10 Dream Matches Daniel Bryan Is Missing Out On By Staying With WWE

9. Jay Lethal

Bryan Omega All In 2
Ring Of Honor / Scott Finkelstein

Daniel Bryan was a veritable world traveler during his time before joining WWE, but the place he called home was Ring Of Honor. As ROH World Champion, then known as Bryan Danielson, he held the title for almost five-hundred straight days and still holds the record for most successful title defenses -- a record shared with current NXT commentator and longtime rival, Nigel McGuinness.

Surely, had he left WWE, a pursuit of Bryan’s would have been to return to his former stomping grounds and again hold the ROH title. Unfortunately for Bryan, Jay Lethal began his second reign as champion in June of this year. While both men were in the company together from 2003 to 2006, they never faced off as Lethal was only a young up-and-comer during Bryan's title reign.

Since his return to ROH in 2011 however, Lethal has arguably been the company's most consistent and accomplished star. Surely, many fans would have looked forward to a World Championship bout between the two, but it again seems that hope has been dashed thanks to Bryan’s decision to stay in WWE.

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.