Daniel Bryan and Becky Lynch: A Tale of Two WWE Heels

Daniel Bryan did the unthinkable when he turned heel on AJ Styles to become the new WWE champion. Suddenly one this generation’s most popular babyfaces took the easy way out and completely changed course. The same was true of Becky Lynch, who recently betrayed her best friend Charlotte Flair and became the SmackDown Women’s champion.

But even though Bryan is just getting started with his new direction, it seems that Lynch is once again changing course. Becky was the hottest heel in WWE and indeed one of the hottest Superstars in the company as well. However now, she’s taken what many feel is an unfortunate step back. But has WWE done the right thing in both cases?

It’s obvious that Daniel’s star had dimmed somewhat since his return at WrestleMania 34. Bryan was still doing and saying all the right things. He still looked great in the ring, he still had the fire and he was definitely a top hand on the blue brand. But what about his connection to the fans? 

This is key to Daniel’s success in Vince McMahon’s company. It’s no secret that WWE wasn’t very high on Bryan in the beginning. Daniel was one of the most respected and talented pro wrestlers in the business long before he got to WWE. Fans knew what he brought to the table and his future on the worldwide stage seemed bright indeed. But it took time for Bryan to establish himself and truly come into his own in WWE.

Watch Daniel Bryan defeat AJ Styles on SmackDown:

Daniel Bryan wins WWE Championship in shocking fashion: SmackDown LIVE, Nov. 13, 2018

Somewhere along the way, he found that all-important connection to the audience. The fans felt a kinship to Daniel and it was something that they could hold onto. He was the underdog and everyone loves a good underdog story. But the relationship between Bryan and the WWE faithful was far stronger and far more intense than anything the industry had seen in years. 

Long before Becky Lynch drew comparisons to Stone Cold Steve Austin, Daniel Bryan was the one being mentioned in the same breath as The Texas Rattlesnake. But unlike Lynch, it had nothing to do with Bryan’s character. It was Daniel’s popularity that set him apart from the rest of the WWE locker room. Fans not only wanted to see him; they needed to see him. They chanted “Yes” when he wasn’t in the ring, or even in the building.

The crowd loved him despite whether he won or lost and every time WWE dropped the ball with him, the fans loudly protested. Daniel was the next big star and there was no denying that. The company may not have wanted it but the fans did and that was all that mattered. So without the WWE Universe, there would have been no Daniel Bryan and everyone knows it.

So when the moment came that his connection to the audience began to wane, it was clear that Daniel was no longer the special attraction he once was. WWE had to make a change, so Bryan turned heel. But when it happened, the move was very reminiscent of Becky’s heel turn against Charlotte.

Watch Becky choose Charlotte to replace her at Survivor Series:

Becky Lynch chooses her replacement to face Ronda Rousey: SmackDown LIVE, Nov. 13, 2018

Becky couldn’t get to the next level. Much like Daniel, Becky was extremely popular and a highly respected fan favorite. Yet no matter what she did, she was always stuck in one place. While her peers enjoyed the world title picture, Lynch was forced to watch as a spectator. Yes, she had her moments with the championship but as soon as she lost, she was right back to the starting point again. 

So when the time came to make an impact and make a change, WWE turned Becky heel. But when it happened, the turn was so surreal that it didn’t feel like the right move. Lynch’s belief that Charlotte had stolen her moment seemed weak at best. But WWE had made the decision and there was no turning back. Becky was a heel and everyone would just have to deal with it. Now the same thing has happened with Daniel Bryan.

The SmackDown Live crowd that watched Daniel deliver the low-blow to Styles were beyond shocked. They were stunned. Once again, WWE had a highly popular Superstar stuck in neutral and once again, the decision was made to completely reverse that Superstar’s character. The heel turn seems to be WWE’s go-to move at this point and it’s hard to argue with it when the move works. But what happens when it doesn’t?

This was precisely the case with Lynch. WWE believed it had a paint-by-numbers antagonist on its hands but that belief was dead wrong. What WWE had was the hottest antihero since Daniel Bryan himself. Becky became cooler than ever before and despite what she did, the fans went along for the ride. Much like Daniel, Becky had made a powerful connection to the WWE Universe.

Watch Daniel confronted backstage on SmackDown:

Daniel Bryan is asked to explain his actions: SmackDown Exclusive, Nov. 13, 2018

But Lynch made that connection after she turned heel and Daniel turned heel because he lost the connection. Did Lynch really need to turn heel? Some fans argued that she was never a heel, that her character was simply taking another direction. The fact that she perpetrated one sneak attack after another on Charlotte didn’t seem to matter. Neither did the fact that she cheated to keep her championship against Charlotte.

So no matter what reasons Daniel Bryan eventually gives to explain his actions against AJ Styles, the truth is it just won’t matter. Bryan turned without any sort of build-up and he did it when the moment didn’t seem to fit. If fans decide they’re not happy with this, then they will not support it. If that happens, then Daniel could be a babyface again in record time. After all, that’s what WWE has done with Becky Lynch.

When Becky grabbed Charlotte and hugged her on the November 13 edition of SmackDown Live, fans were taken aback. Why do that? Why kill the heat between Flair and Lynch? Was it done to leave the door open for the newly heeled Daniel Bryan? Once again, would any explanation even matter?

Perhaps some fans have the right idea. Maybe the time for heels and babyfaces is indeed over in pro wrestling and maybe the time has come for something different. Or perhaps WWE is just going with the flow and not worrying about tomorrow. Heels and faces are not written well and because of that, their outcomes are in a constant state of flux. No matter what the answer, it’s obvious that WWE loves creating controversy. Whether or not that controversy will actually accomplish anything remains to be seen.

 

Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Wrestling Rumors. His podcast, Tom Clark’s Main Event, is available on iTunes,YouTube, iHeart Radio, boinkstudios.com and live every Friday at 12pm EST on Wrestling Rumors Facebook Live