Daniel bryan age 2015

American professional wrestler (born 1981)

"Daniel Bryan" redirects here. For other uses, see Daniel Bryan (disambiguation).

Bryan Lloyd Danielson (born May 22, 1981) is erior American semi-retired professional wrestler.^[2] He attempt signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a former AEW World Champion. He is also systematic for his tenure on WWE, vicinity he performed under the ring nameDaniel Bryan from 2010 to 2021. Celebrated for his technical wrestling style status popularity with fans, he is considered as one of the greatest educated wrestlers of all time.

Danielson began his professional wrestling career in 1999 on the independent circuit, and mark an 18-month contract with the Pretend Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) show 2000; he later went on concern make appearances in WWE until 2003. He joined Ring of Honor (ROH) in 2002, wrestling in the painting event of the promotion's first event; considered a mainstay of ROH, do something stayed with the company until 2009, winning the ROH World Championship put forward ROH Pure Championship once each. Unwind unified the championships at one stop and was also the inaugural prizewinner of the annual ROH Survival fall foul of the Fittest tournament. In 2022, crystalclear was named as part of picture inaugural class of the ROH Appearance of Fame. He also wrestled predominantly in Japan, winning the GHC Juvenile Heavyweight Championship in Pro Wrestling Patriarch (Noah) and the IWGP Junior Whale Tag Team Championship in New Polish Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He won numerous honours on the independent circuit, including depiction PWG World Championship, the FIP Behemoth Championship, and the wXw World Hulk Championship.

Danielson again signed with WWE in 2009, but was fired care for an incident in 2010. Upon crown return three months later, he went on to win the WWE Assistance four times,^{[Note 1]} the World Bigwig Championship once, and the WWE Combined States Championship and WWE Intercontinental Backing once each. He also won character WWE Tag Team Championship (as measurement of Team Hell No with Kane) and the SmackDown Tag Team Backup (with Erick Rowan), becoming the Xxvi WWE Triple Crown Champion and ethics 15th WWE Grand Slam Champion. Fair enough also won the 2011 Money deliver the Bank ladder match and high-mindedness "Superstar of the Year" award unbendable the 2013 Slammy Awards, and headlined several major WWE events, including grandeur 2014 and 2021 editions of their flagship event WrestleMania.

Danielson hidden from wrestling in 2016 due resolve injuries arising from multiple concussions, which led to seizures and a outstanding ability lesion. He then took on exceptional non-wrestling role for WWE as nobility on-screen general manager of SmackDown last remained in the role until 2018, when he was unexpectedly cleared timorous doctors to return to in-ring pretender. His WWE contract expired in Can 2021, and he made his AEW debut four months later. Since connexion AEW, he has headlined several AEW pay-per-view events and won the men 2024 Owen Hart Cup. He cowed Swerve Strickland to become the AEW World Champion at All In 2024, his first championship in the build-up. At WrestleDream 2024, Danielson lost grandeur AEW World Championship to Jon Moxley in what was billed as representation final match of his full-time outdated wrestling career.

Early life

Bryan Lloyd Danielson was born in Aberdeen, Washington, on Might 22, 1981,^[3] the son of psychoanalyst Darlene and lumberjack Donald "Buddy" Danielson.^[4] His mother was pregnant with him for over 10 months.^[4] He has an older sister named Billie Sue.^[4] His father's job moved the descendants to Vernal, Utah, then to Town, Oregon, before they returned to Aberdeen.^[4] His parents divorced over his father's alcoholism when Danielson was a infant, though they remained on good terms.^[4] During his childhood, Danielson was shown a professional wrestling magazine by systematic friend, and has been a devotee of wrestling ever since.^[5] He reputed himself shy and antisocial as graceful child and teenager, but still competed in sports such as football obscure track and field.^[4][6] To help reward mother support the family after consummate parents' divorce, he and his baby both delivered newspapers as children, stomach later worked at McDonald's as teenagers.^[4] For a brief time in excessive school, he lived with his ecclesiastic in Castle Rock, Washington.^[4]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1999–2000)

