WWE News: Daniel Bryan talks about having a mental breakdown, his retirement from Pro Wrestling and reveals his favorite Pro Wrestler

What’s the story?

Current Smackdown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan was recently interviewed by top radio personality and Pro Wrestling enthusiast Peter Rosenborg. During his chat with Rosenborg, the former WWE Champion talked about having a mental breakdown on WWE’s reality TV series Total Divas, his retirement from Pro Wrestling, and also commented on The Rock.

In case you didn’t know…

Former four-time WWE World Champion Daniel Bryan is one of the most successful wrestlers to ever step foot into the wrestling business. Much like every professional wrestler, Bryan first started off on the Independent scene as he started performing under promotions such as Texas Wrestling Academy, Memphis Championship Wrestling but while touring independently Bryan was signed to a developmental deal by the WWF.

Bryan has also previously worked in Japan under NJPW and Pro Wrestling NOAH as well. However, it was in Ring of Honor where Bryan Danielson first broke out as a top wrestling star, the 36-year-old is a former ROH Pure Champion and has also held the Ring of Honor World Title. Following his retirement in 2016, Bryan was appointed as the General Manager of Smackdown Live.

The heart of the matter

During Bryan’s recent interaction with Rosenborg, the WWE Grand Slam Champion talked about a host of wrestling related topics and here are a few highlights:

On his mental breakdown on Total Divas:

Bryan claimed that he did have a legitimate mental breakdown while filming Total Divas but remains thankful to the WWE production team for not airing it on television. Bryan also said that the reason why he had a mental breakdown was due to him being forced to retire from the in-ring competition by WWE and also him being apart from his wife Brie Bella.

“They were doing that and I was having a breakdown and they did a good job of protecting me on the show, so I'm very thankful to Russell [Jay], who's one of the [executive] producers for that, to WWE.”- Bryan stated.

On his retirement from Pro Wrestling:

Additionally, Bryan talked about his retirement from the sport back in 2016 and claimed that it was Vince McMahon who wanted Daniel to announce his retirement in Seattle. The former Intercontinental Champion, however, also thanked the WWE management who gave Bryan such a great platform to retire.

"I was very thankful that WWE gave me such a platform to retire on, but it was just a hard day."- Bryan additionally noted.

On his favourite wrestler whom he idolized:

Furthermore, Daniel Bryan also claimed that growing up he wasn’t the biggest fan of The Rock as he claimed himself to be a fan of Dean Malenko.

"Dean Malenko was my favourite! And he was not a go out a cut this scathing interview guy."- Bryan added.

What’s next?

Daniel Bryan is currently working as the General Manager of the blue brand of the WWE, that is, Smackdown Live. However, there have been a lot of reports that have recently circulated the web claiming that Bryan might make a comeback to Pro Wrestling and the WWE medical team might finally clear Bryan to wrestle once again.

Author’s Take

Much like everyone, I personally also miss watching Daniel Bryan perform inside the ring and as of right now let’s just hope that we get to see the former American Dragon make his return to the squared circle in the near future.