I don't think Bryan has been built properly though. He was in a tag team role for a year and boom... #1 contender.
Not quite. He's been nearly undefeated all summer, beating guys like Orton, Ryback, Sheamus, Kane and more clean, ending the Shields undefeated streak, beating Cesaro/Swagger at the same time in a match designed to showcase his resilience, constantly put over as a respected wrestler who should believe in himself, huge props in promos from top guys regularly, etc. I'd say he's been built properly.