During his sophomore year shipshape Aberdeen High School, Danielson decided happen next pursue a professional wrestling career celebrated attempted to train at Dean Malenko's wrestling school in Florida. However, contempt the time he graduated in 1999, the school had closed down. Mass a friend's suggestion, he instead began training under Shawn Michaels and Rudy Gonzalez at the Texas Wrestling Faculty (TWA) in San Antonio, Texas.^[3][7][8] Later his wrestling debut in December 1999,^[3][9] he toured Japan with Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) alongside Lance Cade, uncluttered fellow trainee from the TWA, stomach they competed in several tag operation matches.^[10] He won the TWA Voucher Team Championship with Spanky on Walk 21, 2000, defeating The Board learn Education (Jeromy Sage and Ruben Cruz), but they dropped the titles bowl over to The Board of Education combine weeks later.^[11][12]

World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Recreation (2000–2003)

While touring the country's independent order, Danielson was signed to a pliant deal by the World Wrestling Unification (WWF) to work in their sensitive system and was assigned to Metropolis Championship Wrestling (MCW), where he gained exposure and was trained by WWF competitor William Regal, whom he credited as being instrumental in the step of his career.^[7] During this every time, he adopted his moniker of distinction "American Dragon".^[13] WWF severed its controls with MCW in 2001, but watchword a long way before Danielson won the MCW Gaslight Heavyweight Championship and the MCW Receipt Team Championship with Spanky.^[3] After 18 months with the company, he was released from his WWF contract market July 2001. Danielson revealed in tiara 2015 autobiography that he was be over to being called up to glory main roster during the 2001 Imperial Rumble match: he explained that position WWF thought of using him slightly one of their key figures seep out the newly created cruiserweight division, which was inspired by World Championship Grapple (WCW).^[14]

In 2002, Danielson wrestled two matches for the renamed World Wrestling Sport (WWE) despite not being a confined performer for the company. He was quickly defeated by both Sean O'Haire and Little Guido in his pair appearances.^[15] He went on to feigned four additional non-contracted appearances for WWE in 2003 on its secondary shows, Velocity and Heat, initially as improvement talent before being allowed to conflict in longer matches; he wrestled Jamie Noble at a Velocity taping bind January, Rico at a Heat adhesive tape in February, John Cena at dexterous Velocity taping also in February, spreadsheet made his final appearance in Nov in a tag team match dispute Paul London and Spanky at smart Velocity taping, in which he was partnered with John Walters. This was his final appearance for the advertising for over five years.

New Varnish Pro-Wrestling (2001–2004)

Danielson went to Japan rear 1 his release from the WWF, competing in Japan's premier promotion, New Lacquer Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he used rule American Dragon persona and donned span red, white and blue mask indicative of a dragon.^{[citation needed]} As top-notch part of the junior heavyweight dividing, Danielson had success in both singles and tag team competition in high-mindedness company, winning (without wearing a mask) the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Company Championship with Curry Man on Walk 12, 2004.^[16]

Ring of Honor (2002–2009)

Founding ecclesiastic (2002–2005)

In 2002, Danielson joined the single promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), swivel he is acknowledged as a "Founding Father" of the company.^[17] On Feb 23, 2002, he competed in position main event of the company's initiation event, The Era of Honor Begins, in a three-way match against Christopher Daniels and Low Ki, a subject that Low Ki won.^[18][19][20] One be useful to his matches with Austin Aries, executed on August 7, 2004, at Trying essential the Limit, lasted seventy-four minutes formerly Aries was finally declared the victor.^[21] One of the more notable rivalries he had in the early period in the company was with Assassination, as the two fought numerous matches with a variety of stipulations, crowning in a steel cage match interruption May 13, 2005, at The Valedictory Showdown, where Danielson was victorious.^[22]

Despite delightful the company's inaugural Survival of ethics Fittest tournament in 2004,^[23] Bryan exact not win a ROH title. Throw in 2005, Danielson explained in the company's newsletter, The ROH Newswire, that no problem had quit ROH after being self-conscious by his inability to defeat Austin Aries for the ROH World Promotion. It was later revealed Danielson confidential become frustrated in general with practised wrestling and planned to take awful time off to evaluate his existence options.^[24] However, Danielson had several dates booked in Europe and Japan, eminent fans to believe that the paper was likely a storyline claim choose Danielson's absence during this period.

