John's Jargon: 6th Edition

John’s Jargon

From Professional Wrestling to Baseball and Everything In-Between

How royal is the Royal Rumble?

The Longevity of Concepts in the WWE

By John Napolitano

            1988 — A time period that is further away from this very second than the year 2039. It was a year that witnessed the birth of global warming apprehension, the last time the Los Angeles Dodgers would win a World Series and most importantly, the launching of the fourth major WWE pay-per-view, the Royal Rumble. That’s right, the brainchild of WWE Hall of Famer, Pat Patterson, the Royal Rumble, is twenty-six years old.

 So what’s the problem? The Royal Rumble is one of the most anticipated spectacles on the WWE calendar and delivers electrifying action each and every year. Crucially, the Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View has produced a WrestleMania main event between its victor and the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion for the better half of the last three decades. In an industry that survives solely on the evolution of creative content, how has a concept like the Royal Rumble stayed relevant?

Don’t get me wrong; the Royal Rumble is my second favorite WWE pay-per-view behind WrestleMania. It fosters some of the most entertaining action all year and is highlighted by the Royal Rumble match, which is a modified 30-man battle royal. But imagine having the same dinner for twenty-six years, listening to the same song for twenty-six years or having a WWE Superstar cut the same promos and hit the same spots in the ring for twenty-six years.

Albeit, every Royal Rumble is unique to the previous one, it’s not as if the original participants have been entering the match every year since 1988 only to fall short to “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan once again. But the concept of the winner of the Royal Rumble match headlining WrestleMania is almost as old as the concept of the match itself. (Winning the Royal Rumble did not always entail a title shot at WrestleMania)

            I would not go as far to say that the Royal Rumble and its implications have become jaded. To its credit, the concept has endured three different White House Administrations and still feels captivating by the time late January rolls around.

Essentially, how much longer will the Royal Rumble’s tenure as a pay-per-view last? Will the concept evolve slightly by 2039? The Money in the Bank cash-in concept is just nine years old and, in my opinion, is on its way out. It would not surprise me if we witnessed the death of the Hell in a Cell Pay-Per-View in one year’s time. No one even cared about or remembers the Fatal Four-Way Pay-Per-View from 2010.

Although evolution of creative content is the modus operandi of the WWE, I do not foresee the final days of the Royal Rumble. Unlike subsequent concepts, the Rumble is a staple of the WWE calendar. As one of the core four WWE events, it’s virtually bulletproof; the death of the Royal Rumble would be similar to the nixing of WrestleMania due to antiquity, highly improbable.

The real question in the grand scheme of professional wrestling, is what will be the next concept to hit a homerun with the WWE Universe.   

The Simplest Game on The Biggest Stage

August is the month of dreading school and the satisfaction of baseball. The Little League World Series comes to us from South Williamsport, Pennsylvania where the United States faces the World in baseball over a week and a half. Many will give me heat for this, but I think that the LLWS is the best sporting event in America. Some will say the Final Four/March Madness or the Super Bowl, but the Super Bowl is all hype and March Madness has sucked for me the last couple years because of early exits for my Duke and Villanova squads (that is not the sole reason why I don't rank it as number 1 though- I'm not that biased).

Today was the final day of this great tournament where the Asia-Pacific representative Seoul, South Korea, defeated the U.S., Great Lakes, and Illinois state champion Jackie Robinson West Little League from the South side of Chicago. Chi-Town fell to Korea in a valiant effort 8-4 after a late game comeback. This was the 6th game Chicago played in the tournament and the victory also marked the 3rd LLWS Championship for the Seoul Little League. What made this team from the Great Lakes Region extra unique was that they were a Urban Initiative Little League team. The UI is a program started by Little league International to help grow  the game of baseball in inner cities. You could call them an underdog but they were just a good group of players who exemplified the Little League motto of "Courage, Loyalty, and Honesty".

