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| Bryan working over Sheamus' fingers |
1. Daniel Bryan
Points: 4954
Ballots: 52
Highest Vote: 1st Place (Cewsh, Drew Smith, Brett Clendaniel, Jay Sanudo, Eamon Paton, John Rosenberger, Mike Germano, Erin Pronovost, Jon Parsons, Jae Renfrow, Chris McDonald, Kevin Newburn, Typical ROH Fan)
Last Year's Placement: 2nd Place
TH: Daniel Bryan's least-realized, most infamous match of 2012 sent shockwaves of ire from the meta-fan community, but without it, I'm not sure he got to show that the American Dragon still was alive and well. At WrestleMania XXVIII, he ate one Brogue Kick in 18 seconds, lighting the fuse on a bomb of YES! chants that wouldn't peter out until well after they would rematch at Extreme Rules. The outrage spoke a message loud and clear to the WWE braintrust – people wanted to see Daniel Bryan be the American Dragon.
It wasn't as if Bryan had a bad year to that point. Far from it, actually. He was in a fun cat-and-mouse feud with The Big Show that included doses here and there of Mark Henry. His interplay with Santino Marella inside the Elimination Chamber was both amusing and suspenseful. He even had a random match with Punk on Super Smackdown Live that foreshadowed what they'd do in the summer. But he wasn't allowed to be the American Dragon like he was before getting to WWE.
But when he got knocked out of Mania before the show even had a chance to start in earnest, oh boy, the backlash was heavy. Thankfully, the office noticed it, and they let Dragon be Dragon. He went out and had no fewer than three excellent matches with Sheamus that made tape, the greatest of these being his finest WWE match to date at Extreme Rules. Then there was the CM Punk feud. He had some fine matches with Kane too. He went toe-to-toe with John Cena on RAW, a match where Cena broke out the CM Punk match template and not the Jack Swagger-in-2010 template. The Team Hell No stuff may have seemed underwhelming to some, but I actually dug a good bit of it. Yeah, some of it might have been more for Kane and Bryan bickering like a married couple, but of all the teams that had internal strife because of a forced pairing, to me, it's inarguable they did it best. The cap to his year was the best WWE match that didn't happen at Extreme Rules, the Shield six man tag at TLC. If there was a great match in WWE, there was a more-than-great chance Bryan was in it.
Seriously, WrestleMania was the ultimate silver lining for Daniel Bryan fans. Would he have been unleashed had the fans not outraged? Maybe, you never know. However, it almost feels like it was WWE reacting organically to a movement among the fans, and everyone reaped the rewards. The American Dragon was finally unleashed again, and the WWE may never be the same again.
Jesse Powell: On a level maybe no one but Ziggler and Punk are on, plus he has the capacity to do comedy, whereas I don’t know if Punk or Zigs do.
Cewsh: Simply the most flawlessly talented wrestler in the United States of America. Others may be more flashy, others may steal the show more, and others may do more impressive moves. But nobody stacks up against Daniel Bryan as a complete package inside the ropes. From his incredible match with Sheamus, to his incredible matches with CM Punk to his holding down the midcard with Kane in a tag team that wouldn't have worked with anyone but him, he was an indispensable treasure in 2012. I don’t know that he’ll be surpassed by anyone in this generation in the US in terms of pure skill. It's not even all that close.
Justin Daley: One of the most technical wrestlers in the biz right now. He has no problem goin to the turnbuckles either. He is what i look for in all my favorite wrestlers. Innovative, Precise, Technical, and Entertaining. I felt the tag team with Kane would take away from his overall performance, but it did not. It only helped him build his character and his fanbase. Hopefully they take the tag belts of him sooner than later so he can really shine as one of the marquee names in the WWE.
