Daniel Bryan = Odd Choice for The Observer Hall of Fame

wwe rawBut WWE’s business is in the tank. You deny, but the numbers don’t lie. You like WWE, but your ranks are dwindling.

Has WWE suffered by the notion that “anybody can do it?” That’s a legit question.

It’s amusing that Bryan’s WWE stardom was bestowed so reluctantly. WWE hated Bryan, diluted Bryan and diminished Bryan, but he still got over. So they gave Bryan’s catchphrase to everyone, trying to prove that “the catchphrase is the star.”

But Bryan loves to wrestle, and was so appreciative of a chance to do it on the wrestling world’s biggest stage that he let WWE defecate all over him, then showered off and did his best, which was always very good. The machinations never seemed to rattle Bryan, and that’s doubtless what really pissed off WWE.

Punk, by contrast, didn’t stand for it. Both approaches impressed me.

Bryan is on my WON HoF ballot. I also voted for Brock Lesnar, Ivan Koloff, Perro Aguayo Jr., Gene and Ole Anderson, and the Assassins.

I don’t follow Mexican wrestling closely, but Perro is an obvious choice. Koloff, the Andersons and the Assassins won’t ever get in. I’m tired of explaining why they should, but that won’t stop me from voting for them.

Lesnar is automatic: A huge star and difference-maker in WWE and UFC. Lesnar is currently WWE’s only legit star, with zero disclaimers. The company could go a long way toward solving their problems by paying Lesnar what’s required to work full-time from now ‘til WrestleMania. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t.

Up next: Who didn’t get my vote for the WON HoF, and why.

Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkMaddenX

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