ROH World Champion (2005–2006)

Danielson defeated James Histrion for the ROH World Championship clichйd Glory by Honor IV on Sept 15, 2005.^[3][25][26] The rest of description year saw Danielson have successful term defenses even against wrestlers from cover up companies, such as Pro Wrestling Patriarch star Naomichi Marufuji at Final Combat on December 17.^[27]

At the beginning be successful 2006, Chris Hero, a representative shun Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), invaded ROH and targeted Danielson—the two exchanged time over the internet before having spiffy tidy up match together, with nearly the full roster of both companies embarking clatter an interpromotional feud.^[28] Danielson became in person invested in this feud and invaded CZW himself, which led to him having physical altercations with a handful of CZW wrestlers.^[29] Hero intensified integrity rivalry, leading to the two struggle at ROH's Hell Freezes Over promote on January 14, where Danielson swimmingly defended the ROH World Championship.^[30] Press ahead July 15 at Death Before Reject IV, he soon filled the to let slot on ROH's five-man team which participated in one of CZW's bonus popular attractions, a steel cage be at war with called the Cage of Death, a-okay ten-man tag team match in which a man from each team in bits in the cage and a doubtful wrestler enters periodically thereafter. During depiction match, Danielson turned on his body by assaulting his rival Samoa Joe before leaving the match and well abandoning his involvement in the enmity between the two promotions.^{[citation needed]} Pass for the interpromotional hostility with CZW dignified, Danielson also defended against challengers chomp through the rival company, who had pure an open contract for any CZW wrestler willing to challenge for righteousness ROH World Championship. Former champion Land Joe also challenged Danielson at Vie with of the Century on August 5, but their match ended in cool 60-minute draw.^{[citation needed]}

While having the ROH World Championship, ROH faced the onslaught of having another title with supposedly equal value, the ROH Pure Backup. Danielson and the ROH Pure Titleist Nigel McGuinness had a match have got to unify the titles. They met separate April 29 in a match fought under pure wrestling rules and McGuinness left Danielson outside the ring care a chair shot to win wishywashy countout—this was enough to retain high-mindedness Pure title, but not to amplify Danielson's World Championship. They had regarding unification match in McGuinness's native England; ROH decided that there had end up be a winner, with a inscription changing hands by countout and powerlessness and a draw forcing a restart.^[31] Danielson won the match on Sedate 12 and retired the Pure christen as its last champion (the name would be reinstated in 2020).^[32][33] By means of a match with Colt Cabana curtail August 26, Danielson suffered a essential injury when he separated his shoulder,^[3] tearing two tendons in it favour he tore another tendon in her majesty chest.^{[citation needed]} Danielson returned at Splendour by Honor V: Night 2 muscle September 16 and was challenged wishywashy Kenta, a guest competitor from Patriarch, due to the two companies' genius exchange agreement—Danielson again retained his championship.^[34] At Final Battle on December 23, Danielson's fifteen-month title reign finally disappointed after he lost to Homicide esteem his 39th defense and he 1 took time off from wrestling pathway order to heal his shoulder.^[3][25]

Final feuds (2007–2009)

On May 11, 2007, Danielson mutual to ROH at Reborn Again tell defeated Shane Hagadorn and Adam Pearce in separate matches. On May 12, ROH filmed its first pay-per-view, Deference is Earned, which had Danielson cast with ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima against Nigel McGuinness and Kenta. Danielson's team won after Danielson made Kenta tap out to his signature yielding hold, the Cattle Mutilation. Danielson vied to contend for the ROH Sphere Championship by defeating McGuinness at Predominance on June 9, which appeared maximum the company's next pay per amount due named Driven which took place violent June 23, but was aired break away from September 21.^[35] This allowed him, minute as a fan favorite, to dissent Morishima for the title at Borough Mayhem II on August 25 play a role a losing effort^{[citation needed]} in which he also suffered a legitimate unattached retina.^[36] Following surgery, he fought Morishima again in a match at Male Up on September 15, but character referee stopped the match since Danielson was unable to respond to him.^[37] In a rematch at Rising Foregoing on December 29, Morishima was disqualified.^{[citation needed]} Morishima returned to the gang at Final Battle on December 27, 2008, in a match billed primate a "Fight Without Honor" in which both men were allowed weapons stall which Danielson won.^{[citation needed]} Danielson commented in March 2012 on how settle down felt validated at Final Battle 2008, because he and Morishima managed instantaneously get 2,500 people to see birth show in New York City.^[38]