De O'Brien: Daniel Bryan had what could best be summed up as the Alternate Universe version of Tim Donst's year: Donst abused and mistreated his loyal sidekick because he is a man with goals and plans that must be executed in the most horrible of ways; Bryan found himself reluctantly tagging - and enjoying it - with Kane, a man who is his basic opposite in everything but drive and the will to succeed. Donst started off 2012 as CHIKARA's still-sweet, if somewhat tarnished, plucky boy and matured fast into an unbalanced, compelling danger; Bryan started off 2012 as a petulant, emotionally abusive jerk and over time discovered that he has an innate, if somewhat rigid, sweetness about him. Donst went from having the world's goofiest gimmick (really? that headgear?) to donning a leather jacket, glaring holes into audiences and doing his best to perpetuate as much misery on his opponents as possible; Bryan went from being a clean-cut, calculating assassin, efficient with the kicks and hard on the strikes, to a bearded, more comedic version of himself, albeit a much more "Dazzling" one.
All in all, Daniel Bryan had a pretty grand year, and it was the most Everyman Champion year of them all: Stuck working with a guy you hate because your boss says you have to, but you somehow manage to overcome every issue and everything working against you and you make it work. I know not everyone can relate to winning the WWE Tag Titles, but I'd like to think most of us can empathize with Bryan's situation this past year and see that the man has come to fit comfortably in his role of Chester to Kane's Spike. Another good part about teaming Bryan with Kane? Bryan can show his considerable skillset without being defined by the team: he doesn't NEED Kane to thrive and continue to stay amazingly talented, but he always has a partner that's a perfect foil when he needs to have a tag match.
For a guy who gained notoriety by choking a man with a tie a couple years ago, you must admit: That's a pretty dazzling change of fortune. Let's cross our fingers and hope Fate keeps smiling kindly on Daniel Bryan, shall we?
Mike Pankowski: Bryan really pushed CM Punk for my #1 spot. He is the best at keeping his character going in the ring and fitting it to into his wrestling. It is a joy to watch him chain spots together (particularly his submissions) and kick people in the head very hard. Bryan has become the guy the WWE counts on to put on the most enjoyable match of the show. Between matches like his battle with Sheamus at Extreme Rules and the 6 man tag match at TLC, Bryan continues to pull off great matches with different types of opponents.
John Rosenberger: I think at this point we can all agree at the least that D-Bry is towards the top of the wrestling skill food-chain. His ability to exhibit the best technical grappling and still incorporate aspects of comedy wrestling is the reason that he was without a doubt at the top of my list.
Mike Germano: In terms of technical skill, we all know Daniel Bryan is the real Best in the WWE. But part of Bryan's in-ring work that sometimes goes under appreciated is the way he works the crowd with both the flow of a match, and his facial expressions. The man is truly a master if not just working the crowd, but working the TV audience in a way that doesn't seem forced like some. Bryan never seems like he's remembering which move to do next, he creates a natural flow to every match he is in. I could list all of his spectacular matches he has had in 2012, but to me, the fact that he makes the 3 minute TV matches enjoyable is the true art.
Lee Spriggs: I'm not sure what I could say that others won't say better. He's the best wrestler in the ring and his 2 out of 3 falls match against Sheamus was a masterpiece. All I want from him in 2013 is the return of the Cattle Mutilation.
Joey O: Heel, face, short matches, long matches, comedy, intensity, singles wrestler, tag team specialist...Daniel Bryan was the most versitile performer in WWE in 2012. Did last year prove that Bryan can do pretty much *anything* in the world of wrestling? Yes! Yes! Yes!
Dave Musgrave: Daniel Bryan is the Eddie Guerrero of his generation as he has always been one of the top in-ring workers of his generation but has now gotten over with personality that some people did not think he had. Once the Team Hell No program plays out he should be able to go right into a world title program and get over even more.
