Daniel bryan age 2015

American professional wrestler (born 1981)

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

Bryan Lloyd Danielson (born May well 22, 1981) is an English semi-retired professional wrestler.^[2] He keep to signed to All Elite Rassling (AEW), where he is topping former AEW World Champion.

Significant is also known for sovereign tenure on WWE, where recognized performed under the ring nameDaniel Bryan from 2010 to 2021. Noted for his technical rassling style and popularity with fans, he is regarded as tending of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Danielson began his professional wrestling career lid 1999 on the independent direction, and signed an 18-month confer with the World Wrestling Confederation (WWF, now WWE) in 2000; he later went on advertisement make appearances in WWE \'til 2003.

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He husbandly Ring of Honor (ROH) be given 2002, wrestling in the continue event of the promotion's pull it off event; considered a mainstay custom ROH, he stayed with honourableness company until 2009, winning rank ROH World Championship and ROH Pure Championship once each. Recognized unified the championships at pooled point and was also integrity inaugural winner of the annually ROH Survival of the Fittest tournament.

In 2022, he was named as part of interpretation inaugural class of the ROH Hall of Fame. He along with wrestled extensively in Japan, attractive the GHC Junior Heavyweight Backing in Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) and the IWGP Junior Big shot Tag Team Championship in Recent Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He won numerous titles on the isolated circuit, including the PWG Earth Championship, the FIP Heavyweight Aid, and the wXw World Big wheel Championship.

Danielson again signed work stoppage WWE in 2009, but was fired after an incident eliminate 2010. Upon his return couple months later, he went maximum to win the WWE Encouragement four times,^{[Note 1]} the Existence Heavyweight Championship once, and birth WWE United States Championship explode WWE Intercontinental Championship once tell off.

He also won the WWE Tag Team Championship (as almost all of Team Hell No bend Kane) and the SmackDown Saying Team Championship (with Erick Rowan), becoming the 26th WWE Threebagger Crown Champion and the Ordinal WWE Grand Slam Champion. Significant also won the 2011 Ready money in the Bank ladder duplicate and the "Superstar of say publicly Year" award at the 2013 Slammy Awards, and headlined not too major WWE events, including ethics 2014 and 2021 editions be in command of their flagship event WrestleMania.

Danielson retired from wrestling drag 2016 due to injuries proceeding discharge from multiple concussions, which fixed to seizures and a instinct lesion. He then took assigning a non-wrestling role for WWE as the on-screen general head of SmackDown and remained shut in the role until 2018, what because he was unexpectedly cleared indifferent to doctors to return to in-ring competition.

His WWE contract extinct in May 2021, and agreed made his AEW debut match up months later. Since joining AEW, he has headlined several AEW pay-per-view events and won representation men's 2024 Owen Hart Flagon. He defeated Swerve Strickland amount become the AEW World Defender at All In 2024, monarch first championship in the support.

At WrestleDream 2024, Danielson left behind the AEW World Championship theorist Jon Moxley in what was billed as the final peer of his full-time professional rassling career.

Early life

Bryan Lloyd Danielson was born in Aberdeen, Washington, reformation May 22, 1981,^[3] the issue of therapist Darlene and faller Donald "Buddy" Danielson.^[4] His undercoat was pregnant with him expose over 10 months.^[4] He has an older sister named Billie Sue.^[4] His father's job awkward the family to Vernal, Utah, then to Albany, Oregon, beforehand they returned to Aberdeen.^[4] Emperor parents divorced over his father's alcoholism when Danielson was fastidious child, though they remained contend good terms.^[4] During his boyhood, Danielson was shown a glossed wrestling magazine by a magazine columnist, and has been a supporter of wrestling ever since.^[5] Lighten up considered himself shy and retiring as a child and lowranking, but still competed in diversions such as football and roote and field.^[4][6] To help enthrone mother support the family abaft his parents' divorce, he present-day his sister both delivered newspapers as children, and later stilted at McDonald's as teenagers.^[4] Stretch a brief time in lighten school, he lived with potentate father in Castle Rock, Washington.^[4]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1999–2000)

During sovereignty sophomore year at Aberdeen Lofty School, Danielson decided to go a professional wrestling career highest attempted to train at Friar Malenko's wrestling school in Florida.

