Re: Daniel Bryan is an absolute legend
There's about four articles talking about him and his retirement on prowrestling.net right now. I think that kind of speaks for itself. Here's some choice bits
"Along the way, Bryan made a believer out of me, just like he did everyone else. His infectious smile and his goofy sense of humor were unflinchingly genuine. He brought levity and honesty to poorly written WWE Comedy segments. He brought a warrior’s spirit and an artisan’s touch to his work in the ring. His energy and passion bled over into crowds, and forged a connection with fans that would complicate WWE’s plans for several years. He was a beacon of sincerity in a company that seemed like it was putting on a brave face while struggling to build new stars, consistently bringing in talents from yesteryear to boost star power.
Bryan didn’t obtain this bond with fans by being the greatest wrestler in the world. He didn’t inspire people to hijack the ceremony where WWE was set to unify its most prestigious Championships by using impassioned oratory, and he didn’t convince anyone to boo Batista out of Pittsburgh at the Royal Rumble with his electrifying charisma. They did it because Daniel Bryan was the one guy on WWE television that felt human.
The average WWE fan see’s Bryan as “one of us”, while they identify guys like Roman Reigns and John Cena as the products of a promotional machine. That may be unfair to them as people, because by all accounts they are both fine human beings, but their characters have a robotically assembled quality to them that will never wash off" - Jake Barnett
WWE Raw Hits
Daniel Bryan’s retirement speech: "The easiest and biggest Hit in the history of the Hit List. As a sports fan, I’ve seen numerous retirement speeches. Some are emotional. Some are upbeat. Many are eloquent. None compared to the speech that Bryan Danielson delivered on Raw." - Jason Powell
"I’m not even sure how to write about it. I’ve never seen anything like it, but then again, wrestling has never seen anyone like Daniel Bryan. The whole night was dedicated to celebrating the WWE career of Bryan. I’m going to share some thoughts and feelings on it and hopefully they won’t just turn into a disorganized jumble of tears and laughter (like I did while watching Bryan’s speech).
If you’ve ever needed proof of how special Bryan is, look at how this crowd reacted to him. They loved him passionately. They loved him more than I can remember seeing a crowd love a wrestler. It wasn’t just a “movement” or a moment. It was Daniel Bryan’s emotional connection with fans on full display. Bryan has always had a unique ability to make fans feel things deep down in their souls.
After his amazing odyssey at WrestleMania XXX, I wrote about Daniel Bryan as an avatar for the fans. While his triumphs were scripted, nothing in wrestling has ever seemed as real to me. As WWE took us through his WWE career highlights over the course of the night, I was reminded of some personal highlights as a fan.
WWE put together an amazing tribute to Daniel Bryan throughout the night on Raw. It was only topped by Bryan’s retirement speech itself. I’m not sure I have seen a more emotional or compelling segment of Raw. I’m not sure I’ve seen a better TV wrestling segment in my life. This was one of those moments (and Bryan’s career has been defined by them) that real life crossed into the wrestling ring and passionate fans not only understood it, they embraced it. Bryan blurred the lines, not because his wrestling was more “real” than anyone else’s, but because he was.
I’m not sure I would have kept watching wrestling through the first half of this decade if it wasn’t for Daniel Bryan. I know I would have walked away after WrestleMania XXX had WWE not told the Bryan story they told. Bryan kept me engaged and emotionally invested.
Daniel Bryan made me believe again. He allowed me to watch wrestling like I did when I was seven.
As Bryan rides off into the sunset, I hope he’s able to find happiness and creative success in whatever he does next. I hope Bryan realizes the joy he brought to millions of people through being the very best at his chosen art form. I hope Bryan realizes how he opened doors and changed the wrestling business for those who came after him (Sami Zayn and Bayley wouldn’t exist without Bryan. Any “small” wrestler in NXT likely wouldn’t be signed without Bryan coming before them)." - Will Pruett
"Everyone who has been exposed to Bryan felt a bond with him on a level I don’t think I’ve ever seen, not just in wrestling but in any sport. Even as I’m typing this right now in work, some of my work colleagues who are only casual wrestling fans at best are having a conversation about Daniel Bryan retiring. The guys who hadn’t heard the news are expressing shock and dismay. I cannot imagine that kind of reaction from anyone regarding any other topic or sport that they have only a passing interest in. My girlfriend has been exposed to Daniel Bryan only through the ladder match at WrestleMania last year, Total Divas, and what I’ve told her, but even she was shocked and saddened by the news. If Bryan can take any solace in what he has been forced into doing and the end of 16 years of blood, sweat, and tears, he can know that his career has meant something to everyone on the spectrum, from the hardcore fans who watched him as American Dragon through to the most casual fans who have seen him as the kooky husband of Brie Bella on Total Divas. He should be proud of that fact, and I’m sure he is.
For me personally, there have been times over the years where wrestling has become stale to me, and it has taken something incredible to knock me out of the funk I’ve felt. In the mid ’90s it was ECW through to the rise of Steve Austin. At the end of the first decade of the 2000’s it was Daniel Bryan
The first time I ever saw him live would be the only time and it turned out to be his final match, which took place at the Smackdown tapings in the O2 Arena last April. Watching how the crowd reacted after a very ho-hum show was phenomenal, and even thinking about it right now I get goosebumps. I had a friend of mine with me who hadn’t watched wrestling since the ’90s, and even he turned to me and mouthed “Wow.” I will never forget watching 10,000-plus fans throwing their arms in the air and being one with this man in the middle of the ring. It was something special that will never be replicated." - Haydn Gleed