Even if Bane doesn't literally break Batman's back like in Knightfall, I think that it's very important he "break" Batman as in he physically destroys him in their first battle. I don't believe we've ever really seen in a Batman movie Batman be utterly beaten and torn apart in a fistfight, and it could be quite shocking to see. Just have Batman left a bloody, battered wreck.
Maybe even do it like an altered version of Knightfall, where Bane learns that Bruce Wayne is Batman, but waits in the shadows for the right moment to strike. You can set up a scenario in the first act of the film where Batman is beleagured, beset on all sides. The police are after him, he's struggling to bring down the last of the mob, and he's locked in a battle of wits with this new master thief, Catwoman, all while still dealing with the emotional fallout of Rachel's death. And while this is going on, Bane is in the shadows, working his way inevitably towards destroying Batman. Perhaps a scene of him torturing Coleman Reese to learn Batman's secret identity, then killing him once he gets it. And just when Batman's near breaking point from all that's going on, that's when Bane strikes. Maybe you could even do it like in Knightfall, where Bane attacks Bruce Wayne instead of Batman. Bruce - just about out on his feet - staggers home, up from the Batcave and into the mansion... and Bane is waiting for him.
Cue the aformentioned physical dismantling.
Then for the whole second act... Batman is out-of-action. Either Bruce is beaten into a coma, or he's too injured to leave his hospital bed. Bane claims he has broken the Batman and takes control of the city, unifying what's left of the mobs under his rule. He becomes what Batman's biggest detractors in Gotham feared Batman would be: a tyrant terrorising good citizens through the use of fear. The police are overwhelmed, and the only one that can fight against him is Catwoman. Though enjoying her status as a foil for Batman, in his absence she realises his importance, and tries to be the same symbol he was. But try as she might, she can't stop Bane.
And the third act is about Bruce Wayne finding the strength to pick himself up and battle Bane once more, and in this final battle he triumphs, saving Gotham and finally being recognised as the hero and saviour he is. The Dark Knight Rises.
t:
Would love to see something along the lines of this, though there needs to be some type of plausible motive for Bane to want to come to Gotham and do all of this.
