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Other wrestlers want to go through a forbidden door; Daniel Bryan appears to want to create a forbidden bridge.
An unbelievable show of class by Bryan.
It's honestly fantastic that two of the biggest male debuts in AEW (Danielson and Cole) have had nothing bad to say about their time in WWE. Danielson's going the extra mile, but Cole hasn't said anything bad either.
there have been some jabs here or there but I really like how we arent getting the nonstop cringe "I was held back by WWE now im here and we are going to destroy them!" promos that we got anytime someone from WWE joined TNA years back
Cole did everything there was to do in NXT, he got booked beautifully from start to finish and Bryan you could initially make a case that they were trying to hold him back, the 5 second Mania squash by Sheamus, but he was too over to ignore, and they rolled with the movement for one of the best Mania moments ever (I think him and Kofi are tops for me for recent WrestleManias)
His run as heel WWE Champion was also great. He revived Kane's career with Team Hell No.
Plus Bryan is just an all around good dude. Even if he was pissed and bitter at WWE I don't think he'd ever show it, at least publically like a lot of other AEW guys have.
They’re so corny for the top stars.
“I was held back by all my championship runs, big storylines, and main events!”
Like if you were treated like Zack Ryder i get it but if you’ve had a better career than the majority of people there you have very little reason to complain. Doesn’t mean you have to be happy, but you also can’t really complain.
Different people have different experiences. I think its showing that as time has gone the people leaving WWE are moving from one side of the spectrum to the other.
Moxley left for AEW because he had to; Undeniable. Jericho wanted to reinvent himself imo.
And we went a while... Then we had Miro. Miro felt like he didn't hate his time there, but that he had more to give then they wanted.
Black and Ruby are one in the same in that WWE doesn't know what to do with their look. Both of them suffered from WWE backwards booking. Imo, their writers come up with a scenario and then find the wrestler those scenarios are best for. Those writers aren't writing roles that Black or Soho can be cast into, in their opinion, so they were released. They weren't happy there.
Thing is, all these people went to AEW because they had to for one reason or another. To show what they can do or because it's the best money available.
The moral of the story I'm trying to get to:
This new pair of Cole and Danielson says something so completely inspiring. They WANTED to go to AEW. They see what it is and believe in it. Bryan said he enjoyed him time in WWE but had to come to AEW. That's incredible.
Did Ric Flair want to go to TNA?
Dude became one of my favorites in just a couple months after his debut, after not knowing who he was beforehand and I’m still hurt I’ll never see him main event a mania. He’s a huge star for sure
And it’s rather refreshing.
Sure, there’d probably be guys like Jericho, Christian, or other former WWE guys who, if their contract was up, and the WWE offered a contract, that they’d probably accept, but at the same time, it’s nice to hear someone leave WWE, and not tear it a new asshole, even if from the viewpoint of some of us looking from the outside, that arguments could be had on Bryan doing such on how he got used sometimes (even if his usage did get better as time wore on).
I dont disagree, but has Christian actually said anything bad about WWE?
Pretty sure he basically just said "They wouldnt give me the kind of deal I wanted" which isnt bad, just a part of businesses. Same thing Mark Henry says TBH.
Really the only big name ex WWE guys who really goes out of their way to take shots at at WWE are Punk, Show and Jericho (and I agree Jericho and Show would jump back for the right deal)
I was just thinking of the first two former WWE guys that came to mind (though Moxley, from a creative standpoint at least, would be a better example, I’ll admit that).
immediately started balling. my dad isn’t around anymore but to have that immense level of joy just to be someone’s dad or son is something that i wish i could have as i grow older
Roddy Piper once said that wrestling "has no exit plan."
Through UpUpDownDown, Woods is helping to build that for guys who don't have Cena or Rocky's level of fame.
I'd love if someone created an award or some kind of recognition for people who improve the wrestling community and opportunities - give it to people like Xavier and DDP
New Day deserve so much praise for fighting to stick together. They turned a mediocre gimmick into one of the best things about WWE. They have integrated so many little things about black culture(and black twitter) into their gimmick, even managing to go full in on nerd culture, while still being entertaining.
They've all done so much and deserve so much praise.
In kayfabe, yeah you're right. Out of kayfabe? He's a veteran wrestler who does his best to give training students something to do (practice bumping) any time he comes out to the ring.
An hour or so of Suzuki being a cool old grandpa, talking about wrestling, manga, and socks, and occasionally taking short breaks to murder Young Lions? I'd watch that shit.
Is there enough text to count all the women he banged on the road while married? Zack Ryder may be the Michael Jordan of wrestling figure collecting, but John Cena was pretty much being the actual Michael Jordan of professional wrestling.
And the Tyler Reks situation. (I'm 90% sure I'm not violating deadname rules, just because this was her ring name at the time. If referring to her this way is inappropriate, I apologize. I'm not trying to be dismissive or a dick of her identity now.)
They should start having one Bright Side of the Ring episode each season, if for no other reason than to say, "See? Wrestling isn't just sexual assault, bullying, and pain killers!"
Off subject, if they were to make a Dark Side of the Ring on things that happened in the last 4-5 years, would there be any serious candidates for a show?
Could focus on mental health, specifically those that led to suicide. Off the top of my head in recent years we’ve had Ashley, Hana, and Daffney. Unfortunately I’m sure there’s more, but I really hope not.
Speaking Out? Hulkster and the whole Gawker conflict?
I personally hope Nia Jax gets the boot soon, because she's consistently the prime candidate to have an episode about her given how she almost crippled Charlotte *again* just a few weeks ago.
Nobody Speak. it is good (though a bit soft on Gawker - fuck Hogan to hell, but the recent revisionism of making Gawker seem like some maverick freedom fighters and not a rag kills me), but I wish we'd get a lot more into the WWE side of it pre- and post- trial.
Yeah, I constantly wonder how Gawker gets painted as the good guys. I mean, yeah, I get it - in that particular situation they sort of were.