However, by the time noteworthy graduated in 1999, the college had closed down. Following keen friend's suggestion, he instead began training under Shawn Michaels dowel Rudy Gonzalez at the Texas Wrestling Academy (TWA) in San Antonio, Texas.^[3][7][8] After his grappling debut in December 1999,^[3][9] let go toured Japan with Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) alongside Lance Surge, a fellow trainee from picture TWA, and they competed unimportant several tag team matches.^[10] Subside won the TWA Tag Arrangement Championship with Spanky on Foot it 21, 2000, defeating The Table of Education (Jeromy Sage flourishing Ruben Cruz), but they derelict the titles back to Goodness Board of Education two weeks later.^[11][12]

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

While touring the country's detached circuit, Danielson was signed go a developmental deal by high-mindedness World Wrestling Federation (WWF) cue work in their developmental practice and was assigned to Metropolis Championship Wrestling (MCW), where bankruptcy gained exposure and was uninitiated by WWF competitor William Kingly, whom he credited as train instrumental in the development notice his career.^[7] During this in advance, he adopted his moniker personal the "American Dragon".^[13] WWF separate its ties with MCW propitious 2001, but not before Danielson won the MCW Light Colossus Championship and the MCW Permit Team Championship with Spanky.^[3] Subsequently 18 months with the group of actors, he was released from cap WWF contract in July 2001.

Danielson revealed in his 2015 autobiography that he was have space for to being called up be bounded by the main roster during description 2001 Royal Rumble match: explicit explained that the WWF exposure of using him as double of their key figures border line the newly created cruiserweight disunion, which was inspired by False Championship Wrestling (WCW).^[14]

In 2002, Danielson wrestled two matches for representation renamed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) despite not being a narrow performer for the company.

Type was quickly defeated by both Sean O'Haire and Little Guido in his two appearances.^[15] Explicit went on to make additional non-contracted appearances for WWE in 2003 on its subsidiary shows, Velocity and Heat, at or in the beginning as enhancement talent before vitality allowed to compete in thirster matches; he wrestled Jamie Courtly at a Velocity taping birdcage January, Rico at a Heat taping in February, John Cena at a Velocity taping besides in February, and made culminate final appearance in November birth a tag team match overwhelm Paul London and Spanky equal a Velocity taping, in which he was partnered with Trick Walters.

This was his parting appearance for the promotion instruct over five years.

New Archipelago Pro-Wrestling (2001–2004)

Danielson went to Decorate after his release from dignity WWF, competing in Japan's promotion, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he used his Denizen Dragon persona and donned clever red, white and blue camouflage reminiscent of a dragon.^{[citation needed]} As a part of goodness junior heavyweight division, Danielson locked away success in both singles become more intense tag team competition in birth company, winning (without wearing a-one mask) the IWGP Junior Colossus Tag Team Championship with Etc card Man on March 12, 2004.^[16]

Ring of Honor (2002–2009)

Founding father (2002–2005)

In 2002, Danielson joined the free promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is acknowledged introduction a "Founding Father" of decency company.^[17] On February 23, 2002, he competed in the vital event of the company's opening event, The Era of Deify Begins, in a three-way question mark against Christopher Daniels and Bearing Ki, a match that Gush Ki won.^[18][19][20] One of ruler matches with Austin Aries, whole on August 7, 2004, jaws Testing the Limit, lasted lxxiv minutes before Aries was at last declared the victor.^[21] One look after the more notable rivalries noteworthy had in the early in the company was strip off Homicide, as the two fought numerous matches with a class of stipulations, culminating in top-notch steel cage match on Can 13, 2005, at The Closing Showdown, where Danielson was victorious.^[22]

Despite winning the company's inaugural Record of the Fittest tournament lineage 2004,^[23] Bryan did not do an impression of a ROH title.

In 2005, Danielson explained in the company's newsletter, The ROH Newswire, go he had quit ROH back being frustrated by his incompetence to defeat Austin Aries lend a hand the ROH World Championship. Overtake was later revealed Danielson abstruse become frustrated in general do faster professional wrestling and planned equivalent to take some time off act upon evaluate his career options.^[24] Notwithstanding, Danielson had several dates engaged in Europe and Japan, chief fans to believe that influence periodical was likely a narrative claim for Danielson's absence fabric this period.

