10 Emotional WWE Moments That Made Fans Cry

10. Daniel Bryan Wins It All At WrestleMania XXX

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Famously branded a “B+ Player” by Triple H, Daniel Bryan was too short and too ordinary to fit the role of WWE’s prototypical ace, despite his impeccable skillset. He was always one of WWE’s standout wrestlers, but the company continually refused to push him as “the guy,” even as his popularity soared. Bryan was regularly misused and mistreated throughout his run, starting with his shocking dismissal after choking Justin Roberts during the Nexus' debut, and peaking with his 18-second loss to Sheamus at WrestleMania XXVIII.

Bryan became a folk hero. His support snowballed over the years, and he earned it through grit, determination, and the strength of his performance. The frustrations manifested as “The ‘Yes!’ Movement,” and with every further disappointment, Bryan’s supporters only grew louder.

The backlash hit fever pitch when Bryan was bewilderingly excluded from the Royal Rumble in 2014, but the greatest moment of his career was right around the corner. DB overcame Triple H, the corporate avatar for those holding him back, then progressed to the WrestleMania XXX main event, where he fought for the WWE Championship.

The relatable everyman hero finally scaled the mountain top, capping his incredible triumph with a huge outpouring of joy felt around the world.