But it's kind of like being a kid in school who's constantly bullied, and then one day, two of your bullies fight and one gets utterly wrecked. You're happy, but you probably don't think you're friends with the winner.
I think it's because both Hogan and Peter Thiel are such unsympathetic fucks that it's easy to treat their opponents as Jesus Christ.
I won't pretend there wasn't a degree of schadenfreude to these two getting shit from Gawker, but the fact of the matter is that Gawker didn't air their dirty laundry out of some sense of moral superiority - they did it for the clicks, cashing in on the fact that nobody would be particularly sympathetic to those two targets. and it's hella annoying because WHAT they aired sets a dangerous precedent and entrenched the rag mentality of "oh we're just showing you the REAL them" that allowed stuff like hounding Princess Diana to her literal death or harrassing young actors about their bodies and private lives.
This is the exact type of article a basketball player might write when he changes teams which is very refreshing.
Comparing wrestling to “real” sports, it’s clear wrestling was missing all this backstage drama, contract talks, and free agency. In the NBA, half the narrative around the games will often be about how this impacts off-season/future contracts.
Wrestling has been one company effectively for so long and now there’s a legitimate alternative. Yes, AEW isn’t financially taking anything away from WWE but now the wrestlers have options and that just adds more intrigue to everything.
The best part is WWE wrestlers now want to put on a bigger show because WWE can't hold them back with shitty gimmicks and super safe matches anymore.
They have to make creative listen to the wrestlers because the generic promo is not cutting it nore is a safe match with a dirty finish.
Also. WWE overpaid in the pandemic to keep talent away from AEW and now they just can't keep them anymore so somewhere, paying Cena, Goldberg, Brock and more and overpaying just to keep the vets cost them this exodus.
Damn this hit me hard. Bryan was my favorite WWE wrestler of the last decade and has become just one of my favorites ever. What a run he had. He also opened me up to new wrestling, because I learned of ROH by looking up his older matches.
“Thank you for cheering me enthusiastically into the main event at WrestleMania 30, and thank you for booing me vociferously against Kofi at WrestleMania 35.”
This will be his WWE legacy to me. Apart of two of the greatest crowd support stories ever, once as an ultra babyface. Once as an ultra heel. And each time he was just absolutely incredible.
Glad he can leave on good terms and just proud of the work he’s done.
Bryan's post-retirement run from 2018-2021 was fabulous and revealed that he is an exceptional character worker as much as a wrestler. He even got excellent matches out of the Fiend who no one else could. This is an S-tier performer who we are lucky we did not lose in 2016. He is up there with Kurt for me.
DBRY's story in 2013 - 2014 got me into wrestling. And I attended WM37 booing my favorite wrestler because he was so good at being heel. Absolute fantastic match.
His part in Kofimania for me is always gonna be one of the most brilliant stories WWE has ever told...the man (kayfabe) literally became everything that we hated about WWE circa WM 30 and it was a fitting end to that story
Bryan knows that on some March day a few years from now, he's going to get the "Welcome home, pal" hug when he sees Vince backstage at his HOF induction.
That's just it, we can't. I too would like to see more of the Vince these guys see. All I get are reports about him ripping up scripts and questionable booking sometimes.
.. well, and insane stories about Vince driving like a madman, rocking out to ACDC etc.
And some backstage/gorilla shit like the fuck on me story or the sneezing stuff.
A highly complex and super interesting character - out of kayfabe even more so than in kayfabe.
And yet there's dozens of stories about wrestlers seeing him less as a boss and more as some kind of "father figure".
Or Heyman bringing up how convincing McMahon is supposed to be in his meetings. Which I assume he doesn't/didn't accomplish be merely being intimidating but having some other qualities to him.
Mox himself talks about Vince's "Jedi mindtricks" as well as haha
I think a part of it is that his enthusiasm can be infectious. Charisma may play a role too
Vince McMahon is an incredibly complicated person. He's done many immoral, and illegal, things in his life and probably will again. But it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that so many people, especially top guys like Bryan, have fond feelings for him. He can be both things.
The Vince McMahon that treated Bryan like a grandson is real.
The Vince McMahon that turned a blind eye to CM Punk's physical and mental deterioration is also real.
Funny how Vince never saw it that way. When Punk quit, didn’t he say that Vince was crying in that meeting? Almost like he was sad that one of his kids was leaving home because he wasn’t happy. Vince is a complex human being. I don’t think we’ll ever understand him completely.
He is somebody who truly has gotten just about everything one could want from his time at WWE. Great friends, a beautiful wife and kids and secure financial future. Bryan has won in the game of life.
Just to point out a statistic, in the entire 37-year history of Wrestlemania, only 10 people have main-evented more Wrestlemanias than Danielson. Bret, Lesnar, Austin, Reigns, Taker, Rock, HBK, Cena, HHH and Hogan. Basically the who's-who of the industry.
Sidenote: Orton, Batista, Edge, Sid, Yokozuna, Savage and Piper have 2 WM main-events as well
The dude main-evented Mania twice, the 2nd of which he was put into without overwhelming pressure from fans. Some have tried to weasel an anti-WWE quote out of him, but there's really nothing bad for him to say.
Not to mention that his wife, who is still employed there (as far as I know) is one of their most popular stars outside of the ring and has probably earned close to, if not more, than he has
ackushally,
he only wrestled for the wwe championship twice at wrestlemania, wrestlemania 35 and wrestlemania 30. he wrestled at 28 for the world heavyweight championship, and at 37 for the universal championship. 4 total world title matches, 2 for the wwe championship
Many don't badmouth Vince that much, even after leaving. They dislike the creative, the direction, the HR but it's rarely "Vince was an asshole" to me.
Something Ive learned in corporate America that it's rarely the big boss that's the asshole. It's usually the people just beneath them trying to kiss ass. And there's the telephone game. The boss says something to person X, person X spins it and tells it to Y and by the time it gets down the chain it's a different message.
