10 Most Unlikely WWE World Champions Ever

By Jamie Kennedy /

8. Daniel Bryan

Wrestling fans seem to feel a real kinship with Daniel Bryan - it's always been clear that WWE never envisioned the success he'd have, and really weren't prepared for the incredible reaction he'd get from the fans. Unbelievably, the response Bryan elicits from each crowd is exactly how WWE would like the people to react when John Cena makes his way down the ramp. In a perfect world... Reality paints a very different picture. Tired of having stale acts forced down their throats, the fans piped up, and decided they wanted to see the ultra-talented in-ring wizard with the kick ass beard in as many feature matches as possible. Looking back to Bryan's initial foray into WWE, as part of the first NXT concept, few could have predicted he'd come as far as he has. World-traveled, uncompromising and heavy on wrestling, Daniel Bryan immediately casts himself as a performer who is everything WWE don't want as a top-liner, but you can't hold true talent down forever. Vince McMahon had a big decision to make, swallow your pride and make some money, or deny your fans what they want.