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The WWE Championship match had the unfortunate task of following the Women's Royal Rumble. A Rumble match where the fans finally got what they want! The match was a technical masterclass as many fans had expected. It may have been a little slow for everyone's liking.
And then, the unthinkable happened. Erick Rowan, who has been out for months now, stepped out to assist Daniel Bryan in picking up a big win. He did so with a thunderous chokeslam.
It's time for all the conspiracy theorists to emerge from the woodwork. Let me throw my name into the hat and list out 5 reasons why Rowan may have attacked the Phenomenal One.
As always, 5 is the magic number once again.
#5 To remove AJ Styles from the championship picture
It is clear that AJ Styles vs. Erick Rowan will be the program going forward. The fact of the matter is that AJ Styles has been in the title picture for far too long. A lot of WWE Universe members may have gotten sick of him.
A feud with Styles will be a very good tool to elevate Rowan as well. Rowan has always been in the shadows of the charismatic Bray Wyatt, the monstrous Braun Strowman, and the skilled Luke Harper. This is his chance to work with possibly the greatest in-ring performer of our time and branch out into something else.
But most importantly, it gives AJ Styles something to do over the next few months. Daniel Bryan could move on to new challengers like Mustafa Ali or Rey Mysterio in the coming months. It's a win-win situation for all parties involved, except maybe AJ Styles.
#4 To bring back the Wyatt family, one member at a time
We know that Bray Wyatt is healthy because he has been competing in WWE Live Events like Starrcade. Not long ago, we learned that Luke Harper too had been cleared to compete. Rowan's return could be the first step to a Wyatt family reunion.
Bear in mind that Daniel Bryan too was part of the Wyatt Family for a brief period of time. Maybe the idea is to integrate him into the family once again. By doing so, he has backup as a heel Champion.
Not long ago, we learned that there could potentially be a Latino stable in WWE with Rey Mysterio. If Mysterio is to be Daniel Bryan's next challenger, then the sides line up great with each other.
Let me know your thoughts on this theory.
#3 Rowan shakes off his previous allegiances
To some, he will always be Erick Rowan from the Wyatt Family. To others, he will be the dude with the mallet from the Bludgeon Brothers, forever. Maybe the idea is to repackage Rowan into a new character now. One who could serve as muscle for Daniel Bryan.
I personally like this idea, because Bryan joining the Wyatt family makes no sense now. He has a good thing going with his preachy, annoying character and for him to join the Wyatts would be very odd indeed.
It also allows Rowan to play a character that he has never played through his WWE career. A big tough dude not steeped in fantasy and the supernatural.
Maybe Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan could become a unit that even challenges for the Tag Team titles down the line someday.
#2 To provide a peg for SmackDown Live
So many talking points emerged from WWE RAW at the Royal Rumble. WWE could choose to follow up with whom Seth Rollins faces at WrestleMania 35. They could choose to follow up with Nia Jax entering the men's Royal Rumble match and having a great showing too.
But on the SmackDown side, except for Becky Lynch winning the Royal Rumble, there are hardly any talking points worthy of being mentioned. Sure, The Miz and Shane McMahon became Tag Team Champions, but that's a feel-good moment at best. It's not a hook that'll draw additional viewers to catch the show unfold.
The Erick Rowan twist is a move that leaves us with more questions than answers and that's guaranteed to be a talking point for SmackDown Live. Fans will be intrigued to know what Styles does, regarding this strange situation.
#1 The match was beginning to drag
Like I mentioned at the start of this article, the Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles match took place right after the women's Royal Rumble. This essentially means that the crowd was already worn out by then. They were pretty quiet for the duration of this contest. Believe it or not, this was the cool down match for the audience.
Yes, arguably the two best wrestlers in the world bored the crowd because of various reasons. And then, Erick Rowan's appearance was almost like a godsend. It was just the amount of sports entertainment the audience needed to be invested once again.
Of course, I could be entirely off the mark and so please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I'll be glad to hear you out!
Best and worst coming soon, so stay tuned for that, folks!