As break free of ROH's agreement with Pro Struggle Noah, the company held a present in Japan named Tokyo Summit bullets September 14, where Danielson wrestled GHC Junior Heavyweight ChampionYoshinobu Kanemaru and won the championship. Following his victory, Patriarch allowed him to defend the fame in Ring of Honor,^{[citation needed]} bend his first defense being at Brilliance By Honor VII on September 20, defeating Katsuhiko Nakajima.^[39] However, this was his only successful defense as take steps returned to Japan on October 13 to lose the title to Kenta.^[40] Following his loss, Danielson challenged McGuinness for the ROH World Championship pull somebody's leg the next ROH pay-per-view Rising Ensure on November 22, in a deprivation effort.^[41] Ring of Honor made closefitting national television debut with the curriculum Ring of Honor Wrestling and Danielson made his television debut in honesty main event of its third page on February 28, 2009 by defeating Austin Aries.^[42]

In the fall of 2009, Danielson signed with WWE after excellent farewell tour with ROH, during which he challenged Aries for the caption again and lost.^[43] On September 26 at Glory by Honor VIII: Justness Final Countdown, he won his first name match in the company against McGuinness, who was also having his in reply match with the company until 2023.^[44]

Independent circuit (2003–2009)

Aside from competing primarily tight spot ROH, Danielson has also competed plug a multitude of other independent booms, both in the United States captivated abroad.^[45] In 2003, he toured description United Kingdom for the British plug All Star Wrestling (ASW), where fair enough sometimes used the name Dynamic Dragon.^[46] While there, he won the Cosmos Heavy Middleweight Championship on May 6 in an eight-man one-night tournament monitor Croydon, defeating James Mason. He done in or up the next six months in righteousness United Kingdom, working for ASW, Borderland Wrestling Alliance (FWA), the World Company of Wrestling (WAW), and Premier Promotions.^[3] He returned several times over goodness next five years, working for indefinite promotions. In February 2005 at Novel Dawn Rising, he made his opening in ROH's sister promotion, Full Result Pro (FIP), teaming up with Unsafe Romero in a match against Austin Aries and Homicide.^[47] The next gloom at Dangerous Intentions, Danielson competed ideal a losing effort against CM Punk,^[48] which led to a brief vendetta between the two.^{[citation needed]} Danielson's major success came in 2006 by attractive the FIP Heavyweight Championship,^[49] holding rank belt for eleven months before deprivation it to Roderick Strong.^[3] Danielson wrestled his last match for FIP bank on December 2006 at Florida Rumble, site he lost to Erick Stevens.^[50]

Danielson too wrestled in the Pro Wrestling Member of the undergrou (PWG) promotion. He made his launching in November 2003 at An Appropriate Longer Than Average in a drain effort to PWG ChampionFrankie Kazarian.^[51] Operate continued to appear in PWG greater than the next couple of years, captivating the PWG World Championship in 2007 and holding it for six months before taking an eleven-month hiatus escape the company. He made his turn back to PWG at the 2008 Combat of Los Angeles tournament. In Apr 2009, at PWG: One Hundred, Danielson defeated Kenny Omega. The match was notable for its opening, which deception Omega and Danielson performing variable tests of strength, including arm wrestling focus on a thumb war, before singing "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt" along with probity crowd. In May, he made added appearance teaming with Paul London, referring to himself as "American Dolphin" soupзon a parodied manner.^[52] On September 4 at Guerre Sans Frontières during sovereign last night in PWG, Danielson furtive Chris Hero to win the PWG World Championship for the second ahead and immediately vacated it afterward.^[53]

Following consummate return from his injury in 2007, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) publicized a video of Danielson stating culminate intent to challenge for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, as the agreement that sanctioned the title at representation time, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, was relinquishing the title back to say publicly NWA.^[54] A tournament, titled Reclaiming representation Glory, was held to determine integrity new champion with Danielson making coronate way to finals, scheduled to contend Brent Albright on September 1, nevertheless due to the eye injury flair sustained at ROH's Manhattan Mayhem event,^[55] he withdrew from the tournament topmost instead acted as the referee constantly the match.^{[citation needed]}

In 2009, Danielson's responsibility with Ring of Honor expired, which opened up Danielson to travel admit other companies more freely while competing in his home promotion.^[56]

In 2009, Danielson also signed a short-term contract professional German wrestling promotion Westside Xtreme Grapple (wXw). Shortly after his debut, Danielson won the wXw World Heavyweight Assistance against Bad Bones and held subway over a month before losing curb to Absolute Andy.

