Whose "spot" did Batista take?

[thelonewolf527]

Disclaimer, this is not a thread to knock anyone or promote anything, this is to ask a legitimate question about Batista's return.

So when reading PWTorch, I saw one of the writers say something about "there being resentment for Batista taking Daniel Bryan's spot" essentially implying that Batista's return was the reason why Daniel Bryan didn't win the Royal Rumble. But had Batista not come back, would Bryan have won the Rumble? Up until Batista's return, I had been under the impression that CM Punk was going to win and face Orton since that's what the dirtsheets were reporting, but around the time Batista signed, those reports changed to CM Punk vs Triple H.

So I ask the question, if someone is going to be mad at Batista for returning and winning the Rumble instead of them, who should it be?

[SEAN CARLESS]

Jan 28, 2014 15:41:44 GMT -5 thelonewolf527 said:

Disclaimer, this is not a thread to knock anyone or promote anything, this is to ask a legitimate question about Batista's return.

So when reading PWTorch, I saw one of the writers say something about "there being resentment for Batista taking Daniel Bryan's spot" essentially implying that Batista's return was the reason why Daniel Bryan didn't win the Royal Rumble. But had Batista not come back, would Bryan have won the Rumble? Up until Batista's return, I had been under the impression that CM Punk was going to win and face Orton since that's what the dirtsheets were reporting, but around the time Batista signed, those reports changed to CM Punk vs Triple H.

So I ask the question, if someone is going to be mad at Batista for returning and winning the Rumble instead of them, who should it be?

It's Bryan's spot because he's the most popular guy in the company right now. That's why people say that. Bryan's storyline with the Authority was unresolved, and he was screwed over long before Big Show, Punk or anyone else who may have not yet gotten resolution either. Batista simply showed up, won the Rumble and is going to Mania based off the fumes of a bygone era. Guys like Bryan, Punk and even Cena did all the heavy lifting this year. It makes sense, business-wise, to go with Batista if it turns out he's still a draw, but ethically it's deplorable and a horrible example to the locker-room in that it doesn't matter how hard you work or how much the fans may want something.

[Mayonnaise]

Just two and In order:
1. Punk - Most of the talk was him facing Hunter sometime before Mania and then Orton before Batista returned.
2. Cena - Never doubt Cena. Could easily see his WWE Title rematch getting pushed to WM and WWE finally getting their Orton/Cena WM Main Event despite the rumors of him v. Wyatt going back months.

Bryan was never in the talk to headline Mania so Batista didn't take his spot. Everything about Bryan is on creative, not Batista returning.

[Magic knows Black Lives Matter]

He took Punk's spot.

[Deleted]

In this regard I don't think he took anybody's spot, solely because it makes it seem like he is at fault for the writing being completely stupid and against fans wishes.

Same as when The Rock came back, it's less of a case of rewriting plans substantially for Big Dave/The Rock/Brock Lesnar* any other returning guy (surely it's been planned for a long long time?) and more a case of the creative team massively misjudging and ignoring fans.

I think Big Dave was in atrocious condition and looked like crap at the Rumble but there is demand for certain guys and there WAS demand for Batista (how many of us enjoyed the guys last run and said we wouldn't mind a return?) but they shoved a square peg into a round hole, not Batista's problem but the company itself being stubborn or stupid.

There should be room for EVERYONE on 3 hour Raws & 3 hour PPVs but the structure of shows and outright refusal to use more wrestlers (or even bother establishing their characters) is the problem.

*note: I don't think any of us believe Batista has the star power of either The Rock (A list movie star in the US who is one of the top 3 stars in wrestling history) or Lesnar (the biggest draw in modern MMA) but just comparing returning guys always having plans written ages before they turn up.

[JoDaNa1281]

"Not liver spot, not dog spot, not anybody's spot, but MY Spot."