ROH World Assistance (2005–2006)

Danielson defeated James Gibson subsidize the ROH World Championship orangutan Glory by Honor IV be in charge of September 15, 2005.^[3][25][26] The convene of the year saw Danielson have successful title defenses yet against wrestlers from other companies, such as Pro Wrestling Patriarch star Naomichi Marufuji at Last Battle on December 17.^[27]

At picture beginning of 2006, Chris Lead, a representative from Combat Area Wrestling (CZW), invaded ROH beginning targeted Danielson—the two exchanged text over the internet before gaining a match together, with basically the entire roster of both companies embarking on an interpromotional feud.^[28] Danielson became personally endowed in this feud and invaded CZW himself, which led appoint him having physical altercations interview a number of CZW wrestlers.^[29] Hero intensified the rivalry, eminent to the two wrestling destiny ROH's Hell Freezes Over good thing on January 14, where Danielson successfully defended the ROH Fake Championship.^[30] On July 15 pocket-sized Death Before Dishonor IV, be active soon filled the vacant spoor on ROH's five-man team which participated in one of CZW's more popular attractions, a build cage match called the Pound of Death, a ten-man voucher team match in which straighten up man from each team gradually in the cage and well-organized random wrestler enters periodically thenceforth.

During the match, Danielson fulsome on his team by assaulting his rival Samoa Joe in advance leaving the match and illustrious abandoning his involvement in high-mindedness animosity between the two promotions.^{[citation needed]} As the interpromotional counteraction with CZW heightened, Danielson too defended against challengers from integrity rival company, who had shipshape an open contract for wacky CZW wrestler willing to protest for the ROH World Promotion.

Former champion Samoa Joe as well challenged Danielson at Fight sun-up the Century on August 5, but their match ended of great consequence a 60-minute draw.^{[citation needed]}

While receipt the ROH World Championship, ROH faced the issue of securing another title with seemingly finish even value, the ROH Pure Espousal.

Danielson and the ROH Unmixed Champion Nigel McGuinness had wonderful match to unify the dignities. They met at April 29 in a match fought junior to pure wrestling rules and McGuinness left Danielson outside the conundrum after a chair shot tackle win by countout—this was ample to retain the Pure dub, but not to win Danielson's World Championship.

They had alternate unification match in McGuinness's natal England; ROH decided that fro had to be a backer, with a title changing work employees by countout and disqualification tell off a draw forcing a restart.^[31] Danielson won the match album August 12 and retired birth Pure title as its burgle champion (the title would facsimile reinstated in 2020).^[32][33] During dialect trig match with Colt Cabana dear August 26, Danielson suffered straighten up real injury when he put asunder his shoulder,^[3] tearing two tendons in it and he shelve another tendon in his chest.^{[citation needed]} Danielson returned at Municipal by Honor V: Night 2 on September 16 and was challenged by Kenta, a customer competitor from NOAH, due vertical the two companies' talent return agreement—Danielson again retained his championship.^[34] At Final Battle on Dec 23, Danielson's fifteen-month title novel finally ended after he departed to Homicide at his Ordinal defense and he subsequently took time off from wrestling teensy weensy order to heal his shoulder.^[3][25]

Final feuds (2007–2009)

On May 11, 2007, Danielson returned to ROH oral cavity Reborn Again and defeated Shane Hagadorn and Adam Pearce affront separate matches.

On May 12, ROH filmed its first pay-per-view, Respect is Earned, which difficult to understand Danielson team with ROH Environment Champion Takeshi Morishima against Nigel McGuinness and Kenta. Danielson's crew won after Danielson made Kenta tap out to his die-stamp submission hold, the Cattle Mutilation. Danielson vied to contend endorse the ROH World Championship afford defeating McGuinness at Domination ditch June 9, which appeared improvement the company's next pay make a fuss of view named Driven which took place on June 23, on the other hand was aired on September 21.^[35] This allowed him, now significance a fan favorite, to disrespect Morishima for the title suspicious Manhattan Mayhem II on Esteemed 25 in a losing effort^{[citation needed]} in which he as well suffered a legitimate detached retina.^[36] Following surgery, he fought Morishima again in a match kid Man Up on September 15, but the referee stopped goodness match since Danielson was not able to respond to him.^[37] Be glad about a rematch at Rising Condescending on December 29, Morishima was disqualified.^{[citation needed]} Morishima returned with regard to the company at Final Arms on December 27, 2008, access a match billed as expert "Fight Without Honor" in which both men were allowed weapons and which Danielson won.^{[citation needed]} Danielson commented in March 2012 on how he felt valid at Final Battle 2008, now he and Morishima managed get to get 2,500 people to affection the show in New Royalty City.^[38]

As part of ROH's compromise with Pro Wrestling Noah, significance company held a show slope Japan named Tokyo Summit farsightedness September 14, where Danielson wrestled GHC Junior Heavyweight ChampionYoshinobu Kanemaru and won the championship.

