Is Daniel Bryan the most over wrestler since Stone Cold? *spoilers*

Donegal Dan

Every January I find my inner teenager coming back to life as I get back into watching WWE for the buildup to Mania and every year I find myself saying "who's this guy?!" with at least one member of the roster.

This year, without a doubt, its Daniel Bryan.

Is he the most over wrestler since Stone Cold? I would lean emphatically towards "YES!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsESZMBJhXw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8OFuAvyzfg

SureYWouldntYa

He's the most over, but not on the same level as Stone Cold

For example he's not a mainstream star yet, none of my non wrestling friends know who he is, and when i showed bits of him, they still can't understand why he's so popular

the groutch

WHAT?

Turtyturd

I think people forget just how over Cena was as he was during face during his rapper era.

CSF

He will get there. He will never be a film star or a general celebrity but in terms of the IWC, I think he will reach unprecedented levels of popularity.

rovert

In the arena likely elsewhere simply no is the bitter truth.

The reason they don't seem to solidify him as a top guy is that he is marginally below the threshold of the big push in terms of moving numbers: ratings, attendance, PPV, merchandise, Twitter followers.

I won't argue the idea that how WWE's presents him does help that. But the numbers are the issue and WWE is making a business decision in pushing the Batistas over him.

Rjd2

he won't get near Cena but no reason for him not to be best of the rest (excluding Batista and part timers)

Orton, Punk, Sheamus despite been pushed hard don't appeal to as many as D Bryan does so yeah he can be do very well for himself in the next few years.

takamichinoku

Em, wasn't the Rock the most over wrestler since Stone Cold?

CSF

I've always been confused. Who are all these people who love Cena? I don't know them!!! Surely kids would be easily swayed towards Daniel Bryan?

yawhat!

What do you mean by over?

DEFTLEFTHAND

rovert wrote: »

In the arena likely elsewhere simply no is the bitter truth.

The reason they don't seem to solidify him as a top guy is that he is marginally below the threshold of the big push in terms of moving numbers: ratings, attendance, PPV, merchandise, Twitter followers.

I won't argue the idea that how WWE's presents him does help that. But the numbers are the issue and WWE is making a business decision in pushing the Batistas over him.

I suppose they are a business and it comes down to numbers. Both Punk and Bryan never drew the big buyrates when they headlined, and obviously they don't shift merch like Austin did.

But Austin was big in a time when internet use was in it's infancy. The reason buyrates are suffering is because many fans today watch for free through whatever means online. I don't see the Network putting a stop to this problem.

SureYWouldntYa

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

I suppose they are a business and it comes down to numbers. Both Punk and Bryan never drew the big buyrates when they headlined, and obviously they don't shift merch like Austin did.

But Austin was big in a time when internet use was in it's infancy. The reason buyrates are suffering is because many fans today watch for free through whatever means online. I don't see the Network putting a stop to this problem.

how often would you go onto youtube looking at classic matches or moments ? WWE will get a lot more serious on youtube soon, even removing stuff from their own channel id imagine. this will mean the only way to watch the old WWE will be through the network

SimonQuinlank

Rock and Cena are the most over since Austin.Until Bryan's Yes schtick equates into money,the answer is no.

764dak

"John Cena passes Kobe Bryant as Facebook champion"

http://msn.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/john-cena-passes-kobe-bryant-as-facebook-champion-020714

gnfnrhead

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

The reason buyrates are suffering is because many fans today watch for free through whatever means online. I don't see the Network putting a stop to this problem.

That would account for a tiny percentage. The sad fact is most of the old fans dont watch at all anymore. WWE's ratings are roughly half now. You cant blame that on people who watch online.

Donegal Dan

takamichinoku wrote: »

Em, wasn't the Rock the most over wrestler since Stone Cold?

Wasnt he over during the exact same time as Stone Cold? (comebacks aside).

Looper007

Not Austin level's yet but he's the biggest face they've had that the fan's actually care about since Austin/Rock.