Chicago wasn't the only inner city team to compete in the tourney this year. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion Taney Dragons from Philadelphia led by female fireballer Mo'ne Davis were looking really good in their first two games, but lost two straight to Las Vegas (West) and Chicago to get knocked out of championship contention. The team gained more attention then any other because of Mo. Why? 1. Because she's a good looking kid 2. She is a good player 3. She's a girl. The story was so easy to write about that the media went crazy. More press passes were issued through Taney's third game against Vegas than the ENTIRE TOURNAMENT last year. The way ESPN was reporting on her during the games, it made her sound like she was a baseball pioneer. Don't get me wrong, she is an important figure in Little League baseball, but the inflated stats was too much icing on the cake. Mo'ne Davis was the best pitcher this tournament saw even though she wasn't her usual shut-out self on Wednesday against the West. Her 70 mph fastball and wicked curve makes her an incredible baseball player. Isn't that what this tournament is about, baseball players?

Mo'ne Davis returns to the dugout after warmups before game 16 of the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014. Philadelphia defeated Pearland, Texas, 7-6. Elizabeth Frantz, PennLive (PennLive/The Patriot-News)

The reason why each year brings more and more fans to Bill Town is because more and more people understand the beauty of this event. There is an argument that having 13-year old kids on ESPN for a week is a joke, but tell that to the over 40 thousand including myself who sit up on the hill to see competitive baseball every year.

John's Jargon: 5th Edition

John’s Jargon

From Professional Wrestling to Baseball and Everything In-Between

Airing a New Era

By John Napolitano

            The ravenous fans of the WWE Universe tend to habitually categorize different time periods in professional wrestling in order to track the evolution of the business. Inquisitive enthusiasts are continuously curious as to what time period produced the best of sports entertainment. These time periods are commonly referred to as eras, and fanatics over the last century have witnessed the “Television Era” of the 1960s and 70s, the “Golden Era” which was defined by the birth of WrestleMania and the “Rock n’ Wrestling Connection,” and the “Modern Era” of professional wrestling.

The “Modern Era” can be further dissected into periods of time that the trailblazer of pro-wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment, has conceptualized. These eras within the WWE’s tenure as the premiere sports entertainment juggernaut have been dubbed the “New Generation,” the “Attitude Era,” the “Ruthless Aggression Era” and the “PG Era.”

The opening and closing of an era is a monumental moment because it signifies the evolution and revamping of professional wrestling internally, culturally and creatively. For example, the “New Generation” featuring budding superstars like Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon was a refreshing change of pace from the “Golden Era,” which saw dinosaurs like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior constantly claiming victory over their adversaries.

When the “New Generation” and their antics became passé, it took the cutting edge conducts of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and Mankind, to name a few, to bring World Wrestling Entertainment into the “Attitude Era” and back into relevancy. In essence, each subsequent era in the WWE brings something new to the table, and that alone is cause for sheer excitement. 

The “Reality Era,” the “Social Media Era” and even the “Network Era” have been candidates in identifying what course the “S.S. Sports Entertainment” is currently sailing. This time period in World Wrestling Entertainment has not been officially christened, as labeling eras is a practice done retrospectively; but it has never been more apparent that we have embarked on a new chapter with breakout characters, contemporary storylines and greater appreciation for the sport itself.

The trekking of a new creative campaign officially resonated with me as I watched the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Bryan, hoist his titles in front of the WrestleMania 30 set as a flurry of pyrotechnics erupted in the background and Michael Cole cried, “Tonight, Daniel Bryan has arrived!” This WrestleMania moment not only left me with chills, but paralleled WrestleMania 14 when Stone Cold Steve Austin won the WWE Championship and Jim Ross epically exclaimed, “The Austin Era has begun!”

Whenever an up-and-coming superstar defeats the more experienced incumbent on the grandest stage of them all, one can assume a shift is imminent. We have witnessed these shifts following events like Shawn Michaels defeating Bret Hart at WrestleMania 12, Brock Lesnar vanquishing Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 19 and John Cena and Batista capturing their first World Titles at WrestleMania 21.

Another component of this shifting tide in World Wrestling Entertainment is the updating of the WWE Logo. Seldom does the WWE change the design of its visual representation, and when it is changed, captivating content is in store. The former scratch logo was introduced to the WWE Universe in 2002 at birth of the “Ruthless Aggression Era.” This era is widely regarded as the most action packed and wrestling appreciative time period in WWE history.

