I have often said that that an angry CM Punk who is chasing the WWE Champion is better than a CM Punk holding the WWE Title. My reasoning for the comment was based more on results than anything else. A Punk chasing a title is angrier, more determined and dedicated to the cause. The promo work is crisper, the spirit in the communication is more straightforward and of course – the reaction by the WWE Universe and the arena fans is more pronounced.
[adinserter block=”1″]A case could be made that is the premise is apparent in any sport, but in the “reality” of wrestling, catching a champion is often better than being a champion.
Could this become an issue with Daniel Bryan in his continual quest to win the WWE World Title and – given that piece of theory, does the WWE realize a chasing Bryan is better than a sustained Bryan, one who would hold the WWE World Title, thus losing some of his appeal?
The WWE has changed some of its program concerning the World Title Match between Randy Orton and Batista and made Bryan the intermediate “star” of this matchup, one where the much larger Batista has noting good to say about the diminutive Bryan. The two have meet recently in singles and tag teams matches.
The company knows the value of Bryan to the success of WrestleMania XXX – one where he still does not have a true match in place, but Triple H, Kane or both will face the ever-popular Bryan.
Bryan’s quest for the WWE World Title is still the underlying focal point of the company – even with two other combatants facing each other in the main event in New Orleans. That could change if the WWE decides the popularity of Bryan outweighs the uneventful thought of Randy Orton and Batista rolling around a mat together.
Personally, I suspect Triple H comes to the ring and interferes with the match to help Batista capture gold – similar to Orton and Bryans match where Triple H pedigreed Bryan at SummerSlam to give the title to Orton and begin the reign of the Authority.
In the past, with other more significant feuds, the challenger is always the “hotter” wrestler. In many cases involving Ric Flair and his title reigns, the challenger like Ricky Morton, Ricky Steamboat, Jack Brisco and others have been “hotter” and more aggressive because above everything else, they had to win the match. Flair, or Harley Race or Terry Funk only had to retain the title, so they would travel all over the country, wrestle 60 minutes to a time-limit draw or get themselves disqualified.
It was a cheap way to retain the title, but back when cable was just beginning to promote the business and the entertainment value, those endings would set up next week’s show and promote a “super card” or live event in your hometown.
The way I look at it, this match between Orton and Batista is just a formality for Bryan – one where he continues to wrestle Orton and Kane and Batista – moving closer to his ultimate goal. Maybe it is a reward for his determination. Maybe it is the assumption that Bryan will remain on top and the ever popular leader with the fans once he gains what he deserves.
Maybe, just maybe it is the reason we agonize now that things aren’t how we want them to be. But we would rather see Daniel Bryan pursuing his opponent than being stagnant. Because a stagnant opponent does nothing to build on the future and the WWE cannot afford for that to happen right now.
[adinserter block=”2″]Disclaimer: For the next 30 days, this will be an ongoing series of stories as we move down the Road to WrestleMania. Follow Camel Clutch Blog writer/blogger David M. Levin as he talks about the history, the pageantry and the success and failures of the past when it comes to wrestling’s biggest events. The views of the writer are not necessarily the views of Camel Clutch Blog, and this series is intended to ramp up the excitement that is associated with WrestleMania XXX and the Crescent City of New Orleans. Please enjoy this new feature and any comments are most welcome.
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