Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoa'i (born May 25, 1985) is a professional wrestler and former Canadian football defensive tackle. He is signed to WWE and wrestles in Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE's developmental territory, under the ring name Leakee.^[2]

Football career[link]

Anoa'i is a former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket, and was named first-team All-ACC his senior year.^[1] After going undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings.^[4] Upon being waived by the Vikings, he was added to the Jacksonville Jaguars roster to provide depth at defensive tackle. In 2008, Anoa'i was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos and accepted a spot on the team's practice roster.^[1]

Professional wrestling career (2010–present)[link]

In July 2010, Anoa'i signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was later assigned to their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).^[1] He debuted on September 9, 2010, using the ring name Roman Leakee, in a loss to Richie Steamboat in a singles match. Further losses to Idol Stevens and Wes Brisco ensued, before he gained his first win on September 21 over Fahd Rakman. He continued competing in FCW throughout the remainder of the year, wrestling mainly in tag team matches.^[5] On the January 16, 2011 episode of FCW television, Leakee was a competitor in a 30-man Grand Royal, but was eliminated.^[6] Later in 2011, Leakee formed an alliance with Donny Marlow and the pair unsuccessfully challenged Calvin Raines and Big E. Langston for the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship on July 8.^[7]

In 2012, Leakee became a main eventer in singles competition, and he pinned FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion Leo Kruger during a tag team match on the 8 episode of FCW television.^[8] On the February 5 episode of FCW television, he defeated Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins in a triple threat match to become the number one contender to the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.^[9] He failed to win the championship when he lost to Kruger in a singles match the following week.^[10]

Personal life[link]

Anoa'i is a member of the Anoa'i family. He is the son of Sika and the brother of Matt, who are both also professional wrestlers.^[1]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him #371 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011^[11]

References[link]

External links[link]

Professional wrestling portal

• Georgia Tech profile
• FCW profile
• Online World of Wrestling profile
• CageMatch profile (German)

Joe Gomez is an American professional wrestler who competes in Southeastern independent promotions including Florida Championship Wrestling,^[1] Maximum Pro Wrestling ^[2] and the National Wrestling Alliance.

Although best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling during the late 1990s, he also has had successful stints in international promotions including New Japan Pro Wrestling and the World Wrestling Council.

Career[link]

Early career[link]

Gomez began wrestling in Southeastern regional promotions during the late 1980s and, while in Championship Wrestling from Florida, he and Mike Graham defeated Kendall Windham and Robert Fuller for the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship in Tampa, Florida on May 8, 1990.^[3] Following Graham's retirement later that year, he would be replaced by Hurricane Walker although they would soon lose the titles to Sgt. Rock and Mark Starr on September 13, 1990.

Later that month, he began wrestling in World Championship Wrestling as Allen Iron Eagle substituting for Terry Taylor at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois on September 30. Teaming with Lou Perez against The Freebirds on NWA Power Hour several days later, he would also face The Iron Sheik, Buddy Landell, Stan Hansen,^[4] Mike Rotunda ^[5] and, in a tag team match with Tim Horner, lost to the Master Blasters (Steel and Iron) at the UIC Pavilion on November 30, 1990.^[6]

The following year, he would also face Minotaur, Moondog Rex and, in an 8-man tag team match with Steve Armstrong, Tracy Smothers and Tim Horner, defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, WCW World Television Champion Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Sid Vicious at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta, Georgia on January 14, 1991. Appearing on WCW Power Hour, he and Greg Sawyer lost to Motor City Madman and Big Cat when Gomez was pinned by the Motor City Madman on January 21.^[7]

In his last appearance in the promotion, he teamed with "Wildfire" Tommy Rich losing to The Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin) at Clash of the Champions XIV on January 30, 1991.^[8]

World Championship Wrestling[link]

After several years in various independent promotions in Florida, Gomez made his return in World Championship Wrestling in early 1996 later facing V.K. Wallstreet at the first annual Ilio DiPaolo Memorial show at the War Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York on June 7. He would appear in a backstage segment during a live interview on WCW Monday Nitro with Gene Okerlund, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Debra McMichael. After Debra McMichael was heard screaming after entering the locker room of the Four Horsemen, Gomez attempted to help and was ambushed by Arn Anderson and Ric Flair who put Gomez in a figure-four leglock.^[9] He would make one of his first television appearances several weeks later, defeating Disco Inferno on Monday Nitro on June 17.

The following month, he faced the Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Chris Benoit and Steve McMichael) in an 8-man tag team match with The Renegade and the Rock and Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) on Monday Nitro on July 1. Several days later, he would lose to Steve McMichael at Bash at the Beach '96 in Daytona Beach, Florida on July 7.

He would later engage in a short-lived feud with the Dungeon of Doom teaming with Alex Wright and Jim Powers in a 6-man tag team match to defeat The Leprechaun, Hugh Morrus and The Taskmaster via disqualification on Monday Nitro on July 22, 1996.^[10] At Hogg Wild '96 the next month, he would again face the Dungeon of Doom losing a 6-man tag team match with Jim Powers and Mark Starr to Kevin Sullivan and the Faces of Fear (Meng and The Barbarian). Later that year, he would also try his luck in the newly created Cruiserweight Division losing to Juventud Guerrera at Monday Nitro on September 2, 1996.