Consequent his victory, NOAH allowed him to defend the title dull Ring of Honor,^{[citation needed]} inert his first defense being bequeath Glory By Honor VII connotation September 20, defeating Katsuhiko Nakajima.^[39] However, this was his unique successful defense as he shared to Japan on October 13 to lose the title be introduced to Kenta.^[40] Following his loss, Danielson challenged McGuinness for the ROH World Championship at the following ROH pay-per-view Rising Above get back November 22, in a deprivation effort.^[41] Ring of Honor forceful its national television debut assort the program Ring of Observe Wrestling and Danielson made surmount television debut in the persist in event of its third chapter on February 28, 2009 newborn defeating Austin Aries.^[42]

In the extravaganza of 2009, Danielson signed take up again WWE after a farewell materialize with ROH, during which illegal challenged Aries for the nickname again and lost.^[43] On Sept 26 at Glory by Consecrate VIII: The Final Countdown, settle down won his last match hold the company against McGuinness, who was also having his endorsement match with the company while 2023.^[44]

Independent circuit (2003–2009)

Aside from competing primarily in ROH, Danielson has also competed in a assemblage of other independent promotions, both in the United States added abroad.^[45] In 2003, he toured the United Kingdom for honourableness British promotion All Star Grappling (ASW), where he sometimes secondhand the name Dynamic Dragon.^[46] Time there, he won the Replica Heavy Middleweight Championship on Hawthorn 6 in an eight-man one-night tournament in Croydon, defeating Saint Mason.

He spent the succeeding six months in the In partnership Kingdom, working for ASW, Borderline Wrestling Alliance (FWA), the Replica Association of Wrestling (WAW), slab Premier Promotions.^[3] He returned assorted times over the next quintuplet years, working for various advances. In February 2005 at In mint condition Dawn Rising, he made reward debut in ROH's sister backing, Full Impact Pro (FIP), teaming up with Rocky Romero cut a match against Austin Individual and Homicide.^[47] The next gloom at Dangerous Intentions, Danielson competed in a losing effort demolish CM Punk,^[48] which led taking place a brief feud between significance two.^{[citation needed]} Danielson's biggest prosperity came in 2006 by delectable the FIP Heavyweight Championship,^[49] residence incumbency the belt for eleven months before losing it to Roderick Strong.^[3] Danielson wrestled his mug match for FIP in Dec 2006 at Florida Rumble, vicinity he lost to Erick Stevens.^[50]

Danielson also wrestled in the Trouper Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) promotion.

Earth made his debut in Nov 2003 at An Inch Long Than Average in a forfeiture effort to PWG ChampionFrankie Kazarian.^[51] He continued to appear nondescript PWG over the next fuse of years, winning the PWG World Championship in 2007 bear holding it for six months before taking an eleven-month interruption from the company.

He ended his return to PWG batter the 2008 Battle of Los Angeles tournament. In April 2009, at PWG: One Hundred, Danielson defeated Kenny Omega. The question mark was notable for its luck, which included Omega and Danielson performing variable tests of accessory, including arm wrestling and keen thumb war, before singing "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt" along relieve the crowd.

In May, without fear made another appearance teaming meet Paul London, referring to yourselves as "American Dolphin" in copperplate parodied manner.^[52] On September 4 at Guerre Sans Frontières alongside his last night in PWG, Danielson defeated Chris Hero up win the PWG World Backing for the second time nearby immediately vacated it afterward.^[53]

Following reward return from his injury pride 2007, the National Wrestling Amalgamation (NWA) published a video corporeal Danielson stating his intent nurture challenge for the NWA Artificial Heavyweight Championship, as the organization that sanctioned the title take into account the time, Total Nonstop Relish Wrestling, was relinquishing the fame back to the NWA.^[54] First-class tournament, titled Reclaiming the Repute, was held to determine authority new champion with Danielson creation his way to finals, inoperative to compete Brent Albright mayhem September 1, but due justify the eye injury he constant at ROH's Manhattan Mayhem event,^[55] he withdrew from the altercation and instead acted as say publicly referee of the match.^{[citation needed]}

In 2009, Danielson's contract with Pontificate of Honor expired, which open up Danielson to travel line of attack other companies more freely for ages c in depth competing in his home promotion.^[56]

In 2009, Danielson also signed adroit short-term contract with German fight promotion Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw).

Shortly after his debut, Danielson won the wXw World Dignitary Championship against Bad Bones add-on held it over a moon before losing it to Perfect Andy.

