Daniel Bryan def. Kane

LOS ANGELES – It hasn’t been a great few months for Daniel Bryan. He lost the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania XXVIII in record-breaking time, was left at the altar by AJ Lee ( WATCH) and mocked by The Rock during Raw 1,000 ( WATCH), and came up just short in several opportunities for the WWE Championship. So, it’s unsurprising that the former Mr. Money in the Bank has developed a short fuse. But if Bryan’s effort against Kane at SummerSlam is any indication, things might be turning around for the master of the “No!” Lock.

Kane, another Superstar with a well-documented history of erratic behavior, clashed with Bryan at SummerSlam in a battle that had each grappler seeing red ( PHOTOS). The Superstar who The Rock referred to as an Oompa-Loompa was furious even before he arrived at ringside, attempting to stop the sold-out STAPLES Center crowd from chanting “Yes!”

“No! No! No!” shouted Bryan to the WWE Universe, prompting Jerry Lawler to admit he’d be shouting the same thing if he was about to enter into a battle with The Big Red Monster. Bryan circled his foe like a piranha determining how to attack a shark, and began by striking Kane with stiff right kicks. The offense didn’t faze the much larger competitor, and the action soon spilled to ringside.

Doing his best to ground the former WWE Champion, the technical expert dove onto Kane with both Superstars barreling into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Bryan effectively nailed a missile dropkick from the top rope — but even in control of the contest, Bryan seemed distracted by the Los Angeles fans chanting “Yes!” Sensing his opponent was beginning to lose his temper, Kane managed to take advantage and gained the upper hand. The masked fire breather nailed a sidewalk slam, one of his signature top rope clotheslines and attempted a Chokeslam, which was narrowly avoided by his feisty opponent.

In a moment of sheer audacity, Bryan slapped Kane right across the face. Bold to be sure, but likely not the brightest decision. Kane was incredulous and tore into Bryan in the corner with a series of thunderous jabs. But the resilient Bryan was once again able to use his quickness to turn the momentum. Sensing victory was within his grasp, Bryan scaled the ropes and attempted a flying headbutt. This time, the veteran Kane displayed the presence of mind to capture the high-flyer and land the previously elusive Chokeslam.

The Devil’s Favorite Demon determined he hadn’t put Bryan though enough punishment and set up his opponent for the legendary Tombstone Piledriver. But Kane was a little too greedy, as Bryan turned the tables and quickly rolled up Kane for the pinfall victory. Realizing he had just infuriated The Big Red Monster to dangerous new levels, the victor dashed backstage while the loser seethed on the canvas. Kane bellowed “No!” But this was one time Bryan did not want to hear that word.

Kane followed close behind, and began a path of wreckage throughout the backstage area searching for the much smaller competitor who just defeated him, attacking Josh Mathews (who made the mistake of attempting to interview The Big Red Monster) along the way. Both hotheads surely were not quick to cool down after their intense SummerSlam encounter.

UPDATE: It was announced Monday on Raw that Mathews feels "like was run over by a truck" following Kane's attack, but he would be back to work sometime the following week.