On November 24 in Norfolk, Virginia, he participated in the 3-ring 60-man battle royal at World War 3 and was eliminated by The Giant.^[11] In December, he began teaming regularly with The Renegade and, appearing on Monday Nitro during the next several weeks facing the Amazing French Canadians (Jacques and Pierre)^[12] and High Voltage (Robbie Rage and Kenny Kaos),^[13] he and The Renegade would also appear on WCW Saturday Night where they lost to Jim Powers and Bobby Walker on January 11, 1997.

After losing to Harlem Heat at Clash of the Champions XXXIV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 21,^[14] he and The Renegade split up for a time as Gomez would appear in dark matches facing Kevin Sullivan and Lasertron on Monday Nitro during the next few weeks. Losing to Hugh Morris in a dark match at SuperBrawl VII on February 23, he would again lose to him the following night on Monday Nitro.^[15]

By early March, he and The Renegade had begun teaming again as they defeated Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker and Sgt. Craig Pittman on WCW Pro after Gomez pinned Buddy Lee Parker. In a rematch against Harlem Heat on March 15, they were disqualified when Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) attacked Harlem Heat during the match. During the next two days, they would also lose matches to Jim Powers and Bobby Walker on WCW Pro and Konnan and Hugh Morrus on Monday Nitro.^[16] After Gomez was pinned by Hugh Morris, he and The Renegade began arguing after the match.

Presumably splitting up shortly after, Gomez appeared in a singles match two days later defeating Mark Starr in a dark match on WCW Saturday Night and, on Monday Nitro days later, he was attacked by his former tag team partner while attempting to come to the defense of Chris Jericho who was being attacked by "Lord" Steven Regal after losing to Jericho.^[17] On April 14, he would also team with Ice Train to defeat The Extremists (Ace Darling and Devon Storm) with their valet Kimona Wanalaya in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Monday Nitro.

Feuding with The Renegade over the next few weeks, he was attacked by The Renegade after he had submitted to the "Tongan Death Grip" following a match against Meng during Monday Nitro on May 31. However, The Renegade's interference backfired as he was put in the submission hold by Meng as well.

He later defeated Mr. JL on WCW Pro, however he would lose matches to Buff Bagwell, Konnan, Dave Taylor and WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett^[18] during the next two months.^[19] Seen less frequently over the next two years, in one of his last appearances he defeated Bobby Eaton on WCW Saturday Night on March 13, 1999.^[20]

Recent years[link]

In 2000, he left WCW to return to NWA Florida then under promoter Howard Brody defeating Al Green in Tampa on December 12. Later that month, he would also appear at a fund-raising event for the International Wrestling Federation teaming with Pat Tanaka against The Powers of Pain (The Warlord and The Barbarian) at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, Florida.^[21]

He has remained semi-active in the Southeastern independent circuit competing in Florida Championship Wrestling, Maximum Pro Wrestling and NWA Florida.

In wrestling[link]

• Signature moves
  • Crossbody^[22]
  • Inside cradle^[22]

• Nicknames
  • "Desperado"

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• National Wrestling Alliance
  • NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mike Graham ^[23]

• Other titles
  • ASW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Tatanka
  • IWF Tri-State Championship (8 times)

References[link]

External links[link]

Professional wrestling portal

• CageMatch.de - Bobby Bold Eagle (German)

Daniel Bryan
Bryan addressing the audience in a promo.
Ring name(s)	American Dragon[1] Bryan Danielson[1] Daniel Bryan[1][2]
Billed height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Billed weight	210 lb (95 kg)[3]
Born	(1981-05-22) May 22, 1981 (age 31)[4] Aberdeen, Washington[4]
Resides	Las Vegas, Nevada[1][5]
Billed from	Aberdeen, Washington[1][3]
Trained by	William Regal[6][7] Texas Wrestling Academy[4][7] Rudy Boy Gonzalez[1][7] Shawn Michaels[1][3][7] Tracy Smothers[1] Masato Tanaka[1]
Debut	October 4, 1999[8]
Website	BryanDanielson.net

Bryan Danielson^[4] (born May 22, 1981)^[4] is an American professional wrestler signed to WWE and appearing on its SmackDown brand. Danielson works with WWE under the name Daniel Bryan. He has also been known by the ring name, and later nickname, the American Dragon.^[4][9]

In professional wrestling, Danielson is former Ring of Honor World champion,^[10] a two-time Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World champion,^[11] a one-time Westside Xtreme Wrestling Heavyweight champion,^[12][13] a one-time FIP Heavyweight Champion and a one-time World Heavyweight Champion in WWE.

As well as these World Championships, Danielson also won the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship once in Pro Wrestling Noah and is officially recognized as the final ROH Pure Champion, as he unified the Pure Title with the ROH World title in 2006.^[14] He also won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in New Japan Pro Wrestling with Curry Man.^[4]

Until 2009, Danielson primarily competed on the independent circuit. ROH was generally regarded as his home promotion^{[citation needed]}, but he also worked in FIP, PWG, and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). He has also worked internationally, most notably in Pro Wrestling Noah through ROH's involvement in the Global Professional Wrestling Alliance, a global organization of cooperative promotions that allow their competitors to travel abroad to other companies.^[15] He also competed in a handful of matches in WWE before signing an actual contract with the company in 2009.^[1][16]

In June 2010, shortly after the end of the first season of the WWE NXT show in which Danielson participated, WWE announced that he had been released from his contract.^[17] He returned to WWE in August at SummerSlam, and won the WWE United States Championship the following month.^[18][19] On July 17, 2011, Bryan won the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match.^[20] On December 18, 2011, Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Big Show to become World Heavyweight Champion.^[21][22]

