As most of you know by now, Daniel Bryan has retired from professional wrestling. Bryan’s segment aired just after 11pm eastern. Here is a recap of his retirement speech:
Lilian Garcia introduced Bryan and his music played. He came out to an awesome reaction and it looked like the entire arena was doing the “YES” chants. Michael Cole reminded us that Bryan will be on ESPN SportsCenter on Tuesday night. Bryan stood in the ring and closed his eyes while fans chanted his name.
He says that he was not able to close his eyes and feel it (the fans) in a way that he never got to feel it before. He said that he would never forget that experience. He says that it is now the time to address the giant elephant in the room. He joked and said that he didn’t want to shave his beard. He said that he wanted to cut his hair and he looked silly with the giant beard. He said he cut his hair for a charity called “Wigs For Kids.” They make wigs for kids who have cancer and they don’t charge the families for it.
Bryan said that the truth is that he’s been wrestling since he was 18 years old and within the first 5 months of his career he already had 3 concussions. Years after that he’d get a concussion here and there and it gets to the point that it adds up to a lot of concussions. He said that it gets to a point where they tell you that you can’t wrestle anymore and he fought that for a long time because he got EEG’s and brain MRI’s and they all said that he was fine and he was told that he could come back and wrestle. He said that he was ready to come back and wrestle. Bryan said that he took a test a week and a half ago that said that maybe his brain was not as ok as he thought it was. He said that he and his wife want to start having kids soon. Fans chanted “YES” and he said “that’s what Brie says all the time!” Fnas popped for that. Fans chanted “holy shit” and “that’s what she said.”
“It is with a heavy heart and utmost sadness that I officially announce my retirement.” Bryan said that he’s gone through different emotions but today he felt nothing but gratitude because he got to do what he loved for nearly 16 years. He talked about the things that he loves. He said that he loves the Seahawks. He also said that right before his music hits, he gets a weird smirk on his face and it brings joy to his heart every time. He also said that he loves hitting the ropes and diving through them and it made him feel like Superman. He also said that he wrestled in the parking lots of gas stations and in front of 70,000+ people in New Orleans. He said that he has gotten to meet the most amazing people in this planet…people like Kane. He mentioned his mentor and friend William Regal. He said that he got to meet children like Connor Michalek.
“I am very grateful because wrestling doesn’t owe me or anybody back there.” He said that he and the Superstars in the back do this because they love to do this. He said that fans just got behind him in a way that he never thought was possible and for that he is grateful. He said that a little over 2 years ago in this same arena, the fans hijacked Raw and they were trying to do a championship coronation between Randy Orton and John Cena and there were a bunch of former champions in the ring and fans wouldn’t stop chanting for him. Bryan got choked up as he talked about his dad. He said that his dad was sitting in the crowd on that night and he got to see the fans giving him that kind of reaction. He said it was the last time his dad got to see him wrestle and the fans made it special for him, his dad and his entire family.
“I am grateful because of wrestling I got to meet the most wonderful woman in the world.” He said that is because of wrestling. He is grateful because he gets to come out in front of his hometown fans and he gets to announce his retirement in front of a bunch of people who love him and he gets to share this moment with his mom, his sister, his family, and friends. He said that he gets to share it with his wife and the wonderful human beings in the back.
He said tomorrow morning is when he starts a new life. It’s a life where he is no longer a wrestler but that is tomorrow and that is not tonight. “By damn I have one more night to feel this energy and to feel this crowd.” He asked for one last “YES” chant. His music played and the crowd erupted in a “YES” chant as Brie came down to the ring to join her husband.
They went off the air at about 11:25pm but they aired bonus coverage on the WWE Network. Bryan took the time to greet fans at ringside and to hug the announcers and staff. As he walked up the ramp area we saw the WWE roster on the stage area. Vince McMahon, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were front and center on the stage. Brie joined Bryan as they walked to the back.
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