After his departure come across wXw, Danielson made his initiation with Philadelphia-based independent promotion CHIKARA to compete in their Paper of Trios tournament, which proverb him team with Claudio Castagnoli and Dave Taylor in cool contingency called Team Uppercut.^[57] Bay the same year, Danielson competed in Dragon Gate USA's in two shakes show, losing to Open influence Dream Gate ChampionNaruki Doi.^[58]

Return stain WWE (2009–2010)

Danielson re-signed with WWE in August 2009,^[59] under top real name.^[1] He made coronate debut on January 4, 2010, in a dark match onetime to Raw, defeating Chavo Guerrero.^[60] He went to Florida pressurize somebody into train with Florida Championship Sport (FCW), the WWE developmental district, to acclimate himself to wreath new work environment and walk off with on his ring rust.^[61] Loosen up debuted at the FCW herd tapings on January 14 famous lost to Kaval.^{[citation needed]} Shock defeat the February 11 tapings, prohibited was given the ring title Daniel Bryan.^[1][62] He later thought that he was given unblended list of 10 possible beyond belief names to use in WWE (including Daniel Bryan, Buddy Strut, and Lloyd Bonaire) but diadem real name was not invective the list.^[63] His name was given by William Regal.^{[citation needed]}

Bryan made his debut on magnanimity inaugural episode of NXT fulfill February 23, losing by surrender to then World Heavyweight ChampionChris Jericho and being attacked descendant his storyline mentor The Miz for disrespecting him earlier jammy the show.^[64][65] he was ineligible from the show along resume Michael Tarver.^[66]

On the May 31 episode of Raw, Bryan was granted a match against Position Miz by guest host Choreographer Kutcher, which he won gleam threw Miz into Cole suffer ringside after the match.^[67] Hallucinate the June 7 episode vacation Raw, the faction known similarly The Nexus (NXT rookies exaggerate season one) invaded the WWE ring, attacking John Cena contemporary causing destruction around the seats area.

On June 11, Danielson was fired from WWE symbolize being too violent during character segment,^[68] strangling ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own prise open tie.^[69] Danielson noted that WWE apologized to him for enthrone release, explaining that they "had sponsors they had to collection with".^[7] His release was slam into in a storyline, where glory rest of the NXT rookies kicked him out of excellence group for showing remorse give reasons for his actions and declared turn this way Bryan would never return show consideration for the WWE again.^[70]

Return to rendering independent circuit (2010)

After being on the loose, Danielson received several offers interruption sign with other wrestling companies, being contacted by TNA, but indirectly and some Japanese promotions.^[7] Two weeks after his departure from the norm from WWE, Danielson made fillet return to the independent perimeter on June 26, defeating Eddie Kingston at the CHIKARA block We Must Eat Michigan's Brain.^[71] Rather than receiving streamers, prestige fans instead threw neck warranty in light of the Justin Roberts incident in WWE.^[72] Goodness following day at CHIKARA's Attenuate Scars and Lines, Danielson guilty Young Lions Cup holderTim Donst in a non-title match.^[73] Compose July 3, Danielson returned offer wXw, defeating Wade Fitzgerald cranium TJP in the round redbreast stage of the Ambition 1 tournament.^[74] The following day, significant defeated TJP in a rerun and finally Johnny Moss pulsate the finals of the event to win Ambition 1.^[75] Abundance July 17, Danielson debuted constrict the International Wrestling Association (IWA), being booked to defeat Q.T.

Marshall for the IWA Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship.^[76] On July 23, Danielson debuted in prestige fledgling EVOLVE promotion, which was originally conceived to be elevate around Danielson as their nationalize star before he signed get on the right side of WWE.^[77] In the main stop, Danielson defeated Bobby Fish.^[78] Honesty following day, Danielson returned fulfil Dragon Gate USA and submitted Shingo in the dark mate main event of Return stand for the Dragon.^[79] After the hostility, Danielson joined BxB Hulk, Masato Yoshino, Naruki Doi and Committee as the fifth member indifference the stable World-1.^[79] On July 30, Danielson returned to Trouper Wrestling Guerrilla, competing in smart match where he defeated Roderick Strong.^[80] On August 7, Danielson unsuccessfully challenged Adam Pearce care the NWA World Heavyweight Backing at the NWA Legends Fanfest.^[81]

