WWE: 5 Former Superstars That Could Replace Daniel Bryan

Shayne Merriman

WWE, WWE.com

Recently, Brie Bella said that her husband Smackdown GM Daniel Bryan would wrestle again. With that being said, should Bryan leave WWE, who could take his place as GM of Smackdown?

Daniel Bryan has done a great job as the General Manager of WWE Smackdown on Tuesday nights. Even though Bryan is not in the ring, he is still the staple of the show. Bringing life to the crowd every time he comes out to make an announcement or make a match.

With his wife Brie saying he would find a way back into the ring if he is given the go ahead by doctors, fans are readying themselves for a departure. But are hoping WWE clears him, and Bryan can remain on their TV every week.

Hopefully, Bryan and WWE can work something out. However, if they wouldn’t clear him before, there’s little chance they would change their minds now. Even though Bryan’s injuries have since been proven not to be as severe as were once believed; Bryan would still be too big a liability for WWE to clear him for competition.

So, if Bryan does get back into a wrestling ring, it will probably have to be outside of WWE. We are still a year away so anything can happen.

Should Bryan leave though, it will leave a hole on Smackdown programming. Having been a fan favorite on WWE TV since 2012, Bryan will leave big shoes to fill as the General Manager. His predecessor will have a tough job in front of them. But here are five people who could take the job over with relative ease.

RAW. Photo by WWE.com

5. Paul Heyman

Starting off with the least likely candidate on this list, Heyman currently is the advocate for Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Lesnar though could leave the WWE when his contract expires after WrestleMania 34 next year. Leaving Heyman with nothing to do after the biggest event of the year.

WWE could easily pair Heyman with another superstar and let him continue to be an advocate. Which would be okay, but if anyone can be Bryans replacement Heyman could be that guy.

Heyman already has experience as a GM in WWE. Being GM for both ECW, and Smackdown for WWE. (Not to mention the mastermind behind the original ECW.) Heyman already knows how to play the role, and has done so well in the past.

If Brock actually leaves after WrestleMania, and Paul sticks around, it will be interesting to see how WWE uses him. It’s been a while since he was a GM on WWE TV, so seeing him return to that role would be welcome by all, and fresh addition to his character. Not to mention all the fans that missed his first run as GM will get to experience the greatness of Paul Heyman as the man who runs the show.

Credit: WWE.com

4. William Regal

Another unlikely option, because Regal has been great as the General Manager of NXT. Still though, if everyone else can get called up to the main roster why can’t Regal? It would give room for someone new to step in and Takeover as NXT GM.

Regal has done a great job of bringing in new talent to NXT and help show them the way things work in WWE. Getting most of the credit for finding talent for the Cruiserweight Classic, United Kingdom Tournament, and upcoming Mae Young Classic.

WWE could still use Regal in this role as Smackdown GM, but as far as training the new talent goes Regal may have to take a smaller role. Being on the road again will take up most of Regals time. Which may hurt NXT in the short-term, but WWE can find someone to help out with the plethora of greats they have access to.

With a lot of the main roster, today filled with wrestlers who started off their careers with Regal as their “boss,” a sense of familiarity may give them more comfortability on screen.

Regal is a face that everyone will recognize when they see him on TV and is already a fan favorite, but Regal has proven in the past that he can play a great heel as well. Moving him to the main roster would be a great move, making room for someone new in charge in NXT, and filling a void left by Daniel Bryan.

Credit: WWE.com

3. Mick Foley

The former Raw General Manager could come in and take over the Smackdown role with ease. Since being (storyline) fired by Stephanie McMahon before WrestleMania 33, Foley hasn’t been seen on WWE TV. Leaving the show to have surgery on his hip.

Foley was, and still is, a huge fan favorite. Everyone was sad to see Foley go when he left, but we all understood why he left. And it paved the way, for now Raw GM Kurt Angle to take over, and we’re all okay with that too.

The biggest part of his tenure as Raw GM saw him being berated by Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon. Him switching brands, and joining Shane would also lead to interesting interactions when the brands have a crossover show, or at PPV’s.

Mick could, occasionally, complain about his treatment on Raw, only for Stephanie to continue to put Foley down on her own show. Leading to all out wars between the brand’s competitors at PPV’s like Survivor Series. Maybe even a match where the two teams are headed by Smackdown Commissioner Shane McMahon, and Stephanies husband Triple H.

Seeing Foley return to a GM role would be a welcome sight for fans. One of the best on the mic, he has an innate ability to connect with the crowd. Having Foley back on TV is a safe bet. He knows what to say when to say it, and how to say it. WWE can trust him to do what they ask him to do.

2. Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels is a staple in the WWE.

When he lost the match to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26 that ended his career fans around the world realized a great career was coming to a close. The “Showstopper” had made his final show and was walking out the door. It was a great career, and an even better match to close it out.

Shawn was no doubt a part of one of the funniest segments Raw has ever seen. He and Triple H made fun of Vince McMahon by messing with his mic, making various sounds come through the production truck, and making various graphics appear on the screen. To the amusement of the live crowd and those watching at home.

Michaels has recently taken on a trainer role in NXT, and at the performance center. So, it’s no secret that Michaels is getting more involved in WWE, even making an appearance as Colonel Sanders for KFC at SummerSlam. Meaning he’s there already, they might as well use him in a more official capacity.

Michaels has been an on screen official as the WWF Commissioner from November 1998-May 2000. During that time Michaels worked as a heel, making matches, and throwing his authority around.

Michaels is a face now and should stay that way. Having him back on WWE TV each week would be great. Even if he remains in NXT, and takes Regals spot, to allow Regal to move up to be the GM of Smackdown, fans would be happy with that.

Fans have missed him in WWE, and every year around the Royal Rumble, they clamor for him to compete in the match. While having him on Smackdown each week won’t stifle this, fans will be happy to see the Heartbreak Kid back their TV’s.

Credit: WWE.com

1. Edge

No doubt one of the best to ever step foot in a WWE ring. Edge was always in the best match of the night no matter where he was placed on the card. The man behind iconic moments like the spear from the top of the ladder to Jeff Hardy at WrestleMania 17, and spearing Mick Foley off the ring apron and through a flaming table at WrestleMania 22. Edge came out of the attitude era as one of WWE’s top heels, and never looked back.

When Edge was forced into an early retirement because of a re-aggravation of a past neck injury, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

It came out of nowhere. No one saw it coming, and it blindsided everyone.

Edge said he was happy that the WWE had caught the injury, and were making him retire, and it was a good thing. Edge was able to retire before he was seriously injured and was not able to enjoy life.

It’s been six years since Edge retired. Even though he’s made various appearances since his retirement, and has his own show on the WWE Network, fans miss Edge.

Throughout his career Edge had a knack for being the most entertaining thing on your TV. Some may not know this, but Edge is the reason for the “You Suck” chants when Kurt Angle walks out. These two were comedic gold, and getting them back on screen together would be perfect for WWE weekly TV.