5 possible storylines for Daniel Bryan heading into WrestleMania 36 

Former WWE Champion, Daniel Bryan, was a part of one of the most talked-about matches at WrestleMania 35 last year as he played a major role in the rise of Kofi Kingston. The evil combination of Bryan and Vince McMahon left no stone unturned in stopping the New Day member, however, Kingston captured the WWE Championship from Bryan at the Showcase of Immortals.

Eleven months have passed since that night and currently, both Superstars are out of contention to be in a World Title match at WrestleMania 36. WWE has declared two blockbuster bouts for its premier championships.

While Kingston is likely to be a part of the SmackDown Tag Team Championship match at the Show of Shows, it is unknown what role Daniel Bryan will play at this event. WWE has limited choices, but here are the 5 possible storylines for the Yes Man.

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#5 Join Braun Strowman's clan to level the odds

Daniel Bryan earlier helped Roman Reigns on SmackDown

Starting with the least popular alternative first, WWE could book Daniel Bryan to emerge as Braun Strowman’s new ally and balance the odds in the mid-card title rivalry on the Blue brand. The heel trio of Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Sami Zayn have tormented The Monster on SmackDown.

Elias has got the back of Strowman, however, the heels still outnumber the faces in this rivalry. With several last-minute changes happening to the WrestleMania card, the chances that WWE books Bryan in this direction are high.

Although there is no clarity whether he is a heel or a face, he had earlier offered his assistance to Roman Reigns when the Big Dog needed a partner for his tag team bout against The Miz and John Morrison.

Bryan’s inclusion can elevate this feud to the next level, and it could also produce some dream face-offs because all the heels in this rivalry are extremely talented.

#4 Elevates Mustafa Ali at WrestleMania

Daniel Bryan tried to elevate Mustafa Ali last year

Daniel Bryan has achieved the status of an all-time great with his achievements inside the squared circle. He has very little left to prove now, and thus, WWE could utilize him to build a star for the future. The company tried to use Bryan’s experience to create a star out of Mustafa Ali last year, however, a last-minute injury forced WWE to alter their plans.

Looking at how things stand, WWE could complete that storyline this year, albeit without the WWE Championship. Bryan is on a soul-searching tour of destruction on Friday nights, so he needs an opponent who can stand toe to toe with him. Thus far, Heath Slater and Curtis Axel have failed to keep the former WWE Champion down.

The creative team can book Bryan to win one more match this week and then on the SmackDown after Elimination Chamber, Ali could make his rumored return.

The former 205 Live star has what it takes to become a top star in WWE, but all he needs is the right amount of spotlight. If WWE goes ahead in this direction, Bryan and Ali can produce a masterpiece at the Showcase of Immortals, thereby establishing Ali as a top tier talent.

#3 Picks a fight with King Corbin

Daniel Bryan can be a fantastic WrestleMania opponent for King Corbin

The one Superstar who has excelled a lot on SmackDown after the show’s move to FOX is King Corbin. Not only has his gimmick attracted heel heat towards him, but he has earned the respect of the backstage staff. The fact that he won two matches against Roman Reigns and featured in a segment with The Rock on the Blue brand solidifies the aforementioned claim.

Corbin had an epic feud with Reigns, which finally culminated at WWE Super ShowDown. The King of SmackDown now needs a new opponent and glancing at the list of face Superstars available on the SmackDown roster, one can easily notice that Daniel Bryan is the biggest name present out there.

The former WWE Champion has troubled the lower mid-card Superstars of the Blue brand, so there is a chance that these stars may go to King Corbin and complain about Bryan’s behavior inside the ring. Another way WWE can ignite this rivalry is by having the Yes Man lay-out a challenge for the locker room, only for Corbin to attack him from behind.

Either way, a WrestleMania feud between King Corbin and Bryan can do wonders for the former’s career as Bryan can elevate him to the next level. After facing consecutive defeats against Roman Reigns, Corbin needs a win at WrestleMania, and a win over Bryan could give him gain a ton of momentum

#2 Challenges for the Intercontinental Championship

Will Daniel Bryan go after the prestigious Intercontinental Championship?

The Universal Championship rivalry between 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan was praised a lot by the critics and fans. Even the strap match at Royal Rumble received appreciation from all corners of the wrestling world, and this shows that Bryan is at his best whenever he is involved in a title feud. So, WWE could involve him in the Intercontinental Championship picture heading into WrestleMania 36.

The company raised a lot of eyebrows by announcing a 3-on-1 handicap match for the title at Elimination Chamber. Braun Strowman is scheduled to put his title on the line against the trio of Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn, and Cesaro at the same time. It is unknown how this match will end because a clean win for Strowman will result in the burial of the other three men, while The Monster recently won the title, hence he deserves a lengthier reign as Champion.

Irrespective of how this match ends, WWE can insert Bryan in the Intercontinental Championship feud for WrestleMania. If Strowman retains the title, then WWE can book a singles match between the two Superstars as they have the caliber of pulling off a classic at the Grandest Stage.

However, if the heels win the title, WWE can book a betrayal angle where the other two Superstars would turn their back on the winner. With Strowman and Elias already in the mix, WWE can add Bryan to this feud and bring back the multi-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship. This move can raise the prestige of the mid-card title.

#1 Feuds with Sheamus

Daniel Bryan is gaining more influence behind the scenes

The best way WWE can book Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 36 is by having him rekindle his rivalry with The Celtic Warrior, Sheamus. Both Superstars have clashed against each other twice at the Grandest Stage of Them All. Their first match did not produce a result, but at the next edition of WrestleMania, the Celtic Warrior defeated his enemy in just 18 seconds.

According to the rumor mill, Bryan has gained more influence behind the scenes and the reports indicate that he will cross paths with the Irish Superstar once again. It's not yet clear how WWE will start this 'Mania feud, but they could use their past WrestleMania clashes as a basis for it.

Interestingly, both Superstars underwent a makeover recently and they now have the same look they had in 2012. WWE loves to recreate history, so this could be a possibility for WrestleMania 36.

Sheamus had earlier mentioned in one of his promos that he will enter the Elimination Chamber, however, WWE has no Chamber match for the men’s singles division this year.

Both Bryan and Sheamus have crushed the lower mid-card Superstars on SmackDown, so one of the two Superstars may likely call out the other for a match. The WWE Universe should be excited for this match because both Superstars are immensely talented and have a lot of experience.