https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fddymeuJj2w While most fans will know NXT as the start to Bryan Danielson's WWE career, the former three-time WWE Champion, top-tier talent and star was featured in taped dark matches going back to 2001, as part of his first developmental contract. Way before NXT, the WWF was using MCW (Memphis Championship Wrestling) as one of its primary developmental territories, to which Danielson was assigned in 2000. The dark match features Bryan going against TNA and ECW veteran Jerry Lynn. Unfortunately, the poster only managed to catch the last minute of the match, but nevertheless it remains an interesting piece of wrestling history. It's initially strange seeing Bryan vs Lynn as a dark match, it's a pairing that would be made several times later on independent shows and be quite a big hit in a promotion like ROH (Ring of Honor). After the match, MCW would dissolve as part of the the WWF brand reformation, which left Danielson without a job in the aftermath. Lynn would be released in 2002, after over a year of wrestling exclusively on Sunday Night Heat.
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