9 Things You Didn't Know About Brian Kendrick

9. Kendrick And Daniel Bryan Go Way Back

Brian Kendrick met Daniel Bryan (wrestling as “American Dragon” at this point) shortly after moving to Texas to train with NWA Southwest, then at the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy. It was here that Kendrick acquired the now-infamous “Spanky” monicker (the origins of which you probably don’t want to know), and in October 1999, he wrestled his debut match against Bryan himself.

Their connection doesn’t end there, though. Kendrick and Bryan both wound-up in Memphis Championship Wrestling under WWE developmental contract, and their in-ring relationship continued. In September 2000, Kendrick defeated Bryan for the MCW Southern Light Heavyweight Championship, before teaming with Dragon to capture the company’s tag belts a few weeks later.

MCW folded not long after, but Bryan and Kendrick continued to meet on various jaunts across the independent circuit, with the most recent bout coming on a 2009 Pro Wrestling Guerrilla show.

Authored by Andy H Murray

Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.

Posted On: 17th Jun 2016

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Brian Kendrick