Wrestling Forum banner

Daniel Bryan - Sam Roberts Interview - Talks Brand Split and wanting to be Smackdown Exclusive

8K views 75 replies 56 participants last post by  The Boy Wonder 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
In Sam Roberts' State of Wrestling podcast Bryan stated that when he won the IC Title he wanted to be exclusive to Smackdown and have the IC title be feud as Smackdowns title and feud with guys like Cesaro & Ryback.

What's your opinion on this?

I would have loved it.



Just been listening to this Daniel Bryan interview with Sam Roberts which I though I'd post as it's a decent listen. Few things in the interview which I found interesting;

1) He pitched the idea of him only appearing on Smackdown with the intercontinental title, which would allow the chance for the likes of Cesaro, Cody Rhodes and Ryback to compete for the title with him and have the chance to prove that they could lead a show. A chance which he thinks they won't get otherwise now that there is just the one world title.

2) He also thought that putting him onto a seperate show would help take some of the heat of Roman by separating them. He also praised Roman's ring work and his promos (when he is allowed to be himself).

3) He really likes Heath Slater and thinks he could be this generations Honky Tonk Man. References the US open title challenge and Raw legends segments and says he always entertains whenever given the chance. I actually very much agree on this point and think Heath makes for a very solid mid card heel.

4) He thinks that wrestlers from the independent scene are having so much success in the WWE currently due to the fact everyone on the roster is so overexposed and the indy guys know how to cover the overexposure more by mixing things up.


EDIT:

On episode 40 of the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast, Roberts interviewed WWE's Daniel Bryan. Among other topics, Bryan talked about his preference for separate RAW and Smackdown rosters. Also, Bryan revealed his plans for the Intercontinental Championship before his reign was cut short due to injury.

When asked whether Bryan would prefer a brand split, he replied, "yes, I would much rather there have a brand split."

"One of the things I wanted to do when I came back, was do something with the Intercontinental Championship. And my big spiel, my big pitch for this thing, like, I want to be the Intercontinental Champion and I only want to be on Smackdown. I don't want to be on RAW. I want to be on Smackdown because one of my things was I would never have gotten this opportunity if there wasn't split brands, if there wasn't two [world] titles. If there was just the one main title, [WWE] would never, ever given me the opportunity."
Bryan indicated that the Intercontinental Championship could be the main title on Smackdown while the WWE World Heavyweight Championship could be used on RAW. According to Bryan, the Intercontinental Title picture would become "what it was when I was a kid, where it was like I was every bit as excited to see the Intercontinental Title match as I was the World Title match."

Bryan claimed that a brand split would create more opportunities for talent and that one of his goals in coming back from injury would be to help "elevate other people".

"I knew coming back from my neck surgery that I was not going to be the top good guy, as far as the booking is concerned. I'm not talking about popularity, as far as placement of people. And one of the things that really can hurt you is that if people see you as that and people want you to be that and you're not that, is that they can take it out on other people. Right? Like, taking it out on somebody like Roman [Reigns] when [WWE] are trying to push him and that sort of thing." Bryan added, "if you put [Roman Reigns] and I on different shows, then it's better for him and it's better for me."
"Right now, [WWE] are not going to put Cesaro in a WWE World Heavyweight Championship program with Seth Rollins. I mean, [WWE] might, but I don't think [WWE] will though. [WWE] would do that with [Cesaro] and me and the Intercontinental Championship and it might not be the main event of pay per views, but if it carries Smackdown, if that's the main story on Smackdown, it can show everybody, like, I think WWE doesn't think people are capable of some of this kind of stuff. I don't think [WWE] thought I was capable of carrying that kind of stuff until [WWE] gave me the opportunity and it turns out I was. And until you give them the opportunities, give somebody like Cesaro an opportunity to do that and show that he can do it, you know, like, that was part of my thing too. People like Cesaro, people like Cody Rhodes, you know, people like Ryback. Give them these opportunities to carry a show like they carry a program and it would just be good for everybody, and, not only that, good for morale, I was hoping. Like, I have all these greater things. I want everyone to be happy at work. I want us all to enjoy it and be like, 'hey, if I work hard and if I'm good and if I get good crowd reactions, I am going to get further'."
http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0731/598920/daniel-bryan-talks-wanting-brand-split/
 
See less See more
#11 · (Edited)
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

LOL, "SmackDown's title". Please. Without a world title, that doesn't work. I do love the idea of brand exclusive wrestlers, though.

You get a world title and put Ambrose, Wyatt, Owens, Bryan and Cesaro on SmackDown, you have a show that makes Raw obsolete. They can have Cena, Reigns, Rollins, Orton, Sheamus, etc, all the people everybody's tired of.

