WWE: 3 Key Reasons Daniel Bryan's Boyhood Dream Came True
1. Hes Our Childhood
Its a safe assumption that most fans of professional wrestling started watching when they were kids or pre-teens. I remember that I began watching wrestling in 1993 when I was six-years-old, as did my older brother who was ten at the time. At that young, impressionable age, we latched onto the typical babyfaces and aspired to be just like them. Guys like Bret, Owen, Shawn, Davey Boy, Luger, and even Ahmed Johnson, were all the types of characters that I watched religiously and tried to emulate, especially when I would try to press slam my brother to no avail. However, we followed these characters because all we had was television and WWF or WCW to tell us who to follow. When the internet really took off in the late 90s and became the integrated part of our lives that it is today, thats when the landscape of character development in the business began to change with it.
The expansion of the internet and the growth of video sharing websites like YouTube allowed wrestling fans to see more matches from other promotions and a lot more talent from the indies. Bryan Danielson really became a hot indy commodity around 2002 as part of the inception of Ring of Honor. From that point forward, there have been tape trading, DVD releases, interviews, and YouTube videos from fans and fellow workers of guys like Bryan Danielson having fun in their downtime and discussing the business. Instead of only seeing what the major promotions allowed fans to see, fans could now experience so many more aspects of the performers. The latest generation of superstars is far more accessible to wrestling fans than they ever have been before. This is a reason why WWE NXT is an internet show: Fans get to watch the developmental performers grow up.
Daniel Bryan has matured as a performer over the past 12 years, with every step of the way documented for the fans. For those of us that may have attempted the journey and not followed through or fans who simply realized it couldnt be a reality and sought more practical careers, Bryan is wide-eyed kid who made it. Hes putting on incredible matches and telling amazing stories, but most of all, hes having fun in his role. Hes a kid living out his dream and you cant help but to Yes! your heart out for him.
Bryan isnt the biggest guy and he isnt the strongest guy, but he clearly adores the business. There are times when hes in the ring where its almost like he isnt a WWE wrestler, but rather a living, breathing boyhood dream. Hes all the boyhood dreams, kicking and kneeing his way to that World Heavyweight Title.
In the three minutes that elapsed from 11:04 to 11:07 PM, there was a burst of emotion, as if the heart had fallen to the belly and then shot back out through the mouth. Everyone in Providence felt it inside of them as it boiled over and spilled out. Daniel Bryan wasnt just Daniel Bryan anymore. He was an embodiment of an entire mass of people. That six-year-old kid that used to do Davey Boys running power slam on his Hulk Hogan buddy pillow, he was there. That eight-year-old that used the toy belt to knockout his brother for the win, he was there. That ten-year-old that cut promos on Ric Flair, he was there. They were all there in that crowd, chanting, Yes! Yes! Yes!