I write a Monday and Friday wrestling column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
The latest column is on why Daniel Bryan wasn’t featured on the NBC WrestleMania 30 special on Sunday night. The following is an excerpt:
Daniel Bryan just made history, but not the good kind.
NBC showed a one-hour condensed replay of WrestleMania 30 on Sunday night and not one minute was shown of Bryan. In the six years NBC has done this special, Bryan is the first main event and WWE Champion not to be featured.
Not one minute of the guy who was the leading story going into the show. Not one minute of the guy who won two matches in the night. Not one minute of the guy who closed the show with confetti falling from the sky as he held the two championship belts in the air.
Many on social media are asking why? But if you think about it, it’s really a foolish question to ask.
The NBC special isn’t for the hardcore WWE fans who already paid WWE to see it. The special is to draw in new viewers or viewers once lost. It makes no sense to showcase a guy who they might get interested in, but then turn on Monday Night RAW and can’t see.
It’s basically an hour of an infomercial for WWE on prime time television. Time is money. WWE was determined to spend this time on people who are making them money right now.
Bryan doing nothing with his title run was a string of unfortunate events and timing. It started when he left the week after he won the title for his marriage and honeymoon. He then returned and had to deal with the tragic, sudden passing of his father. Then, he got hurt and had to vacate the title.
I’m as big of a Bryan supporter as any, but it makes no sense to show him on the NBC special. You can complain about John Cena, complain about Brock Lesnar being a part-timer and complain about Hulk Hogan not being a wrestler. WWE was still right in this situation, and you’re wrong if you’re arguing the logic.
CLICK HERE for what this means for Bryan’s future and what did make sense in the NBC special.
