WWE: 5 possible opponents for Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 36

As we head into the final stretch before WrestleMania, Daniel Bryan does not have a clear cut path to a match or opponent. Here are some potential foes and navigable paths for each.

A fixture at WrestleMania while an active wrestler, Daniel Bryan does not seem to have a clear-cut opponent set for “The Granddaddy of Them All.” However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of options, with plenty of time to build to a highly-anticipated match.

In considering Bryan’s potential foe (or foes?), it is important to remember a few things. One, there needs to be a viable reason for a match to happen. This relies on coherent storytelling.

Two, this viable reason could be buoyed if there is some historical context to set up a match; Kofi Kingston’s victory at last year’s show was strengthened with the reiteration of his 11-year quest to finally have a one-on-one WWE Championship match (more on this match later). Three, because this is Bryan we are discussing, he can conceivably carry anyone to an average match.

Before moving further, I have to admit that as a resident of the great state of Washington nearly the past 27 years, I (and other wrestling fans here) hold Bryan as a paragon of professional wrestling. This definitely influences my opinion of him (he’s amazing!), but pretty much everyone agrees that Bryan is simply one of the best.

Lastly, I have some honorable mentions before we proceed. Actually, all three come from the same entangled story. If Shinsuke Nakamura is done with Braun Strowman, Nakamura would be a fun opponent for Bryan, particularly if we get to see Sami Zayn enthusiastically jump and dance all the way down what is most likely going to be a long entrance ramp. If his partner, Cesaro, is free, just imagine the match he and Bryan could have (even if only given seven minutes).

Strowman as Intercontinental Champion is last honorable mention. Normally, face vs. face matches are hard to build a story around, but the size difference makes it easy for both men to stay faces while Strowman just uses his natural size and strength to his advantage.

Fans will usually start cheering for the smaller competitor, and the comeback sequence for Bryan would be red hot. There’s also the fact that the Intercontinental Championship was the title Bryan relinquished when he was forced into an injury hiatus, and eventually, his first retirement. What a great call back it would be if Bryan won the title like he did in the ladder match at WrestleMania 31.

I was also going to say a returning John Cena, but he’s rumored for a match with Elias. I guess they really liked last year’s segment?

Now, on to the show!