Since his return to active competition as part of WWE, Daniel Bryan has once again emerged as someone fans can embrace. This was apparent as they warmly welcomed his return. He has been engaged in a number of storylines since his return, in particular ones with Big Cass and Samoa Joe. For all his achievements in WWE, it was the things he did before he stepped into WWE that made fans who witnessed them know that he was a special talent.
Prior to WWE, he competed under his real name of Bryan Danielson and carried the nickname of 'American Dragon'. There had innumerable matches against a wide variety of talent. To narrow all of those down to only a few 'best' matches was a challenge, but here are a few choices based on personal preference and remarkable storytelling. Here are five of the best Daniel Bryan matches before he was in WWE.
Sportskeeda is the one-stop destination for latest WWE rumors and wrestling news.
#5. Claudio Castagnoli and Bryan Danielson vs. Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw September 13, 2009
For anyone that is unfamiliar with the CHIKARA promotion, it is a roster featuring a cast of characters. They have fun while at the same time presenting incredible athleticism and tremendous matches. This matchup took place in what looks like a gymnasium. Many will recognize Danielson's partner, who now competes as Cesaro, a former United States and WWE tag team champion. They faced current WWE producer Mike Quackenbush and masked talent Jigsaw.
Castagnoli and Danielson had previously had one-on-one matches, which were highly intense. However, when they were put together as a tandem, fans saw that Quackenbush and Jigsaw could hold up their end, leading to a highly exciting and competitive match. While many know the names of Bryan and Cesaro, it was Quackenbush and Jigsaw that truly did a remarkable job.
Related stories: 5 current WWE Superstars Daniel Bryan fought before coming to WWE
#4. Bryan Danielson Vs Naruki Doi - Dragon Gate: Untouchable
It was billed as Danielson's last independent match and was for Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling USA. The match was against Open the Dream Gate Champion Naruki Doi during Dragon Gate's Untouchable PPV event on November 6th, 2009. It was also considered a match to see who was truly the best in the world at that point. Like their previous battles with one another, it wasn't unlike having Danielson facing himself.
Their exchanges, fighting and combat style reflected the same thing. With open hand strikes, back elbows and dropkicks, Doi appeared to be Danielson's Japanese counterpart. For those unfamiliar with Doi, he is a nearly 18-year veteran, and his career has seen him capture championships in both the U.S and Japan, competing for Pro Wrestling Noah, Ring of Honor and the promotion where he captured the most success through his career, the aforementioned Dragon Gate USA. The now 37-year old Doi and Danielson certainly brought it on this night.
#3. Kenta vs Bryan Danielson - ROH Glory by Honor V - Night 2
On September 16th, 2006, on Night 2 of Ring of Honor's Glory by Honor V, Danielson faced a very familiar face. As part of a talent exchange with Japan's Pro Wrestling Noah, Kenta faced Danielson for Danielson's Ring of Honor World Championship. Kenta competes today in WWE as part of the 205 Live roster, under the name Hideo Itami. The two men faced each other in what some would call a near five-star classic a dozen years ago.
The match showed as many strikes and kicks as it did transition moves, submissions, and creativity. Both men took risks in the match as well and fought both in and out of the ring. They never surrendered to one another throughout. To see Danielson and Kenta hit each other repeatedly without any quarter given was remarkable. Danielson ultimately walked away after causing Kenta to submit to the 'Cattle Mutilation'.
#2. Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson - ROH Manhattan Mayhem II
This match took place in Ring of Honor, Danielson facing Morishima during the ROH event Manhattan Mayhem. Morishima competed for All Japan Pro Wrestling and has actually recently retired. However, in 2007, Morishima and Danielson faced each other in what was seen as a match of the year, especially considering the chemistry between them. There was a clear size difference, but their work together was amazing.
To see Danielson attempt to chop down Morishima, only to be taken down with one strike showed how it was clearly a match that was an uphill battle for the American Dragon. Once on the mat, Danielson would work on Morishima's leg, attempting to make him submit, only to have the bigger man pick him up with ease and toss him across the ring. It was a pitched battle and both men did all they could to get the better of the other. The over twenty-minute match resulted in then-ROH champion Morishima retaining his title.
#1. Bryan Danielson Vs Nigel McGuinness - ROH Unified
This match was the culmination of numerous battles these men had with one another. This particular bout, between current NXT and 205 Live commentators Nigel McGuinness and Danielson, held at Ring of Honor Unified, was intended to bring together two different Ring of Honor championships. It was meant to unify the Ring of Honor world championship and the now-defunct Ring of Honor Pure Championship. McGuinness was the Pure Champion, and had faced Danielson earlier in the year underway was deemed 'wrestling rules.' That match resulted in a win via count out for McGuiness.
McGuiness earned a second match, this time in Liverpool, England and the titles could be unified by any means, including count out and disqualification. The end result was that McGuiness lost the match and the Pure Championship. After their rivalry came to an end, Danielson gave McGuiness the Pure Championship as a memento. It was a remarkable match between the two.
Do you agree? Disagree? Feel free to share and comment below. Which matches could we include for a follow-up piece?
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.