February 8, 20169 yr comment_5726077 From 411's summary of Meltzer's audio update on this subject: * Bryan had tests done the Thursday prior to the Royal Rumble. These tests looked at all parts of the brain. * More tests were reportedly scheduled, and word is that the results were concerning enough for him to make the announcement. Further testing could reveal more bad news. * WWE reiterated that they would not be clearing Bryan. * Meltzer feels that this was Bryan’s decision.
February 8, 20169 yr comment_5726079 Joey Styles tweeted this: It will take years before history realizes how much @WWEDanielBryan changed the criteria for @WWE recruiting talent.#ThankYouDanielBryan https://twitter.com/JoeyStyles/status/696780664704598016 That alone would be enough to cement Bryan's legacy. But he accomplished so much more. Some might argue that CM Punk paved the way for this too. Maybe. But the truth is, Bryan was better in almost every conceivable metric - from in-ring performances to drawing power. True, Punk was a master on the mic (although highly overrated and unmotivated in that and other departments - outside of amazing moments like the "Pipe Bomb" speech and a few others - IMO anyway), but Bryan's simple talking points were enough to drive the fans into a frenzy. Edit: More tweets from wrestlers Double edit: From Kevin Owens. Damn, cue the waterworks. The respect I have for you is unmeasurable. You were good to Generico and I when you didn’t have to be… #BestInTheWorld #ThankYouDanielBryan https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/696819657085300736
February 8, 20169 yr comment_5726088 Dave's brief write up in the daily update about Bryan is fantastic
February 8, 20169 yr comment_5726089 Here's hoping he has long and healthy post-wrestling life. One of the best ever.
February 8, 20169 yr comment_5726090 Dave's brief write up in the daily update about Bryan is fantastic Daniel Bryan to announce retirementby Dave Meltzer I wish the best of luck to Bryan Danielson tonight in his retirement speech hope everyone wishes the best for him in his post-wrestling career. To me, Bryan Danielson was both a model pro wrestler and far more than that, a very intelligent and very honest human being. He reached the highest rung in this profession in 2014 even when his look and size based on previously established standards of the business would have said it was impossible. Unlike many, his rise to the top was entirely fan-driven, and I hope all those fans understand that whatever decision he has made is based on what he believes is the best for him in the long run. It will be a long time before people fully understand the contributions he made to this industry, which is a far better place because of his involvement. There were things dating back to 2001 that he was involved with that changed the underground foundation of the industry, and over the past few years, significantly changed talent evaluation at the highest level of the industry. Change is slow, to be sure, but this is a different industry and he played a huge part in it. When you really look back, from an influence standpoint, he triggered a number of changes and his contributions are actually enormous. On a side note: I was told that word spread today within WWE about Danielson. As of a few hours ago, the description was the mood was very somber backstage. Also, Danielson will be on ESPN with Jonathan Coachman tomorrow night talking about his retirement.
February 8, 20169 yr comment_5726092 If it would be a work, then it would be a heel turn if he attacks a face wrestler.
February 8, 20169 yr comment_5726094 I can't think of a single person on that roster that Bryan would get booed for beating up tonight. They'd be too happy that Bryan isn't really retiring. A heel turn would be the dumbest possible thing to try. Doesn't seem like a work to me anyway.
February 9, 20169 yr comment_5726103 Probably belongs in the TV thread, but fans are hijacking the opening segment already.
February 10, 20169 yr comment_5726360 Really interesting interview with him on Sportscenter. Short story is they found a lesion on his brain which it turns out was causing post-concussion seizures he'd been hiding. Frightening stuff. Hopefully good health for him the rest of the way.
February 10, 20169 yr comment_5726404 That's just insane. He was hiding post-concussion seizures yet the prevailing opinion was that WWE was the bad guy for not letting him wrestle again.
February 10, 20169 yr comment_5726407 Harrowing stuff. Here's hoping for a long and productive post wrestling career.
February 10, 20169 yr comment_5726412 That's just insane. He was hiding post-concussion seizures yet the prevailing opinion was that WWE was the bad guy for not letting him wrestle again. Well I would like to think that if people KNEW he was having seizures after concussions the opinion would have changed. We knew he was having lots of concussions but didn't know about the seizures. Not sure if he mentioned them in his book.
