10 Worst Endings To Awesome Wrestling Title Reigns

6. Injury Undoes Daniel Bryan's Greatest Triumph

Sheamus Daniel Bryan 18 Seconds WrestleMania
WWE.com

Daniel Bryan's story reached its zenith at WrestleMania XXX. WWE's biggest show of the year belonged to him, and after years of bad booking, shoddy creative direction, and constant humiliation from management, wrestling's ultimate underdog secured his greatest victory. After beating Triple H in the opening match, Daniel Bryan took Randy Orton's WWE Championship in a Triple Threat main event, prompting an outpouring of emotion the likes of which we hadn't seen in years.

It was a euphoric (and potentially tear-jerking) moment for anyone who'd followed Bryan's run, but The "Yes!" Movement was on the verge of catastrophe. Sadly, Bryan was forced to vacate the belt due to a neck injury sustained shortly after his golden night, taking the gloss off what should've been a period of triumph for the most popular wrestler on the planet.

We now know that Bryan had been dealing with these health issues long before 'Mania XXX, but WWE at least allowed him to secure that wonderful moment. The problems would continue to plague him, forcing him to vacate the Intercontinental Title the following year, before eventually prompting his depressing retirement from the sport in February 2016.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.