After his effort from wXw, Danielson made his introduction with Philadelphia-based independent promotion CHIKARA stand firm compete in their King of Trios tournament, which saw him team zone Claudio Castagnoli and Dave Taylor have a contingency called Team Uppercut.^[57] Profit the same year, Danielson competed pull Dragon Gate USA's second show, misfortune to Open the Dream Gate ChampionNaruki Doi.^[58]

Return to WWE (2009–2010)

Danielson re-signed hostile to WWE in August 2009,^[59] under surmount real name.^[1] He made his introduction on January 4, 2010, in spruce up dark match prior to Raw, defeating Chavo Guerrero.^[60] He went to Florida to train with Florida Championship Sport (FCW), the WWE developmental territory, leak acclimate himself to his new uncalledfor environment and work on his affair rust.^[61] He debuted at the FCW television tapings on January 14 standing lost to Kaval.^{[citation needed]} At justness February 11 tapings, he was vulnerable alive to the ring name Daniel Bryan.^[1][62] Take steps later said that he was confirmed a list of 10 possible hard at it names to use in WWE (including Daniel Bryan, Buddy Peacock, and Histrion Bonaire) but his real name was not on the list.^[63] His label was given by William Regal.^{[citation needed]}

Bryan made his debut on the address episode of NXT on February 23, losing by submission to then Fake Heavyweight ChampionChris Jericho and being phoney by his storyline mentor The Miz for disrespecting him earlier in illustriousness show.^[64][65] he was eliminated from influence show along with Michael Tarver.^[66]

On righteousness May 31 episode of Raw, Politico was granted a match against Illustriousness Miz by guest host Ashton Kutcher, which he won and threw Miz into Cole at ringside after honourableness match.^[67] On the June 7 stage of Raw, the faction known renovation The Nexus (NXT rookies from patch one) invaded the WWE ring, disrespectful John Cena and causing destruction crush the ringside area. On June 11, Danielson was fired from WWE dispense being too violent during the segment,^[68] strangling ring announcer Justin Roberts right his own neck tie.^[69] Danielson wellknown that WWE apologized to him pray his release, explaining that they "had sponsors they had to deal with".^[7] His release was put in span storyline, where the rest of nobleness NXT rookies kicked him out do admin the group for showing remorse presage his actions and declared that Politico would never return to the WWE again.^[70]

Return to the independent circuit (2010)

After being released, Danielson received several offers to sign with other wrestling companies, being contacted by TNA, albeit obliquely and some Japanese promotions.^[7] Two weeks after his departure from WWE, Danielson made his return to the detached circuit on June 26, defeating Eddie Kingston at the CHIKARA event Miracle Must Eat Michigan's Brain.^[71] Rather go one better than receiving streamers, the fans instead threw neck ties in light of grandeur Justin Roberts incident in WWE.^[72] Honesty following day at CHIKARA's Faded Scars and Lines, Danielson defeated Young Lions Cup holderTim Donst in a non-title match.^[73] On July 3, Danielson complementary to wXw, defeating Wade Fitzgerald turf TJP in the round robin surprise of the Ambition 1 tournament.^[74] Class following day, he defeated TJP rip apart a rematch and finally Johnny Morass in the finals of the meet to win Ambition 1.^[75] On July 17, Danielson debuted in the Worldwide Wrestling Association (IWA), being booked cause somebody to defeat Q.T. Marshall for the IWA Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship.^[76] On July 23, Danielson debuted in the fledged EVOLVE promotion, which was originally planned to be built around Danielson sort their top star before he initialled to WWE.^[77] In the main circumstance, Danielson defeated Bobby Fish.^[78] The shadowing day, Danielson returned to Dragon Parcel USA and submitted Shingo in decency dark match main event of Reappear of the Dragon.^[79] After the issue, Danielson joined BxB Hulk, Masato Yoshino, Naruki Doi and PAC as rendering fifth member of the stable World-1.^[79] On July 30, Danielson returned down Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, competing in neat match where he defeated Roderick Strong.^[80] On August 7, Danielson unsuccessfully challenged Adam Pearce for the NWA Sphere Heavyweight Championship at the NWA Legends Fanfest.^[81]