Coincidently, I have noticed the production of more wrestling-oriented shows in the WWE as of late. There is a welcomed absence of dance competitions, watered-down comedy and pointless tag-team matchups that benefit no one involved. Even more importantly, I feel as though there is a bigger effort to utilize a wider spectrum of the talent in storylines and angles in order to generate interest up and down the card. Whether the content overhaul is an effort to increase the WWE Network subscriber count, or usher in a newer and more competitive era, the change is highly appreciated.

Sierra, Hotel, India, Echo, Lima, Delta, S.H.I.E.L.D! The former members of one of the greatest factions in WWE history, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns are the biggest telltale signs that not only are we entering a new era in the WWE, but that this new era is in good hands. The objective of a faction is to spinout a surefire star; the S.H.I.E.L.D. unprecedentedly manufactured three surefire stars and future World Champions. The “Attitude Era” is commonly glorified because it had two megastars in Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock at the helm of the ship. I would contest that we have THREE megastars captaining us into the next era.

In my eight years as a professional wrestling fan I have never been more confident about the future of the business than at this very moment. I assure you that as we voyage through these uncharted waters, we will soon reach the Promised Land as the WWE airs a new era.

John's Jargon: 4th Edition

John’s Jargon

From Professional Wrestling to Baseball and Everything In-Between

Brock Shocks the Staples Center

By John Napolitano

The Los Angeles Staples Center witnessed history in the form Brock Lesnar conquering the 15-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, John Cena for the strap this past Sunday at Summerslam.

Never before have we seen the utter decimation of the ever-resilient John Cena on a grand stage in the fashion that took place on August 17th. The incoming champ and face of the WWE, John Cena, generated literally no offense in his losing effort against the “Beast Incarnate.” The new WWE World Heavyweight Champion and torchbearer for the company, Brock Lesnar, is partial to limited television appearances and ludicrous paychecks, which completely contradicts the role of the champion. Therefore, we should expect a dramatic redefinition of the WWE World Heavyweight Champion’s role and worth within World Wrestling Entertainment.

The former champion, John Cena’s immediate creative direction will be quite interesting considering he has never been annihilated in such a manner by anyone in his illustrious career. Instances of John Cena losing cleanly are few and far between, so anytime the “Leader of the Cenation” has to rationalize his sheer inadequacy results in cutting edge content.

It has become apparent that the WWE Creative Team is looking to march into Santa Clara, California, for WrestleMania 31 with Brock Lesnar as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. That would entail a seven-month championship reign with limited appearances and the problematic task of maintaining relevancy with the WWE Universe. Regardless of how World Wrestling Entertainment prepares to tread the next 223 days until WrestleMania, Brock Lesnar will undoubtedly propel the roof off of Levi’s Stadium with whomever he tangles.

Summerslam also featured superb matches between Randy Orton and Roman Reigns, along with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. These explosive rivalries will carry the WWE into the latter half of 2014 and create bona fide stars along the way. With the changing of the Divas, Intercontinental and WWE World Heavyweight Championships, enthralling matches from start to finish and great storylines to boot, Summerslam 2014 is a legitimate contender for one of the greatest Summerslams of all-time.

John's Jargon: 3rd Edition

John’s Jargon

From Professional Wrestling to Baseball and Everything In-Between

The Art of the Promo:

My Top 10 Favorite WrestleMania Video Packages

By John Napolitano

            Professional wrestling is the product of addiction for masses around the globe. Different fanatics value different aspects of the sport and various promotions emphasize certain facets of entertainment as opposed to others. For example, fundamental wrestling and technical prowess are esteemed in Japanese adaptations of pro-wrestling, whereas organizations like World Wrestling Entertainment focus a great deal on characters, storylines and entertainment value.

In my humble opinion, professional wrestling in essence is theater, not dissimilar from a Broadway production or a five-star movie. When a character arc or rivalry between two characters transcends sport and captivates the audience to their core, there is no comparable sensation on God’s green earth. Regardless of how you get your wrestling fix, an imperative component of the product is the “promo,” otherwise known as the video package or vignette.