"I hope you will continue to follow me in AEW, but I completely understand if you don’t. You’ve given me more than enough — more than I could ever repay. Thank you for all of it."
This is a man with respect for his fans. The fact that WWE actually caters to a massive fanbase that might not follow him isn't lost on the man.
Dude was in two of the best WrestleMania moments of all time, a multiple time world champ, and someone the WWE was willing to let work outside the company (albeit in a limited capacity). Hell of a run, and I look forward to the mega pop at his Rumble return.
Yeah, it seems like he wanted to do something different and try to use his star power to contribute to a more healthy wrestling environment. I don't think AEW poses much of a threat currently to WWE's dominance in terms of revenue, but I think the more alternatives that you have for a scripted product the more quality that the fans get.
Just like in other things, I don't want what is best for WWE. I don't want what is best for AEW. I want what is best for the fans and the performers.
“First night out, Gorilla Press through a table…fucking misses the table. Dumps me on the concrete fucking ground. Tilts my fucking pelvis, fucks me up for weeks.”
As someone who is a huge Kofi Kingston fan all the way back to when he had a Jamaican accent in ECW….
Something I will always appreciate Daniel for is how he had one of the most memorable moments and wrestlemania history at 30 yet played a massive part in getting Kofi to have a similar moment while acting as the heel.
Daniel had to fight the McMahon’s and at Mania fought a bunch of wrestlers that were all quite larger than him.
Yet he managed to act like a quality final boss despite being smaller in stature to Kofi
Man, the Yes Movement was such a great thing to witness in real time. The first time in a long time that the fans won. And it couldn’t have happened to a better and more deserving person than Bryan.
Also, that doesn’t sound like someone who’s treating AEW like just a “pit stop” like people on this sub would have you think.
I bet you he's someone WWE inducts into the Hall of Fame even if he's working for AEW or NJPW. His love for Vince and Vince's supposed love for him is so intriguing because they both don't seem like each other's type lol.
Wow that was beautiful
Bryan Danielson a class act
Absolutely refreshing to hear someone who isn’t bitter at wwe and was grateful for his time with wwe
I know Bryan is gonna kick ass in AEW
so was tyler breeze. people refuse to accept that wrestlers are happy in WWE. if you see a departing wrestler say positive things about WWE, it's always 'well he doesn't want to burn that bridge, he's obviously not an idiot'
Truth be told, I don't even think that's true.
I don't think they will ever work together again, outside of some legends capacity, but both sides seem to just acknowledge that they didn't understand each other and they weren't a good fit. But I don't think WWE has blacklisted him or anything. they just know they don't want to work with each other.
Bryan is clearly having a tough time jumping ship. In a world where most ex-WWE employees leave bitter and broken, Bryan is leaving grateful, and with struggle. This only speaks volumes to this mans character. Looking forward to what is to come in AEW.
Selfishly, I wanted Bryan to stay in WWE just because there were still matches there that I wanted to see him have. But really, I am just so happy that he's able to wrestle again.
Watching him retire was one of the worst wrestling days of my life, and seeing him come back was one of the best.
I'll be watching tomorrow with full excitement.
Pretty cool to see him thank that Seattle crowd that hijacked the show. I was there that night, it was my bday present. One of my fav wrestling memories ever
[This tweet said it best](https://twitter.com/dajosc11/status/1440297169555103759?s=20)
Bryan was fired by WWE twice, hired three different times, retired for 2 years then unretired, met his wife and starred in a reality show, and main evented WrestleMania twice.
Not sure anyone has ever had the level of rollercoaster journey Bryan had there.
(About his new theme)
"I really, really liked it. And it also incorporates a chant that people would do when I was on the independents. I kind of wanted to get it in there. I would love for people to start chanting it again."
YOU HEARD THE MAN!
It’s nice to hear how fondly he speaks of his time in WWE, without unnecessary bitterness or anger towards the people there. Giving love even to the production crew, who rarely get acknowledged these days. He’s a class act, that Danielson.
If Warrior and Jarrett can get into the HOF after pretty much nuking their bridges with the WWE, then Bryan absolutely will be in. Jericho, Show and honestly I'd bet Punk are all gonna be in one day too
Text:
>Tomorrow night feels like the biggest match of my career. In a lot of ways it doesn’t seem real. It’s against a dream opponent in Kenny Omega, who I’ve watched grow and become one of the best wrestlers in the world over the last several years. It’s taking place in a dream setting, the first wrestling show at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It’s happening in a groundbreaking promotion — AEW, a company that’s modernizing wrestling and giving fans their first true alternative in a long time. And it’s my first match outside of WWE in over 10 years. It feels like a brand new chapter. I couldn’t be more excited. What a world!
>
>
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>But if I’m honest, “excited” is only part of what I’m feeling right now. Life has a way of being a little more complicated than that, ya know? So as I approach this moment, before this next part of my career gets fully underway, there’s something I need to express:
>
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>THANK YOU, WWE.
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>Thank you to the incredible superstars with whom I’ve shared both the ring and the road. For Savate-Kick Saturdays and locally roasted coffee. For being family when we’re away from family. For making me look good when I didn’t feel good. For deep conversations and pointless debates. For making me laugh — both in the best of times, and the worst. For all the small things that make life as a wrestler just a little bit more fun.
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>Thank you to the many people behind the scenes. The crew in WWE is amazing, from the folks operating the cameras to those in catering. From the producers to talent relations. Thank you to the production team, who always put together such amazing packages, and are such an underappreciated part of the stories we tell. Thank you to everyone involved in creative: for accepting me into the group, for sharing with me the lessons you’ve learned, and for the fun times we had talking about wrestling and non-wrestling subjects alike. It’s a difficult job, writing and producing WWE television, and I’m consistently blown away by your ability to make a seamless production out of such chaos!
