It’s the birthday of our Planet Champion, and there could be nothing better than to look back at his best performances.
Daniel Bryan is one of the best technical wrestlers in the wrestling world today. So much so, that many of the best grapplers in wrestling often reference Bryan as one of their inspirations. Daniel Bryan joins the 40’s club, but the superstar shows no signs of slowing down. He is still working in his best shape and putting superstars over like a true veteran.
While his WWE contract status is up in the air, one can rest assured that any promotion that he goes to will benefit a lot. WWE will not want to lose him, but it’s not the wrestling juggernaut that makes the call this time. The leader of the Yes Movement can say No to his new contract or vice versa. As he steps into the 4th decade of his life journey, we decided to take a trip down memory lane and serve some of the best matches of his career for your reading and viewing pleasure. So without further ado, let’s get down to it:
Robbie Brookside vs Daniel Bryan — EWP Intercontinental Championship Match (EWP Gilde Wrestling Festival 2003 — Tag 3)
The match was phenomenal. Daniel and Robbie didn’t let the fans settle down or at ease at all during their bout. The fans came to see a fight, and these two delivered. There was no better performer to match Danielson’s skills than Brookside, who was all set to make Daniel a household name.
One can understand without a shadow of a doubt that the promoter was impressed with his performance. He even congratulated Robbie for introducing him to a powerful performer. It was a match that will help you understand why Daniel Bryan gets respected for his work.
Daniel Bryan vs Triple H – WrestleMania 30
Triple H cost Daniel Bryan his WWE World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2013, and this was the start of what was one of the best stories told in professional wrestling. The match had everything you want from a performer and related authorities, good performance, betrayal, cash-in, dreams shattered, heel turn, and a new storyline.
It’s safe to say that when two superstars are at par in storytelling and in-ring action, then you see an outcome like the fans witnessed in the build-up and the eventual match at WrestleMania 30. With stakes running high and favoring The Planet Champion, he took out the COO and earned his ticket to the triple threat match at WrestleMania 30 for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Daniel Bryan vs Randy Orton vs Batista for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30
A miracle on bourbon street happened when these three decided to give the fans what they wanted. Daniel Bryan came rusted in this match as this was his second bout of the night while the other two were fresh and ready for any challenge. It looked like Bryan may lose on his quest to capture the coveted gold in the company, but things seemed otherwise.
Fans were rooting for the former Tag Team Champion, and he didn’t disappoint. Bryan is known to tackle obstacles head-on and bring them down in an instant, and this match was no exception. With former Evolution members forming a bond to take out the addition in the bout, Bryan had a lot to tackle all at once. He did it and made his dreams come true, but it inspired people to never give up on their dreams no matter how big they may be.
John Cena vs Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam 2013 for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Brad Maddox allowed John Cena to pick his opponent, and the current 16-time world champion picked Daniel Bryan as his opponent at The Biggest Party of The Summer. It looked like someone else wanted an up, close and direct access to the action, and so Triple H named himself the special guest referee for this match.
John and Daniel tried every move in their arsenal and borrowed some from fellow and former wrestlers to put their opponent down for a three count. It looked like this match could go on forever, and the fans were not feeling bored even for a split second. When it ended, it was Daniel Bryan with his hand high and the Championship above his head, but this moment was short-lived due to a betrayal from the special guest referee and subsequent cash in by Mr. Money In The Bank at the time Randy Orton.
Daniel Bryan versus Brock Lesnar – Survivor Series 2018 – Champion vs Champion match
David vs Goliath story is a way to tell everyone that no matter higher and bigger, it’s the skill that overpowers the big size or the intimidating character. The match scheduled to happen at SummerSlam 2014 took place four years later at a different pay per view. Brock always performs well with wrestlers under his size, and this one was no different.
Lesnar got the upper hand as he tossed Bryan and took him on a trip to suplex city. Bryan used a low blow and hit The Box Office Attraction with kicks to get the advantage. Brock Lesnar couldn’t do much and fell victim to a Yes Lock for a long time before reversing it and taking down the SmackDown Champion. It was a moment of bliss for all as they witnessed two in-ring generals unleash everything they had to give the fans value for money.
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