The promo or video package is a fairly modern concept in professional wrestling, as the renaissance of the digital age has made it miles easier to not only produce video packages, but create considerable artistic masterpieces. So what is a promo? What does a video package aim to accomplish? The promo achieves what old-time announcers during the television era had to do verbally, and that is create a compelling retrospective prior to a huge matchup to generate interest, appeal and ultimately increased viewership (buy-rates). In addition to being advantageous marketing tools, promos and video packages are more often than not legitimate dramatic visual manifestations of art.

In this edition of “John’s Jargon,” I will rank my top 10 favorite WrestleMania video packages. WrestleMania is the largest spectacle in the WWE, which means the promos are historically the most enthralling and gripping in order to promote the most interest. Without any further delay, I present “My Top 10 Favorite WrestleMania Video Packages.”

10. Undertaker vs. Batista (WrestleMania XXIII)

In 2007, “The Animal” Batista had fortified his reputation as the dominant force on Friday Night Smackdown. Having claimed the World Heavyweight Championship from King Booker at the 2006 Survivor Series, Batista was mowing down all challengers and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest World Champions of all time. Simultaneously, the “Phenom” of the WWE, the Undertaker, outlasted 29 other superstars, including Shawn Michaels, and won the 2007 Royal Rumble match. With the main event of WrestleMania in the Undertaker’s back pocket, the “Deadman” had a decision to make. That decision was what World Champion would he clash with at WrestleMania 23. It was on the subsequent edition of Monday Night Raw that the Undertaker and Batista would engage in an intense stare-down, implying that the Undertaker had made his fateful decision. At WrestleMania 23 in Detroit, Michigan, it would be the World Heavyweight Champion Batista versus the Undertaker and his undefeated WrestleMania streak in a true clash of titans.

Watch the Undertaker vs. Batista WrestleMania 23 Promo

9. Undertaker vs. Triple H (WrestleMania XXVIII)

         At WrestleMania 28, the end of an era was upon us. In a rematch from their brutal No Holds Barred contest at WrestleMania 27, which saw the Undertaker reign victorious over “The Game” Triple H, it was the Undertaker who sought redemption over the now Chief Operating Officer of the WWE. Despite his hard fought victory in Atlanta, Georgia, the previous year, the Undertaker was not able to leave the ring under his own power, and he looked to avenge the barbaric beating he took at the hands of Triple H. At first reluctant to get back in the ring with the Undertaker, Triple H was eventually drawn back as the Undertaker took jabs at Triple H’s in-ring inferiority to his best friend, Shawn Michaels. Because the Undertaker continued to expose Triple H’s insecurities, Triple H not only accepted the Undertaker’s rematch for WrestleMania 28, he raised the stakes and demanded it be in the Hell in a Cell. These two icons undoubtedly stole the show in Miami, Florida, on April 1^st, 2012, at WrestleMania 28.

Watch the Undertaker vs. Triple H WrestleMania 28 Promo

8. John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt (WrestleMania XXX)

         The Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, saw John Cena’s legacy being compromised by the “Eater of Worlds” and radical thinking, Bray Wyatt. After Wyatt and his disciples Luke Harper and Erin Rowan cost John Cena the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble and the Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-Views, John Cena had no choice but to face this threat head-on at WrestleMania 30. This rivalry consisted of mind games and bizarre vignettes in which Bray Wyatt claimed that John Cena was a liar and that he would expose him for the monster that he truly was. The build to this matchup at WrestleMania was not exceptional, but the final promo leading up to their bout was pure magic.

Watch the John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt WrestleMania 30 Promo

7. Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar (WrestleMania XXIX)

         In a match reminiscent of WrestleMania 26 where the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels put his career on the line, it was at WrestleMania 29 in MetLife Stadium where Triple H’s career was too at stake against the “Beast Incarnate," Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar had been running rough shot through the WWE; in 2012 he defeated, sidelined and fractured the arm of Triple H at Summerslam in what was tagged, “The Perfect Storm.” In early 2013 Lesnar returned to Monday Night Raw to save his manager, Paul Heyman’s job, and deliver a wicked F-5 to the Chairman of the Board, Mr. McMahon. This was all the motivation Triple H needed to return to the ring and not only avenge the breaking of his arm at the hands of Brock Lesnar, but the attacking of his father in-law, Vince McMahon. These two beasts brawled up, down and all over the “Road to WrestleMania.” Once Paul Heyman declared that their bout would decide the fate of Triple H’s career, the entire WWE Universe was ready to see these two bulls lock horns.

