Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson is an American former professional wrestler who now works as a commentator on AEW Dynamite. He is also widely known for his time in WWE from 2009 to 2021 under the ring name Daniel Bryan.
Danielson began his professional wrestling career in 1999 on the independent circuit and signed an 18-month contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 2000, later making uncontracted WWE appearances until 2003. In 2002, he joined Ring of Honor (ROH), wrestling in the main event of the promotion's first show, The Era of Honor Begins. Considered a cornerstone of ROH, he remained with the company until 2009, winning both the ROH World Championship and ROH Pure Championship—unifying them during his reign—and becoming the inaugural winner of the Survival of the Fittest tournament. His influence led to his induction into the ROH Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2022.
Danielson also competed extensively in Japan, winning the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship in Pro Wrestling NOAH and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) with Curry Man. He captured numerous independent wrestling titles as well, including two PWG World Championships, the FIP Heavyweight Championship, and the wXw World Heavyweight Championship.
In 2009, Danielson re-signed with WWE, though he was briefly fired in 2010 before returning later that year. During his WWE run, he won the WWE Championship four times, the World Heavyweight Championship once, and the United States and Intercontinental Championships once each. He also won the WWE Tag Team Championship with Kane as Team Hell No and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship with Erick Rowan, making him WWE’s 26th Triple Crown Champion and 15th Grand Slam Champion. Additional accomplishments include winning the 2011 Money in the Bank ladder match, being named Superstar of the Year at the 2013 Slammy Awards, and headlining major WWE pay-per-views, including WrestleMania in 2014 and 2021.
Danielson initially retired from in-ring competition in 2016 due to injuries from multiple concussions that caused seizures and a brain lesion, transitioning to an on-screen general manager role for SmackDown. He remained in that position until 2018, when he was medically cleared to return to wrestling. After his WWE contract expired in May 2021, Danielson signed with AEW, debuting that September and later transitioning full-time into commentary.
Danielson began his professional wrestling career in 1999 on the independent circuit and signed an 18-month contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 2000, later making uncontracted WWE appearances until 2003. In 2002, he joined Ring of Honor (ROH), wrestling in the main event of the promotion's first show, The Era of Honor Begins. Considered a cornerstone of ROH, he remained with the company until 2009, winning both the ROH World Championship and ROH Pure Championship—unifying them during his reign—and becoming the inaugural winner of the Survival of the Fittest tournament. His influence led to his induction into the ROH Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2022.
Danielson also competed extensively in Japan, winning the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship in Pro Wrestling NOAH and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) with Curry Man. He captured numerous independent wrestling titles as well, including two PWG World Championships, the FIP Heavyweight Championship, and the wXw World Heavyweight Championship.
In 2009, Danielson re-signed with WWE, though he was briefly fired in 2010 before returning later that year. During his WWE run, he won the WWE Championship four times, the World Heavyweight Championship once, and the United States and Intercontinental Championships once each. He also won the WWE Tag Team Championship with Kane as Team Hell No and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship with Erick Rowan, making him WWE’s 26th Triple Crown Champion and 15th Grand Slam Champion. Additional accomplishments include winning the 2011 Money in the Bank ladder match, being named Superstar of the Year at the 2013 Slammy Awards, and headlining major WWE pay-per-views, including WrestleMania in 2014 and 2021.
Danielson initially retired from in-ring competition in 2016 due to injuries from multiple concussions that caused seizures and a brain lesion, transitioning to an on-screen general manager role for SmackDown. He remained in that position until 2018, when he was medically cleared to return to wrestling. After his WWE contract expired in May 2021, Danielson signed with AEW, debuting that September and later transitioning full-time into commentary.
Known For
370 titles
ROH: Reborn - Stage Two
ROH: Best In The World
PWG: All Star Weekend 6 - Night Two
ROH: Final Battle 2021
ROH Final Battle 2005
PWG: The Reason For The Season
ROH: Motor City Madness 2009
ROH: Best In The World
PWG: Tango & Cash Invitational - Night One
ROH: Testing The Limit
ROH: All Star Extravaganza
Dragon Gate USA Enter the Dragon 2010
PWG: One Hundred
ROH: The Tokyo Summit
KENTA: Go 2 Sleep
ROH: Glory By Honor III
Claudio Castagnoli: The Swiss Sensation
ROH Final Battle 2002
ROH: Supercard of Honor
ROH: Ring of Hardcore
ROH: Revenge on the Prophecy
PWG: The Next Show
NJPW Nexess
PWG Sells Out: Volume 1
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