I stand by my decision to never listen to a wrestling podcast (or any podcast) so I didn't hit the play button, but I will say that my initial regret watching the Royal Rumble gave way to the realization that I at least got to watch what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most hostile crowds in wrestling history. Granted, acting like stuck up hipsters and ruining the show you paid to get into isn't something I necessarily encourage, but when an entertainment entity deliberately denies their audience what they want, it's to be expected in some capacity. Besides, their reaction isn't just based on the fact that he's their favorite, it's due to the very apparent reality that the higher-ups in WWE just don't want to give him the chance. It's far beyond what's on the screen, it's a bitter grudge between the audience and management. The good news is that in some ways, the resentment toward the company has given way to fascination. You hate to see them continue to screw him but you can't look away because it seems like a losing battle on the part of WWE.

Bryan's not my favorite wrestler, but I am invested in his story now, and WWE's stubbornness baffles me. None of this would have happened if they had just given him a solid main event run for a few months and now their resistance to it created this movement that's taken on a life of its own. Truth be told, they've got an incredible story on their hands and the more they try to avoid it the better it gets. It would almost seem intentional on their part but that sounds like giving them a lot more credit than they probably deserve given some of their other recent programs. I mean, intentionally designing a PPV around the idea of the audience hating it in order to get a superstar over seems farfetched.

basically what I said

Agreed with this. Would love to hear more.

Yay positive feedback!