Watch the Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar WrestleMania 29 Promo

6. The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (WrestleMania XIX)

         By 2003, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin had established their illustrious rivalry as one of the greatest in professional wrestling history. These two megastars emerged from the Attitude Era as the undisputed faces of World Wrestling Entertainment and bona fide legends. In 2002, Stone Cold Steve Austin departed from the WWE due to a creative conflict, and The Rock was not shy about letting the WWE Universe know what he thought about the “Texas Rattlesnake’s” act of unprofessionalism. When Austin finally returned, he promised to raise more hell than ever before, but The Rock still had volatile remarks for his long-time nemesis. As WrestleMania 19 approached, The Rock confronted Austin and exclaimed that although he has achieved a great deal of success in his career, he wanted nothing more than to vanquish Stone Cold on the grandest stage of them all. Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated “The Great One” at WrestleMania 15 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and at WrestleMania 17 in Houston, Texas. The Rock’s inability to beat Stone Cold at the show of shows ate him alive and was the true catalyst for their final clash. In the final installment of the only match to main event WrestleMania on three separate occasions, The Rock set out to conquer his greatest opponent ever at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. 

Watch the Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin WrestleMania 19 Promo

5. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho (WrestleMania XXVIII)

        

         “The Best in the World vs. The Best in the World” was the tagline for the WWE Championship tangle at WrestleMania 28 between CM Punk and “Y2J” Chris Jericho. In the summer of 2011, CM Punk translated his superb microphone skills, unmatched in-ring ability and massive amounts of heat into the greatest run of his career. After making good on his promise to leave the company with the WWE Championship at the 2011 Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View, Punk returned eight days later to not only be the change he wanted to see in the WWE, but prove week in and week out that he is the best wrestler in the world. In the final weeks of 2011, unusual vignettes began airing on WWE programming proclaiming that the end of thievery, plagiarism and the world as we know it would take place on January 2, 2012. This eerie implication came in the form of the returning Chris Jericho, who had not been seen in the ring in about a year and a half. Prior to Jericho’s departure from the WWE, he carried the self-proclaimed moniker of  “The Best in the World” at what he does and did not hesitate to let everyone know. This new version of Chris Jericho came across as more cold, calculating and spiteful to the fact CM Punk was now garnering so much attention and success under Jericho’s title of “The Best in the World.” Matters got even more personal when Chris Jericho attempted to tarnish Punk’s reputation by bashing his troubled family and bringing his legitimacy into question in an effort to psych him out for their match at WrestleMania 28. Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida, would witness history at WrestleMania, when “The Best in the World” went head to head with the “Best in the World” for the WWE Championship.

Watch the CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho WrestleMania 28 Promo

4. John Cena vs. The Rock (WrestleMania XXIX)

            The sight of John Cena slumped down on the entrance ramp contemplating his historic loss to The Rock at WrestleMania 28 in The Rock’s hometown of Miami will forever be engraved in the annals of professional wrestling history. It was losing the “Once in a Lifetime” bout to the face of the Attitude Era, The Rock, that sent the current face of the WWE, John Cena’s personal and professional life into a tailspin. The following year for John Cena was punctuated by controversy, loss and a real-life divorce with his wife. As 2013 arrived, the “Leader of the Cenation” vowed to turn his misfortunes around by winning the Royal Rumble match and headline WrestleMania once again; and win he did. The same night that John Cena cemented his spot in the main event of WrestleMania 29, The Rock ended CM Punk’s 434-day WWE championship reign and became an eight-time World Champion. When The Rock successfully defended his newly won WWE Championship against the former champ CM Punk at the Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View, he too reserved a spot in the main event of WrestleMania 29. John Cena and The Rock were two locomotives on a collision course for WrestleMania, and this time it was for the WWE Championship. The number one contender, John Cena, admitted that he wanted redemption against his long-time rival and The Rock assured him that no such feat would take place at MetLife Stadium on April 7, 2013, at WrestleMania 29.