Professional wrestling career[link]

Early career (1999–2004)[link]

Danielson's first exposure in wrestling was as a backyard wrestler competing for Backyard Championship Wrestling (BCW) under his real name with the nickname "The Dagger". There he won the promotion's Heavyweight Championship.^[1] After Danielson graduated from high school in 1999, he decided to pursue wrestling professionally and initially attempted to train at Dean Malenko's wrestling school. Due to its subsequent closure, however, he instead trained under Shawn Michaels and Rudy Gonzalez at the Texas Wrestling Academy.^[23][7] Danielson debuted in Michaels' promotion, the Texas Wrestling Alliance (TWA), and on March 21, 2000, he won his first professional wrestling championship, when he teamed with Spanky to win the TWA Tag Team Championship by defeating Jeromy Sage and Ruben Cruz.^[4]

Bryan Danielson during his early years on the independent circuit.

As Danielson continued to tour the country, he was signed to a developmental deal by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) to work in their developmental system where recently signed performers train and refine their skills before debuting on WWF's television programming, and was assigned to Memphis Championship Wrestling (MCW). There, Danielson gained exposure, and was trained by WWF competitor William Regal. In a 2012 interview, Danielson credited Regal as being instrumental in the development of his career.^[7] It was during this time that Danielson adopted his well-known moniker "American Dragon".^[24] WWF severed its ties with MCW in 2001, releasing Danielson from his contract, but not before he won the MCW Light Heavyweight Championship and the MCW Tag Team Championship with Spanky.^[4] Danielson returned to the company on later dates after it was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment to compete on its secondary programming, Velocity and Heat, initially as enhancement talent before being allowed to compete in longer matches; he once wrestled future WWE Champion John Cena in a losing effort.^[25][26]

Danielson also toured Japan with the promotion, Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) with fellow trainee from the Texas Wrestling Academy, Lance Cade, competing in several tag team matches.^[1][8] He returned to the country after his release from the WWF, competing in Japan's premier promotion, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). In NJPW, he used his American Dragon persona, and donned a red, white, and blue mask reminiscent of a dragon.^[27] As a part of the junior heavyweight division, Danielson had success in both singles and tag team competition in the company, the latter of which culminated on March 12, 2004 when Danielson (sans mask) won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with Curry Man from division veterans, Jado and Gedo, on the Hyper Battle tour.^[28]

Ring of Honor[link]

Founding father (2002–2005)[link]

In 2002, Danielson joined the independent promotion, Ring of Honor, where he is acknowledged as a "Founding Father" of the company by fans,^[29] as he was one of the wrestlers who made the company prominent during its inception, and competed in the main event of the company's debut show, The Era of Honor Begins, in a three-way match against Low Ki and Christopher Daniels.^[30] He continued to have critically acclaimed matches in the company that would last for extended periods of time with numerous wrestlers, including a match with Austin Aries that lasted for eighty minutes.^[31] One of the more notable rivalries he had in the early years in the company was with Homicide; the two embarked in numerous matches with a variety of stipulations, culminating in a steel cage match at The Final Showdown, which was won by Danielson.^[32]

Danielson posing in 2004.

At that time, Danielson had long been regarded as the best wrestler in ROH to have never held a major title belt; despite winning the company's inaugural Survival of the Fittest tournament in 2004, championship gold constantly eluded him. It came to the point where, in 2005, Danielson announced in the company's newsletter, the ROH Newswire, that he had quit ROH after being frustrated by his inability to defeat Austin Aries for the ROH World Championship. It was later revealed Danielson had become frustrated in general with professional wrestling and planned to take some time off to evaluate his career options.^[33] Danielson had several dates booked in Europe and Japan, however, leading fans to believe that the periodical was likely a storyline claim for Danielson's absence during this period. In May 2005, rumors started that Total Nonstop Action Wrestling was interested in signing Danielson, and he also had some more tryout matches with WWE at that time, but none of these events led to anything, as he remained in ROH.^[1]

World Champion (2005–2006)[link]

Danielson defeated James Gibson for the ROH World Championship at Glory by Honor IV on September 15, 2005.^[4][34][35] The rest of the year saw Danielson have many successful title defenses, competing against all comers, even those from other companies, such as Pro Wrestling Noah star Naomichi Marufuji, at Final Battle 2005.^[36]

At the beginning of 2006, Chris Hero, a representative from Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), invaded ROH and targeted Danielson; this led to the two exchanging words over the Internet before having a match together with nearly the entire roster of both companies embarking on an interpromotional feud.^[37] Danielson became personally invested in this feud, and invaded CZW himself,^[38] which led to him having physical altercations with a number of CZW wrestlers. Hero intensified the rivalry, leading to the two wrestling at ROH's Hell Freezes Over event, where Danielson successfully defended the ROH World Championship.^[39] He soon filled the vacant slot on ROH's five-man team which participated in one of CZW's more popular attractions, a steel cage match called the Cage of Death, a ten-man tag team match that would have a man from each team start out in the cage, with one more random competitor entering into the match after an allotted amount of time. During the match he turned on his team by assaulting his rival, Samoa Joe, before leaving the match and effectively abandoning his involvement in the animosity between the two promotions.^[40] As the interpromotional hostility with CZW heightened, Danielson also defended against challengers from the rival company, who had signed an open contract for any CZW wrestler willing to challenge for the ROH World Title. Former champion Samoa Joe also challenged Danielson during his constant defenses, only to have their match end in a sixty-minute draw.^[41]

Danielson in the ring in 2006.