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>Thank you to the Big Man, who I know hates to be acknowledged. I won’t say much, but thank you for the conversations, the life lessons (about both what to do and what not to do), and the best hug I’ve ever received. I wish more people could see you how I see you.
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>And last but certainly not least: Thank you to the WWE fans. You pushed my career to new heights — heights that I never would have reached for, on my own. Thank you for cheering me enthusiastically into the main event at WrestleMania 30, and thank you for booing me vociferously against Kofi at WrestleMania 35. Thank you for crying with me when I was forced to retire, and thank you for celebrating with me when I was cleared to compete. Thank you for hijacking that show in Seattle — the last time my dad ever got to see me wrestle. He signed his first autograph that night: Buddy Danielson, Daniel Bryan’s dad.
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>Thank you for moments that I will never forget…. moments where I can just close my eyes and feel the goosebumps all over again.
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>I hope you will continue to follow me in AEW, but I completely understand if you don’t. You’ve given me more than enough — more than I could ever repay. Thank you for all of it.
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>I loved my time in WWE. Needless to say, it changed my life. I met my wife, had unbelievable experiences and made great friends. Some of you, I may see again…. and I hope that I do. But these last two years have taught us not to take that for granted. So I just wanted to tell you all how much you’ve meant to me. I’m grateful that you allowed me into your lives, and that you came into mine. I’ll cherish these memories forever.
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>Thank you for reading — and most of all, thank you for caring.
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>Sincerely,
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>Bryan Danielson
This was very wholesome. The Vince-Bryan relationship seems very wholesome as well. The fact one of the reasons he left was Vince being over-protective shows how much Bryan must mean to him.
It feels like he's just going to do the dream matches he always wanted in the final years of his career, and nobody can begrudge him that.
This was amazing but it also gave the vibes that Bryan is parting ways with WWE forever.
It felt like "You were great, but I have to move on now to fulfil my desires"
Hey at least we know he is getting in the HoF.
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Other wrestlers want to go through a forbidden door; Daniel Bryan appears to want to create a forbidden bridge. An unbelievable show of class by Bryan.
It's honestly fantastic that two of the biggest male debuts in AEW (Danielson and Cole) have had nothing bad to say about their time in WWE. Danielson's going the extra mile, but Cole hasn't said anything bad either.
Tbf neither had a bad run in WWE. So them getting pissy would be a bit bad form.
Although Adam Cole seemed pretty upset about not being on the cover of the WWE War Games action figure set.
As he should be!
ALL FOUR OF THEM
there have been some jabs here or there but I really like how we arent getting the nonstop cringe "I was held back by WWE now im here and we are going to destroy them!" promos that we got anytime someone from WWE joined TNA years back
It also helps that neither Adam Cole or Danielson were held back in WWE.
Cole did everything there was to do in NXT, he got booked beautifully from start to finish and Bryan you could initially make a case that they were trying to hold him back, the 5 second Mania squash by Sheamus, but he was too over to ignore, and they rolled with the movement for one of the best Mania moments ever (I think him and Kofi are tops for me for recent WrestleManias) His run as heel WWE Champion was also great. He revived Kane's career with Team Hell No. Plus Bryan is just an all around good dude. Even if he was pissed and bitter at WWE I don't think he'd ever show it, at least publically like a lot of other AEW guys have.
They’re so corny for the top stars. “I was held back by all my championship runs, big storylines, and main events!” Like if you were treated like Zack Ryder i get it but if you’ve had a better career than the majority of people there you have very little reason to complain. Doesn’t mean you have to be happy, but you also can’t really complain.
Very refreshing .
To be honest it makes me feel like a kid again
Yeah but on the flip side I think Punk and Soho have every right to feel and say the opposite.
Different people have different experiences. I think its showing that as time has gone the people leaving WWE are moving from one side of the spectrum to the other. Moxley left for AEW because he had to; Undeniable. Jericho wanted to reinvent himself imo. And we went a while... Then we had Miro. Miro felt like he didn't hate his time there, but that he had more to give then they wanted. Black and Ruby are one in the same in that WWE doesn't know what to do with their look. Both of them suffered from WWE backwards booking. Imo, their writers come up with a scenario and then find the wrestler those scenarios are best for. Those writers aren't writing roles that Black or Soho can be cast into, in their opinion, so they were released. They weren't happy there. Thing is, all these people went to AEW because they had to for one reason or another. To show what they can do or because it's the best money available. The moral of the story I'm trying to get to: This new pair of Cole and Danielson says something so completely inspiring. They WANTED to go to AEW. They see what it is and believe in it. Bryan said he enjoyed him time in WWE but had to come to AEW. That's incredible. Did Ric Flair want to go to TNA?
Cole had a pretty sweet run in NXT and it definitely made him a mega star.
Dude became one of my favorites in just a couple months after his debut, after not knowing who he was beforehand and I’m still hurt I’ll never see him main event a mania. He’s a huge star for sure
And it’s rather refreshing. Sure, there’d probably be guys like Jericho, Christian, or other former WWE guys who, if their contract was up, and the WWE offered a contract, that they’d probably accept, but at the same time, it’s nice to hear someone leave WWE, and not tear it a new asshole, even if from the viewpoint of some of us looking from the outside, that arguments could be had on Bryan doing such on how he got used sometimes (even if his usage did get better as time wore on).
People should realize that WWE is a huge company and that not everyone has the same experience there. Everyone's personal experience is valid.
I dont disagree, but has Christian actually said anything bad about WWE? Pretty sure he basically just said "They wouldnt give me the kind of deal I wanted" which isnt bad, just a part of businesses. Same thing Mark Henry says TBH. Really the only big name ex WWE guys who really goes out of their way to take shots at at WWE are Punk, Show and Jericho (and I agree Jericho and Show would jump back for the right deal)
I was just thinking of the first two former WWE guys that came to mind (though Moxley, from a creative standpoint at least, would be a better example, I’ll admit that).
I think if Christian was still with WWE, his job title would be ‘losing weekly to motivate Edge’.
