WWE Royal Rumble 2020 highlights, takeaways and projections
By Luke Norris
“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt def. Daniel Bryan to retain WWE Universal championship
FINALLY…NO RED LIGHT!!! If we’re to enjoy the little things, I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that I thoroughly enjoyed the lack of that annoying light that’s plagued the recent matches featuring “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt. Perhaps it was just the outdoor venue of Minute Maid Park but it was a nice break.
As for the match itself, it was absolutely fantastic. I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t crazy about the Strap Match stipulation, as it made some sense in one way and no sense in another, but Wyatt and Daniel Bryan made it work and made it work beautifully. There was plenty of intensity from the opening bell and it continued throughout. Wyatt hit a huge powerbomb at the start and started whipping Bryan with the strap, laughing maniacally while doing so. But Bryan fought back and hit the running knees for a two-count and we were off from there.
The champion and challenger battled back and forth for the rest of the match, each hitting some fantastic spots, my favorite coming when Bryan attempted the running knees once again but was caught in mid-air by Wyatt, who flipped it into a Sister Abigail that nearly ended the match (I actually thought that was it). Beautiful spot there. DB would eventually hit another running knee and nearly got a three-count but it was all Bray from there as he begged for more punishment that did no good. He eventually slapped on The Mandible Claw and knocked him out, allowing the champ to pick up the pinfall victory. Another excellent effort from these two.
What’s next: I think this marks the end of this program. Bryan has had a couple of chances at the Universal Championship and hasn’t gotten the job done so I think it’s time for him to move on to something else. He’ll be in a high-profile match at WrestleMania but it might not be for a title. Perhaps Bryan and AJ Styles can produce one of those great matches that don’t need a title. As for Wyatt, I think we all know what lies ahead for him (again, more on that in a bit) and it should be fantastic.