So, he wanted to live up to being a B+ player by never appearing on Raw?
When they're gonna treat you like one anyway, sure, might as well.

Let's not pretend WWE would care about Smackdown.
I think that's his idea. He doesn't want Vince's fingerprints all over his work. Smart guy.
 
#34 ·
Daniel Bryan - Sam Roberts Interview



Just been listening to this Daniel Bryan interview with Sam Roberts which I though I'd post as it's a decent listen. Few things in the interview which I found interesting;

1) He pitched the idea of him only appearing on Smackdown with the intercontinental title, which would allow the chance for the likes of Cesaro, Cody Rhodes and Ryback to compete for the title with him and have the chance to prove that they could lead a show. A chance which he thinks they won't get otherwise now that there is just the one world title.

2) He also thought that putting him onto a seperate show would help take some of the heat of Roman by separating them. He also praised Roman's ring work and his promos (when he is allowed to be himself).

3) He really likes Heath Slater and thinks he could be this generations Honky Tonk Man. References the US open title challenge and Raw legends segments and says he always entertains whenever given the chance. I actually very much agree on this point and think Heath makes for a very solid mid card heel.

4) He thinks that wrestlers from the independent scene are having so much success in the WWE currently due to the fact everyone on the roster is so overexposed and the indy guys know how to cover the overexposure more by mixing things up.


 
#43 ·
Re: Daniel Bryan - Sam Roberts Interview

Shows you how different (for the better) that Bryan is from most in the pro-wrestling business, that he volunteered to be put exclusively on what is looked at as the "lessor" show just to try and kill the heat for a guy that was getting put in the position he really should have gotten. Props to Bryan. Though this is a double-edged sword of course, it is one of the reasons people love him so much but is also one of the reasons Vince doesn't like him (as a top guy)

Also nice to see Slater get some recognition to.
 
#45 ·
Re: Daniel Bryan - Sam Roberts Interview

Shows you how different (for the better) that Bryan is from most in the pro-wrestling business, that he volunteered to be put exclusively on what is looked at as the "lessor" show just to try and kill the heat for a guy that was getting put in the position he really should have gotten. Props to Bryan. Though this is a double-edged sword of course, it is one of the reasons people love him so much but is also one of the reasons Vince doesn't like him (as a top guy)

Also nice to see Slater get some recognition to.
From this interview and others I have heard from him he also seems to put forward the view, one which I definitely share, that they should be focusing more on creating a roster of stars rather then looking for that 'one guy' to lead the company. Another aspect of his Smackdown suggestion was that he could use his popularity to help raise up some other guys on Smackdown who wouldn't otherwise get the opportunity.

As you say, this mindset can be a downfall of his in the eyes of some but I applaud him for it.
 
#10 ·
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

I would of stopped watching Raw in a heartbeat if he left the show and was Smackdown only..it would be like the good ol 2005 days when Eddie ruled the business with a iron fist as the unchallenged best in the industry.
 
  • Like
Reactions: funnyfaces1
#32 ·
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

That couldve been awsome. They should make the ic title smackdowns top belt and put the womens belt on there aswell then have the tag titles,us title and wwe title on raw. Bryan,Cesaro,Ziggler,Zayn,Neville,Balor,Itami,Joe,Uhaa for the ic title would be epic. Then have Cena,Orton,Sheamus,Reigns,Owenw,Wyatt,Ambrose,Rollins among others on raw.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrRKO
#47 ·
Daniel Bryan Talks Brand Split and wanting to be Smackdown Exclusive

On episode 40 of the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast, Roberts interviewed WWE's Daniel Bryan. Among other topics, Bryan talked about his preference for separate RAW and Smackdown rosters. Also, Bryan revealed his plans for the Intercontinental Championship before his reign was cut short due to injury.

When asked whether Bryan would prefer a brand split, he replied, "yes, I would much rather there have a brand split."

"One of the things I wanted to do when I came back, was do something with the Intercontinental Championship. And my big spiel, my big pitch for this thing, like, I want to be the Intercontinental Champion and I only want to be on Smackdown. I don't want to be on RAW. I want to be on Smackdown because one of my things was I would never have gotten this opportunity if there wasn't split brands, if there wasn't two [world] titles. If there was just the one main title, [WWE] would never, ever given me the opportunity."
Bryan indicated that the Intercontinental Championship could be the main title on Smackdown while the WWE World Heavyweight Championship could be used on RAW. According to Bryan, the Intercontinental Title picture would become "what it was when I was a kid, where it was like I was every bit as excited to see the Intercontinental Title match as I was the World Title match."

