During a discussion of Smackdown Live, which featured Daniel Bryan losing to Kofi Kingston again, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (via Ringside News) said that the loss was likely Bryan’s idea, as he has a lot of input behind-the-scenes in WWE.
He said: “That’s probably [Daniel Bryan’s] idea. I’m sure that he’s got a lot of what’s the word I’m looking for? He’s got a lot of input about what’s going on. I mean, Mustafa Ali’s his guy essentially. So you know look, he’s looking to make contenders for himself. I’ll put it this way, he’s right on the border. One more time and I’ll think it’s a cliche, now it’s three. Maybe it’s one too many at this point.”
Bryan has been pinned by Mustafa Ali and Kofi Kingston in various matches on WWE TV since becoming WWE champion.