10 Best Daniel Bryan Matches Since His WWE Return

One of the greatest WrestleMania moments of all time, the overwhelming emotion that was felt by just about everyone watching Kofi Kingston win his first ever world title after so many years will never be forgotten. Five years after the wonderfully cathartic Daniel Bryan title win at WrestleMania XXX, Bryan walked into WrestleMania 35 playing the opposite role, the veteran positioned against the beloved babyface who was looked down upon by everyone except the fans. While the story with Kofi would have been emotionally affecting with any heel, the match was brought to its full potential by Bryan, who structured a perfect match for Kofi's strengths.

The action was incredible from start to finish, with wonderful double stomp counters and immaculate transitions into submissions. Any time Bryan had the advantage, you could feel the arena on the edge of their seats as they feared the prospect of Kofi somehow losing the contest. The match was paced perfectly, with the moves being flawless throughout and each sequence being an improvement on the last. Kofi resisting the Yes kicks by standing through them was a transcendent moment of modern wrestling. By the closing stretch, the submissions were uncontrollably tense and Kofi's final Trouble in Paradise into the 1-2-3 was one of the best WWE moments ever executed.

This match wasn't about Bryan, who selflessly insisted that Kofi go over clean for the world title. This was about the first African born WWE champion, claiming the title he'd worked over ten years to achieve in a heartwarming moment with his friends and family. The shot of best friend Xavier Woods openly weeping against him while celebrating with the title is a moment that makes all of wrestling's more disappointing moments worth it. A modern masterpiece and just barely beaten out by another Bryan match.