Slow and steady wins the belt

I was glued to the television last night for Smackdown’s main event, as Daniel Bryan challenged Mark Henry in a steel cage for the World Heavyweight Championship. Sitting in my friends living room, I hung on the edge of the couch like so many American Dragon fans, popping at the near escapes, excited at the possibility that WWE’s unpredictable nature may kick in, leaving us with a new champion. Hopeful at the chance to have my two favorite wrestlers hold the company’s major titles.

The likelihood of Bryan winning last night was slim, the fan in me held out hope that maybe tonight was the night. When the match was over, Henry winning with a World’s Strongest Slam off the top rope, the fan in me was disappointed, but person with overall common sense knew this was the way to go. As much as us Soul Man Danny B fans would’ve loved for him to capture the title and get the recognition he’s deserved, last night was not the place.

Bryan-Henry last night showcased both wrestler's talents. (photo: WWE)

As in many cases in wrestling, winning is not important, as much as how you look in a match. Ask CM Punk about that during his stint as ECW Champion, or Rey Mysterio during his WHC run. Whether a competitor comes out victorious or not, looking competitive in a match is essential. The most important thing Bryan needed last night was to look as if he had a chance to win that match, and he definitely did, continuing to bring the fight to Henry after some sick bumps. He was able to ground Henry by working on his kayfabe injured ankle, and almost escaped the cage twice. On the other side, Henry still looked strong, hitting Daniel with some nasty clotheslines and stopping Bryan from getting out the cage with the slam, ensuring victory.

Smackdown’s title match was also a good place to get a litmus test on a few things, such upper management seeing if Dragon has what it takes to make it on the main event scene. Anyone who has seen his work over his career knows this already, but last night reconfirmed it. Bryan is the best worker in the company, and showed again last night that he can work well with a man of Henry’s girth.

Despite the size difference, the LaBell Lock is still possible to apply. (photo: WWE)

It also was a chance to see the chemistry between Henry and Bryan, which was very good last night. Sure, the two have combated before, but it usually involved The Big Show, so to see those two go at it without any outside factors was great to watch, and may have given management something to thing about when penning their WrestleMania card.

Just as essential as how Bryan looked last night was the fact that this match (and the last couple of weeks) have been a chance for Dragon to get back on the main shows in the public eye. Winning the World Heavyweight Championship, only to have it nullified, was a good way to get a crowd reaction of him winning, and obtaining a victory in last week’s number one contender’s match was a way of building momentum. was Like many wrestlers in the company, his push has been a stop-start rollercoaster, and so to see the company put some steam behind him, and allow him to showcase his ability on the main brands, should be a sign of good things to come for Bryan.

The past few weeks have been a chance for Bryan to get back into the public consciousness. (photo: WWE)

While last night would have been a shocking and amazing way for Bryan to win the World Heavyweight Championship, it will better serve him in the long-term that they waited to do so. The story is so much better when the face chases the heel, and ultimately wins after so long. Better crowd reaction too. It’s classic wrestling.

So many careers have been hindered by winning the title far too early. Look at Jack Swagger. Ultimately, Bryan will win the World Heavyweight Championship, but not until there’s been a slow, steady, and ultimately rewarding buildup.