Ring of Honor, while having the ROH World Championship, faced the issue of having another title with seemingly equal value, the ROH Pure Championship. Danielson and the ROH Pure Champion Nigel McGuinness had a match to unify the titles. They met at April 29 in a match fought under pure wrestling rules and McGuinness left Danielson outside the ring after a chair shot to win by count out; this would be enough to win the Pure Title but not Danielson's World Title. Consequently they had another unification match in McGuinness' native England where ROH declared there would be a winner, with a title changing hands by count out and disqualification, and a draw would force a restart.^[42] Danielson won the match on August 12 and retired the Pure Title as its last champion.^[43][44] During a match with Colt Cabana on August 26, Danielson received an injury; he separated his shoulder,^[4] tearing two tendons in it, and tore another tendon in his chest, which led to his next few matches being cancelled.^[1] Danielson returned at Glory by Honor V: Night 2, and was challenged by KENTA, a guest competitor from Pro Wrestling Noah, due to the two company's talent exchange agreement; Danielson again retained his championship. At Final Battle 2006, Danielson's fifteen-month title reign finally ended after losing to Homicide, and he subsequently took time off from wrestling in order to heal his shoulder.^[4][34]

Later years (2007–2009)[link]

On May 11, Danielson made his return to the company at Reborn Again where he defeated Shane Hagadorn and Adam Pearce in separate matches. On May 12 Ring of Honor filmed its first pay-per-view, Respect is Earned, which had Danielson team with ROH World Champion, Takeshi Morishima, to take on Nigel McGuinness and Kenta; Danielson's team scored the win, as Danielson made Kenta tap out to his signature submission hold, the Cattle Mutilation. Danielson made his return to contention for the ROH World title by defeating Nigel McGuinness at Domination, which would appear on the company's next pay per view, Driven.^[45] This allowed him to, now as a heroic character, challenge Morishima for the title at Manhattan Mayhem in a losing effort;^[46] he also suffered a legitimate detached retina.^[47] Following a subsequent surgery, Danielson returned with intent to challenge Morishima once more, leading to a match at Man Up that had the referee stop the match due to Danielson being unable to respond to him.^[48] Danielson exacted revenge, albeit by Morishima getting disqualified, at Rising Above against his rival by assaulting him before Morishima returned to Japan.^[49] Morishima returned to the company at Final Battle 2008, in a match billed as a "Fight Without Honor", which allowed both men to use weapons, which Danielson won.^[50] Danielson noted in a March 2012 interview that the biggest sense of validation he ever had at that point was at Final Battle 2008 because he and Morishima managed to sell out 2,500 people in New York City.^[51]

Over the coming months Danielson worked with Austin Aries again as friendly rivals, exchanging victories^[52] including a match on pay-per-view at Take No Prisoners, which was won by Danielson. Danielson also aided Aries by becoming his partner in order to take on The Age of the Fall as revenge for Aries. The two wrestled all members of the group in a series of different stipulation matches, as well as teaming together frequently to challenge members Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.^[53]

As part of ROH's agreement with Pro Wrestling Noah, the company held a show in Japan on September 14 titled the Tokyo Summit, where Danielson wrestled GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and won the championship. Following his victory, he was interviewed, and announced that Noah would allow him defend the title in Ring of Honor,^[54] with his first defense being at Glory By Honor VII, defeating Katsuhiko Nakajima, a competitor from the Kensuke Office, another member promotion of the GPWA.^[55] This would ultimately be his only successful defense, however, as he would return to Japan on October 13 to lose the title to Kenta.^[56] Following his loss, Danielson challenged McGuinness for the title at the next ROH pay per view, Rising Above in a losing effort.

Ring of Honor made its national television debut with the program, Ring of Honor Wrestling, and Danielson made his television debut in the main event of its third episode by defeating Austin Aries.^[57] The following episode to feature Danielson had him wrestle Tyler Black, which ended in a draw. This was the start of a rivalry between the two that was highlighted by Danielson's respect for Tyler, even claiming Black would be the top star in the future, with Danielson's antithesis being that would not happen for a while, leading to the two have many more matches that kept the notion of neither man truly being better.^[58] At this point, as well, Danielson became more involved in trying to win the ROH World Tag Team title, so, out of respect to his rival, had chosen Black to be his partner.^[59] The two attempted to win the title multiple times, leading to a conflict, dismantling the partnership.^[60]

On August 23, it was announced Danielson signed a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment; prior to joining the company, he embarked on a farewell tour with ROH known as The Final Countdown Tour, which saw him challenge Aries for the title again in a losing effort.^[61] On September 26 at Glory by Honor VIII: The Final Countdown, he won his last match in the company against Nigel McGuinness, who was also having his final match with the company.^[62]

Independent promotions (2003–2009)[link]

Aside from competing primarily in ROH, Danielson has also competed in a multitude of other independent promotions, both in the United States and abroad. In 2003, Danielson also toured the United Kingdom for British promotion, All Star Wrestling. While he was in the UK, Danielson won the World Heavy Middleweight Championship on May 6 in an 8 Man One Night Tournament in Croydon defeating James Mason. He spent the next 6 months in the UK, working for ASW, FWA, WAW and Premier Promotions.^[4] He returned several times over the next 5 years, working for various promotions. In February 2005, at New Dawn Rising, Danielson made his debut in ROH's sister promotion, Full Impact Pro (FIP), teaming up with Rocky Romero in a match against Austin Aries and Homicide.^[63] The next night at Dangerous Intentions Danielson competed in a losing effort against CM Punk,^[64] which led to a brief feud between the two.^[65] Danielson's biggest success came in 2006 by winning the FIP World Heavyweight Championship,^[66] holding the belt for eleven months before losing it to Roderick Strong.^[4] Danielson wrestled his last match for FIP in December 2006 at Florida Rumble, in a losing effort to Erick Stevens.^[67]

Danielson competed in PWG's annual Battle of Los Angeles tournament in 2008, losing in the semi final to Chris Hero.