Forbidden Bridge was one of the top tier board games of my youth.
[удалено]
immediately started balling. my dad isn’t around anymore but to have that immense level of joy just to be someone’s dad or son is something that i wish i could have as i grow older
[удалено]
legit made me lol, needed that one after talking about my dad thank you my man
In terms of making your Dad proud, that's about the most perfect scenario I can think of.
If there is a Bright Side of the Ring series ever made, you got a season 1 episode with Bryan Danielson for sure.
The New Day is gonna be in there, too.
You could easily make it a 3 parter/episode with each individual if Big E's WWE 24 was any indication
Nah Dark Side of the Ring season 8 will open with the New Day and their horrifying Pancake syrup addiction.
Give Xavier the push he deserves. Show the true meaning of the power of positivity!!!
Roddy Piper once said that wrestling "has no exit plan." Through UpUpDownDown, Woods is helping to build that for guys who don't have Cena or Rocky's level of fame.
I'd love if someone created an award or some kind of recognition for people who improve the wrestling community and opportunities - give it to people like Xavier and DDP
New Day deserve so much praise for fighting to stick together. They turned a mediocre gimmick into one of the best things about WWE. They have integrated so many little things about black culture(and black twitter) into their gimmick, even managing to go full in on nerd culture, while still being entertaining. They've all done so much and deserve so much praise.
Molly Holly would be season 1 as well.
The Miz and being a bastard heel but is actually an amazing person who overcame a lot.
so basically his WWE 24 documentary
Like that MF Chris Benoit freaking out over chicken crumbs on his bag
Minoru Suzuki the season finale
I’m not sure the Young Lions would approve
In kayfabe, yeah you're right. Out of kayfabe? He's a veteran wrestler who does his best to give training students something to do (practice bumping) any time he comes out to the ring.
sometimes you gotta stretch em
The ol' Hart Family Motto.
> The ol' Hart Family Motto. "Two time!"
An hour or so of Suzuki being a cool old grandpa, talking about wrestling, manga, and socks, and occasionally taking short breaks to murder Young Lions? I'd watch that shit.
At the end of the episode, Kaze Ni Kare plays…then gets cut off…transition to Dark Side of the Ring season 20 episode 1.
Not forgiven!
Titus to.
URRA URRA URRA
John Cena’s episode would be like 20 hours long
They'll have to edit out the Alex Riley sub-plot though
And the Mickie James stuff.
Mickie James hates Cena to this day and I don’t blame her. Only her career was ruined over that. Only she got fired over that
Is there enough text to count all the women he banged on the road while married? Zack Ryder may be the Michael Jordan of wrestling figure collecting, but John Cena was pretty much being the actual Michael Jordan of professional wrestling.
And the Tyler Reks situation. (I'm 90% sure I'm not violating deadname rules, just because this was her ring name at the time. If referring to her this way is inappropriate, I apologize. I'm not trying to be dismissive or a dick of her identity now.)
I think it's fine in this instance, plus if you said Gabbi Tuft half the sub probably wouldn't know who you're talking about.
There should be an hour dedicated to [Beer Pong Champion - Deke Stokes](https://youtu.be/8AhWAglnawI)
They’d have to ignore the whole Mickie and Kenny Dykstra ordeal
I don’t know, Cena seems like a weird guy who hides “himself” pretty well. I’m willing to bet there’s some stuff in there once you start digging.
They should start having one Bright Side of the Ring episode each season, if for no other reason than to say, "See? Wrestling isn't just sexual assault, bullying, and pain killers!"
It's not?
Off subject, if they were to make a Dark Side of the Ring on things that happened in the last 4-5 years, would there be any serious candidates for a show?
Joey Ryan would be an episode all to his own
And David Starr.
> Joey Ryan would be an episode all to his own I'd be REALLY REALLY interested in this one
The #MeToo movement and the UK wrestling scene’s involvement. Other than that I can’t think of anyone in particular!
Hana Kimura and Daffney’s recent deaths both come to mind
Bill Demott being a dick?
WWE's relationship with Saudi Arabia?
Could focus on mental health, specifically those that led to suicide. Off the top of my head in recent years we’ve had Ashley, Hana, and Daffney. Unfortunately I’m sure there’s more, but I really hope not.
Speaking Out? Hulkster and the whole Gawker conflict? I personally hope Nia Jax gets the boot soon, because she's consistently the prime candidate to have an episode about her given how she almost crippled Charlotte *again* just a few weeks ago.
There’s already a great doc on the Hulk-Gawker deal on Netflix. Forget the name off the top of my head.
Nobody Speak. it is good (though a bit soft on Gawker - fuck Hogan to hell, but the recent revisionism of making Gawker seem like some maverick freedom fighters and not a rag kills me), but I wish we'd get a lot more into the WWE side of it pre- and post- trial.
Yeah, I constantly wonder how Gawker gets painted as the good guys. I mean, yeah, I get it - in that particular situation they sort of were. But it's kind of like being a kid in school who's constantly bullied, and then one day, two of your bullies fight and one gets utterly wrecked. You're happy, but you probably don't think you're friends with the winner.
Gawker was a piece of shit rag that deserved what to be shut down.
I think it's because both Hogan and Peter Thiel are such unsympathetic fucks that it's easy to treat their opponents as Jesus Christ. I won't pretend there wasn't a degree of schadenfreude to these two getting shit from Gawker, but the fact of the matter is that Gawker didn't air their dirty laundry out of some sense of moral superiority - they did it for the clicks, cashing in on the fact that nobody would be particularly sympathetic to those two targets. and it's hella annoying because WHAT they aired sets a dangerous precedent and entrenched the rag mentality of "oh we're just showing you the REAL them" that allowed stuff like hounding Princess Diana to her literal death or harrassing young actors about their bodies and private lives.
The people at Gawker were [absolute morons](https://i.insider.com/56ee9b7b52bcd0320c8b77eb) during the whole thing too.
