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Initially written off by many as an indie darling who couldn't make it on the big stage, Daniel Bryan proved all the naysayers wrong during his stint with WWE.
Despite The Rock's claims otherwise, Bryan proved to be the People's Champion -- an everyman who lived out a childhood dream and stood in stark contrast to the archetypal Vince McMahon Superstar.
Having been part of some of WWE's best moments in recent years, Bryan's departure will leave a void in the company. The 4-time WWE Champion was not only one of the company's biggest box-office attractions but also an outstanding performer who could elevate those around him.
Now that he's turned over a new leaf, here are 5 matches you should rewatch to celebrate Daniel Bryan's legendary WWE run:
#5 WWE Summerslam 2013: Daniel Bryan vs John Cena
Pitted in a WWE title match against defending champion John Cena, the main event of Summerslam 2013 was Daniel Bryan's first opportunity to shine as a top babyface.
Following his run as part of the beloved Team Hell No, the crowd was firmly behind Bryan, who tore Cena down on the microphone and established himself as a legitimate contender in the build-up to their encounter.
Despite what the pair delivered on the day, the match is remembered as the beginning of Bryan's iconic feud with the Authority. As the Aberdeen native celebrated winning the WWE Championship for the first time, Triple H hit him with a Pedigree and allowed Randy Orton to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase.
#4 WWE Survivor Series 2018: Daniel Bryan vs Brock Lesnar
When he came out of retirement in 2018, Daniel Bryan was the hottest commodity in professional wrestling. He put up some decent shows with the likes of Big Cass and The Miz before jumping back into the main-event picture.
Bryan eventually turned heel and defeated AJ Styles to win the WWE Championship, placing him in a Champion vs. Champion match with Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2018. The contrast in styles worked a treat as Bryan used his ringcraft to push Lesnar to the limits in a losing effort.
#3 WWE WrestleMania 36: Daniel Bryan vs Kofi Kingston
6 years removed from his own fairytale story at WWE WrestleMania 30, Daniel Bryan found himself the heel champion standing in the way of Kofi Kingston's quest for gold.
After years of toil, Kingston had finally connected with the audience at a main event level, but Vince McMahon repeatedly foiled his attempts to earn a title shot.
However, with the aid of Big E and Xavier Woods, Kingston finally managed to land a WWE Championship match against Bryan at WrestleMania. With "Kofimania" in full flow, the New day member defeated Bryan in a modern classic that stole the show.
#2 WWE WrestleMania 30: Daniel Bryan vs Triple H
Daniel Bryan faced Triple H, the man who had tormented him all year, in the opening match of WrestleMania 30 with an opportunity to enter the main event on the line. Fighting with an injured arm, Bryan was forced to bear the brunt of Triple H's onslaught that continued to target his wounded limb.
However, once the tide turned, 'The American Dragon' punished his foe with a barrage of strikes before hitting a Busaiku Knee for the win. Following the match, Triple H assaulted Bryan in an attempt to prevent the Ultimate Underdog from being able to compete in the WWE Championship match later in the evening.
#1 WWE WrestleMania 30: Daniel Bryan vs Randy Orton vs Batista
At WrestleMania 30, WWE gave their fans the most satisfying conclusion to a storyline in decades. Despite having the odds stacked against him, Daniel Bryan conquered every obstacle placed in his path to earn a title shot at the biggest show of the year.
In addition to an injury inflicted upon him by Triple H, Bryan also had to overcome interference by the Authority and a crooked referee to win the WWE Championship. In recent years, most WrestleManias have failed to deliver happy endings. But on this night, all was well in the WWE universe.