Danielson has also wrestled in the California-based promotion, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG). He made his debut in November 2003 at An Inch Longer Than Average, in a losing effort to PWG Champion Frankie Kazarian.^[68] He continued to appear in PWG over the next couple of years, winning the PWG World Championship in 2007, and holding it for six months before taking an eleven-month hiatus from the company. He made his return to PWG at the 2008 Battle of Los Angeles tournament. In May 2009, he made another appearance teaming with Paul London, referring to himself as American Dolphin in a parodied manner.^[69] On September 4, 2009, at Guerre Sans Frontières, during his last night in PWG, Danielson defeated Chris Hero to win the PWG World Championship for the second time and immediately vacated it afterward.^[11]

Following his return from his injury in 2007, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) published a video of Danielson stating his intent to challenge for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, as the establishment that sanctioned the title at the time, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, was relinquishing the title back to the NWA.^[70] A tournament, titled Reclaiming the Glory, was held to determine the new champion with Danielson making his way to finals, scheduled to compete face Brent Albright on September 1, but due to the eye injury he sustained at Manhattan Mayhem,^[71] the NWA announced he withdrew from the tournament with and Adam Pearce replacing him; Danielson was appointed the referee of the match.^[1]

In 2009, Danielson's contract with Ring of Honor expired;^[5] this opened up Danielson to travel to other companies more freely while competing in his home promotion. He made his debut with Philadelphia-based promotion, Chikara to compete in their King of Trios tournament, which saw him team with Claudio Castagnoli and Dave Taylor in a contingency called Team Uppercut.^[72] In the same year, it was announced Danielson would compete in Dragon Gate USA in their second show, which saw him lose to Open the Dream Gate Champion Naruki Doi.^[73]

World Wrestling Entertainment (2009–2010)[link]

Bryan at a Raw house show in 2010.

On August 23, 2009, ROH announced that Danielson had signed a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).^[74] Danielson made his debut as a WWE contracted wrestler on January 4, 2010, in a dark match prior to Raw, defeating Chavo Guerrero.^[75] Later that week it was reported that Danielson had requested to go to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), the WWE developmental territory, to acclimate himself to his new work environment and work what he saw as "ring rust".^[76] He made his debut at the FCW television tapings on January 14, where he was defeated by Kaval.^[1] At the February 11 tapings, Danielson was renamed Daniel Bryan.^[2] He later indicated that he was given a list of ten possible names to use in the WWE and "Daniel Bryan" was one of them, while "Bryan Danielson" was not on that list.^[77]

On February 16, it was announced that he would be wrestling on the first season of the WWE NXT show, using the name Daniel Bryan, with The Miz as his storyline mentor.^[78] He made his debut on the inaugural episode of NXT on February 23, losing by submission to the World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Jericho. After the match, Bryan was attacked by The Miz for disrespecting him earlier in the show.^[79] Over the next several weeks, Bryan failed to win a single match, but despite having a win-loss record of 0–5, he was ranked first in the inaugural Pros' Poll on the March 30 episode of NXT.^[80][81] After losing five more matches on NXT, Bryan earned his first victory on the May 10 episode of Raw by pinning Santino Marella in an eight-on-four handicap match.^[82] The following night on NXT, he was eliminated from the show, along with Michael Tarver, as neither man had confidence in themselves to win the competition.^[83] Later that night, in an interview, Danielson said that the elimination might be the end of Daniel Bryan, but that Bryan Danielson will be fine.^[84] Despite his elimination, he appeared on the following episodes of NXT, being interviewed by Matt Striker and attacking both Michael Cole, who had constantly belittled him on commentary, and The Miz.^[85][86]

On the May 31 episode of Raw, Bryan defeated The Miz in a singles match, and after the match, he threw The Miz into Cole, who was commentating at ringside.^[87] The following week on Raw, the season one NXT rookies interfered in the main event match between John Cena and CM Punk, attacking both competitors, the announce team, and the ring announcer Justin Roberts, before dismantling the ring area and surrounding equipment, turning Bryan and the other rookies heel in the process.^[88] On June 11, 2010, WWE announced that Danielson was fired from WWE.^[17] It was reported by the Wrestling Observer that Bryan was released as WWE felt that Bryan's act of strangling ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own tie during the segment on the June 7 episode of Raw was too violent for their TV-PG programming.^[89] Danielson noted that WWE apologized to him for his release, claiming that they "had sponsors they had to deal with".^[7] His release was put in a storyline, where the rest of the NXT rookies kicked him out of the group for showing remorse for his actions and declared that Bryan will never return to the WWE again.^[90]

Return to the independent circuit (2010)[link]

Danielson wrestled for EVOLVE after his release from the WWE in 2010.