Despite returning to WWE on Honorable 15, Danielson honored most notice his independent bookings, making tiara first appearance on August 20 and defeating Jon Moxley destiny Heartland Wrestling Association's Road get into the swing Destiny.^[82] The following day, smartness was defeated by Drake Minor at Insanity Pro Wrestling's 9th Anniversary Reign of the Insane.^[83] On August 22, Danielson discomfited J Freddie at a Squared Circle Wrestling event.^[84] On Sept 10, he returned to honourableness IWA using the name Prophet Bryan and lost the IWA Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship be acquainted with Dennis Rivera.^[85] The following acquaint with, Danielson returned to EVOLVE exceed defeating Munenori Sawa in goodness main event.^[86] Later that employ night, Danielson wrestled for Modern York Wrestling Connection in practised tag team match, where crystal-clear and Tony Nese defeated Dimitrios Papadon and Alex Reynolds.^[87] Limb September 25, Danielson returned chitchat Dragon Gate USA and licked YAMATO in the main circus of the evening.^[88] The multitude day, Danielson defeated Jon Moxley.^[89] On October 1, Danielson wrestled the last of his unfettered matches by defeating Shelton Patriarch at a Northeast Wrestling event.^[90]

Second return to WWE (2010–2021)

United States Champion (2010–2011)

Danielson returned to WWE as Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam on August 15, 2010, at he was revealed as blue blood the gentry surprise seventh member of Line-up WWE for the seven-on-seven extinction tag team match against High-mindedness Nexus.^[91] Bryan was one cut into the two final members dominate Team WWE and managed covenant eliminate two members of Dignity Nexus, but was eliminated induce Wade Barrett after The Miz, whose place he took encumber Team WWE, attacked him.^[92] Neglect this, Team WWE won glory match.^[93] As part of excellence Raw roster, Bryan feuded engross The Miz,^[94] defeating him at one\'s disposal Night of Champions to carry the day the United States Championship, tiara first championship in WWE.^[95][96]

Bryan next successfully defended the title team a few weeks later by defeating Nobleness Miz and John Morrison essential a triple threat submissions number anywhere match at Hell delicate a Cell on October 3.^[97] On October 24, he went on to challenge then International ChampionDolph Ziggler to a conqueror vs.

champion match at Boast Rights as a special pull SmackDown vs. Raw match, defeating Ziggler in a highly important match. On November 21, Attorney went on to successfully vindicate his title against Ted DiBiase at Survivor Series.^[98] Bryan common to NXT's season four translation the Pro to Rookie Derrick Bateman.^[99][100]

In late 2010, The Bella Twins began competing for Bryan's affection, leading to them relationship him at ringside and competing in mixed tag team matches together.^{[101][102][103]} On the January 24, 2011 episode of Raw, gathering was revealed that Bryan difficult to understand been secretly dating Gail Disappear, who began accompanying him force to ringside.^[104][105] On the March 14 episode of Raw, Bryan astray the United States Championship test Sheamus, ending his reign disapproval 176 days.^[106] Bryan was at or in the beginning scheduled to have his play again against Sheamus for the Allied States Championship on the primary card at WrestleMania XXVII unremitting April 3, but the equal was rescheduled as a unlighted lumberjack match that ended suspend a no contest when grandeur lumberjacks fought among themselves pack up trigger the start of uncut battle royal, which he lost.^[107] Bryan lost his title play again the next night on Raw, after which he was blessed from Sheamus by the debuting Sin Cara.^[108]

On April 26, Lawyer was drafted to SmackDown reorganization part of the 2011 secondary draft.^[109] On the May 6 episode of SmackDown, Bryan completed his debut for the ping by losing to Sheamus.^[110]Cody Moneyman then started a feud accurate Bryan by attacking him astern losing their match and grade a paper bag on consummate head.

Bryan then aligned go one better than Sin Cara to feud become apparent to Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase.^[111][112] On June 28, Bryan shared to NXT to manage Derrick Bateman once again.^[113]

World Heavyweight Sponsor (2011–2012)

On July 17 at Medium of exchange in the Bank, Bryan won the SmackDown Money in authority Bank ladder match which justified him a World Heavyweight Aid match at any point confidential the following year.^[114] After various months of losing matches, Pol began a feud with misuse World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry.^[115] On the November 25 stage of SmackDown, Henry was knocked out again by Big Communicate, at which point Bryan cashed in his briefcase for first-class title match and quickly fastened Henry, but SmackDown General Chief Theodore Long revealed that Speechmaker was not medically cleared compute compete and voided the fellow, so Henry remained champion accept the briefcase was returned tonguelash Bryan.^[116] Regardless of his case, Bryan won a fatal four-way match on the same stage of SmackDown to become honesty contender for Henry's championship.^[117] Picture the live November 29 affair of SmackDown, Henry managed set a limit pin Bryan to retain loftiness title in a steel hutch confine match.^[118] Also in November, Attorney started being involved in out romantic storyline with AJ Lee.^[119][120]

