WWE star Daniel Bryan retires due to medical reasons

MANILA, Philippines – Perhaps one of the most popular World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstars in the company’s modern era, Daniel Bryan is hanging up his boots for good due to complications from neck injuries and concussions.

Bryan, whose real name is Bryan Lloyd Danielson, announced his retirement on Twitter on Tuesday, February 9 (PH Time), before making a live appearance on the latest edition of WWE Raw to bid his final farewell.

Due to medical reasons, effective immediately, I am announcing my retirement. Tonight on Raw, I’ll have a chance to elaborate. #gratitude

— Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) February 8, 2016

The 34-year-old native of Aberdeen, Washington, has battled lingering injuries over the last two years. 

Shortly after defeating Randy Orton and Dave Batista to capture the WWE world heavyweight championship at WrestleMania 30 in 2014, Bryan underwent neck surgery that forced him to vacate the title. 

Bryan made his comeback prior to the 2015 Royal Rumble and was victorious at WrestleMania 31, where he claimed the promotion’s Intercontinental title by coming out on top in a 7-man ladder match.

However, Bryan’s reign as intercontinental champion was even shorter as he declared in May 2015 that he would be out of action for a prolonged period of time due to the same ailment. 

In January, Bryan was reportedly cleared by physicians at UCLA to return to the squared-circle, but WWE doctors did not give him the green light. 

During his emotional send-off in front of a hometown crowd at the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington, Bryan said he has no regrets and remains grateful over his nearly 16-year run in professional wrestling. 

“I felt nothing but gratitude because I got to do something I love for nearly 16 years,” he said. 

After his farewell speech, Bryan shook the hands of every fan at ringside and gestured for one final “Yes” chant along with his wife, Brie Bella, and other WWE performers on stage.

One final #YES chant for @WWEDanielBryan on @WWENetwork! #ThankYouDanielBryan #RAW https://t.co/vFl3b1Jdj0

— WWE (@WWE) February 9, 2016

Bryan became a popular professional wrestler during a stint with the Ring of Honor promotion in the early 2000s.

His immense following and high-risk style landed him a developmental deal with WWE, where he quickly turned out to be one of the organization’s most popular figures.

Billed as the ultimate underdog due to his 5-foot-10 physique, Bryan made his promotional debut in 2010 as part of NXT, where he choked announcer Justin Roberts with his necktie during a scripted segment and got fired. 

Bryan re-signed with WWE in August 2010 and his career and popularity started to take off with the “Yes!” movement that became a popular chant across multiple sports. 

An abrupt retirement is not new scenery in WWE as Adam Copeland, otherwise known as Edge, had called it quits out of nowhere in 2011 due to medical reasons. 

Bryan was last seen in action when he teamed up with John Cena in a tag team match against Cesaro and Tyson Kidd on the April 16, 2015 episode of WWE Smackdown.

Like Edge, Bryan managed to reach the WWE mountaintop before retiring, which only a handful of wrestlers have achieved. – Rappler.com