They need to let him run with it, give him cooler T-shirts, put the belt on him for a few months. We all know he's the best in Ring wrestler out of all the guy's mention so him performing in the ring won't be a problem. Let's see how it goes, he hasn't be given enough crack of the whip to say if he's a draw. The haters who love the bodybuilder types will sprout the crap he's not a draw.

I agree he's the most over superstar since Stone cold for me.

JP Liz V1

Wasn't Jeff Hardy very much over at one time, his pops were huge


I don't know anyone on the current roster who gets a pop like Bryan does


Yes is the new What

Looper007

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

He's the most over, but not on the same level as Stone Cold

For example he's not a mainstream star yet, none of my non wrestling friends know who he is, and when i showed bits of him, they still can't understand why he's so popular

Cause he's F*cking AWESOME!!!

He's not a bodybuilding muscle man who's HHH buddy or one of Vince's hard on projects who he rams down our throats. He's a likeable guy you can't help but root for. He's the best in ring worker and the heir to HBK's title of the Showstopper WWE have. He's only wrestler maybe aside from Punk, although I think he was outpopping him in the end, the fan's actually care for. Plus behind the beard and the Daniel Bryan name he's The American Dragon Bryan Danielson, the Best wrestler in the World. Plus He's chant has gone Mainstream and he's actually making strides into the mainstream.

Looper007

764dak wrote: »

"John Cena passes Kobe Bryant as Facebook champion"

http://msn.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/john-cena-passes-kobe-bryant-as-facebook-champion-020714

Yet he barely gets a reaction now and fans boo his ass even though he's suppose to be the top face of the company :rolleyes:

gnfnrhead

John Cena during his initial rise would easily be a match. Jeff Hardy probably wasnt far behind either. Triple H was insanely popular when he returned in 2002(?). Rey Mysterio in his early days too. Eddie Guerrero during his Lie, Cheat and Steal time.

Bryan is easily the most popular now, but to say he is the most popular since Austin is ignoring facts.

gimmick

Remember when Cena opened WM20? Did any one really give him a reaction?

Remember a year later when Cena won his first "big one" at WM21 against JBL?

In both, the crowd were deeply ambivalent to it. It got a cheers, but nothing rapturous. Nothing which could even be described as a pop.

The only pop I ever remember Cena getting was at the Rumble when he returned from an injury. And it is arguable that this pop was more to do with the fact that people knew HHH wouldn't be winning anymore. That live crowd was booing him again within 10 minutes.

Cenas popularity as the top man has been incredibly forced on us. There was nothing natural about his journey to the top.

gnfnrhead wrote:

Triple H was insanely popular when he returned in 2002(?). Rey Mysterio in his early days too. Eddie Guerrero during his Lie, Cheat and Steal time.

HHH got a few world class pops on his return, but they faded very very quickly. Might be a tad unfair to say it, but when he won the main event at WM18 it was greeted with silence.

So, to answer the question of the thread - yes, BD is the most over since Austin. The people want to see him, he got himself over to a large degree and his ring work is beyond reproach.

krudler

gimmick wrote: »

Remember when Cena opened WM20? Did any one really give him a reaction?

Remember a year later when Cena won his first "big one" at WM21 against JBL?

In both, the crowd were deeply ambivalent to it. It got a cheers, but nothing rapturous. Nothing which could even be described as a pop.

The only pop I ever remember Cena getting was at the Rumble when he returned from an injury. And it is arguable that this pop was more to do with the fact that people knew HHH wouldn't be winning anymore. That live crowd was booing him again within 10 minutes.

Cenas popularity as the top man has been incredibly forced on us. There was nothing natural about his journey to the top.

Ah to be fair Cena was well over during the rapper run, he got a massive pop in the 2004 rumble, and when he was drafted to Raw the place went nuts when he came out. The rumble return was funny, music starts, crowd go crazy in disbelief, he gets in the ring and throws two punchs, boos start raining as the crowd remembers they're supposed to hate him, poor guy can't catch a break :pac:

Moneymaker

Bryan is very similar to Austin. He's the everday man that fights adversity.

He's also an incredible worker, very solid on the mic(his mic skills have improved so much from his early career), you never hear bad things about him and he comes across as a very humble and genuine human being.

