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The Number 1 contender's match to determine who goes on to face the reigning and defending Universal Champion, Bray Wyatt, started three times this week. It was only the third time around that the match concluded as it should have.
Daniel Bryan made The Miz submit in what seemed to be a very painful looking submission move, making him the Number 1 contender again. Bear in mind that he's taken on The Fiend once before, at Survivor Series where The Fiend defeated Bryan.
So why is this match happening for the second time, you very rightfully ask? Let me try and answer this question across 5 points.
Be sure to rate every match this week on SmackDown right here and moreover, leave a comment below as well.
#5 Unfinished business with The Fiend
The first reason why Daniel Bryan will face The Fiend is because of the history that the two men share with one another, which is something that's absolutely astounding. Daniel Bryan was once a member of the Wyatt Family until he managed to break from the shackles and bring back the 'Yes' movement. The two men have incredible chemistry when they face one another in the squared circle.
But even more recently, The Fiend dragged Daniel Bryan to the depths of hell, which is coincidentally right underneath a WWE ring, and in doing so, chopped off his hair giving him a brand new 'babyface' look! One has to assume that, in storyline, Daniel Bryan is quite upset at getting bullied in this manner and therefore will look to exact revenge against his nemesis.
This is a story that should resolve at The Royal Rumble pay-per-view. I can't see it dragging out any further, truth be told.
#4 Only real contender in the current roster
The SmackDown roster at this time is loaded with talent, and yet Daniel Bryan is the only real contender for the Championship at this particular point in time. Braun Strowman is locked in a feud with Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship, which should play out at the Royal Rumble.
Similarly, Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin are obviously not done with one another and both men should settle their score during the course of the Royal Rumble match. Ali and Shorty G are both awesome but they have a long way to go before they get Universal Championship opportunities in my opinion.
You could always make the case for Kofi Kingston but he's one half of the Tag Team Champion at the moment and I'm guessing will also be a big part of the Royal Rumble match. That only leaves The Miz and Daniel Bryan, and you know the story.
#3 Can suffer a pinfall victory with no consequences
Daniel Bryan is one of the greatest stars of the past decade and has put over countless stars this year, proving why he is someone who cares deeply about professional wrestling. Even though he's been pinned more times than one can count, his charisma and in-ring skills ensure that he's always in the main event spot.
Now one thing that we know for sure is that The Fiend is going to be victorious at The Royal Rumble. And this is obvious because rumors are rife that Roman Reigns will face The Fiend at WrestleMania.
This is a big enough match that can happen without the WWE Universal Championship on the line but I'm pretty certain that The Fiend's appeal will be diminished if he were to lose at the Royal Rumble. He needs to head into WrestleMania 36 undefeated.
Daniel Bryan can lose to him and still not be affected too much.
#2 Possibility of involving his family
I'm sure a lot of you enjoyed the build to the Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz match that happened at WWE TLC earlier this month. One of the reasons why it was such an intriguing contest is because of just how personal it eventually became with Maryse and Monroe Sky getting involved. So, even Daniel Bryan has a family that the world knows quite well.
Daniel Bryan is married to Brie Bella and the two of them have a child called Birdie Joe, and Bray Wyatt could really play mind games with the two of them. Even Nikki Bella could become involved and this could certainly become a very intriguing program indeed. It may even become more interesting in the build with The Miz.
I know WWE repeating its storylines is never necessarily a good idea, but this could certainly be an exception. What do you guys think? Would you like to see Bryan's family involved?
#1 The Fiend can kick out of multiple flying knees
The Fiend's current gimmick seems to be that he is invincible and can kick out of multiple finishers. We saw this for the first time when he took on Seth Rollins, who delivered stomp after stomp to him, to no avail.
Now, Daniel Bryan's flying knee strike has become a trademark of his arsenal and I can totally imagine him delivering the move multiple times and The Fiend getting up every single time from it, eventually picking up the big win. This will prove his dominance until say, Roman Reigns comes around at WrestleMania.
In any case, Daniel Bryan vs. The Fiend should be a good match, even if the outcome is pretty clear at this stage. Daniel Bryan deserves to be in the main event because he's arguably the best in-ring performer of our generation.
What do you guys think?
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