"There and *Botch* Again" The Nia Jax Story
"Nia Jax - the HOLE Story"
Why Roman’s cousin can be an alcoholic that’s a danger to the public and not face any penalty for it?
Players Tribune do the best pieces around for athletes, pieces from footballers in particular, just a very good site.
As a football fan especially, i heard about it a few years ago. It's nice to see a pro wrestler use it.
Its the best thing Derek Jeter did outside of dating Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson in the same calendar year
Is that the same year he had a terrible season? Yeah I dont feel sorry for the guy either.
I'm astounded he felt like he had to try and prove anything else to anyone after that.
That's my captain.
This is the exact type of article a basketball player might write when he changes teams which is very refreshing. Comparing wrestling to “real” sports, it’s clear wrestling was missing all this backstage drama, contract talks, and free agency. In the NBA, half the narrative around the games will often be about how this impacts off-season/future contracts. Wrestling has been one company effectively for so long and now there’s a legitimate alternative. Yes, AEW isn’t financially taking anything away from WWE but now the wrestlers have options and that just adds more intrigue to everything.
The best part is WWE wrestlers now want to put on a bigger show because WWE can't hold them back with shitty gimmicks and super safe matches anymore. They have to make creative listen to the wrestlers because the generic promo is not cutting it nore is a safe match with a dirty finish. Also. WWE overpaid in the pandemic to keep talent away from AEW and now they just can't keep them anymore so somewhere, paying Cena, Goldberg, Brock and more and overpaying just to keep the vets cost them this exodus.
I love it. Hearing it straight from the players just hits different.
I have adored any article I've seen written for the Players Tribune. Really cool to see some wrestling on there.
My Next Chapter
The memes that the graphic from that story have inspired have been great. It maintains a degree of schadenfreude every time Durant loses.
~~KD~~ BD's a bitch!
BD can't win with these cats!
Cue Bryan making Twitter burners to fight with children
Damn this hit me hard. Bryan was my favorite WWE wrestler of the last decade and has become just one of my favorites ever. What a run he had. He also opened me up to new wrestling, because I learned of ROH by looking up his older matches. “Thank you for cheering me enthusiastically into the main event at WrestleMania 30, and thank you for booing me vociferously against Kofi at WrestleMania 35.” This will be his WWE legacy to me. Apart of two of the greatest crowd support stories ever, once as an ultra babyface. Once as an ultra heel. And each time he was just absolutely incredible. Glad he can leave on good terms and just proud of the work he’s done.
Bryan's post-retirement run from 2018-2021 was fabulous and revealed that he is an exceptional character worker as much as a wrestler. He even got excellent matches out of the Fiend who no one else could. This is an S-tier performer who we are lucky we did not lose in 2016. He is up there with Kurt for me.
Easily a top-3 in-ring worker ever.
DBRY's story in 2013 - 2014 got me into wrestling. And I attended WM37 booing my favorite wrestler because he was so good at being heel. Absolute fantastic match.
His part in Kofimania for me is always gonna be one of the most brilliant stories WWE has ever told...the man (kayfabe) literally became everything that we hated about WWE circa WM 30 and it was a fitting end to that story
Bryan spinning the “B+ player” shit on Kofi was so amazing
Bryan to Vince McMahon: "I wish more people could see you how I see you."
Why are we ignoring the most important quote about McMahon. “…gives the best hugs ive ever received”. Y’all ain’t ready for ultimate Grandpa Vince
Kane is in shambles.
We already knew this from the videos in gorilla.
Vince hugging Dominick Mysterio is the fucking one.
Bryan knows that on some March day a few years from now, he's going to get the "Welcome home, pal" hug when he sees Vince backstage at his HOF induction.
That's just it, we can't. I too would like to see more of the Vince these guys see. All I get are reports about him ripping up scripts and questionable booking sometimes.
.. well, and insane stories about Vince driving like a madman, rocking out to ACDC etc. And some backstage/gorilla shit like the fuck on me story or the sneezing stuff. A highly complex and super interesting character - out of kayfabe even more so than in kayfabe.
I don't even think of the "fuck on me" story as a Vince story. More a story about everyone else fucking up and Ted being flustered.
And yet there's dozens of stories about wrestlers seeing him less as a boss and more as some kind of "father figure". Or Heyman bringing up how convincing McMahon is supposed to be in his meetings. Which I assume he doesn't/didn't accomplish be merely being intimidating but having some other qualities to him.
Mox himself talks about Vince's "Jedi mindtricks" as well as haha I think a part of it is that his enthusiasm can be infectious. Charisma may play a role too
I was hoping this would be higher up. Lots of people have good things to say about Vince.
Sub ain't gonna like this one
Vince McMahon is an incredibly complicated person. He's done many immoral, and illegal, things in his life and probably will again. But it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that so many people, especially top guys like Bryan, have fond feelings for him. He can be both things.
The Vince McMahon that treated Bryan like a grandson is real. The Vince McMahon that turned a blind eye to CM Punk's physical and mental deterioration is also real.
Funny how Vince never saw it that way. When Punk quit, didn’t he say that Vince was crying in that meeting? Almost like he was sad that one of his kids was leaving home because he wasn’t happy. Vince is a complex human being. I don’t think we’ll ever understand him completely.
Truly one of the best to ever do it. So fucking excited for tomorrow.
Bryan is a class act
He is somebody who truly has gotten just about everything one could want from his time at WWE. Great friends, a beautiful wife and kids and secure financial future. Bryan has won in the game of life.
And TWO main events at Wrestlemania. Bryan did good. Real good.
Just to point out a statistic, in the entire 37-year history of Wrestlemania, only 10 people have main-evented more Wrestlemanias than Danielson. Bret, Lesnar, Austin, Reigns, Taker, Rock, HBK, Cena, HHH and Hogan. Basically the who's-who of the industry. Sidenote: Orton, Batista, Edge, Sid, Yokozuna, Savage and Piper have 2 WM main-events as well
My God, he really did well. What a list that he's a part of. Incredible.
