10 WWE Wrestlers Who Grabbed The Brass Ring In 2018

6. Daniel Bryan

Seth Rollins Brass Ring
WWE.com

Leave it to Daniel Bryan to take several ghoulish apron bumps on the very night he was cleared to compete again.

Bryan's comeback announcement and the ensuing Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens beatdown will go down as one of 2018's best wrestling segments, and a symbol of the man's all-or-nothing approach to pro-wrestling as a whole. Losing three years to chronic concussion issues should make most wrestlers trepidatious about getting dropped on their head and neck ever again, let alone on night one of the comeback tour. Not Daniel. He let Zayn and Owens destroy him, knowing the heat would blow the roof off, particularly after such an emotionally-charged promo, and it worked.

The new WWE Champion continues to empty the tank every time he wrestles. Clearly delighted to be back doing the thing he loves the most, there's a zest - a sense of life - to Bryan's performances sorely lacking elsewhere in the company. Even earlier in the year, when his booking was less than perfect, his gusto meant everything he did was a highlight, and now he's finally back on top, delivering awesome, show-stealing bouts with Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles.

Long may this run continue.

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.