Bryan claimed that a brand split would create more opportunities for talent and that one of his goals in coming back from injury would be to help "elevate other people".

"I knew coming back from my neck surgery that I was not going to be the top good guy, as far as the booking is concerned. I'm not talking about popularity, as far as placement of people. And one of the things that really can hurt you is that if people see you as that and people want you to be that and you're not that, is that they can take it out on other people. Right? Like, taking it out on somebody like Roman [Reigns] when [WWE] are trying to push him and that sort of thing." Bryan added, "if you put [Roman Reigns] and I on different shows, then it's better for him and it's better for me."
"Right now, [WWE] are not going to put Cesaro in a WWE World Heavyweight Championship program with Seth Rollins. I mean, [WWE] might, but I don't think [WWE] will though. [WWE] would do that with [Cesaro] and me and the Intercontinental Championship and it might not be the main event of pay per views, but if it carries Smackdown, if that's the main story on Smackdown, it can show everybody, like, I think WWE doesn't think people are capable of some of this kind of stuff. I don't think [WWE] thought I was capable of carrying that kind of stuff until [WWE] gave me the opportunity and it turns out I was. And until you give them the opportunities, give somebody like Cesaro an opportunity to do that and show that he can do it, you know, like, that was part of my thing too. People like Cesaro, people like Cody Rhodes, you know, people like Ryback. Give them these opportunities to carry a show like they carry a program and it would just be good for everybody, and, not only that, good for morale, I was hoping. Like, I have all these greater things. I want everyone to be happy at work. I want us all to enjoy it and be like, 'hey, if I work hard and if I'm good and if I get good crowd reactions, I am going to get further'."
http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0731/598920/daniel-bryan-talks-wanting-brand-split/
 
#4 · (Edited)
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

So, he wanted to live up to being a B+ player by never appearing on Raw? Let's not pretend WWE would care about Smackdown.

I get he's friends with Ryback, but he really wanted to program with that sports entertained vacuum?
I'm here for Bryan/Cesaro in a best of five series or am ironman match though.
 
#17 ·
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

So, he wanted to live up to being a B+ player by never appearing on Raw? Let's not pretend WWE would care about Smackdown.

I get he's friends with Ryback, but he really wanted to program with that sports entertained vacuum?
I'm here for Bryan/Cesaro in a best of five series or am ironman match though.
A Bryan vs. Cesaro Iron Man Match?:trips5 :dayum
 
#8 ·
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

I would have watched for him, especially if he had some matches with Cesaro.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

Hmm. Well I suppose it would give me a reason to watch Smackdown, but it would also be a massive negative on Raw for me. I love Bryan, but I've got to question his ambition at times if he wanted to be an exclusive to the B show :confused:

Bryan is probably one of the only two guys on the roster along with Cena who could help make Smackdown relevant, but it's not like they would ever keep Cena off Raw.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

Hmm. Well I suppose it would give me a reason to watch Smackdown, but it would also be a massive negative on Raw for me. I love Bryan, but I've got to question his ambition at times if he wanted to be an exclusive to the B show :confused:
You don't have to question it, he even said that when he took this test that WWE gives all their wrestlers, he got the lowest ambition scores they had ever seen. All he wants is to wrestle without having Vince McMahon's stupid ideas polluting his angles. At this point, he's got money, he's got world titles, he's got a WrestleMania main event. He's achieved all the top goals, there's no reason for him to be held back from doing what he wants to do.
 
#18 ·
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

Bryan has said a bunch of times that he wanted to prove to Vince and Hunter how big of a draw he was by bringing Smackdown's viewership to the same, or better, than RAW's within 6-12 months of him being the face of it's direction.

I would have loved to see him make Smackdown into old school ROH with intense promos about competition and honor, and brilliant matches. The IC Title being the world title of Smackdown would be incredible to watch.
 
#20 ·
Re: Daniel Bryan Says He Wanted To Be a Smackdown Only Wrestler

I think I heard at the time when this story first came out that he wanted to do that (for a period of time not permanently) as a way to prove to the WWE that he really is a draw for them, and also to restore the prestige to the IC belt.

And right after his return they were putting most of Daniel Bryan's stuff on SD, and the SD ratings did tick up during that time.
 
#21 ·
I think I heard at the time when this story first came out that he wanted to do that (for a period of time not permanently) as a way to prove to the WWE that he really is a draw for them, and also to restore the prestige to the IC belt.

And right after his return they were putting most of Daniel Bryan's stuff on SD, and the SD ratings did tick up during that time.
Yep the ratings were going up weekly with him maineventing the show and it didn't plateau either, which suggests that the direction had rising power. It really is too bad he was injured for a multitude of reasons.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top