Daniel Bryan: Reflecting on a Career worth RememberingBy: Justice

I remember my initial reaction to seeing Bryan Danielson wrestle for the first time. My first Bryan Danielson match was courtesy of the internet uploading amazing things, which in this case meant Daniel Bryan vs. Samoa Joe vs. KENTA from 2006. When the Aberdeen, Washington native was introduced, I thought to myself, “this is the guy everyone is talking about”? Then I watched Bryan work. And I saw it, this grit, drive, determination and will, all to be the best. And it didn’t take me long to realize that Bryan was going to be one of the best.

For a few months, I wouldn’t shut up to my friends about Ring of Honor and their amazing talent, most notably Bryan Danielson. That led me to convincing them to buy tickets to their first (and mine) Ring of Honor show, specifically so I could see my guy, Bryan Danielson, wrestle live. I’ve been blessed to watch almost all of my favorite wrestlers perform live, but who knew it I was ever going to see Bryan Danielson wrestle anywhere else. I bought my ticket and I was blown away by Ring of Honor, and Bryan Danielson.

I followed Bryan Danielson’s career as close as I could, watching every bit of Ring of Honor and other independent promotions that I could, becoming a fan of guys that would go on to be WWE stars like Kevin Owens, Neville, Luke Harper, Dean Ambrose, Cesaro, Seth Rollins and Daniel Bryan. When I found out that Bryan was going to the WWE, I remember telling my friend and fellow blog contributed Mother Brain, I hope they let him be himself. Because if they do, he’s going to be huge.

Upon his debut, you could see that the WWE knew what they had in Bryan, main-eventing the first ever NXT show with Chris Jericho. After he re-debuted with the Nexus, everyone knew who he was. The initial Nexus attack will go down as one of the greatest faction introductions in WWE history. However, the thing I will always remember about that night more tha, anything was my guy, Daniel Bryan, standing over a kneeling John Cena, screaming “You think you’re better than me!?!” in his face, before he kicked Cena’s head off. Daniel Bryan as arrived.

After he returned from his firing, Bryan was made to look like a fool at times, especially the Bella Twins/Bryan’s a virgin storyline. But Bryan perservered, becoming United States Champion, Tag Team Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, WWE Champion and Intercontinental champion. He had classic matches against CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Kane, John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton and more. The Yes! Movement showed us that guys like Bryan belonged in the Main Event of WWE shows. Bryan proved that hard work, dedication and love of your craft could make you overcome every obstacle in your way to become the best.

Daniel Bryan’s retirement speech was centered around being grateful. However, the fans are the ones who are grateful for getting to see Daniel Bryan live his dream and have his Wrestlemania moment, becoming WWE World Heavyweight Champion. So, from the bottom of my heart, I only have one thing to say to Daniel Bryan. Thank you. Thank you for the memories, the incredible matches and being an inspiration to millions of people. So, for one last time, in honor of Daniel Bryan, there is only one thing left to say: YES! YES! YES! YES!