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On this week's episode of SmackDown, Roman Reigns retained the Universal Championship over Daniel Bryan clean as a whistle. It was a fantastic match that showcased the incredible chemistry between both men. However, as a result, Bryan has now been banished from SmackDown.
This does not mean that he is gone from WWE. At least not yet. So while his days on the Blue brand are over, The Leader of the Yes Movement could still move elsewhere under the WWE umbrella.
Daniel Bryan would be a priceless asset on any brand he joins, with a multitude of exciting stories he can tell. He could go after titles, form new alliances, and engage in some mouth-watering dream matches.
Bryan's next move in WWE is uncertain but whatever it is, he will knock it out of the park. Because that's what he always does. Anyway, here are five angles Daniel Bryan could have in WWE after leaving SmackDown.
What do you want to see Bryan do next in WWE? Sound off in the comments below.
#5 Daniel Bryan and a partner challenge AJ Styles and Omos for the RAW Tag Team Championship
WWE RAW is the one weekly show that needs the most improvement. It could do with an infusion of talent and creativity through Daniel Bryan. The five-time WWE world champion could work his magic on the Red brand, with multiple spots on the card in dire need of it.
The biggest one may be RAW's tag team division. Champions AJ Styles and Omos have a ton of potential but have very little to work with. This was evidenced by their absence from the program following their victory over The New Day at WrestleMania.
Styles and Omos need challengers beyond The New Day and The Viking Raiders, especially if Riddle's tag team with Randy Orton doesn't work out. Daniel Bryan could fill that spot, alongside an up-and-comer who could be elevated alongside him.
He can reunite with Drew Gulak, saving him from the doldrums of the 24/7 Title picture. Other possible tag team partners for Bryan include Ricochet and Mustafa Ali, both of whom are too talented to be left off a three-hour program that needs fresh stars.
Whoever he teams up with, Daniel Bryan could have a great feud with AJ Styles and Omos. It would do wonders for the RAW Tag Team Championship. Bryan's in-ring chemistry with The Phenomenal One is second to none, while him using his technical expertise to try and chop down the over seven-foot giant would be a sight to see.
#4 Daniel Bryan forms a full-blown stable of underutilized stars on RAW
We mentioned Drew Gulak, Mustafa Ali, and Ricochet as potential tag team partners for Daniel Bryan on WWE RAW. But what if all of them become associated with The Leader of the Yes Movement?
Bryan has elevated a slew of former 205 Live stars, even if WWE failed to capitalize on their talents. Seeing him lead a stable of great in-ring workers who are underutilized could be special, considering his track record of putting them over. It's an easy story to tell, and a great way to freshen up RAW.
Daniel Bryan can cut a promo, stating that he is sick of seeing such world-class superstars be "stuck in catering" while people are slipping on wet floors and throwing tomatoes into the ring. He doesn't even need to turn heel for this. A babyface group featuring Bryan, Ali, and Ricochet sounds fantastic.
Each superstar would all have their own distinct personalities within the stable, with a common goal. Get noticed and earn opportunities. It makes sense for Daniel Bryan to lead them all as he has been an active proponent for some of them in the past.
The ultimate aim would be to transition the likes of Ricochet and Mustafa Ali, among others, into important stars on WWE's flagship show. Bryan is the perfect man to make that happen. He can also rub his star power off onto them through extended association.
#3 The Miz becomes serious again and rekindles his rivalry with Daniel Bryan
This is not the biggest possibility for Daniel Bryan, considering where The Miz is currently positioned on the card. He and John Morrison are essentially a comedy heel tag team that is low on the card. They, along with Elias and Jaxson Ryker, were pelted with tomatoes by The New Day and Damian Priest on WWE RAW.
The Miz is unlikely to have a different role on the Red brand, considering how reliable he is at the moment. That being said, it would be a welcome prospect. This wouldn't be like his eight-day WWE Championship reign. The A-Lister would need to fully become serious again.
Bryan brings out the best in The Miz, in terms of in-ring and character work. Their non-in-ring feud in 2016 elevated the Intercontinental Championship, while the two of them blew off their years of bad blood in a great match at SummerSlam 2018. But it doesn't feel like it is over.
Seeing the two arch-rivals restart their feud would instantly make RAW a much more watchable program. Daniel Bryan would need to overcome The Miz, as well as John Morrison. This makes for a compelling scenario and would add a new wrinkle to their eternal rivalry.
#2 Daniel Bryan wins the mid-card title on either RAW or NXT
One of Daniel Bryan's biggest regrets in WWE may be his lack of a lengthy run as Intercontinental Champion. He has constantly stated his intention of raising the prestige of the belt and defending it regularly.
While he cannot do that anymore, the WrestleMania main-eventer could implement his motivations with one of WWE's other mid-card belts. Bryan could go to WWE RAW and win the United States Championship from Sheamus, the man who ended his only reign with the title in March 2011.
The Celtic Warrior is in the in-ring form of his life, which would further improve on his excellent chemistry with Daniel Bryan. The two of them always have great matches, as long as they last longer than 18 seconds.
While Bryan may go to the Red brand following his banishment from SmackDown, NXT is also a likely destination.
Daniel Bryan could win the NXT North American Championship and defend it weekly against the array of talents on the Black and Gold brand. A potential feud between him and current Champion Johnny Gargano would be exemplary.
While Gargano has paralleled Bryan's rise in the past, the potential character work between him and the WWE legend makes it even more exciting. Both superstars have proved their worth in the entertaining side, along with their evident in-ring excellence. Daniel Bryan's interactions with The Way could be comedy gold.
#1 Daniel Bryan has an extended run on NXT; His biggest feud comes against Finn Balor
Following up on the idea of Daniel Bryan facing Johnny Gargano for the North American Championship, the five-time WWE world champion can spend his final months as a full-time wrestler on NXT. The Black and Gold brand could do with his star power, which would attract more viewers.
Also, Bryan has unfinished business there, following his experience as a part of the first season of the game show version of NXT in 2010. His technical in-ring style would mesh well with the largely sports-based product too. Bryan has so many potential dream matches awaiting him on Triple H's "kingdom of kickouts."
The Leader of the Yes Movement can elevate NXT stars like Pete Dunne, Cameron Grimes, and Santos Escobar, to name a few. A match with NXT UK Champion WALTER is exciting as well.
However, the biggest match Daniel Bryan could have on the brand is against fellow former world champion, Finn Balor. The two have never interacted on-screen in WWE, let alone have a match. It does seem, though, that they would be able to put on a classic.
The Irishman remains one of the biggest stars Bryan is yet to face in WWE, which instantly makes a match between the two a must-watch affair. It is a 'Big Four' pay-per-view level bout that could grace a future NXT TakeOver. Imagine if it happened at the first one to happen in front of a full crowd. It would be electric.
Daniel Bryan's options within WWE are currently wide open, but none seem as exciting as an extended run on NXT. He would feel right at home at the Capitol Wrestling Center. It would turn a solid and consistent program into the hottest show in wrestling.
Would you like to see Daniel Bryan move to NXT? Sound off in the comments section below.
