I agree that Nolan was thinking of something other than Batman vs Bane when he wrote the story. I want to say he got "sidetracked" but I know this is not true. He definitely made the movie he wanted to make, but I just look at Bane's character and I feel like he was wasted.
As an amateur mma champion, I can tell you that someone who doesn't feel pain would be a nightmare opponent. What if he didn't feel fatigue either? A large part of beating someone is changing their mind about whether they can win. Fatigue and pain both do this. To show that effect would have been really something. Instead, it just showed Bane letting Batman punch him...did anyone really think that was cool? I might be wrong but that's a really cliche thing for the tough guy right?
The other thing is the strength issue. As a wrestling coach, I've witnessed retard strength. The kids just don't let go. That makes them freakishly strong. So if Bane didn't feel the pain or the fatigue, he's a monster. So Batman has to compensate for that. He has to adjust to the level of strength he's dealing with and that's a steep learning curve. They sort of touched on it with that line "Victory has defeated you." And it's good that Batman lost, because he should have. The first fight isn't bad, even though the catwalk part is soooo fake, but I wish more of this stuff was evident in the fighting.
But the second fight just suuuuuuucked.
Batman should have had to find creative ways to cut the pipe. Basically they did their sloppy boxing and grunting and then batman hit the pipe. Then Bane should have felt the pain, which would have paralyzed him if he wasn't used to it. And even if he was, he should slow down, which they made him do. But where was the fear?? If someone winds up a punch and breaks your nose, the next time he winds up you get scared. Where was Bane's fear? And then think of how menacing Batman could've been made to appear then. Ahh I guess it's just a missed opportunity.