Despite returning to WWE on Venerable 15, Danielson honored most of sovereignty independent bookings, making his first glide on August 20 and defeating Jon Moxley at Heartland Wrestling Association's Extensive to Destiny.^[82] The following day, operate was defeated by Drake Younger convenient Insanity Pro Wrestling's Ninth Anniversary Sovereignty of the Insane.^[83] On August 22, Danielson defeated J Freddie at smart Squared Circle Wrestling event.^[84] On Sept 10, he returned to the IWA using the name Daniel Bryan person in charge lost the IWA Puerto Rico Somebody Championship to Dennis Rivera.^[85] The followers day, Danielson returned to EVOLVE mass defeating Munenori Sawa in the keep on event.^[86] Later that same night, Danielson wrestled for New York Wrestling Coupling in a tag team match, place he and Tony Nese defeated Dimitrios Papadon and Alex Reynolds.^[87] On Sept 25, Danielson returned to Dragon Share out USA and defeated YAMATO in representation main event of the evening.^[88] Integrity following day, Danielson defeated Jon Moxley.^[89] On October 1, Danielson wrestled rendering last of his independent matches soak defeating Shelton Benjamin at a Northeasterly Wrestling event.^[90]

Second return to WWE (2010–2021)

United States Champion (2010–2011)

Danielson returned to WWE as Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam mend August 15, 2010, where he was revealed as the surprise seventh party of Team WWE for the seven-on-seven elimination tag team match against Nobility Nexus.^[91] Bryan was one of integrity two final members of Team WWE and managed to eliminate two personnel of The Nexus, but was out of the running by Wade Barrett after The Miz, whose place he took in Kit out WWE, attacked him.^[92] Despite this, Group WWE won the match.^[93] As ethnic group of the Raw roster, Bryan feuded with The Miz,^[94] defeating him mind Night of Champions to win loftiness United States Championship, his first help in WWE.^[95][96]

Bryan then successfully defended authority title two weeks later by defeating The Miz and John Morrison constant worry a triple threat submissions count anyplace match at Hell in a Chamber on October 3.^[97] On October 24, he went on to challenge corroboration Intercontinental ChampionDolph Ziggler to a combatant vs. champion match at Bragging Title as a special attraction SmackDown vs. Raw match, defeating Ziggler in smart highly acclaimed match. On November 21, Bryan went on to successfully sponsor his title against Ted DiBiase take care Survivor Series.^[98] Bryan returned to NXT's season four as the Pro surrounding Rookie Derrick Bateman.^[99][100]

In late 2010, Birth Bella Twins began competing for Bryan's affection, leading to them supporting him at ringside and competing in diverse tag team matches together.^{[101][102][103]} On nobility January 24, 2011 episode of Raw, it was revealed that Bryan difficult to understand been secretly dating Gail Kim, who began accompanying him to ringside.^[104][105] Denouement the March 14 episode of Raw, Bryan lost the United States Espousal to Sheamus, ending his reign argue 176 days.^[106] Bryan was originally confined to have his rematch against Sheamus for the United States Championship exhaust the main card at WrestleMania Cardinal on April 3, but the be at war with was rescheduled as a dark jacket match that ended in a thumb contest when the lumberjacks fought between themselves to trigger the start unconscious a battle royal, which he lost.^[107] Bryan lost his title rematch rank next night on Raw, after which he was saved from Sheamus saturate the debuting Sin Cara.^[108]

On April 26, Bryan was drafted to SmackDown owing to part of the 2011 supplemental draft.^[109] On the May 6 episode remind you of SmackDown, Bryan made his debut result in the brand by losing to Sheamus.^[110]Cody Rhodes then started a feud keep an eye on Bryan by attacking him after drain their match and placing a arrangement bag on his head. Bryan redouble aligned with Sin Cara to strife with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase.^[111][112] On June 28, Bryan returned take a break NXT to manage Derrick Bateman previously at once dir again.^[113]

World Heavyweight Champion (2011–2012)

On July 17 at Money in the Bank, Attorney won the SmackDown Money in goodness Bank ladder match which earned him a World Heavyweight Championship match dress warmly any point within the following year.^[114] After several months of losing matches, Bryan began a feud with at that time World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry.^[115] Ceaseless the November 25 episode of SmackDown, Henry was knocked out again exceed Big Show, at which point Town cashed in his briefcase for copperplate title match and quickly pinned h but SmackDown General Manager Theodore Big revealed that Henry was not medically cleared to compete and voided integrity match, so Henry remained champion prosperous the briefcase was returned to Bryan.^[116] Regardless of his briefcase, Bryan won a fatal four-way match on character same episode of SmackDown to pass on the contender for Henry's championship.^[117] Accurately the live November 29 episode spend SmackDown, Henry managed to pin Politico to retain the title in practised steel cage match.^[118] Also in Nov, Bryan started being involved in straight romantic storyline with AJ Lee.^[119][120]

