FanPost

The Authority's Return Creates New Opportunities for the Road to WrestleMania 31

On the last RAW of 2014, we saw some returns in the like of Edge and Christian, Bad News Barrett, Daniel Bryan, and last but not least the most hated stable since the Corporation, The Authority. After watching Bryan's announcement returning to in-ring competition and entering himself in the 2015 Royal Rumble, I thought all was right in the WWE. But in the last segment of RAW, self-proclaimed "Stander-Bearer of the WWE" Seth Rollins forced John Cena to bring back the Authority by threatening to Curb Stomp WWE Hall of Famer Edge's injured neck. I also watched and found it sarcastically convenient that after Cena got hit with a KO Punch by Big Show and Rollins Curb Stomped him, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon came to the stage to celebrate with Show and Rollins, J&J Security, surprisingly Paul Heyman and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (With the look on his face saying he is glad he won't have to deal with WWE anymore after his contract expires after WrestleMania 31).

Nice job WWE, way to start 2015 with a old, overused gimmick that should have ended at WrestleMania 30. Though I admit while I personally hate that the Authority returned (which I think that if they were coming back anyway, it was way too damn early to bring them back), it does create new opportunities for the main story line on the Road to Wrestlemania 31. This could help some WWE Superstars get some much deserved limelight. Let us look at some Superstars that'll be important in this.

Daniel Bryan

I was scared when Bryan came out to make his big announcement. He posted on his Twitter account this message: "Everyone comes to a crossroads in their life and I’ve come to mine. I look forward to telling you all about it tonight on #Raw." Everyone thought that he was going to retire due to the injuries he sustained back in May that even had his doctors dumbfounded on how to fix it. He brought up his journey to Wrestlemania 30 and winning the WWE WHC, losing his father days after he married Brie Bella, and watching and cheering Dolph Ziggler who at the main event of Survivor Series eliminated Kane, Luke Harper and Rollins (with help from Sting) to force the Authority out of power. Fans frantically chanted 'No' when Bryan asked himself if his career was over. To the delight of everyone in attendance, Bryan said no and made the announcement he wanted to make: He will be in the 2015 Royal Rumble.

Now with the Authority back, everyone knows whom Bryan is going to feud with to start 2015. WWE could book it similarly to how the booking was done last year, but I think they'll change some things up to make it fresh. Maybe this time Bryan could recruit guys that had beef with the Authority before like Ziggler, Cena, Ryback, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton and maybe the Usos to help him combat the Authority. Bryan will once again be the main player in this feud as he looks to take the Authority out for good.

Sting

15-time World Champion, "The Icon", "The Franchise" and now "The Vigilante" Sting made his long awaited WWE debut at Survivor Series, where he hit Triple H with his patented DDT finisher Scorpion Death Drop and helped Ziggler win the main event match for Team Cena and sent the Authority packing. But with the return of the Authority, it seems that Sting will be appearing to strike fear into the hearts of the snobby, corporate stable and possibly set up a Sting vs. Triple H match at WrestleMania 31. He has been recently called "The Vigilante" for a reason, and now is a good time to put that nickname to good use.

Dolph Ziggler

Since losing the World Heavweight Championship at Payback2013, The Showoff had to endure nearly 18 months of booking hell to finally get back into main event status, winning the Intercontinental Championship three times to in the process. The heart, sweat and tears he put into at Survivor Series to sent the Authority packing put him on a wave of momentum going into 2015. But all his hard work would in the end be for nothing as Cena was forced to bring back the Authority. I expect he would be one of the first not named Daniel Bryan to stand up to the Authority, and he will be a key player in how this story will play out.

Kane

I noticed that when the Authority was celebrating their return, Kane was not with them. Kane was the Authority's "Director of Operations" during their first run. He may return to the Authority on the first RAW of 2015, but he may also get the boot now that Big Show has joined the Authority. The Devil's Favorite Demon's future is unknown, but I expect he'll be a part of the story anyway.

John Cena

Ah yes, "The Face that Runs the Place", the 15-time World Champion and the current face of the WWE. Due to his position as the top dog, he will automatically be in the center of the story with Daniel Bryan against the Authority. However, I expect Cena to get the stink-eye from some since he is the one who brought the Authority back (He was forced to since Rollins threatened to make Edge a paraplegic). Expect Cena to look for payback for being put in a impossible situation. Beating Lesnar at the Royal Rumble to become a 16-time World Champion could help maybe. Could be interesting in how he's booked for the Road to WrestleMania 31.

The Ascension

The longest reining NXT Tag-Team Champions finally made their main roster debut, though surprisingly it wasn't as well received as expected. However, there are plenty of opportunities for the Ascension to make an impact in 2015. If I was in charge of booking, I would have them join the Authority and act as their muscle and replace J&J as Rollins' security. The Authority could give them a shot at the Tag Team Titles which I think they could win. Beating the Usos who are currently the best tag team in the WWE would make people take the Ascension seriously. The potential is there for them, but they'll have to reach it themselves and get on the good graces of WWE Creative.

Randy Orton

During the Authority's first run, Orton was their man to be the so-called face of the WWE and be the WWE Champion. But ever since Rollins betrayed Ambrose and Reigns thereby destroying the Shield and rejoining the Authority, Orton was starting to get overshadowed by Rollins who quickly became Mr. Money in the Bank and was named by the Authority the "Future of the WWE" and the WWE's "Standard-Bearer". Orton couldn't take it anymore and finally made a face turn on November 3rd and left the Authority, but he was left laying after getting Curb Stomped twice by Rollins and being put of action (In reality Orton was involved in a movie and had to leave). Various sites said that he returned to RAW after it went off air to help Cena fend of the Authority, which made me wonder why they didn't do it while there was still on-air time left (The last segment lasted way too long). Orton could be an unlikely ally for Daniel Bryan against the Authority, he could claim that he was being phased out by the Authority in favor of Rollins. When Orton does come back to regular appearances, expect him to be a pivotal player in this story.

Roman Reigns

Expected to be the favorite to win the 2015 Royal Rumble even after his three month absence due to injury, the Authority could try to prevent Reigns from winning the RR with dubious means. Reigns is also expected to beat Lesnar for the WWE WHC at Wrestlemania 31, so he could have a big role in how the story plays out. But first he'll have to deal with Big Show and possibly Triple H himself to achieve his goals.

Dean Ambrose

After he ends his feud with Bray Wyatt, I expect Ambrose to come after Rollins again and resume their feud from last year. It likely won't be until WrestleMania 31 until he finally beats Rollins and gets revenge for Rollins betraying him and Reigns last year.

That is it for me guys. Let me know what you guys think in the comments below or on my Twitter: @KJG524. Also, have a Happy New Year.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Cageside Seats readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cageside Seats editors or staff.