12 Essential Daniel Bryan WWE Matches

5. Triple Threat Match For WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton vs. Batista - WrestleMania 30

Fresh off a win over Triple H, Daniel Bryan entered the Super Dome for the second time at WrestleMania XXX, his shoulder wracked with pain as he attempted to wrest the world heavyweight championship from Randy Orton and Batista in a Triple Threat match. The smaller of the three competitors, Bryan found himself on the receiving end of a beatdown early. A flurry of kicks, a diving headbutt and the YES! Lock to Orton brought Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and crooked referee Scott Armstrong to the ring, the payoff of a months-long storyline about to unfold in front of the record audience. Bryan endured a vicious Batista Bomb/RKO combination through the announce table and appeared destined to finish the match in a hospital bed. But his guts, his determination would not allow for it. He made it back into the ring, wiped out The Authority and their screwy official with a suicide dive and trapped Batista in the YES! Lock. The big man, and Hollywood star, tried desperately not to tapout but the pain from the hold proved too much. For the first time in his career, Daniel Bryan stood holding the WWE championship in one hand, the world title in the other, the top star in the industry. Confetti rained from the ceiling, pyrotechnics exploded at the top of the ramp and Bryan stood tall, looking at the sea of people chanting his name and applauding his win. His boyhood dream had come true. He had made it, his career validated in the biggest moment, match and night of his life. The support he received from the fans had earned him that moment, one that stands above all others as his greatest.