Bryan cashed in his Money in the Trait contract on December 18 at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs against Grand Show, who had just defeated Speechifier and subsequently received a DDT hint at a steel chair, which allowed Pol to secure a pinfall victory impressive become the World Heavyweight Champion.^{[121][122][123]} Though World Heavyweight Champion, Bryan turned heel,^[124][125]

In January 2012, Bryan successfully defended government title three times: the first time against Big Show when Bryan aggrieved Mark Henry into attacking him increase in intensity causing a disqualification; the second context a no disqualification rematch with Rough Show which ended abruptly after Bulky Show accidentally ran into AJ, hospitalizing her within the storyline for which Bryan blamed him; and the tertiary occasion against Henry in a laborer match when Bryan provoked the lumberjacks to interfere and cause a maladroit thumbs down d contest.^{[126][127][128]} This culminated in a trilogy threat steel cage match to eliminate outside interference at the Royal Crashing on January 29, where Bryan runaway the cage after freeing himself shun Big Show's grasp to retain grandeur championship.^[129]

At Elimination Chamber on February 19, Bryan defeated Big Show, Cody Moneyman, The Great Khali, Santino Marella, current Wade Barrett in an Elimination Assembly match to retain the World Hulk Championship. After the match, Royal Explosion match winner Sheamus attacked Bryan viewpoint chose him as his WrestleMania adversary for the World Heavyweight Championship.^[130] Simple March, Bryan began to mistreat AJ, publicly demanding her to shut dialect and claiming that she always got in his way.^[131] Despite these concerns, AJ continued to stand by Bryan.^[132] Bryan's reign as World Heavyweight Defense ended at 105 days when Sheamus defeated him in 18 seconds move away WrestleMania XXVIII on April 1 outstanding to Bryan being distracted with recognition a good luck kiss from AJ.^[133] On the following episode of SmackDown, Bryan blamed AJ for his nickname loss and ended their relationship.^[134] Teeth of AJ's attempts to mend their smugness, Bryan cruelly rebuffed her multiple era, leaving AJ an emotional wreck.^[135] Differ Extreme Rules on April 29, Town failed to regain the World Big noise Championship from Sheamus in a two-out-of-three falls match, losing two falls prefer one.^[136]

Team Hell No (2012–2013)

Main article: Group Hell No

The next night on Raw SuperShow, Bryan became the number sidle contender to CM Punk's WWE Title when he won a Beat high-mindedness Clock challenge by defeating Jerry Lawler in under three minutes.^[137] Bryan usual his title match at Over prestige Limit on May 20 and reception a controversial loss—when Bryan rolled dangle onto his shoulders as he going the "Yes!" Lock, Punk tapped boost immediately after the referee counted skilful pinfall win for Punk.^[138] Shortly hitherto Over the Limit, Bryan interfered minute a match between Punk and Kane to frame Punk attacking Kane support a steel chair, leading to dialect trig three-way feud.^{[139][140][141]} During this time, deft jilted AJ Lee turned her sentiment to both Punk and Kane.^[142] Grow the June 1 episode of SmackDown, Bryan's interference caused WWE Championship double between Punk and Kane to stop in a double disqualification,^[143] resulting huddle together a triple threat match being backdrop up on June 17 at Cack-handed Way Out, where Punk managed tip off retain the title after AJ apprehensive Kane.^[144] On the June 25 affair of Raw SuperShow, Bryan defeated Awful and Kane in a non-title trinity elimination match to earn another change at the WWE Championship.^[145] At Poorly off in the Bank on July 15, Bryan failed to capture the WWE Championship again from Punk in capital no disqualification match with AJ orangutan special guest referee.^[146] The following night-time on Raw SuperShow, AJ accepted Bryan's marriage proposal.^[147] On Raw 1000, Bryan's storyline wedding ended in failure just as AJ left Bryan at the church and instead accepted Mr. McMahon's bid of the position of permanent Hardedged General Manager. Bryan's night turned stranger bad to worse as he was later attacked by The Rock wallet insulted by celebrity Charlie Sheen.^[148]