I am a huge DB mark, yes. Only I liked him before he was cool and was tearing the house down with Austin Aries.

Seeing him with the WWE title leading a Yes chant is going to be glorious when it happens.

Bandana boy

Rock was between Austin and Bryan so defo No as he is nowhere close to Rock at his prime ,the pops Rock got where insane ,even more so when you consider the Wrestling crowds always have a higher % red-neck racists than other sports.

Is he the most over since the Rock ?

Its close he is imo at the same level as Eddie ,Cena and Rey at their most popular ,hopefully he can kick it on a level ,but i suspect his mike skills will keep him below Rock Austin levels of greatness.

I would put him ahead of Punk at his peak already

Donegal Dan

To clarify, by "over" I mean insane crowd pops. Cena isnt a contender for this as he has been booed for far more of his career than he has been cheered.

Bounty Hunter

I remember thinking a few years ago that the biggest difference between now and when the product was really hot (attitude era I guess) was the crowd reaction, back then even mid card acts like Too Cool etc got great reactions but now almost nobody does. When you think about it it's bloody impressive that D.Bryan can get the reaction he does from 2014 crowds considering and in that sense I actually would class him as the most over star since stone cold in many ways.

GTR63

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

I remember thinking a few years ago that the biggest difference between now and when the product was really hot (attitude era I guess) was the crowd reaction, back then even mid card acts like Too Cool etc got great reactions but now almost nobody does. When you think about it it's bloody impressive that D.Bryan can get the reaction he does from 2014 crowds considering and in that sense I actually would class him as the most over star since stone cold in many ways.

I'd agree with that if Mid card act Too Cool weren't way more over than even Lesnar at the Old School Raw.
The Outlaws were over then & bar their mic routine can now barely get a reaction.

Hangballlouie

I can see why WWE don't get behind Bryan as much as everyone seems to want them too.

Yes he gets great pops, and I really enjoy him in the ring, but he isn't great on the mic and his facial expressions really annoy me.

When he comes out he has this big goofy grin on him that makes me not want to take him seriously. Last night was the prime example. Instead of being serious about the upcoming title match, he is more interested in looking at the crowd and laughing/smiling.

There is a time for crowd interaction and a time for business, The Rock and Austin showed this perfectly in their runs. Bryan hasn't shown that to me yet and until he does he is always gonna be just underneath the main person, be it Cena or whoever.

Scavenger XIII

I get the impression that both the look and general goofiness are part of the gimmick he's been given.

He was deadly serious looking/acting when he made his first main roster appearances during the Nexus angle, and remember we're talking about a guy whose catchphrase used to be "You just got your f**king head kicked in!"

Vinz Mesrine

I cannot wait to see the pop he gets at Mania and on Raw the night after.

colmufc

Rock was hugh but austin was much bigger everyone loved austin ,cena is nowhere near this level ,Bryan is the nearest thing to austin in the last 12 years ,that night where he tricked bray wyatt and sat on the cage the yes chant was hugh more over than any once since austins what? !

Donegal Dan

Last night's "YES!" chants and pops seemed milder than in recent weeks. I think its good that Vince is capitalising on his popularity now - at Mania - rather than 5 months down the line at Summerslam when the crowd might be bored with it.

I did read somewhere that he is now third in merchandise sales with CM Punk in second place and Cena in first.

gnfnrhead

Donegal Dan wrote: »

Last night's "YES!" chants and pops seemed milder than in recent weeks. I think its good that Vince is capitalising on his popularity now - at Mania - rather than 5 months down the line at Summerslam when the crowd might be bored with it.

I did read somewhere that he is now third in merchandise sales with CM Punk in second place and Cena in first.

Fourth. Shockingly Sin Cara is at the same level and the Warrior of all people is ahead of him.

Donegal Dan

gnfnrhead wrote: »

Fourth. Shockingly Sin Cara is at the same level and the Warrior of all people is ahead of him.

The Ultimate Warrior is ahead of him?! :pac:

SeanJ09

To be fair, CM Punk's popularity around the "Pipebomb" story line was pretty high too, deserves a mention.

