WWE SmackDown Live: Can Daniel Bryan Go All The Way?
By Tom Thomas
Daniel Bryan would defeat Jeff Hardy on WWE SmackDown Live to get one step closer to Money in the Bank. Can he go all the way though?
Daniel Bryan would battle Jeff Hardy this week on WWE SmackDown Live in a second chance match of sorts. The winner would face Samoa Joe, who was originally slated to face Big Cass. However, as fate would have, the WWE Universe will now have a dream match on their hands. Daniel Bryan, after defeating Jeff Hardy will now face Samoa Joe and the winner will go through to the Money in the Bank ladder match.
It seems like original plans that were set in place did not intend to use Bryan at the ladder match itself. A few weeks ago, he would lose surprisingly to Rusev. This would allow the Bulgarian Brute to advance through to MITB. It was easy to predict Bryan costing Big Cass his opportunity but it seems like that wasn’t necessary.
We still don’t know the extent of Cass’s injury and as of now it might not be something serious. However, as far as plans for Money in the Bank goes, anything can happen in the weeks ahead. Samoa Joe is a threat in any match he is put in. The Money in the Bank ladder match is no exception. His heel antics and ways and predatory nature further makes him a favorite to hold on to the briefcase when the night is over.
However, what if there is a different story that the WWE can run with here? Bryan does not always have to be the under dog to make things work. Yes he is one of the purest babyfaces around and can work the crowd by the palm of his hands. But Bryan as the underdog is a story that was told to perfection.
We do not need to see it again. Moreover, without the WWE opposing him, merely going into the fights as an underdog isn’t very wise. The fans will still cheer for him but the alternative seems more pleasing. A few weeks ago, I’d nitpicked about why Bryan should be a feared and respected veteran going into matches, rather than a fiery underdog.
If he were to win next week and further cement his superiority by winning the Money in the Bank ladder match, things could certainly be seen from a whole new perspective. Babyfaces and the briefcase don’t go hand in hand for too long. But Bryan is special talent who can make it work. The kind of talent who would say he would cash it in at the main event of WrestleMania, announcing it months in advance and building anticipation towards the show.
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The question is however, can Bryan go all the way this time? Will creative come through with this or resort back to portraying him as an underdog? Most likely, he will lose to Joe next week courtesy of Big Cass. But one can always dream right?