5. Daniel Bryan Returns To Independent Wrestling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BYTZ5uz_sg Thursday night isn't Daniel Bryan's first wrestling "return" ever. Upon hitting the ring with the Nexus during the faction's 2010 debut, the one-time independent wrestler named Bryan Danielson choked out announcer Justin Roberts with Roberts' own tie. Of course, USA Network censors got hot about the appearance of too-violent action during the event, and instead of being suspended or having other, less punitive action taken against him, Bryan was fired from World Wrestling Entertainment. For roughly 100 days Bryan began a whirlwind tour on national independent wrestling bookings that started in Taylor, Michigan for Chikara Pro. Wrestling Eddie Kingston at the event, instead of throwing streamers to celebrate his ring entrance, the Chikara fans threw ties. Danielson defeated Kingston, and as well wrestled now WWE superstars like Dean Ambrose, as well as a slew of talents across a number of global promotions.
Marcus K. Dowling
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Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.
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