10 Wrestlers Who Can HONESTLY Be Labelled A Genius

7. Daniel Bryan

Cody Kenny Omega
WWE.com

Daniel Bryan is a vastly different performer to Mick Foley - but in addition to a certain recklessness, they are bonded by an ability to elevate the aura of their opponents within the context of a professional wrestling match.

Bryan elevated Kofi Kingston in a seminal, emotional masterclass at WrestleMania 35, which hindsight tells us was his career achievement. Kingston is a very good performer in a midcard role. Time and evidence has removed the sentiment of his Moment, but on that night in April, Bryan's genius told the story. He isn't merely an exceptional technical wrestler - the Wrestling Observer Newsletter recognised this by naming its Best Technical Wrestler award after him - he is masterful at presenting himself as such. In New Jersey, Bryan controlled Kingston with such skill and presence that it underscored his plight so much more starkly than any five-on-one gauntlet match. To escape his submission prowess was an achievement; to win was a triumph.

Bryan is a master of any environment. His intricate, physical work was everything to the Ring Of Honor crowd; his ability to fire up in more broader WWE matches an ingenious adaptation that got him over as the company's last great babyface.

WWE really should sign Bryan to a lifetime deal. His ability to elevate anybody is unmatched, and might seem him become the best and most inluential Producer since Pat Patterson.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!