Dylan Hales: Daniel Bryan is a guy who gets the benefit of every doubt from most "smart" fans and I find it highly annoying. Almost every time a poll like this is done he is the default one for a lot of people, and while he often times has a case to be number one, it always seems to me that the arguments for him are shallow. And yet every time I participate in a poll like this Bryan does well on my ballot. Why? Because he really is one of the best guys in the world. In fact this year Bryan was on pace to be MY number one until the tag team with Kane started. And while I think you could make the case that he made the best out of a less than ideal situation, there is no question that Team Hell No-era Byan didn't hit the highs of "holy shit this is a MOTYC"-era Bryan that was running rampant for the first half of the year. So while I fully expect to be annoyed by Bryan's spot on the list (I assume it's one or two), I will at least grant that for a chunk of 2012 he would have been my number one.
Typical ROH Fan: He's the best in the world. Every match he has finds a way to deliver. The variety of opponents he excels with also adds to it in Mark Henry, Big Show, Santino, Sheamus, CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Rey Mysterio, Kane and so many others. Even vs. Sheamus at Wrestlemania, something great came out of it for him. (Favorite 2012 match: vs. Sheamus at Extreme Rules)
And now, for completism's sake, here's the entire list:
1. Daniel Bryan
2. CM Punk
3. Dolph Ziggler
4. Antonio Cesaro
5. El Generico
6. Austin Aries
7. Sheamus
8. Alberto del Rio
9. Kevin Steen
10. ACH
11. John Cena
12. Robert Roode
13. The Big Show
14. Cody Rhodes
15. Damien Sandow
16. Chris Jericho
17. Bully Ray
18. Christopher Daniels
19. Seth Rollins
20. Adam Cole
21. Eddie Kingston
22. Sara del Rey
23. Michael Elgin
24. Dean Ambrose
25. Johnny Gargano
26. Sami Callihan
27. Mark Henry
28. Mark Angel/Angelosetti
29. Rachel Summerlyn
30. Nick Jackson
31. Kane
32. Matt Jackson
33. RD Evans/Archibald Peck/Mysterious and Hansome Stranger
34. Tim Donst
35. Mike Quackenbush
36. AR Fox
37. Tyson Kidd
38. Colt Cabana
39. Jigsaw/Rubix
40. Davey Richards
41. Wade Barrett
42. Randy Orton
43. Green Ant
44. Chuck Taylor
45. Ryback
46. Athena
47. Kassius Ohno/Chris Hero
48. Brock Lesnar
49. AJ Styles
50. Eddie Edwards
51. Ricochet
52. Kofi Kingston
53. James Storm
54. Hallowicked
55. Kyle O'Reilly
56. Willie Mack
57. UltraMantis Black
58. Jay Briscoe
59. LuFisto
60. Dasher Hatfield
61. Heath Slater
62. Roderick Strong
63. Samoa Joe
64. Kazarian
65. Jeff Hardy
66. Mark Briscoe
67. Icarus
68. Davey Vega
69. Samuray del Sol
70. Kenny King
71. Leakee/Roman Reigns
72. Jessicka Havok
73. Kurt Angle
74. Sugar Dunkerton
75. Kana
76. Scott Parker
77. Eve Torres
78. Ophidian
79. Shane Matthews
80. Soldier Ant
81. Justin Gabriel
82. Portia Perez
83. Mike Bennett
84. Rich Swann
85. The Shard
86. Jay Lethal
87. Cheerleader Melissa
88. Mia Yim
89. Christian
90. Saraya Knight
91. Stupefied
92. Jimmy Jacobs
93. Akira Tozawa
94. Masada
95. Joseph Park/Abyss
96. Drake Younger
97. The Miz
98. Player Uno
99. Drew Gulak
100. Adam Pearce
Points: 4954
Ballots: 52
Highest Vote: 1st Place (Cewsh, Drew Smith, Brett Clendaniel, Jay Sanudo, Eamon Paton, John Rosenberger, Mike Germano, Erin Pronovost, Jon Parsons, Jae Renfrow, Chris McDonald, Kevin Newburn, Typical ROH Fan)
Last Year's Placement: 2nd Place
TH: Daniel Bryan's least-realized, most infamous match of 2012 sent shockwaves of ire from the meta-fan community, but without it, I'm not sure he got to show that the American Dragon still was alive and well. At WrestleMania XXVIII, he ate one Brogue Kick in 18 seconds, lighting the fuse on a bomb of YES! chants that wouldn't peter out until well after they would rematch at Extreme Rules. The outrage spoke a message loud and clear to the WWE braintrust – people wanted to see Daniel Bryan be the American Dragon.
