Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson), a 16 year veteran of professional wrestling, officially retired on Monday evening during WWE RAW in front of his home state fans in Seattle, Washington. The segment, which didn't begin until just minutes from when the broadcast typically ends, was a joyful and heartfelt celebration of a man who seemingly overcame all odds to become WWE World Heavyvweight Champion just a couple of years ago. Bryan started the segment in a pretty joyful mood, playing with the crowd in a light hearted way while also reflecting on the past. Even so, there were tears visible behind the man's eyes as millions of emotional fans watched on across the globe, feeling as though another amazing career was cut too short. When Bryan emerged from behind the curtain, he unveiled a new shorter haircut and trimmed beard that made him look several years younger. Once he got to the ring, Bryan closed his eyes and listened as the fans chanted for him. He began talking to the crowd by saying that this was the first time he was able to take it all in during his career, close his eyes, and really feel the chants from the crowd. https://twitter.com/WWE/status/696907924212289537 Bryan mentioned that he cut his hair for Wigs For Kids, a cancer charity that gives wigs, free of charge, to children undergoing cancer treatment. He noted that if anything positive comes from tonight, it should be that. Then, Bryan went into talking about why he came to the decision of retiring from the ring. He reflected upon his career, noting that he sustained three concussions during the first five months of the start of his career. Bryan spoke about how then over the course of the rest of his career, he would receive a concussion here and there, and eventually that added up to too many concussions. So many that he was told that he couldn't wrestle any longer. Bryan noted that he originally fought the diagnosis. He even spoke of how other doctors had cleared him to return to the ring, causing Bryan to feel as though everything was fine. He said he trained like he would return to the ring at a moment's notice, whenever WWE needed him. However, he noted he took another test about a week and a half ago, and those results came back with the unhappy news that perhaps everything wasn't alright with his brain. Bryan mentioned having a family to think about now, noting that he and Brie Bella would like to start having kids soon (the crowd cheered). In a funny moment, as the crowd chanted "YES!", Bryan yelled out "That's what Brie says all the time!" This caused the crowd to respond with a "That's What She Said!" chant. Bryan then announced that he came to the decision to eventually retire. Though he said he went through many emotions in coping with the decision, he woke up Monday morning with the feeling of gratitude. Bryan then ran down a list of all the things he is thankful for from his wrestling career. First, though, he mentioned he loves his Seattle Seahawks (much to the delight of the Seattle crowd). Bryan mentioned he loves to dive through the ropes, with the move and the crowd making him feel like Superman. He spoke of loving the people he's met, mentioning Kane as the smartest person he's known, William Regal as his mentor, and children such as Connor The Crusher who were stronger than he ever thought possible. https://twitter.com/WWE/status/696911116241235968 He then spoke about his gratitude for the WWE. Bryan said the WWE doesn't owe him anything and the fans don't owe him anything. He reflected upon how the fans got behind him during his run up to WrestleMania XXX. He said the fans made him feel a way that he never thought was possible. Bryan specifically mentioned the Seattle RAW in December 2013, when the fans hijacked the show during the segment where the two WWE world titles at the time were being unified between Randy Orton and John Cena. He noted his dad was in attendance that night, and an emotional Bryan told the crowd that was the last time his dad got to see him wrestle. He was grateful to them for that. Bryan closed out the segment by mentioning that wrestling introduced him to his wife, Brie Bella. He spoke about how much love he has for her, as well as the rest of his family that were in the arena to see this moment (his mother, sister, and mother in law were shown in the front row). Bryan said that tomorrow, he starts a new chapter in his life. However, Monday evening, he wanted to hear a loud "YES" chant one more time. The crowd went wild as Bryan closed the night greeting every single fan around ringside as the rest of the WWE stars, including the McMahons, came out on the ramp and clapped in tribute for him. https://twitter.com/WWE/status/696914434275430400 It was a memorable moment for wrestling fans everywhere, and I'm certain that if left everyone with the thought that they were lucky to have witnessed such an amazing career. Bryan walks away from the ring as one of the most beloved wrestling stars in history and with his future health intact, which is the most important fact of all.
