Daniel Bryan has been part of SmackDown's creative team for a while now, and given how poor RAW is in comparison, many fans have credited the former WWE Champion with the best parts of the show. However, in an interview with talkSport, Bryan set the record straight on what he has, or perhaps hasn't, been involved in.
"It’s interesting because, one, I don’t have that big of a say [laughs]," he tells the site. "Sometimes, something really great will happen on SmackDown and somebody will say ‘Oh, that’s Daniel Bryan!’ Like, that’s not me. One part is our performers – we have incredible superstars. Cesaro is a no-brainer. When you say ‘Daniel Bryan helped Cesaro’ – no. All I did was ‘hey this guy is really good. We should put him on TV and use him!’ [laughs]."
Bryan went on to praise Apollo Crews, but made it clear that he's had no involvement with his push. The leader of the Yes Movement also put over William Regal, saying his desire to serve as a mentor to talent comes from him. Interestingly, he added that if there's someone fans should thank for Superstars getting a chance on the blue brand, it's Roman Reigns.
"It is cool seeing how great SmackDown has become and I also must say, part of that, that has nothing to do with me, is from someone who just sees performance different in the ThunderDome to how I ever would have thought it, that brings it to a whole new level is Roman Reigns," he explained.
"The character work and the way that he’s worked since returning and being in the ThunderDome I think has improved the quality of our television a great deal."
It's a fair point, but hard to escape the feeling that Bryan is being humble about his contributions here!