Kofi Kingston front-runner to face Daniel Bryan at WWE Fastlane

[Big Red Machine]

Source: www.F4WOnline.com

By Dave Meltzer | @davemeltzerWON | Feb 19, 2019 9:01 am


In a change of plans that took place on Monday, it looks like Kofi Kingston is the front-runner to be announced as WWE Champion Daniel Bryan's opponent for Fastlane at tonight's SmackDown in New Orleans, Louisiana.

As of Monday morning, WWE already had plans in place for both Fastlane, which takes place on March 10 in Cleveland, and WrestleMania four weeks later, which did not involve Kingston.

However, based on the fan response to Kingston's performance in the gauntlet on Tuesday, and even more the Elimination Chamber on Sunday, where he was a stand-in for the injured Mustafa Ali, the decision was changed to go to Bryan vs. Kingston.

It is not clear how or if this change of plans will affect the original WWE title plans for WrestleMania. Bryan was scheduled to face someone making a return as opposed to one of the current SmackDown brand regulars at the year's biggest show.

[Big Red Machine]

That "big return" line seems to hint at Bryan vs. Owens or possibly Bryan vs. Cena for Mania, unless they've got some big secret plan lined up.

[KILLdozer]

That "big return" line seems to hint at Bryan vs. Owens or possibly Bryan vs. Cena for Mania, unless they've got some big secret plan lined up.

Bray Wyatt or Luke Harper.

[cero2k]

Meltzer mentioned that Owen's videos of him being an every day guy eating pizza and sucking at bowling would work as an antagonist to Bryan

[Big Red Machine]

I'd actually be fine with Kofi beating Bryan and Fastlane, defending against (and defeating) Orton at Mania to establish him as a world title-level guy (Orton would claim his win was a fluke), and then maybe turning Mustafa Ali heel on Kofi for "stealing my opportunity" and having Kofi beat Ali before either dropping the belt back to Bryan or continuing with Kofi as champ heading into the summer.

[KILLdozer]

Meltzer mentioned that Owen's videos of him being an every day guy eating pizza and sucking at bowling would work as an antagonist to Bryan

I could see how the "lovable fat boy" thing would work as a face against him.

[XIV]

Meltzer mentioned that Owen's videos of him being an every day guy eating pizza and sucking at bowling would work as an antagonist to Bryan

I could see how the "lovable fat boy" thing would work as a face against him.

I would like Owens vs Bryan. Owens could play that “i don’t give a shit” sort of bloke. Doesn’t give a damn about the environment, fuel usage or anything.

[cero2k]

I would like Owens vs Bryan. Owens could play that “i don’t give a shit” sort of bloke. Doesn’t give a damn about the environment, fuel usage or anything.

WWE creating terrible role models, one day at a time

[Bob-O]

Meltzer mentioned that Owen's videos of him being an every day guy eating pizza and sucking at bowling would work as an antagonist to Bryan

I could see how the "lovable fat boy" thing would work as a face against him.

Owens/Steen is the best "everyday dude" in the business.

[Big Red Machine]

I would like Owens vs Bryan. Owens could play that “i don’t give a shit” sort of bloke. Doesn’t give a damn about the environment, fuel usage or anything.

WWE creating terrible role models, one day at a time

Yeah. This would not be the best way to frame the feud.

[KILLdozer]

I would like Owens vs Bryan. Owens could play that “i don’t give a shit” sort of bloke. Doesn’t give a damn about the environment, fuel usage or anything.

WWE creating terrible role models, one day at a time

Yeah. This would not be the best way to frame the feud.

Yeah. The obviously fat boy that advocates eating, well, garbage, is the right, good nice cool guy, while the...really slim...but whatever...guy who is conscientious about health and stuff is the wrong jackass!

It writes itself!

[XIV]

I would like Owens vs Bryan. Owens could play that “i don’t give a shit” sort of bloke. Doesn’t give a damn about the environment, fuel usage or anything.

WWE creating terrible role models, one day at a time

Yeah. This would not be the best way to frame the feud.

I disagree. Kevin Owens (the character) doesn’t give a shit about anything other than winning and beating people up and winning titles.

Having him against Daniel Bryan would be the ideal scenario. I’m not saying the feud should focus on the environment or anything. But certainly in the region of Owens doesn’t care about any of Bryan’s shit.

[Big Red Machine]

WWE creating terrible role models, one day at a time

Yeah. This would not be the best way to frame the feud.

I disagree. Kevin Owens (the character) doesn’t give a shit about anything other than winning and beating people up and winning titles.

Having him against Daniel Bryan would be the ideal scenario. I’m not saying the feud should focus on the environment or anything. But certainly in the region of Owens doesn’t care about any of Bryan’s shit.

I agree that Owens probably doesn't care about it, but Bryan's character being what it is means he pretty much has no choice but to draw the contrast (even if it's in the form of "Kevin Owens only cares about his own children, but what about his children's children and all future generations after that).

[Serujuunin]

I'd actually be fine with Kofi beating Bryan and Fastlane, defending against (and defeating) Orton at Mania to establish him as a world title-level guy (Orton would claim his win was a fluke), and then maybe turning Mustafa Ali heel on Kofi for "stealing my opportunity" and having Kofi beat Ali before either dropping the belt back to Bryan or continuing with Kofi as champ heading into the summer.

I like all of this.

[Big Red Machine]

I'd actually be fine with Kofi beating Bryan and Fastlane, defending against (and defeating) Orton at Mania to establish him as a world title-level guy (Orton would claim his win was a fluke), and then maybe turning Mustafa Ali heel on Kofi for "stealing my opportunity" and having Kofi beat Ali before either dropping the belt back to Bryan or continuing with Kofi as champ heading into the summer.

I like all of this.

The first part was a Wade Keller idea (though he was talking about Kofi winning it in at Elimination Chamber), with Randy basically saying "who the f*ck are you to be world champion and main event WrestleMania? I'm Randy Orton and you're midcard joke who I put down ten years ago."