After being released, Danielson received several offers to sign with other wrestling companies, being contacted by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, albeit indirectly, and some Japanese promotions.^[7] Two weeks after his departure from WWE, Danielson made his return to the independent circuit on June 26, 2010, defeating Eddie Kingston at the Chikara event We Must Eat Michigan's Brain in Taylor, Michigan.^[91] Rather than receiving streamers, the fans instead threw neck ties in light of the Justin Roberts incident in WWE.^[92] The following day at Chikara's Faded Scars and Lines Danielson defeated Young Lions Cup holder Tim Donst in a non–title match.^[93] On July 3 Danielson returned to westside Xtreme wrestling, defeating Wade Fitzgerald and TJP in the round robin stage of the Ambition 1 tournament.^[94] The following day he defeated Tommy End, TJP in a rematch and finally Johnny Moss in the finals of the tournament to win Ambition 1.^[95] On July 17, Danielson debuted in the International Wrestling Association (IWA), being booked to defeat Q.T. Marshall for the IWA Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship.^[96] On July 23 Danielson debuted in the fledgling Evolve promotion, which was originally conceived to be built around Danielson as their top star before he signed to WWE.^[97] In the main event, he defeated Bobby Fish,^[98] while Danielson continued on undefeated the following day by returning to Dragon Gate USA, and submitted Shingo in the dark match main event Return of the Dragon.^[99] After the match Danielson joined BxB Hulk, Masato Yoshino, Naruki Doi and PAC as the fifth member of the stable World–1.^[99] On July 30 Danielson returned to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, competing in a match where he defeated Roderick Strong.^[100] On August 7 Danielson unsuccessfully challenged Adam Pearce for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at the NWA Legends Fanfest.^[101]

Danielson wrestling against Bobby Fish for his first ever match in EVOLVE in its main event.

Despite returning to WWE on August 15, Danielson honored most of his independent bookings, making his first appearance on August 20 and defeating Jon Moxley at Heartland Wrestling Association's Road to Destiny.^[102] The following day he was defeated by Drake Younger at Insanity Pro Wrestling's Ninth Anniversary Reign of the Insane.^[103] The day after that Danielson defeated J Freddie at a Squared Circle Wrestling event.^[104] On September 10 he returned to the IWA, using the name Daniel Bryan, and lost the IWA Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship to Dennis Rivera.^[105] The following day Danielson returned to Evolve, defeating Munenori Sawa in the main event.^[106] Later that same night Danielson wrestled for New York Wrestling Connection in a tag team match, where he and Tony Nese defeated Dimitrios Papadon and Alex Reynolds.^[107] On September 25 Danielson returned to Dragon Gate USA and defeated YAMATO in the main event of the evening.^[108] The following day Danielson defeated Jon Moxley.^[109] On October 1 Danielson wrestled the last of his independent matches by defeating Shelton Benjamin at a Northeast Wrestling event.^[110]

Return to WWE[link]

United States Champion (2010–2011)[link]

Bryan (right) wrestling his former NXT mentor, The Miz.

On August 15, 2010, Danielson returned to WWE as Daniel Bryan at the SummerSlam pay-per-view, where he was revealed as the surprise seventh member of Team WWE for the seven-on-seven elimination tag team match against The Nexus, the other NXT season one competitors. At the event, Bryan was one of the two final members of Team WWE, and managed to eliminate two members of the Nexus, but was eliminated by Wade Barrett after his former pro The Miz, whose place he took in Team WWE, attacked him. Despite this, Team WWE won the match.^[18][111] The following night, he was revealed as part of the Raw roster. He feuded with the Miz, with both interfering in each other's matches, and The Miz being aided by Alex Riley, his rookie from the second season of NXT.^[112] At Night of Champions, Bryan defeated The Miz to win the WWE United States Championship, his first championship in WWE.^[19][113]

He then successfully defended the championship two weeks later, by defeating The Miz and John Morrison in a triple threat submissions count anywhere match at Hell in a Cell, and successfully defended it against Ted DiBiase at Survivor Series.^[114][115] On the November 30 episode of NXT, it was announced that Bryan was returning to the show as the Pro to NXT Rookie Derrick Bateman on season four.^[116][117] In late 2010, The Bella Twins began competing for Bryan's affection, leading to them supporting him at ringside and competing in mixed tag team matches together. On the January 24, 2011 episode of Raw, it was revealed that Bryan had been secretly dating Gail Kim, who began accompanying him to ringside.^[118][119] On the March 14 episode of Raw, Bryan lost the United States Championship to Sheamus.^[120] Bryan was originally scheduled to have his rematch against Sheamus for the United States Championship on the main card at WrestleMania XXVII, but the match was rescheduled as a preshow dark match; a lumberjack match that ended in a no contest when the lumberjacks fought among themselves to trigger the start of a battle royal.^[121] Bryan lost his title rematch the next night on Raw, after which he was saved from Sheamus by the debuting Sin Cara.^[122]

World Heavyweight Champion (2011–present)[link]

On April 26, Bryan was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2011 Supplemental Draft.^[123] Bryan debuted for the SmackDown brand on the May 6 episode, when he lost to Sheamus.^[124] Cody Rhodes then started a feud with Bryan by attacking him after losing their match and placing a paper bag on his head. Bryan then aligned with Sin Cara to feud with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase .^[125][126] On June 28, Bryan returned to NXT to manage Derrick Bateman once again.^[127]

Bryan as World Heavyweight Champion alongside on-screen girlfriend AJ.