It wasn't as if Bryan had a bad year to that point. Far from it, actually. He was in a fun cat-and-mouse feud with The Big Show that included doses here and there of Mark Henry. His interplay with Santino Marella inside the Elimination Chamber was both amusing and suspenseful. He even had a random match with Punk on Super Smackdown Live that foreshadowed what they'd do in the summer. But he wasn't allowed to be the American Dragon like he was before getting to WWE.
 |
| Bryan stretching CM Punk in a Romero Special Photo Credit: WWE.com |
Seriously, WrestleMania was the ultimate silver lining for Daniel Bryan fans. Would he have been unleashed had the fans not outraged? Maybe, you never know. However, it almost feels like it was WWE reacting organically to a movement among the fans, and everyone reaped the rewards. The American Dragon was finally unleashed again, and the WWE may never be the same again.
 |
| Bryan making Santino say YES when the ref asks if he's giving it up Photo Credit: WWE.com |
Cewsh: Simply the most flawlessly talented wrestler in the United States of America. Others may be more flashy, others may steal the show more, and others may do more impressive moves. But nobody stacks up against Daniel Bryan as a complete package inside the ropes. From his incredible match with Sheamus, to his incredible matches with CM Punk to his holding down the midcard with Kane in a tag team that wouldn't have worked with anyone but him, he was an indispensable treasure in 2012. I don’t know that he’ll be surpassed by anyone in this generation in the US in terms of pure skill. It's not even all that close.
Justin Daley: One of the most technical wrestlers in the biz right now. He has no problem goin to the turnbuckles either. He is what i look for in all my favorite wrestlers. Innovative, Precise, Technical, and Entertaining. I felt the tag team with Kane would take away from his overall performance, but it did not. It only helped him build his character and his fanbase. Hopefully they take the tag belts of him sooner than later so he can really shine as one of the marquee names in the WWE.
 |
| Bryan dropping a big missile on Kane Photo Credit: WWE.com |
All in all, Daniel Bryan had a pretty grand year, and it was the most Everyman Champion year of them all: Stuck working with a guy you hate because your boss says you have to, but you somehow manage to overcome every issue and everything working against you and you make it work. I know not everyone can relate to winning the WWE Tag Titles, but I'd like to think most of us can empathize with Bryan's situation this past year and see that the man has come to fit comfortably in his role of Chester to Kane's Spike. Another good part about teaming Bryan with Kane? Bryan can show his considerable skillset without being defined by the team: he doesn't NEED Kane to thrive and continue to stay amazingly talented, but he always has a partner that's a perfect foil when he needs to have a tag match.
For a guy who gained notoriety by choking a man with a tie a couple years ago, you must admit: That's a pretty dazzling change of fortune. Let's cross our fingers and hope Fate keeps smiling kindly on Daniel Bryan, shall we?
 |
| Bryan putting the boots to Dean Ambrose Photo Credit: WWE.com |
John Rosenberger: I think at this point we can all agree at the least that D-Bry is towards the top of the wrestling skill food-chain. His ability to exhibit the best technical grappling and still incorporate aspects of comedy wrestling is the reason that he was without a doubt at the top of my list.
Mike Germano: In terms of technical skill, we all know Daniel Bryan is the real Best in the WWE. But part of Bryan's in-ring work that sometimes goes under appreciated is the way he works the crowd with both the flow of a match, and his facial expressions. The man is truly a master if not just working the crowd, but working the TV audience in a way that doesn't seem forced like some. Bryan never seems like he's remembering which move to do next, he creates a natural flow to every match he is in. I could list all of his spectacular matches he has had in 2012, but to me, the fact that he makes the 3 minute TV matches enjoyable is the true art.
 |
| Bryan dismantling John Cena Photo Credit: WWE.com |
Lee Spriggs: I'm not sure what I could say that others won't say better. He's the best wrestler in the ring and his 2 out of 3 falls match against Sheamus was a masterpiece. All I want from him in 2013 is the return of the Cattle Mutilation.