February 10, 20169 yr comment_5726413 Exactly. It's not at all surprising that fans of Bryan would take his side and happily paint the picture with WWE being the bad guys for not letting him rejoin the reindeer games. Can't really fault anyone for that. But if they're sticking by that sentiment knowing what's being let out now? Well that's something else entirely. I had no idea about the seizures. Haven't exactly followed the rumor mill closely by any means, but I'm all for the guy hanging it up and finding a new passion in life. I'd imagine it's heartbreaking to have his dream taken away like that, but he's in a great spot relative to some. In a perfect world, Bryan and WWE would find a way to feature him, provide him stable job security, AND allow him to contribute. The guy is clearly STILL incredibly over. There's no need to waste that, especially when (it seems) like he is still so invested in the business. On the other hand, it wouldn't really surprise me to see him totally distance himself from things. WWE doesn't strike me as his one love above "wrestling" in the broader sense. And I'm not sure where his head is at with all this stuff.
February 10, 20169 yr comment_5726452 There's no saying he couldn't be an announcer or manager or something along those lines. With as over as he is, he may overshadow anyone he represents as a manager though.
February 10, 20169 yr comment_5726474 There's no saying he couldn't be an announcer or manager or something along those lines. With as over as he is, he may overshadow anyone he represents as a manager though. Now you got me excited for a Team Angelesque unit with American Dragon managing American Alpha
February 11, 20169 yr comment_5726524 There's no saying he couldn't be an announcer or manager or something along those lines. With as over as he is, he may overshadow anyone he represents as a manager though. That really depends on him. It might be too painful to be a spectator and not a participant.
February 11, 20169 yr comment_5726527 That's just insane. He was hiding post-concussion seizures yet the prevailing opinion was that WWE was the bad guy for not letting him wrestle again. Well I would like to think that if people KNEW he was having seizures after concussions the opinion would have changed. We knew he was having lots of concussions but didn't know about the seizures. Not sure if he mentioned them in his book. I'm wondering how did he pass the tests from UCLA and the Arizona Cardinals' team doctors (which is what made WWE the bad guys) and they apparently never saw these lesions or detected the seizures. If you're undergoing tests at a top level neurology center they aren't just flashing a light in your eyes to get you back in the game like a football coach, they do enormously involved testing.
February 11, 20169 yr comment_5726529 On Sportscenter he explained that the test that he just took was a new type of test.
February 11, 20169 yr comment_5726532 The seizure stuff is pretty brutal. One wonders how long he's been suffering them, whether it's been long enough that he dissociated them from the concussions. That seems unlikely given he hid them from his doctors... which is just stupid insane if you've ever known anyone who suffered from them.
February 11, 20169 yr comment_5726535 The seizure stuff is pretty brutal. One wonders how long he's been suffering them, whether it's been long enough that he dissociated them from the concussions. That seems unlikely given he hid them from his doctors... which is just stupid insane if you've ever known anyone who suffered from them. On ESPN he didn't think they were linked until this new test.
February 11, 20169 yr comment_5726568 I do wonder if Maroon knew about the seizures when WWE took him off the road last April. That would explain why he wouldn't clear him, while other doctors would.
February 11, 20169 yr comment_5726580 There's no saying he couldn't be an announcer or manager or something along those lines. With as over as he is, he may overshadow anyone he represents as a manager though. Yeah. I guess. I was honestly thinking something more along the lines of Foley's and Regal's "Commissioner" gigs back in 2000 and '01. Something that could feature him weekly, allow him to contribute to the product overall, and give him opportunity to interact with guys all up and down the card - sort of the same way Mick would have segments with Kurt, The Rock, Edge & Christian, and everyone in between. Plus Bryan KILLED it in those Team Hell No skits. People tend to overlook that stuff when it comes to his "body of work", but it's a huge part of what got him over to another level with some of the fans. Bryan projects such a unique charm and charisma. I think it'd be the best way to utilize him. And sure. One could argue that there's a chance of him "overshadowing" the guys he interacts with, but that would always be the risk with The Rock, Foley, or anyone else really. I know I'd personally be all on board for segments of Bryan interacting with the New Day, Ambrose, Owens, etc. on a weekly basis. Of course, that goes back to my other concern - that maybe he'd just want to totally distance himself from things for awhile. This role would call for the exact opposite of that - thrusting himself back into the mix full bore and just being submerged in it all over again. Sometimes, it's just too disheartening to deal with that - having everything you want exist right outside your reach like that. Wouldn't fault the guy one bit for wanting to separate himself from the situation.
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