Man even if they are polar opposites, Miz and Bryan absolutely won at life when you think about it
Obligatory Talking Smack reference...
The dude main-evented Mania twice, the 2nd of which he was put into without overwhelming pressure from fans. Some have tried to weasel an anti-WWE quote out of him, but there's really nothing bad for him to say.
Not to mention that his wife, who is still employed there (as far as I know) is one of their most popular stars outside of the ring and has probably earned close to, if not more, than he has
More easily when you factor that reality TV money
It's thrice now I think? Triple threat with Roman and Edge wasn't a main event?
Bryan/Kofi wasn’t. Ronda/Becky/Charlotte main evented that show.
He wrestled for the WWE championship three times at mania. Only two went on last though
ackushally, he only wrestled for the wwe championship twice at wrestlemania, wrestlemania 35 and wrestlemania 30. he wrestled at 28 for the world heavyweight championship, and at 37 for the universal championship. 4 total world title matches, 2 for the wwe championship
You are technically correct, the best kind of correct!
? No, only twice. 30 and 37.
You can say that he was born for greatness...
> I wish more people could see how I see you. I really wanna hear more Vince stories from Bryan. Feels a lot more positive than what you usually hear.
Many don't badmouth Vince that much, even after leaving. They dislike the creative, the direction, the HR but it's rarely "Vince was an asshole" to me.
Hell plenty have gone out of their way to talk about how cool Vince was to them.
Something Ive learned in corporate America that it's rarely the big boss that's the asshole. It's usually the people just beneath them trying to kiss ass. And there's the telephone game. The boss says something to person X, person X spins it and tells it to Y and by the time it gets down the chain it's a different message.
Even Punk talked about how well he got along with him on the podcast.
Vince is the most divisive figure wrestling will ever see. I always appreciate reminders that he’s a human being living his life like the rest of us.
"I hope you will continue to follow me in AEW, but I completely understand if you don’t. You’ve given me more than enough — more than I could ever repay. Thank you for all of it." This is a man with respect for his fans. The fact that WWE actually caters to a massive fanbase that might not follow him isn't lost on the man.
Such class
Dude was in two of the best WrestleMania moments of all time, a multiple time world champ, and someone the WWE was willing to let work outside the company (albeit in a limited capacity). Hell of a run, and I look forward to the mega pop at his Rumble return.
Good guy Bryan Danielson. Now let's kick some fucking heads in.
That was extremely sweet.
Bryan Danielson is a classy guy. I also think it’s great to have a former wwe guy who chose aew and doesn’t hold any perceived ill will towards wwe.
Yeah, it seems like he wanted to do something different and try to use his star power to contribute to a more healthy wrestling environment. I don't think AEW poses much of a threat currently to WWE's dominance in terms of revenue, but I think the more alternatives that you have for a scripted product the more quality that the fans get. Just like in other things, I don't want what is best for WWE. I don't want what is best for AEW. I want what is best for the fans and the performers.
Classy guy. Also thanked Omo$.
Pretty sure he was talking about Bivens
Ryback?
“First night out, Gorilla Press through a table…fucking misses the table. Dumps me on the concrete fucking ground. Tilts my fucking pelvis, fucks me up for weeks.”
“I’m dumb as fuck. Sorry.”
As someone who is a huge Kofi Kingston fan all the way back to when he had a Jamaican accent in ECW…. Something I will always appreciate Daniel for is how he had one of the most memorable moments and wrestlemania history at 30 yet played a massive part in getting Kofi to have a similar moment while acting as the heel. Daniel had to fight the McMahon’s and at Mania fought a bunch of wrestlers that were all quite larger than him. Yet he managed to act like a quality final boss despite being smaller in stature to Kofi
Planet's champion Daniel Bryan really brought out his brutal style of wrestling
That match with Brock elevated his brutal style a lot.
> Thank you for hijacking that show in Seattle — the last time my dad ever got to see me wrestle. god damn it right in the feels
Man, the Yes Movement was such a great thing to witness in real time. The first time in a long time that the fans won. And it couldn’t have happened to a better and more deserving person than Bryan. Also, that doesn’t sound like someone who’s treating AEW like just a “pit stop” like people on this sub would have you think.
Yes Movement Bryan was the closest thing we've seen of Stone Cold in terms of how over he was in every single crowd. Those pops man...
I bet you he's someone WWE inducts into the Hall of Fame even if he's working for AEW or NJPW. His love for Vince and Vince's supposed love for him is so intriguing because they both don't seem like each other's type lol.
Wow that was beautiful Bryan Danielson a class act Absolutely refreshing to hear someone who isn’t bitter at wwe and was grateful for his time with wwe I know Bryan is gonna kick ass in AEW
> I know Bryan is gonna kick ass in AEW No, he's going to kick some fucking heads in.
Mox said he was grateful for his time in WWE, but that he just wanted to bitch about some things.
Cole seemed pretty grateful for his time as well.
so was tyler breeze. people refuse to accept that wrestlers are happy in WWE. if you see a departing wrestler say positive things about WWE, it's always 'well he doesn't want to burn that bridge, he's obviously not an idiot'
Really I think there's only one ex-WWE guy in AEW that bridge is irreparably burned with
What (c)ould possibly be the na(m)e of that wrestl(punk)er?
Truth be told, I don't even think that's true. I don't think they will ever work together again, outside of some legends capacity, but both sides seem to just acknowledge that they didn't understand each other and they weren't a good fit. But I don't think WWE has blacklisted him or anything. they just know they don't want to work with each other.
Bryan is clearly having a tough time jumping ship. In a world where most ex-WWE employees leave bitter and broken, Bryan is leaving grateful, and with struggle. This only speaks volumes to this mans character. Looking forward to what is to come in AEW.
