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Today, Daniel Bryan is one of the most popular superstars to have ever stepped foot inside a WWE ring as the Yes Movement catapulted him into a fan-favourite the likes of which hadn't been seen since the days of The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
While the WWE might have been the first taste casual wrestling fans got of D-Bry, the hardcore wrestling fan knew him from his time on the independent scene where he went by the name of Bryan Danielson.
Bryan was hugely popular mainly due to his superb run in Ring of Honor where he became one of the biggest stars in the history of the promotion. He put on some truly incredible matches long before he ever came to the WWE and we're here to look at the very best of those matches.
So, without any further ado, here is our list of top 5 Daniel Bryan matches outside WWE:
#5) Daniel Bryan vs James Gibson - ROH Glory by Honor IV (2005)
When ROH World Champion made the decision to return to the WWE, Daniel Bryan was chosen as the man to take the title off him. This marked the beginning of Bryan's first run with the ROH World Title.
It was a superbly technical match which ended with D-Bry getting his first crack at the gold. He would go on to hold the belt for a whopping 15 months establishing himself as one of the finest non-WWE wrestlers in the world.
#4) Daniel Bryan vs Nigel McGuinness - ROH Glory by Honor VIII: The Final Countdown (2009)
Daniel Bryan and Nigel McGuinness enjoyed some of the best matches ever seen on the indie circuit, and it is their final match against each other than makes it to Number 4 on this list.
While the match itself was brilliant, it's the fact that this was Bryan's final Ring of Honor bout before he left for WWE that makes this such a special encounter. Check out the post-match celebrations above.
#3) Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles - ROH Dissension (2006)
A dream match by today's standards, Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles first happened way back in 2006 before either man was anywhere near a WWE contract. During Ring of Honor's Dissension pay per view, the two future WWE Champions went at it in an encounter for the ages.
If you're sad that you can't see the two men go at it today due to Bryan's WWE retirement, find this match and watch it. You will not be disappointed.
#2) Daniel Bryan vs Takeshi Morishima - ROH Manhattan Mayhem II (2007)
A perfect example of how to book a David vs Goliath match and 2007's PWI Match of the Year saw Daniel Bryan take on the Japanese powerhouse Takeshi Morishima in a truly stunning match at Ring of Honor's Manhattan Mayhem II pay per view.
It was received 4.75 stars from Dave Meltzer and remains one of the crown jewels in Bryan's impressive list of matches.
#1) Daniel Bryan vs Nigel McGuinness- ROH Unified (2006)
Another match that Dave Meltzer rated 4.75 stars, Daniel Bryan vs Nigel McGuinness at ROH Unified remains Bryan's finest match outside the WWE and is one that holds up as an instant classic even 11 years later.
Ironically, this match might have played a huge role in shortening both men's careers due to the disgusting amount of headbutts involved. Bryan even said that both men hugely regret putting their bodies through that.
Nevertheless, it is an awesome match that I believe should have been rated 5 stars.
