Back last May, when Daniel Bryan had to relinquish the Intercontinental Title due to another injury, I wrote a piece on him right here. Rereading it now, it might be my favorite thing I’ve written on this blog, or at least the top three. Back when I wrote that, we didn’t know if he would ever wrestle again. Now though, the question has been answered.
Daniel Bryan retired on Monday Night Raw last night, in an emotional moment that went almost 30 minutes over time but felt over far too son. I can’t call it a promo, because there was no “sports entertainment,” there was no payoff. There was just a man whose role on TV had always been one of dealing with under-appreciation and disrespect, finally being given an opportunity to be the star we knew he was. (more…)