10 Best Daniel Bryan Vs. Samoa Joe Matches To Watch Before WWE SmackDown

4. In Your Face - 17 June 2006

While Daniel Bryan and Samoa Joe had battled time and again, their match in New York’s Manhattan Center added a new twist to the rivalry. A third man was entered into the fray in the form of KENTA. No love was lost between any of the competitors, as they all had their respective problems with one another - it could be argued that there was even more vile and venom between KENTA and Bryan or KENTA and Joe than the main two rivals. Three way matches were uncommon in Ring Of Honor at the time, especially in a main event capacity, but it was a welcome twist.

All three men put it all on the line in the non-title bout, but perhaps surprisingly, neither Joe nor Bryan were able to secure the win. A brief moment of teamwork between KENTA and the Samoan shocked the crowd, but the Japanese superstar from NOAH quickly took the attack to Joe. With Bryan out from a double-team Go 2 Sleep and Joe reeling a devastating knee strike, KENTA was able to capitalize, pinning Daniel Bryan in possibly his biggest victory on United States soil.

Contributor

Douglas Scarpa is a freelance writer, independent filmmaker, art school graduate, and pro wrestling aficionado -- all of which mean he is in financial ruin. He has no backup plan to speak of, yet maintains his abnormally high spirits. If he had only listened to the scorn of his childhood teachers, he wouldn't be in this situation.