 2014-2015 might be working for him in some ways in 2018. The “Yes Movement,” in my opinion, more so than anything, represented the first time in any recent memory that the WWE listened to the fans and allowed an organic uprising of support for a superstar drastically shift their pre-planned course of direction. The planned main event for WrestleMania XXX was set to be Randy Orton vs Batista. Daniel Bryan was scheduled to face Sheamus. This has been confirmed by Bryan himself, as well as others. However, due to the overwhelming response and support he was getting, and lack thereof for Batista, Vince and the creative team relented and struck while the iron was hot with Bryan, shooting him into a featured match with Triple H that would then lead to him being added into the main event and winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in one of the best “WrestleMania Moments” ever.

Then, Daniel got injured.

He made only one pay-per-view title defense, in May at Extreme Rules, and by June he had relinquished the title and was put on the shelf until January at the aforementioned 2015 Royal Rumble. Vince had gambled. He had deviated from his course. He had allowed the fans to dictate to him and his company instead of the other way around. And it blew up in his face. Months of planning and writing was thrown out the window to accommodate Plan B- making Bryan the new champion- and then just two months later, it was time for a Plan C.

“Never again.”

Change can be hard. And the last time Vince embraced change, it didn’t work out like they planned. Better to “keep it simple, stupid.” Roman’s push is solidified because it’s safe.

So, all signs seem to point to the fact that, despite fan backlash, Reigns is still the “Chosen One” and will continue to be pushed as the top babyface in the company. Vince doesn’t want or need another “Yes Movement.” Roman will continue to be on top of the card and shoved down our throats, which isn’t going to hurt his paycheck, but might it have lasting effects on his success in the future? Many fans have already thrown up the spoonfuls of Roman fed to them over the last few years, and there have been instances where some might even question the WWE’s true faith in him as the top draw (see this year’s WrestleMania for example).

Roman Reigns Says Only Daniel Bryan Can Turn Him Heel #RAW https://t.co/BGPHVetbji pic.twitter.com/KzSdZypZKP

— WWE on PopCulture (@WWEonPopCulture) May 15, 2018

Would Roman be better served if Vince were to give the people what they want, just as he did in 2014, and turn him heel? Some may argue it would be the best thing for Roman’s career right now. But thanks to Daniel Bryan’s past, that isn’t going to happen. Vince won’t be sucked in by the hype again. He isn’t going to let “internet fans” dictate his creative direction. He isn’t going to pivot by turning Roman heel, which would probably thus make RAW’s assumed new top babyface Seth Rollins, who’s had his own injury history. He is going to stay the course, push Roman as the top dog, and count his billions of TV deal dollars.

Roman Reigns is boxed in and he is what he is. And he’s going to continue to be what he is- “the guy.” It’s the safe bet, though maybe not the one with the biggest potential gain. But Vince’s doesn’t need to gamble. And perhaps, for the second time in three years, Daniel Bryan may directly or indirectly be the biggest factor in putting a stranglehold on Roman’s potential growth.

@KoreyGunz
@KYWrestleReport

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

1 week ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1