Joey O: Heel, face, short matches, long matches, comedy, intensity, singles wrestler, tag team specialist...Daniel Bryan was the most versitile performer in WWE in 2012. Did last year prove that Bryan can do pretty much *anything* in the world of wrestling? Yes! Yes! Yes!
Dave Musgrave: Daniel Bryan is the Eddie Guerrero of his generation as he has always been one of the top in-ring workers of his generation but has now gotten over with personality that some people did not think he had. Once the Team Hell No program plays out he should be able to go right into a world title program and get over even more.
 |
| Bryan rips the cartilage from Dolph Ziggler's nose Photo Credit: WWE.com |
Typical ROH Fan: He's the best in the world. Every match he has finds a way to deliver. The variety of opponents he excels with also adds to it in Mark Henry, Big Show, Santino, Sheamus, CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Rey Mysterio, Kane and so many others. Even vs. Sheamus at Wrestlemania, something great came out of it for him. (Favorite 2012 match: vs. Sheamus at Extreme Rules)
 |
| Bryan peppers Damien Sandow's chest with kicks Photo Credit: WWE.com |
1. Daniel Bryan
2. CM Punk
3. Dolph Ziggler
4. Antonio Cesaro
5. El Generico
6. Austin Aries
7. Sheamus
8. Alberto del Rio
9. Kevin Steen
10. ACH
11. John Cena
12. Robert Roode
13. The Big Show
14. Cody Rhodes
15. Damien Sandow
16. Chris Jericho
17. Bully Ray
18. Christopher Daniels
19. Seth Rollins
20. Adam Cole
21. Eddie Kingston
22. Sara del Rey
23. Michael Elgin
24. Dean Ambrose
25. Johnny Gargano
26. Sami Callihan
27. Mark Henry
28. Mark Angel/Angelosetti
29. Rachel Summerlyn
30. Nick Jackson
31. Kane
32. Matt Jackson
33. RD Evans/Archibald Peck/Mysterious and Hansome Stranger
34. Tim Donst
35. Mike Quackenbush
36. AR Fox
37. Tyson Kidd
38. Colt Cabana
39. Jigsaw/Rubix
40. Davey Richards
41. Wade Barrett
42. Randy Orton
43. Green Ant
44. Chuck Taylor
45. Ryback
46. Athena
47. Kassius Ohno/Chris Hero
48. Brock Lesnar
49. AJ Styles
50. Eddie Edwards
51. Ricochet
52. Kofi Kingston
53. James Storm
54. Hallowicked
55. Kyle O'Reilly
56. Willie Mack
57. UltraMantis Black
58. Jay Briscoe
59. LuFisto
60. Dasher Hatfield
61. Heath Slater
62. Roderick Strong
63. Samoa Joe
64. Kazarian
65. Jeff Hardy
66. Mark Briscoe
67. Icarus
68. Davey Vega
69. Samuray del Sol
70. Kenny King
71. Leakee/Roman Reigns
72. Jessicka Havok
73. Kurt Angle
74. Sugar Dunkerton
75. Kana
76. Scott Parker
77. Eve Torres
78. Ophidian
79. Shane Matthews
80. Soldier Ant
81. Justin Gabriel
82. Portia Perez
83. Mike Bennett
84. Rich Swann
85. The Shard
86. Jay Lethal
87. Cheerleader Melissa
88. Mia Yim
89. Christian
90. Saraya Knight
91. Stupefied
92. Jimmy Jacobs
93. Akira Tozawa
94. Masada
95. Joseph Park/Abyss
96. Drake Younger
97. The Miz
98. Player Uno
99. Drew Gulak
100. Adam Pearce
