Daniel Bryan / Bray Wyatt Part 3

The Rumble

From how it appears now, Daniel Bryan will not be a part of the 30 man battle royal to determine the number one contender for the heavyweight title.  Good idea?  Bad idea?  To me, it seems as though it robs the fans yet again of what they truly want--Daniel Bryan as champ.  If I had to place a wager, unfortunately I think I'd have to place my money on Batista winning.

WWE keeps talking about the chase, how that is more thrilling than the arrival at the desired destination as an explanation as to why they won't give Bryan that final nod.  The chase can only go so far before the fans lose interest and believe the character/wrestler has no chance at winning and move on to the next guy.  This is precisely where Dolph is right now--losing the fans by no fault of his own. 

So where does that leave us with Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt.  As I stated when I started writing this string of ideas for a storyline, the idea is to elevate both wrestlers--Daniel Bryan to unquestioned superstar and Bray Wyatt to main event threat.  The Rumble is where we solidify both of those.

Prior to the Rumble, on the SmackDown preceding it, this is what should have happened.  Instead of CM Punk receiving number 1 on Raw, that should have been the closing segment here, but with Bryan receiving the "unlucky" number.  As HHH makes the announcement, Bray Wyatt comes out onto the stage, the family flanking him, to cut a promo of his own.

"My children are very important to me, Hunter.  When you attack one of my own, you attack me.  We are one and the same, inseparable.  By placing him in harm's way, you've done yourself no favors, Hunter." Bray laughs,  "Hunter.  Funny, that is not what you right now, Hunter.  We are the hunters.  You are the prey.  By attacking my family, your own friends, your own family, they are fair game now, Hunter.  Remember that."

The idea here is not to position Bray as a babyface, but to position him as a villain with a code of honor which HHH has now breached.  So now we have the makings of a memorable Rumble. 

During the course of the Rumble, at various times Bryan is teamed up on by the heels, where they neglect other participants in order to go at him.  The announcers would of course mention that it seems odd they keep trying to eliminate other Bryan instead of those who are in a more weakened condition, playing up the conspiracy aspect.

HHH would be shown in the back.  Unlike previous years, he is drawing names out of a bin to see who the next participant to enter will be.  Against all odds, of course hinting at the names not being what HHH actually pulled from the bin, the Shield are selected back to back to back, but Bryan persists, holding on.

Twenty-seven participants have been selected.  Only the Wyatts have not called as HHH has thrown their names back into the bin, refusing to call them out.  Finally, with no choice in the matter, he calls their names, one by one, telling Bray to do the right thing as the final participant.  Bryan is outnumbered still--only he and the Shield remain, besides the approaching Wyatts.

HHH makes an executive decision and throws all three Wyatts into the ring at the same time, believing they have an understanding.  They enter the ring, facing Daniel Bryan.  "They know now what they do, Daniel Bryan.  But they are about to find out."

The Wyatts turn and go at it with the Shield.  Rollins is eliminated.  Roman Reigns is eliminated.  Dean Ambrose is eliminated.  HHH goes ballistic with each elimination as Daniel Bryan lays in the ring.  All that's left in the ring are the Wyatts and Bryan.

Pointing outside of the ring, Bray instructs Harper and Rowan to eliminate themselves, which they willingly do.  Bray calls for a microphone.

"Daniel Bryan, here we are, you and me.  I have protected you, Daniel Bryan."  Bryan gets to his feet.  "Do you accept Sister Abigail, Daniel Bryan?"  Bryan nods, extending his arms, saying, "Yes!"  Bray locks him into Sister Abigail, leaning him over.  "Do you accept your destiny, Daniel Bryan?"  "Yes!"  "Are you ready to take down the machine, Daniel Bryan?"  "Yes!"  Bray smiles.  "Are you ready to have your crown of gold, Daniel Bryan?"  Bryan's eyes widen, questioningly he says, "Yes?" 

Bray lays Bryan gently down to the mat instead of performing the Sister Abigail.  "Do not forget my sacrifice for you, Daniel Bryan."  The announcers would of course play up the fact that he's surrendering a chance at gold.

He starts walking toward the ropes to eliminate himself.  HHH is livid, starting to climb into the ring but Rowan and Harper stop him.  Bray climbs over the top rope, dropping to the floor as Orton explodes from the back.  Royal Rumble goes off the air with a brawl in the ring between Orton plus The Shield vs Bryan plus the Wyatts.

So now you have two storylines set up at this point in the narrative, which will widen as I progress.  As always, I hope those who are reading enjoy this as much as my writing it.

Please let me know how you feel about the story progression, where you see its flaws and strengths.