What WWE must deliver in a potential Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz feud

3. Don’t overscript the promos

What made the Miz/Daniel Bryan exchange on Talking Smack so effective was the tremendous level of realism that both men brought to the quarrel. They didn’t trade the usual convoluted, wordy insults that bog down most of WWE’s feuds. Bryan and Miz sounded like two men with two distinct personalities and career arcs that have a legitimate beef.  This feud resonated with the fanbase because of the authenticity of Bryan and Miz’s conflict.

Bryan and Miz’s animosity stems from differences in wrestling philosophies, lifestyles, and career paths. Bryan spent a decade cultivating a legacy as one of the best technical wrestlers on the planet (most notably in Ring of Honor) before signing with WWE in 2009.

Conversely, Miz starred on MTV’s The Real World before parlaying that into a WWE contract in 2004. Bryan wears plaid shirts and khakis to complement his woodsy beard while Miz rocks tailored suits and other trendy, fashionable outfits. Bryan has wowed fans with his wrestling prowess while Miz has bored fans with his “safe” in-ring style.

Miz’s character craves stardom. Bryan relishes in having the respect of his fans and his peers. All of these elements encapsulate what led to their explosive verbal joust on Talking Smack. 

WWE’s stilted dialogue is one of the only things that could ruin this feud, should they go through with it. This is especially important for Bryan, as his everyman persona connects with fans in a way that few babyface acts do (especially in WWE). Miz can rattle off the ridiculous WWE corporate speak more believably than Bryan, but even he would suffer if the promos followed the same WWE pattern.

WWE needs to let these men speak from the heart, for the sake of the story and Bryan. As for Mr. Mizanin…