'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Who will carry the torch now?The wrestling world is still in shock over the announcement that WWE’s Daniel Bryan retired from the business Monday night on Raw. Word came down from WWE’s website early in the afternoon and spread like a wildfire in a dry California forest. “The Little Engine That Could” of professional wrestling had been halted by injuries, not by will or determination.What does WWE do now? The company that had portrayed itself to be so anti-Bryan in promos and programs and storylines now is faced with the fact he is not coming back, that the “Yes!” movement will take a detour and another marketing concept will take a hit. More importantly, fans won’t have the opportunity to see the “American Dragon” in a ring doing what he loves more than almost anything on this planet.Although it is “sudden” with this kind of news, I cannot say I am shocked as much as I thought I would be. I am more saddened than anything else. Bryan is every man. He is the against-all-odds winner, the man who makes it happen, the guy who portrays “Rudy” on screen and has us hoping for one more great match.Now, we have to channel or feelings and emotions in the direction of another – someone else who must carry the torch. WWE must find its inner Miyagi somewhere in the bottom of a desk drawer or on the bleak company roster. There has to be a passing of the torch, a moment where one wrestler stops and another starts. It was supposed to be that way from The Rock to John Cena, Ric Flair to Sting and to some extent, John Cena to Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan.There has to be a connection with the fans, one that fills a void. WWE still has been searching for that since Edge retired due to injury and is still waiting for someone to take the reins and run with it.With that said, there has to be a “new” movement within the company and only a few can lead the charge. These wrestlers could be ones counted on to take Bryan’s spot on WWE’s main event stage.
#5 Sami Zayn
WWE fans erupted in Orlando when Zayn came out from the back at the Royal Rumble and true to form, he battled with Kevin Owens.
Could that be part of another huge program in WWE? We all hope so. The Canadian star would be ideal in the Bryan role and could challenge for one of the mid-card belts. Zayn would be a definite plus to the current state of the WWE roster.
#4 Seth Rollins
This is the other obvious choice, but as we all know Rollins is still on the mend from knee surgery. Rollins was the best WWE had to offer before he tore his knee up overseas. While it was expected that he would drop the WWE World Title to Roman Reigns at the end of 2015, it did not mean he would be pushed out of the main event plan.
Rollins could become the Bryan character in terms of fan support with a face turn. He has hinted at it during his recovery. WWE needs him to come back and light up audiences like he did before.
#3 Finn Balor
Look for Balor to be called up to the main roster shortly. Balor is immensely popular and could be another NXT star who comes in – much like Kevin Owens – and makes an immediate impact on the main roster.
Balor’s international appeal, much like Styles, has fans salivating over his potential in the ring. I would love to see Balor and Styles in a series of matches. If that happen still remains to be seen.
#2 Dean Ambrose
Ambrose brought an attitude back to WWE on Monday night. Chasing down Brock Lesnar is not the most advantageous move on his part, but the Lunatic Fringe is making fans forget about Roman Reigns and focus on the Intercontinental Champion. His brilliance in the ring and now on the mic is just what the company needs.
He is a ‘tweener of Steve Austin and CM Punk and a character fans can get behind. After Fastlane, I fully expect an Ambrose-Lesnar feud. The only issue with that is what happens to Lesnar and a potential feud with Bray Wyatt and who winds up on Ambrose’s dance card.
#1 AJ Styles
Styles is the most obvious choice to fill this role. While the rumors persisted about Bryan’s future, Styles was signed and moved immediately to the main roster. It was almost seen as a precautionary move, although WWE fans welcome the international star with open arms.
Styles break-neck style should be the perfect solution to the void Bryan’s retirement leaves. Whether WWE plans to put the former TNA champion on the fast track to a title run is up in the air. Right now, beside Dean Ambrose, he is the company’s greatest hope for a babyface to get over with the fans.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