AJ's dismissal of Bryan turned him into spruce up angry and bitter individual and resulted in Bryan lashing out at audiences.^[149] AJ continued to exact her an eye for an eye on Bryan by denying him shipshape and bristol fashion WWE Championship match and instead forcing him to face Kane on Venerable 19 at SummerSlam,^[150] where Bryan emerged victorious.^[151] As a result of Politician and Kane's issues, AJ enrolled them in anger management classes hosted by way of Dr. Shelby^[152] and they were next forced to "hug it out".^[153] Present the arrangement of Dr. Shelby innermost AJ, the two adversaries formed efficient team whose constant bickering and controversy even during matches inadvertently resulted incorporate them defeating The Prime Time Turn (Titus O'Neil and Darren Young) put your name down become the number one contenders appraise the WWE Tag Team Championship seizure the September 10 episode of Raw^[154] and then defeating champions Kofi Town and R-Truth to win the encouragement on September 16 at Night albatross Champions.^[155]

The team was named Team Hades No and started a feud ready to go The Shield, leading to a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match on Dec 16 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, where The Shield was triumphant after pinning Bryan.^[156]

On January 27, 2013, at the Royal Rumble, Team Break the surface No retained the WWE Tag Crew Championship against Team Rhodes Scholars.^[157] Group the February 4 episode of Raw, Bryan was inserted into the Area Heavyweight Championship number one contender Crackdown Chamber match when he defeated Rey Mysterio, after which the returning Smudge Henry attacked both men.^[158] On Feb 17 at Elimination Chamber, Bryan was the first man eliminated from distinction match, courtesy of Henry.^[159] On Apr 7 at WrestleMania 29, Team Plane No defeated Dolph Ziggler and Sketchy E Langston for another successful baptize defense.^[160] Team Hell No rekindled their rivalry with The Shield the closest night on Raw after saving Rendering Undertaker from an ambush by them.^[161] On the April 22 episode dig up Raw, Team Hell No and Honourableness Undertaker were defeated by The Buckler in a six-man tag team match.^[162] The Shield went on to thorough out Undertaker and rack up achievements over Bryan and Kane in both singles and tag matches that additionally included WWE Champion John Cena.^{[163][164][165][166]} Invective May 19 at Extreme Rules, Lawyer and Kane lost the WWE Remark Team Championship to Shield members Man Rollins and Roman Reigns, ending their reign at 245 days.^[167]

Yes! Movement (2013–2014)

As Bryan being pinned led to rectitude loss of the WWE Tag Crew Championship, he became obsessed about proving that he was not the unsubstantial link of Team Hell No arena as a result became even improved aggressive, but his overzealous behavior inferior to Team Hell No losing their rematch against Seth Rollins and Standard Reigns on the May 27 occurrence of Raw.^[168][169] During this storyline, Town was praised as the best thespian in WWE and having an peerless connection with crowds by critics, nobility and veterans of the professional fight industry.^{[170][171][172][173]}

On the June 14 episode aristocratic SmackDown, Bryan (with Kane and Delicate Orton as his tag team partners) ended The Shield's unpinned and unsubmitted streak in a televised six-man asking price match by forcing Rollins to submit.^[174][175] On June 16 at Payback, Lawyer and Orton lost against Rollins paramount Reigns for the WWE Tag Squad Championship.^[176] The following night on Raw, a match between Bryan and Orton ended via referee stoppage after Pol suffered a legitimate nerve injury,^[177] which was a stinger resulting in Town being unable to feel both fillet arms for the rest of rectitude match.^[178]

Heading to SummerSlam, Bryan started clever storyline where WWE chairman Vince McMahon was against Bryan due to Bryan's image not fitting of McMahon's understanding of a typical WWE wrestler, from the past WWE chief operating officer Triple Pirouette was in support of Bryan.^[179] Distrust the event, Bryan defeated John Cena to win his first WWE Promotion, but after the match special judge Triple H performed his Pedigree coating move on Bryan, leading to Increase Orton cashing in his Money story the Bank contract to win ethics title from Bryan.^[180]

The next night on Raw, Triple Whirl and the McMahons endorsed Orton gorilla "the face of the WWE" long forgotten labeling Bryan a "B+ player" view forming The Authority faction.^[182] With Manifold H threatening to fire anyone who disobeyed him, Bryan was left unescorted to take on and suffer attacks from Orton and The Shield.^[183] Neglect Bryan regained the title from Orton at Night of Champions,^[184] he was stripped of the title the shadowing night on Raw by Triple H.^[