Bryan cashed in his Money access the Bank contract on Dec 18 at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs against Big Extravaganza, who had just defeated h and subsequently received a Pollutant onto a steel chair, which allowed Bryan to secure calligraphic pinfall victory and become authority World Heavyweight Champion.^{[121][122][123]} As Pretend Heavyweight Champion, Bryan turned heel,^[124][125]

In January 2012, Bryan successfully defended his title three times: glory first occasion against Big Point up when Bryan goaded Mark Chemist into attacking him and following a disqualification; the second dispute a no disqualification rematch presage Big Show which ended off guard after Big Show accidentally ran into AJ, hospitalizing her the storyline for which Politico blamed him; and the 3rd occasion against Henry in efficient lumberjack match when Bryan hot under the collar the lumberjacks to interfere careful cause a no contest.^{[126][127][128]} That culminated in a triple presage steel cage match to lock out outside interference at the Kinglike Rumble on January 29, to what place Bryan escaped the cage care for freeing himself from Big Show's grasp to retain the championship.^[129]

At Elimination Chamber on February 19, Bryan defeated Big Show, Promoter Rhodes, The Great Khali, Santino Marella, and Wade Barrett donation an Elimination Chamber match hurtle retain the World Heavyweight Encouragement.

After the match, Royal Crashing match winner Sheamus attacked Pol and chose him as jurisdiction WrestleMania opponent for the Imitation Heavyweight Championship.^[130] In March, Politician began to mistreat AJ, plainly demanding her to shut secure and claiming that she without exception got in his way.^[131] Insult these actions, AJ continued come near stand by Bryan.^[132] Bryan's rule as World Heavyweight Champion in a state at 105 days when Sheamus defeated him in 18 doubles at WrestleMania XXVIII on Apr 1 due to Bryan give off distracted with receiving a beneficial luck kiss from AJ.^[133] Construction the following episode of SmackDown, Bryan blamed AJ for her majesty title loss and ended their relationship.^[134] Despite AJ's attempts utter mend their relationship, Bryan callously rebuffed her multiple times, pass AJ an emotional wreck.^[135] Close Extreme Rules on April 29, Bryan failed to regain righteousness World Heavyweight Championship from Sheamus in a two-out-of-three falls uncertainty, losing two falls to one.^[136]

Team Hell No (2012–2013)

Main article: Place Hell No

The next night defect Raw SuperShow, Bryan became justness number one contender to CM Punk's WWE Championship when type won a Beat the Dent challenge by defeating Jerry Lawler in under three minutes.^[137] Pol received his title match be neck and neck Over the Limit on Might 20 and suffered a controvertible loss—when Bryan rolled back emplane his shoulders as he empirical the "Yes!" Lock, Punk abroach out immediately after the arbitrate counted a pinfall win detail Punk.^[138] Shortly before Over high-mindedness Limit, Bryan interfered in shipshape and bristol fashion match between Punk and Kane to frame Punk attacking Kane with a steel chair, trustworthy to a three-way feud.^{[139][140][141]} As this time, a jilted AJ Lee turned her affections top both Punk and Kane.^[142] Task force the June 1 episode emancipation SmackDown, Bryan's interference caused WWE Championship match between Punk enthralled Kane to end in straighten up double disqualification,^[143] resulting in unadulterated triple threat match being backdrop up on June 17 critical remark No Way Out, where Ruffian managed to retain the appellation after AJ distracted Kane.^[144] Mark down the June 25 episode forestall Raw SuperShow, Bryan defeated Yahoo and Kane in a non-title three-way elimination match to cloudless another shot at the WWE Championship.^[145] At Money in distinction Bank on July 15, Town failed to capture the WWE Championship again from Punk give it some thought a no disqualification match reach AJ as special guest referee.^[146] The following night on Raw SuperShow, AJ accepted Bryan's matrimony proposal.^[147] On Raw 1000, Bryan's storyline wedding ended in crunch when AJ left Bryan afterwards the altar and instead acknowledged Mr.

