The Next Fantasy Writer - Submission Wrestling

The Next Fantasy Writer Topic for this week is to book a rivalry between two guys who hardly ever have been in rivalries. I chose one Superstar who has hardly been in any rivalries and one who used to be in some, but recently has done little in terms of feuds.

May 27, 2011 – Smackdown! – William Regal vs. Daniel Bryan

Regal looks confident in the ring as the match begins. Regal immediately shoots in and takes Bryan’s leg. Regal applies a leg lock then transitions to a gutwrench. Bryan fights back to his feet and breaks the hold. Bryan applies a hammer lock, but Regal flips him over his back with an aggressive hip toss. Regal drops down on top of Bryan and applies a crossface. Regal transitions into a modified armbar. Bryan breaks the hold again and hits a standing dropkick. He tries to get something going again, but Regal slows the pace once again and starts wearing Bryan down. Regal gets in position for the Regal Stretch to put Bryan away, but it is reversed into an inside cradle. 1…..2…..3!!!!

Winner – Daniel Bryan by pinfall

Josh Matthews: “An excellent display of submission wrestling put on by both performers tonight.”

Regal looks disgusted as Bryan heads up the ramp

June 3, 2011 – Smackdown! – Daniel Bryan versus Chavo Guerrero w/ Sin Cara

Chavo tells Sin Cara before the match to observe and learn his technique in the ring.

Bryan hits Chavo with some quick kicks and grounds him. Bryan applies the surfboard stretch as Chavo writhes in pain. Bryan lets him out of the hold and goes to the top rope. He hits a huge dropkick on Chavo, who flops to the ground once again. Chavo looks at Sin Cara for some help, but he doesn’t receive any. Sin Cara heads to the back. Chavo turns around into a flying clothesline from Bryan. Bryan applies the LeBell Lock and Chavo is about to tap when William Regal slides in the ring. Bryan stands up but gets hit with the Knee Trembler. Regal stands over Bryan’s body as the show goes to break.

Winner – Daniel Bryan by DQ

June 10, 2011 – Smackdown! – Daniel Bryan versus Sin Cara; William Regal guest commentator

Regal: Daniel Bryan is an overrated wrestler. He wears the phrase submission wrestling on his t-shirt, but his grappling is inferior to my own. I trained Daniel Bryan and he thinks I taught him all that I know, but I did not. There is much that I held back from his training. He should know better than to come out here with his braggadocios style and expect no one to stand up to him.

Bryan knows this will be a tougher match than last week, but he glances over at Regal before the bell to acknowledge his presence. Sin Cara is able to complete more moves than Chavo Guerrero performed the week before because of his superior speed and versatility. Sin Cara hits a top rope corkscrew, an outside dive, and an asai moonsault before Bryan gets control of the match. Bryan still has an eye on Regal.

Regal: Don’t look over here, young man. Your opponent is in the ring. See, this lack of focus is what holds Daniel Bryan back. He has some skills, but he has more faults and if you want to see more of them, watch tape of my match with him.

Matthews: But you lost to him when you faced him two weeks ago, William.

Regal: The end result was only a fluke, Josh. I controlled the match from beginning to end and the tape proves it.

Back to the match – Bryan has completed a series of wear down maneuvers and submission holds on the Mexican warrior. Sin Cara briefly regains control and tries for his top rope finisher, but Bryan grounds him and applies the LeBell lock. Sin Cara is forced to tap out for his first submission loss in WWE. Bryan rises slowly looking at Regal while his arm is being raised.

Regal: Yes, you get lucky again, Daniel. I’ll see you next week.

Winner – Daniel Bryan by Submission

June 17, 2011 – Smackdown! – William Regal in the ring with a mic.

Regal: “Daniel Bryan, you think you know what submission wrestling is all about don’t you? I have news for you. You know less than you think. I have a proposal for you. There is a new PPV in the horizon called Capitol Punishment. And I would love nothing more than to punish you. I would like to challenge you to a match at Capitol Punishment, and not just any kind of match. I would like to challenge you….to a submission match.”

Daniel Bryan’s music hits as he comes out to the stage with a mic.

Bryan: “I accept.”

June 19, 2011 – Capitol Punishment – Submission Match – William Regal vs. Daniel Bryan

Matthews: They’re last match was an epic battle featuring submission moves I have never even seen before.

Booker T: Yeah, Josh, but you haven’t seen nothing yet. Wait til you see the show these two put on tonight.

Bryan starts off the match with strikes to catch Regal off guard. Bryan corners Regal and hits a series of kicks and chops. He gets Regal to the ground and grabs his leg and pulls him out to the middle of the floor. He puts Regal in the Indian Deathlock. The ref asks Regal if he gives, but he does not. Instead, Regal finds a way to counter the hold into a rear naked choke. Regal swings his legs around to transition into a north/south Darse choke. Bryan elbows Regal and gets out. The two stand up face to face and start circling. The crowd is really into the match at this point as this is something they never get to see. Bryan arm drags a charging Regal and puts him in an arm tie. Regal gets his legs over Bryan and headscissors him down to the mat. Regal transitions into a key lock, but Bryan easily escapes. Bryan hits the ropes and drops Regal with a dropkick. Regal is dazed and Bryan easily applies the LeBell Lock. This could be it! Regal struggles, but gets to the ropes. Bryan refuses to let go until the ref counts to 4. Bryan grabs Regal by the hair, but Regal gouges Bryan’s eyes. Bryan stumbles backwards and Regal chopblocks Bryan’s leg. Regal mounts Bryan and attempts the Regal Stretch, but it’s countered. Bryan sweeps out from under Regal and finds himself on top. Bryan hooks Regal’s leg and arm and applies the Regal Stretch on the move’s innovator. Regal is in trouble and has no choice but to tap out to his own maneuver.

Winner – Daniel Bryan by Submission

I know this may not be a popular way to book the rivalry, but it would be nostalgic as it would take me back to the days when there were several mat technicians to change things up from the regular brawlers and powerhouses that dominate the business.