6 Career turning moments for Daniel Bryan

#4 WrestleMania 28

The start of something big,

Despite becoming a consistent main roster WWE superstar, Bryan experienced quite the roller coaster ride of success throughout much of 2011-2012. Every time you thought he had reached his peak in the company, he would suddenly be given another opportunity to climb even higher. Bryan became Mr Money in the Bank at the legendary 2011 show and cashed in to become World Heavyweight Champion later that year.

This was during a period of time in which the WWE Championship was very much seen as the company’s main title, but holding the big gold belt did do wonders for Bryan’s career. This was an affirmation that the WWE not only saw him as a main roster competitor but also as championship material. Fans were treated to a series of matches between Bryan and CM Punk throughout much of 2012 when the two men both the belts respectively.

Bryan was then scheduled to face Royal Rumble winner Sheamus at WrestleMania 28 for the WHC title. The match opened the show, and Bryan was defeated in just 18 seconds. By all accounts, this appeared to be yet another shift away from the Bryan character, his future once again left uncertain.

As we all now know, however, WrestleMania 28 was a hugely significant turning point for DB, and not because of the match or the infamous kiss with AJ Lee after the bell had rung. For some unknown reason, the fans in attendance began to replicate Bryan’s pre and post match celebrations where he would throw his hands up in the air chanting ‘YES’ as a way to annoy his opponents. Out of nowhere, what should have been a standard WHC match at WrestleMania turned into a raucous scene with 70,000 people all chanting YES as Bryan came to the ring.

The trend really caught on during Raw the next night, and despite WWE’s efforts to quell the tide by keeping Bryan heel, it was clear that the man had transitioned himself into one of the most popular superstars the company had ever seen. Bryan’s connection with the crowd grew and grew until he was finally turned babyface while teaming with long-time rival Kane. Bryan’s main event stature was now all but confirmed.