McMahon's offer of righteousness position of permanent Raw Universal Manager. Bryan's night turned outsider bad to worse as appease was later attacked by Blue blood the gentry Rock and insulted by celeb Charlie Sheen.^[148]

AJ's rejection of Politico turned him into an wrathful and bitter individual and resulted in Bryan lashing out shake-up audiences.^[149] AJ continued to tireless her revenge on Bryan wishywashy denying him a WWE Encouragement match and instead forcing him to face Kane on Honorable 19 at SummerSlam,^[150] where Pol emerged victorious.^[151] As a end result of Bryan and Kane's issues, AJ enrolled them in pique management classes hosted by Dr.

Shelby^[152] and they were subsequent forced to "hug it out".^[153] At the arrangement of Dr. Shelby and AJ, the one adversaries formed a team whose constant bickering and infighting unvarying during matches inadvertently resulted discharge them defeating The Prime Heart Players (Titus O'Neil and Darren Young) to become the expect one contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championship on character September 10 episode of Raw^[154] and then defeating champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth to fabricate the championship on September 16 at Night of Champions.^[155]

The crew was named Team Hell Thumb and started a feud confront The Shield, leading to natty Tables, Ladders and Chairs issue on December 16 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, whither The Shield was victorious tail pinning Bryan.^[156]

On January 27, 2013, at the Royal Rumble, Bunch Hell No retained the WWE Tag Team Championship against Body Rhodes Scholars.^[157] On the Feb 4 episode of Raw, Attorney was inserted into the Universe Heavyweight Championship number one adversary Elimination Chamber match when take action defeated Rey Mysterio, after which the returning Mark Henry la-di-da orlah-di-dah both men.^[158] On February 17 at Elimination Chamber, Bryan was the first man eliminated shake off the match, courtesy of Henry.^[159] On April 7 at WrestleMania 29, Team Hell No hangdog Dolph Ziggler and Big Line Langston for another successful designation defense.^[160] Team Hell No rekindled their rivalry with The Shelter the following night on Raw after saving The Undertaker pass up an ambush by them.^[161] Innovation the April 22 episode indifference Raw, Team Hell No post The Undertaker were defeated soak The Shield in a six-man tag team match.^[162] The Rampart went on to take notice Undertaker and rack up conquests over Bryan and Kane tear both singles and tag matches that also included WWE Titleist John Cena.^{[163][164][165][166]} On May 19 at Extreme Rules, Bryan enthralled Kane lost the WWE Receipt Team Championship to Shield staff Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, ending their reign at 245 days.^[167]

Yes!

Movement (2013–2014)

As Bryan continuance pinned led to the hiding of the WWE Tag Cast Championship, he became obsessed travel proving that he was jumble the weak link of Setup Hell No and as clean up result became even more belligerent, but his overzealous behavior loaded to Team Hell No bereavement their rematch against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns on glory May 27 episode of Raw.^[168][169] During this storyline, Bryan was praised as the best thespian in WWE and having comprise unmatched connection with crowds infant critics, peers and veterans footnote the professional wrestling industry.^{[170][171][172][173]}

On integrity June 14 episode of SmackDown, Bryan (with Kane and Pungent Orton as his tag line-up partners) ended The Shield's shattered and unsubmitted streak in excellent televised six-man tag match vulgar forcing Rollins to submit.^[174][175] Preview June 16 at Payback, Town and Orton lost against Rollins and Reigns for the WWE Tag Team Championship.^[176] The later night on Raw, a clone between Bryan and Orton extinct via referee stoppage after Town suffered a legitimate nerve injury,^[177] which was a stinger contingent in Bryan being unable around feel both his arms sense the rest of the match.^[178]

Heading to SummerSlam, Bryan started a-one storyline where WWE chairman Imprisonment McMahon was against Bryan fitting to Bryan's image not improper of McMahon's vision of calligraphic typical WWE wrestler, while WWE chief operating officer Triple Swirl was in support of Bryan.^[179] At the event, Bryan disappointed John Cena to win emperor first WWE Championship, but aft the match special referee Triad H performed his Pedigree completing move on Bryan, leading kind Randy Orton cashing in dominion Money in the Bank procure to win the title overrun Bryan.^[180]

The next night on Raw, Triple H and the McMahons endorsed Orton as "the prejudice of the WWE" while labeling Bryan a "B+ player" refuse forming The Authority faction.^[182] Accurate Triple H threatening to very strong anyone who disobeyed him, Attorney was left alone to grasp on and suffer attacks steer clear of Orton and The Shield.^[183] In spite of Bryan regained the title stranger Orton at Night of Champions,^[184] he was stripped of nobility title the following night convert Raw by Triple H.^[