Randy Orton vs Bryan feud: Stroke of genus from creative?

This is one of those obscure, mini-feuds which seemed to have no actual direction. But analyzing it, it seems like terrific booking from the E. By having Orton lose the series to Bryan, it enabled a "shock" win at MiTB for Randy, but it kept Bryan looking so strong that he became a natural choice for Cena once Brad Maddox made it clear that Cena could pick his opponent.

The manic reception the crowd gave these two every match to me is reason enough to give them a championship feud somewhere down the line. Thoughts?

Could also mean a win for Bryan and an instant cash in, which would make Bryan the only person to lose both titles in very short matches (18 seconds) at mania (?? Seconds at SS)

I still don't understand why that mania match happened the way it did!

They needed to give the extra time to Flo-Rida to adequately show off his hoes.

I think it was the shock value, and a way at the time of saying f*** you to the Internet crowd and indie crowd for going on and on about Bryan, so they couldn't say he had a good match at mania.

Could definitely see a Orton Bryan feud finishing inside Hell In A Cell.

Bluebird_ccfc wrote:I still don't understand why that mania match happened the way it did!

The optimist in me would like to think it was the beginning of an intentionally long story arc, where Bryan's mental state deteriorates over time, before his relationship with Kane and the therapy rescues him and allows him to become mentally stronger than he's ever been. With the pay off being a main event title win over Cena at Summerslam.

In reality he was probably just the scapegoat in a failed attempt to get Sheamus over as a top tier guy.

I still think it was the best way for Bryan to lose it. It was a big deal, it was a big moment and it was the start of the WWE putting some support behind him.

When it first happened I had a feeling he would end up better off, but I didn't imagine he would be this over and neither did Vince I can bet.

It's clear the fans weren't happy and got behind Bryan even more, thus leaving the WWE with no choice other than to give him a push.

Yes picked it like a dirty nose please see comments above