Watch the John Cena vs. The Rock WrestleMania 29 Promo

3. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock (WrestleMania XVII)

         The main event of what is widely regarded as the greatest WrestleMania off all-time, WrestleMania 17, was none other than that of Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock. For the second time in three years, “The People’s Champion” was set to defend his WWE Championship against “The Texas Rattlesnake” Stone Cold Steve Austin. In the year 2000, Steve Austin was on a hiatus from World Wrestling Entertainment to treat a nagging neck injury he received in 1997. In his absence, The Rock stepped up as the undeniable face of the company having riveting rivalries with the likes of Kurt Angle and Triple H. When Stone Cold returned to action, the WWE Universe was eager to find out who was the undoubted face of the company. Perhaps the most anticipated return match of all-time, Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock II at WrestleMania 17, was sure to blow the roof of the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, for the WWE Championship.

Watch the Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock WrestleMania 17 Promo

2. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XXVI)

         The Undertaker and “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels had the greatest match in WrestleMania history at the 25^th Anniversary of the event. These two living legends stole the show on April 5, 2009, in Houston, Texas, but Shawn Michaels came up a hair shy of conquering the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. At the 2009 Slammy Awards, Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker were recognized for their stellar matchup, and that is when Shawn snapped. Obsessed with how close he came to ending the streak at the 25^th Anniversary of WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels made it abundantly clear that he in fact could beat the Undertaker at “The Showcase of the Immortals,” WrestleMania. When the Undertaker declined Shawn Michaels’ plea for a second chance to end the streak, “The Heartbreak Kid” became crazed and determined to meet the “Deadman” one-on-one once again at WrestleMania 26. Michaels’ plan commenced when he sought to win the 2010 Royal Rumble match and face the then World Heavyweight Campion, the Undertaker, in the main event of WrestleMania. But once again, Michaels came up short and it looked like there would be no rematch between “The Showstopper” and “The Lord of Darkness.” Shawn Michaels became so consumed with attaining his rematch with the Undertaker that he compromised his tag-team success with long-time friend Triple H and even cost the Undertaker his World Heavyweight Championship at the Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View. Now that the Undertaker was no longer the World Heavyweight Champion going into WrestleMania 26 due to Shawn Michaels’ actions inside the Elimination Chamber, the Undertaker was ready to exact his revenge. He would agree to face Shawn in a rematch at WrestleMania on one condition. If Shawn could not end the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania he would be forced to retire. It would be Shawn Michaels’ 22-year career vs. the Undertaker’s 17-year undefeated streak at WrestleMania 26 in Glendale, Arizona.

Watch the Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels WrestleMania 26 Promo

1. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H (WrestleMania XXX)

Yes! Yes! Yes! My absolute favorite WrestleMania video package highlights the journey of Daniel Bryan. From NXT to the main event of WrestleMania 30, this epic retrospective showcases rare footage of Daniel Bryan accompanied by a moving song entitled “Monsters” by Imagine Dragons. The origin of this storyline took place at Summerslam 2013 when the Chief Operating Officer of the WWE, Triple H, screwed Daniel Bryan out of his newly won WWE Championship. Bryan had just beaten John Cena for the title and all of a sudden “Mr. Money in the Bank,” Randy Orton was at ringside ready to cash in his contract for a WWE Championship match. Just when it looked like Daniel Bryan was ready to meet Orton’s challenge head-on, Triple H blasted Daniel Bryan with a pedigree and allowed Randy Orton to cash in his contract and win the WWE Championship. From then on, Triple H and his faction known as “The Authority” would reign sovereign over the WWE with Randy Orton as their poster child. After months of oppression and controversy, Daniel Bryan grew tired of The Authority not seeing the potential that the WWE Universe saw in him as the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Daniel Bryan concluded that the only way The Authority would consider him as a legitimate main eventer is if he defeated Triple H at WrestleMania 30. When Triple H declined Bryan’s challenge, it took a revolution led by Daniel Bryan referred to as the “Yes Movement” to persuade Triple H. April 6, 2014, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at WrestleMania 30 will forever be remembered as the night Daniel Bryan arrived.

Watch the Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H WrestleMania 30 Promo