5 Dream Matches Daniel Bryan Can Now Have in WWE

daniel bryan
Source: WWE

In what might prove to the best wrestling related news story of the entire year, WWE have officially announced that Daniel Bryan is now medically cleared to wrestle once more. Bryan has spent much of his time post-retirement talking about how he has been cleared by every doctor he’s seen apart from WWE’s, something that was a constant source of frustration for the bearded fan favourite.

It seems clear that Bryan’s first match back will be him teaming with Shane McMahon to take on the tandem of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at WrestleMania. While this isn’t a terrible match-up, it isn’t exactly the one-on-one mat classic that we’re all fantasising about. But this isn’t a one and done deal, it seems, Daniel Bryan is here to stay, and there’s a plethora of dream matches that WWE can put on with his involvement. Here are five of those matches.

Honourable Mentions: Johnny Gargano, Ricochet, Andrade “Cien” Almas, Seth Rollins, EC 3, Finn Bálor

 

1. Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe
Source: WWE

Selling Daniel Bryan vs. Samoa Joe is easier than selling for Braun Strowman, by which I mean it sells itself. The two men are ROH legends, with Joe still standing as the longest-reigning ROH World Champion in history, with his first and only reign lasting 645 days. Bryan is an ROH legend himself, being considered a “founding father” of the company. He and CM Punk really were the first ROH stalwarts to break through and find mainstream success in the WWE bubble.

This match could cause potential risks to Bryan’s health, as we don’t know where he is right now in terms of injury recovery. Samoa Joe works a rough style that Daniel would have to adapt to, but the two are such capable workers that they could pull it off. “The Samoan Submission Machine” will be in need of a big time feud upon his return from injury, a match with Daniel Bryan would be just the ticket.

 

2. the miz

The Miz
Image Source:
youtube.com

No, you didn’t read that wrong, Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz would be absolute money. Say what you like about the inclusion of this match over bouts that would be more technically proficient, wrestling should always be about telling a story. The rivalry between The Miz and Daniel Bryan dates all the way back to the former’s now legendary worked shoot on Talking Smack, where he called out Bryan for his “unsafe” in-ring style that led him to an early retirement. Bryan made no effort to hide the resentment he felt in that moment, and the lines between kayfabe and reality were blurred beyond measure.

You can’t have a year and a half of set up without any pay off. The Miz still uses Bryan’s patented “Yes Kicks” as a part of his move set, it’s time for Daniel to come back and reclaim his former glory from the man who used his misfortune to his advantage. The reason Miz is as over as he is right now is because of his disdain for Daniel Bryan, not following through with a match would be madness.

 

3. aj styles

AJ Styles
Source: WWE

Isn’t it obvious? AJ Styles is possibly the most renowned in-ring performer in the world today. You’d be hard-pressed to find a wrestling fan who didn’t have anything positive to say about “The Phenomenal One”. WWE have done a surprisingly great job of booking AJ since he debuted at the 2016 Royal Rumble. During his tenure, he’s become both a two-time United States and WWE Champion, and he currently rules the roost on SmackDown Live with the latter title.

AJ and Bryan’s interaction in the ring has been limited, as Styles spent the bulk of his career as the crown jewel of TNA, while D-Bry was tearing it up in ROH. To see these two men, these two standard bearers of independent wrestling tangle with each other in the hallowed halls of WWE would probably break Dave Meltzer’s star system. Anybody who claims they don’t want to see this match is a liar.

 

4. Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle
Source: WWE

Shortly before his return to WWE, Kurt Angle was asked who he would have liked to have wrestled that he didn’t get the opportunity to during his career. His two answers were Bret Hart in his prime and, of course, Daniel Bryan. Sadly, we don’t have a time machine and will never get to see the masterpiece that Bret vs. Kurt would have been, but we can have the next best thing.

It almost seems like the stars have aligned for this one. Both men are back in the WWE family as active competitors, and if they’re both treated as special attractions to preserve their health, there’s no reason why this can’t happen. Two all-time great workers exchanging lengthy chain wrestling sequences and grapple holds, The Ankle Lock vs. The Yes! Lock. Indulge us, WWE, please.

 

5. Shinsuke nakamura

nakamure
Source: WWE

This is it, this is the match, the one everyone thought about the moment it was announced that Bryan was cleared. Hell, Nakamura himself even tweeted about it within 20 minutes of the announcement, something he wouldn’t have been allowed to do without WWE’s blessing.

Shinsuke Nakamura and Daniel Bryan have never wrestled each other, but they do have history. They were roommates at one point, and in a rather cute story, Bryan introduced “The King of Strong Style” to doughnuts when he first came to the United States. But anecdotes aren’t wrestling matches, and this wouldn’t just be a wrestling match, it would be an event worthy of headlining any show it was placed on. Simply put, if we don’t see this happen, WWE would be looking a gift goat in the mouth.

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