Daniel Bryan Announces His Retirement On RAW (Video)

Daniel Bryan’s in-ring career is over. The former WWE World Heavyweight champion broke the news on Twitter on Monday afternoon and then addressed the WWE Universe at the conclusion of Monday’s RAW. Bryan came out to a tremendous ovation from the crowd. Loud yes chants and a thunderous Daniel Bryan chant. Another yes chant broke out as Bryan took it all in. Bryan said he was able to feel the crowd’s love and it’s something he will never forget. He jokes about cutting his hair and trimming his beard. He says he donated his hair to a charity called Wigs for Kids. Bryan said he’s been wrestling since he was 18 and has gotten many concussions throughout his 16 year career. He did everything he could to get cleared, but WWE’s doctors won’t let him get back in the ring. A Thank You Daniel chant begins. A week ago he took a test that told him his brain might not be as good as he thinks it is. He has a family now, he and his wife are thinking about having kids soon. The crowd chants Yes and Bryan said that’s what Brie says all the time. The crowd began chanting That’s What She Said.

Bryan said it is with a heavy heart that he has to officially announce his retirement. He’s gone through a range of emotions but when he woke up today, all he felt was gratitude. Bryan talks about things he loves. The Seattle Seahawks. The crowd reaction when his music hits. Diving through the ropes. He’s wrestled in the parking lots of gas stations and in front of 70,000 people at WrestleMania. Kane. William Regal. Conor. He’s grateful that everybody got behind him. Bryan talked about the night the fans hijacked RAW in this arena in the ceremony of champions with John Cena and Randy Orton. His father was ringside that night and that was the last time his dad got to see him wrestle. Because of wrestling, he got to meet the most wonderful woman in the world. He’s grateful that he gets to have this moment with his family at ringside, his wife in the back and everything else. Tomorrow morning, he starts a new life where he is no longer a wrestler. But that is tomorrow and that’s not tonight. He got the crowd to do one last Yes chant as Brie came to the ring and they celebrate to end the show.