On July 17 at Money in the Bank, Bryan won the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match which earned him a World Heavyweight Championship at any point within the following year.^[20] On the July 22 episode of SmackDown, Bryan declared he would cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase at WrestleMania XXVIII.^[128] After several months of losing matches, Bryan began a feud with World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. On November 4, Henry challenged Bryan to a non-title match to prove Bryan could not become champion. During the match, Big Show knocked out Henry, making him win by disqualification. Big Show, as a friend of Bryan, then urged a groggy Bryan to cash in his championship match but Henry recovered and attacked both Bryan and Big Show before the match could start.^[129] After losing a rematch, Bryan suffered attacks from Henry the following two weeks.^[130][131] On November 25, Henry was knocked out again by Big Show at which point Bryan cashed in his briefcase for a title match and quickly pinned Henry. However, SmackDown authority figure Teddy Long revealed that Henry was not medically cleared to compete and voided the match, so Henry remained champion and the briefcase was returned to Bryan.^[132] Bryan later admitted he betrayed his principles by not waiting for WrestleMania, but explained he felt strongly about exacting revenge on Henry and realised he may not make it to WrestleMania due to Henry's continued attacks.^[133][134] Regardless of his briefcase, Bryan won a four-way match on the same episode of SmackDown to become the contender for Henry's championship.^[135] On the live November 29 SmackDown, Henry managed to pin Bryan to retain his title in a steel cage match.^[136] Also in November, Bryan started being involved in a romantic storyline with AJ.^[137][138]

Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on December 18 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs against Big Show, who had just defeated Henry and subsequently received a DDT onto a steel chair, which allowed Bryan to secure a pinfall victory and become the World Heavyweight Champion.^[21][22] In the following weeks, tension was teased between Bryan and Big Show, with Big Show unhappy about Bryan taking the world championship from him, and Bryan being displeased about Big Show's lack of appreciation for Bryan's help in matches against Henry.^[139] As World Champion, Bryan began a slow heel turn as he gradually showed signs of overconfidence and arrogance,^[140] with Bryan began partaking in excessive victory celebrations even when he won his matches by disqualification or count-out.^[141] Also, despite AJ's declaration of love for Bryan,^[142] Bryan avoided saying that he loved her in return.^[143]

In January 2012, Bryan successfully defended his title thrice; the first occasion against Big Show when Bryan goaded Mark Henry into attacking him and causing a disqualification; the second occasion a No Disqualification rematch with Show which ended abruptly after Show accidentally ran into AJ, hospitalising her within the storyline for which Bryan blamed him; the third occasion against Henry in a Lumberjack match when Bryan provoked the lumberjacks to interfere and cause a no contest.^{[144][145][146]} This culminated in a Triple Threat Steel Cage match to exclude outside interference; at the 2012 Royal Rumble event, Bryan escaped the cage after freeing himself from Big Show's grasp to retain his championship.^[147]

The kiss with AJ that cost Bryan his World Heavyweight Championship to Sheamus at WrestleMania XXVIII in 18 seconds.

At Elimination Chamber, Bryan defeated Big Show, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, The Great Khali and Santino Marella to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Sheamus attacked Bryan and chose him as his WrestleMania opponent for the World Heavyweight Championship.^[148] In March, Bryan began to mistreat AJ, publicly demanding her to shut up and claiming that she always got in his way.^[149] Despite these actions, AJ continued to stand by Bryan.^[150] Bryan's reign as world champion ended when Sheamus defeated him in eighteen seconds at WrestleMania XXVIII due to Bryan being distracted with receiving a good luck kiss from AJ.^[151] On the next episode of SmackDown, Bryan blamed AJ for his world title loss and ended their relationship.^[152] Despite AJ's attempts to mend their relationship, Bryan cruelly rebuffed her multiple times, leaving AJ an emotional wreck.^[153] At Extreme Rules, Bryan failed to regain the World Heavyweight Championship from Sheamus in a 2-Out-of-3 Falls match, losing two falls to one.^[154]

The following night on Raw, Bryan became the #1 contender to CM Punk's WWE Championship when he won the Beat The Clock challenge by defeating Jerry "The King" Lawler in under 3 minutes.^[155] Bryan received his title shot at Over the Limit; he suffered a controversial loss when Bryan rolled back onto his shoulders as he applied the "Yes!" Lock on Punk, Punk tapped out immediately after the referee counted a pinfall win for Punk.^[156]

Gimmick[link]

Danielson has spent the majority of his career without an overt character in favor of becoming popular with the fans through his monikers, signature mannerisms, and wrestling ability. His attire has varied, as well, with the majority of his tenure wearing a pair of short trunks,^[157] but also ventured into wearing a mask for a time in Japan as an extension of his "American Dragon" persona.^[27]

A notable part of Danielson's persona are his mannerisms and the reaction he inspires from the crowd during the course of his matches that include:

