10 Things That Made Us Proud To Be Wrestling Fans In 2018
5. Cena & Bryan Stick To Their Guns
Those lacking in patience will have already let themselves get triggered by the mere mention of this topic, but this slide isn't about the morality of WWE's business in Saudi Arabia. Rather, it relates to the courage shown by two of the company's biggest stars in resisting.
Daniel Bryan and John Cena refused to appear at Crown Jewel. For Cena, it wasn't just about principles, but protecting his public image amidst the Jamal Khashoggi scandal. Regardless of whether you agreed with him or not, anyone should've been able to understand his stance, particularly with his entertainment career taking off outside of wrestling, and his lofty status in the company mitigated the risk.
The same can't be said of Bryan, whom WWE could easily have put on ice following his refusal. Months of burials and other punishment could've followed. Nothing would've stopped WWE from Neville-ing Bryan, and having the popular star sit out for an indefinite amount of time, and there's no way Daniel didn't understand this at the time. That he went ahead with it regardless speaks volumes of his character.
That Bryan is now WWE Champion doesn't diminish his bravery. Good on him for saying 'no' at a time when WWE Superstars have never been so pressured into going with the flow.