Rjd2

Donegal Dan wrote: »

The Ultimate Warrior is ahead of him?! :pac:

Nope.

Mr.Nice Guy

Donegal Dan wrote: »

Last night's "YES!" chants and pops seemed milder than in recent weeks.

I thought so too. I think it goes back to that hijack angle last week where they used a legion of plants. You could see in the crowd reaction last week that they weren't digging being demoted to extras as the plants took centre stage.

As usual with WWE they had magic in a bottle with the whole fanmade Yes chants but they had to slap their own label on it and filter it from the top down with their own brand of corporate crap.

Donegal Dan

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

As usual with WWE they had magic in a bottle with the whole fanmade Yes chants but they had to slap their own label on it and filter it from the top down with their own brand of corporate crap.

You'd think they'd have just let the crowd chants and popularity build ala Stone Cold. Instead they're now dissipating.

Moneymaker

That crowd was dead all night in fairness. They didn't react to anyone. Hunter got a decent reaction at the start and that was it basically.

gnfnrhead

I wouldnt worry unless it continues to happen. You can easily get a crap crowd one week but the next will be business as usual.

GTR63

gnfnrhead wrote: »

I wouldnt worry unless it continues to happen. You can easily get a crap crowd one week but the next will be business as usual.

I wonder did the majority fans notice the Yes Movement segment the week before was mocking them, it was rather blatant

Donegal Dan

Did I read tonight's Raw is from Brooklyn?

That will certainly confirm whether Bryan's star is on the rise or fall or not. Nothing like a New York crowd to tell it like it is

CSF

I think it's fair to say we will know just how over Daniel Bryan is in about 6-8 months. It seems he will definitely be given the ball now. The big question is how well he will run with it after months of people shouting to pass it to him.

I genuinely don't know how it's going to go. I like him a wrestler and a character but this current feud isn't capturing me at all. It does seem a bit as if the WWE have said that they're willing to give him a run as the face of the company, as long as he is willing to act like the face of the company rather than the guy that became so popular in the first place.

If Bryan does end up not lasting, I believe it'll be down to creative ruining him, rather than any flaws of his own. Hopefully this doesn't happen and he is allowed be Daniel Bryan the way that Stone Cold was allowed be Stone Cold and not Hulk Hogan/Bret Hart/Cena eat your vegetables and drink your milk ****e.

Diabhal Beag

I bet he'll be pretty over in 6-8 months time.

CSF

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

I bet he'll be pretty over in 6-8 months time.

I dunno, I hope so, but I wouldn't bet my life on it either. It very much depends on how WWE approach it.

They're not gonna be able to bill Bryan as dominant, that wouldn't just suit. With both Cena permanently, and Orton particularly while champion they've gone with this formula for their matches that they very rarely veer from on Raw/Smackdown. Opponent dominates for large spells of the match before out of nowhere picks up the win. Kids may love that kind of thing, and WWE love that they love that kind of thing. Us older fans not at all though.

Could Bryan survive continuous **** booking while champion? I think it would have an effect because there is no cause to get behind anymore. People would have gotten what they wanted, Bryan as the face of the company and champion. With the WWE's booking of their champions though it could very well be a case of be careful what you wish for. Those are my worries anyway.

The Domonator

stone cold.gif

Diabhal Beag

Bryan survived losing a world title match in about half a second. Maybe even became more over than ever imagined because of it.

CSF

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Bryan survived losing a world title match in about half a second. Maybe even became more over than ever imagined because of it.

Exactly, but if he's booked crap while champion he is less likely to survive it. For that exact same reason you just ended with.

Diabhal Beag

That happened before. Maybe even twice. He's doing alright.

CSF

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

That happened before. Maybe even twice. He's doing alright.

Bryan has never been expected to carry the show before. This is his chance to do so. I have every faith that he will, but the consequences of not having a captivating 6-8 months as WWE champion would be a lot more detrimental now than it was in the past. One of the great things Bryan had for a long time was that he had nothing to lose, now he has everything to lose. The chap is far too talented to **** it up himself, but I have my fears that WWE may **** it up for him.