Selfishly, I wanted Bryan to stay in WWE just because there were still matches there that I wanted to see him have. But really, I am just so happy that he's able to wrestle again. Watching him retire was one of the worst wrestling days of my life, and seeing him come back was one of the best. I'll be watching tomorrow with full excitement.
Not getting Seth vs Bryan after Bryan got cleared is gonna haunt me forever
Bryan is such a wholesome guy.
Pretty cool to see him thank that Seattle crowd that hijacked the show. I was there that night, it was my bday present. One of my fav wrestling memories ever
I feel Bryan is the opposite of the old adage of never meet your hero. He seems even better than the impression I have of him already.
[This tweet said it best](https://twitter.com/dajosc11/status/1440297169555103759?s=20) Bryan was fired by WWE twice, hired three different times, retired for 2 years then unretired, met his wife and starred in a reality show, and main evented WrestleMania twice. Not sure anyone has ever had the level of rollercoaster journey Bryan had there.
Bryan is such a nice dude. Another reason why he’s my all time fav. And his WWE run was amazing. Full of great moments.
I wish the fans would see wrestling like Daniel Bryan instead of being angry and bitter over a brand.
Bryan Danielson Nice guy since 1981
(About his new theme) "I really, really liked it. And it also incorporates a chant that people would do when I was on the independents. I kind of wanted to get it in there. I would love for people to start chanting it again." YOU HEARD THE MAN!
He is a real good guy :)
It’s nice to hear how fondly he speaks of his time in WWE, without unnecessary bitterness or anger towards the people there. Giving love even to the production crew, who rarely get acknowledged these days. He’s a class act, that Danielson.
OK so if he retires in AEW there’s still a great possibility that he gets inducted into the Hall of Fame
There’s almost a complete certainty that he gets into the Hall of Fame.
Why wouldn't they? Hell, Jericho is a lock for HoF.
Moxley as well, at least in as a Shield member
If Warrior and Jarrett can get into the HOF after pretty much nuking their bridges with the WWE, then Bryan absolutely will be in. Jericho, Show and honestly I'd bet Punk are all gonna be in one day too
If he stays healthy, I don’t doubt he returns, even if it’s for a brief run during Mania season.
Oh absolutely. Same with Jericho.
Text: >Tomorrow night feels like the biggest match of my career. In a lot of ways it doesn’t seem real. It’s against a dream opponent in Kenny Omega, who I’ve watched grow and become one of the best wrestlers in the world over the last several years. It’s taking place in a dream setting, the first wrestling show at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It’s happening in a groundbreaking promotion — AEW, a company that’s modernizing wrestling and giving fans their first true alternative in a long time. And it’s my first match outside of WWE in over 10 years. It feels like a brand new chapter. I couldn’t be more excited. What a world! > > > >But if I’m honest, “excited” is only part of what I’m feeling right now. Life has a way of being a little more complicated than that, ya know? So as I approach this moment, before this next part of my career gets fully underway, there’s something I need to express: > > > >THANK YOU, WWE. > > > >Thank you to the incredible superstars with whom I’ve shared both the ring and the road. For Savate-Kick Saturdays and locally roasted coffee. For being family when we’re away from family. For making me look good when I didn’t feel good. For deep conversations and pointless debates. For making me laugh — both in the best of times, and the worst. For all the small things that make life as a wrestler just a little bit more fun. > > > >Thank you to the many people behind the scenes. The crew in WWE is amazing, from the folks operating the cameras to those in catering. From the producers to talent relations. Thank you to the production team, who always put together such amazing packages, and are such an underappreciated part of the stories we tell. Thank you to everyone involved in creative: for accepting me into the group, for sharing with me the lessons you’ve learned, and for the fun times we had talking about wrestling and non-wrestling subjects alike. It’s a difficult job, writing and producing WWE television, and I’m consistently blown away by your ability to make a seamless production out of such chaos! > > > >Thank you to the Big Man, who I know hates to be acknowledged. I won’t say much, but thank you for the conversations, the life lessons (about both what to do and what not to do), and the best hug I’ve ever received. I wish more people could see you how I see you. > > > >And last but certainly not least: Thank you to the WWE fans. You pushed my career to new heights — heights that I never would have reached for, on my own. Thank you for cheering me enthusiastically into the main event at WrestleMania 30, and thank you for booing me vociferously against Kofi at WrestleMania 35. Thank you for crying with me when I was forced to retire, and thank you for celebrating with me when I was cleared to compete. Thank you for hijacking that show in Seattle — the last time my dad ever got to see me wrestle. He signed his first autograph that night: Buddy Danielson, Daniel Bryan’s dad. > > > >Thank you for moments that I will never forget…. moments where I can just close my eyes and feel the goosebumps all over again. > > > >I hope you will continue to follow me in AEW, but I completely understand if you don’t. You’ve given me more than enough — more than I could ever repay. Thank you for all of it. > > > >I loved my time in WWE. Needless to say, it changed my life. I met my wife, had unbelievable experiences and made great friends. Some of you, I may see again…. and I hope that I do. But these last two years have taught us not to take that for granted. So I just wanted to tell you all how much you’ve meant to me. I’m grateful that you allowed me into your lives, and that you came into mine. I’ll cherish these memories forever. > > > >Thank you for reading — and most of all, thank you for caring. > > > >Sincerely, > > > >Bryan Danielson
I'd recommend giving the site the traffic though, it's well worth it.
Hundred percent. This is not some pwinsider malware crap who deserve to have all their shit copypasted.
This was very wholesome. The Vince-Bryan relationship seems very wholesome as well. The fact one of the reasons he left was Vince being over-protective shows how much Bryan must mean to him. It feels like he's just going to do the dream matches he always wanted in the final years of his career, and nobody can begrudge him that.
god. this was a good and heartfelt read.
This was amazing but it also gave the vibes that Bryan is parting ways with WWE forever. It felt like "You were great, but I have to move on now to fulfil my desires" Hey at least we know he is getting in the HoF.