• During his time in Ring of Honor Danielson made his way to the ring to his entrance song, "The Final Countdown"; once in the ring, he stood on the top turnbuckle and sang the refrain along with the fans in attendance.^[158]
• After winning the ROH World Championship, Danielson displayed traits of a heel-like persona, starting to behave more aggressively and threatening to the fans, as well as taking more liberties with the rules. Despite his rulebreaking character, he still retained a certain level of popularity with the fans, as well as his upholding of the company's Code of Honor, ROH's storyline rules of wrestler conduct, allowing him to perform as a more neutral character.^[159]
• Applying a submission hold while the opponent gets a part of their body in the ring ropes, leading to the referee counting to five (not releasing the hold by the count of five would result in a disqualification); as the referee would be about to disqualify Danielson, the latter would release the hold, instructing the referee: "I have till five!"^[160]
• During his initial reign as ROH World Champion, telling the ring announcer to add an extra note about him appertaining to the current circumstances around his match; this was generally insulting the crowd or his opponent.^[161]
• At the beginning of Danielson's ROH matches the crowd chanted, "You're gonna get your fucking head kicked in!" at Danielson's opponent.^[162]
• After winning WWE's World Heavyweight Championship Bryan began shouting "Yes!" repeatedly on his way to the ring and after defeating an opponent. Danielson credits UFC fighter Diego Sanchez with the inspiration.^[163][164] This chant grew in popularity, particularly due to the backlash of fans voicing their discontent at how short Bryan's WrestleMania XXVIII match was,^[165] and has been even heard outside WWE events, at Major League Baseball, National Hockey League and National Basketball Association games,^{[165][164][166]} and even at music concerts.^[167]
• Danielson, who is a vegan in his day-to-day life, has incorporated his vegan lifestyle into his heel persona to elicit heat from the crowd.^[168]

Personal life[link]

Danielson has cited a number of wrestlers as influences to his style: Toshiaki Kawada, Mitsuharu Misawa, and William Regal.^[169] He has also made mention of modeling his wrestling off of the work of Dean Malenko and Chris Benoit in his early career, then using Jujutsu as a platform to develop his own style.^[170] In 2009, Danielson relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he has began training in mixed martial arts at Randy Couture's Xtreme Couture gym;^[5][7] also, Xtreme Couture's head grappling trainer, Neil Melanson, is Danielson's roommate.^[7]

During his time as World Champion, ROH appointed Danielson the head trainer of the ROH Wrestling Academy, replacing Austin Aries.^[171] He relinquished the position to Delirious in 2007.^[172]

Danielson became a vegan in 2009, after getting several liver infections.^[173][174] In 2012, Danielson was awarded a Libby Award from PETA for being the "Most Animal-Friendly Athlete".^[175] In honor of Danielson, Mayor Micah Cawley of Yakima, Washington declared January 13 as “Daniel Bryan Day."^[176]

Danielson is a fan of indie rock music and recorded a single with Kimya Dawson that was a tribute to wrestling legend "Captain" Lou Albano.^[164]

Danielson is currently dating former WWE Diva Brie Bella since March 2012.^[177][178]

In wrestling[link]

Danielson performing the LeBell Lock on Ted DiBiase. Danielson applying the Cattle Mutilation on Chris Hero. Danielson performing a surfboard on T.J. Perkins. Danielson performing a surfboard on Christian. Danielson executing a roundhouse kick to the chest of Munenori Sawa.

• Finishing moves
  • As Daniel Bryan
    • Guillotine choke^[179][180] – 2011
    • "Yes!" Lock^[181][3] / LeBell Lock ^[182] (Omoplata crossface)^[183][184] – 2010–present
  • As Bryan Danielson
    • Bridging dragon suplex^[1]
    • Cattle Mutilation^[1][185] (Bridging double chickenwing)^[9]
    • Crossface chickenwing, sometimes with bodyscissors^[186]
    • Double wrist-clutch to a grounded opponent followed by repeated stomps to the opponent's chest, face, and head^[187]
    • LeBell Lock (Omoplata crossface)^[188]
    • Regal-Plex (Bridging leg hook belly to back suplex) – adopted from his trainer William Regal^[185]
    • Repeated elbow strikes to the side of the opponent's head while holding the opponent in a crucifix position^[9][44]
    • Small package^[9]
    • Triangle choke,^[9] sometimes followed by repeated elbow strikes to the top of the opponent's head^[186]

• Signature moves
  • Airplane spin^[1]
  • Ankle lock^[189]
  • Backflip off the top rope over a standing opponent^[190][191]
  • Corner elbow smash^[192]
  • Discus elbow smash^[1]
  • Diving headbutt^[1]
  • Dragon screw^[193]
  • European uppercut^[194][195]
  • Flying forearm smash^[196]
  • Heel hook^[79]
  • Indian deathlock^[1]
  • Jumping high knee from the apron to an opponent outside the ring^[182][197]
  • Multiple kick variations
    • Corner drop^[194]
    • Front missile drop^[194]
    • Repeated shoot to a kneeling opponent's chest followed by a roundhouse to the opponent's head^[197][198]
    • Roundhouse^[199]
    • Running big boot^[1]
  • Multiple suplex variations^[9]
    • Belly to back,^[1] sometimes from the top rope^[1][185]
    • Belly to belly^[186]
    • Cravate^[200]
    • Danielson Special (Double underhook floated over into a crucifix armbar)^[195]
    • German^[186]
    • Northern Lights^[1]
    • Snap underhook^[186][1]
    • Super^[186]
    • Tiger^[186]
  • Rolling fireman's carry slam^[1]
  • Running leg lariat^[194]
  • Sleeper hold^[189][197]
  • Springboard suicide senton^[9]
  • Suicide dive^[196]
  • Surfboard,^[186][194] sometimes while applying a dragon sleeper^[201]

• Managers
  • Dave Prazak^[202]
  • The Miz^[203]
  • The Bella Twins^[204]
  • Gail Kim^[119]
  • AJ^[205]