NXT has now taken on an almost mythical place in the hearts of wrestling fans. It is WWE but filled with young, talented wrestlers who are let off the leash to show what they can do. It wasn't always like that, though. When Daniel Bryan debuted, it was a very different proposition. It was a reality TV show that was completely detached from reality and included keg-carrying challenges and obstacle courses. A far call from the stiff wrestling style that Bryan was famous for on the indies. To add insult to injury, Bryan was also teamed up with The Miz as his mentor, despite having been wrestling while he was still on reality TV. Miz and Michael Cole, who was doing that heel thing that still gives wrestling fans shivers, would spend every week badmouthing a man that many fans proclaimed as the best in the world, and he quickly built up a 0 - 10 record on the show. All said it seemed like the worst way to introduce a new talent to the company. Particularly one with Bryan's skill set. And yet, he rode that storm. In his time in NXT, he had a fantastic match with Chris Jericho and begun to forge the bond with the fans that led to his best days in the promotion. Despite losing every week, he ranked highly in the pro polls, and it became apparent even then that his fellow professionals knew just how good he was. Bryan did not just survive NXT; he became one of the highlights of an awful first season of the show.