i'm not sure the average reader is really aware of sabretooth's connection to iron fist, so i don't think a rematch is on the horizon.
Then they need to be educated. Bru & Fraction aren't afraid to retrend ground to retell Iron Fist's origin for the 21st century as well as add many modern innovations. Considering he has so few villians (Steel Serpant is here, but after him you'd be hard pressed to find anyone either recognizable, worthwhile, or both), it would be wise to make some hay out of the fact that Wolverine's arch nemesis actually debuted in an IRON FIST comic. Back in those days, he was treated as a cunning assassin but not the strongest of fighters compared to now; even Black Cat was able to utterly pwn him during the 70's/early 80's. 30 years of development have made him into a much more formidable opponent, and at times an anti-hero (blarg).
The best, and simpliest way, to make a casual reader be impressed with Iron Fist's power and prowess is to have him defeat, or provide a good showing against, an instantly recognizable enemy. Sabretooth fits that bill in all respects. No one is going to care about how Rand does against Serpant except those who are already fans. But a slobbernocker between Rand and Creed and all of a sudden, WIZARD is ****ing themselves and the MB's are aflame (especially the always fanatic X-Boards).
Both Brubaker and Fraction have a sense of history to their writing, for better or worse, so hoping for this development may not be totally unreasonable. I wouldn't hold my breath, but it's more possible than, say, Bendis acknowledging Wonder Man's power level.
i do howevere think that this is going to be the storyline that firmly plants danny as "the" iron fist in the marvel universe. i think orson'll bite the bullet, leaving danny with the responsibilty of carrying on. not that he didn't have that responsibilty before, but you know what i'm saying...
Possibly. The "mentor" aspect is rather standard fare for martial arts epics and Rand really hasn't had one in a very long time, if not ever. There also is the fear that as Orson is the original creation, the writers will naturally play favorites to convince us how "cool" he is. Brubaker has been beating X-Fans over the head with the essentially flat bore that is Vulcan for over a year now and I've heard few people who actually LIKE Vulcan as a character. I've heard people enjoying the story, or Bru's depiction of the X-Men, or even Darwin, but the general consensus I get from Vulcan, and what I felt from DG, was that he was yet another high-powered, personality lacking tanker, much like JMS's Morlun.
But, I'm usually more pessimistic. It's obvious that the writers like their source material and it may very well play out the way you think. It's just would be a minor detail on a report card that has an overall grade of A (like those teachers who would always put, "has ability to do better". I hated that crap).
