Bryan Danielson

Bryan Danielson: 2023 Biography, Net Worth, Family, Income

Bryan Danielson was born on May 22nd, 1981 in Aberdeen, Washington, and he is a professional wrestler currently signed to AEW. Danielson is also a former WWE Superstar, a four-time world champion, and widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

In 1999 he began his wrestling training at WWE legend Shawn Michaels’ school the Texas Wrestling Academy. He trained under Michaels and Rudy Gonzalez before making his debut as American Dragon that same year. After making appearances for TWA and FMA in Japan he signed a developmental deal with WWE. He was assigned to Memphis Championship Wrestling, where he was trained and mentored by William Regal, a man Danielson credits as vital in his career development.

While in MCW, Danielson won the Light Heavyweight Championship in 2000 and the Tag Team Championships in 2001. That same year WWE severed ties with the promotion resulting in Danielson being released from his contract. Despite the release, Danielson appeared for WWE programming over the next two years competing in six matches on Heat and Velocity.

In 2002 he joined the new Philadelphia promotion Ring of Honor and would establish himself as one of the best professional wrestlers in the world. He headlined ROH’s first-ever event The Era of Honor Begins, in a Three-Way Dance against Christopher Daniels and Low Ki to crown the inaugural world champion. Despite not winning the title on that occasion Danielson was a focal part of the promotion facing the likes of CM Punk, The Amazing Red and Samoa Joe. During this time he also appeared in NJPW where he faced legends Jushin Thunder Liger, Masahiro Chono and Yuji Nagata in the NJPW Toukon Series.

Danielson continued to wrestle for both promotions as well NWA, PWG and IWA Mid-South. In 2004 he captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with Curry Man (Christopher Daniels). The following year he captured the ROH World Championship and would hold it for 462 days. His title reign saw him successfully defend it against the likes of Chris Hero, Naomichi Marufuji, Roderick Strong, Nigel McGuinness and AJ Styles.

During this time he returned to Japan this time for Pro Wrestling Noah where he fought KENTA, Go Shiozaki, and Jun Akiyama. Danielson continued to appear for the promotion over the next few years as well as

In 2009 he signed a developmental deal with WWE and in 2010 was assigned to FCW before being renamed, Daniel Bryan. He made his main roster debut on the gameshow version of NXT with the Miz as his mentor. The two would constantly clash and attack each other resulting in a match that Bryan won. Bryan re-debuted as a member of a group of disgruntled former contestants known as Nexus. The group gate-crashed an episode of Raw attacking John Cena and destroying the ring. During the onslaught, Bryan choked out ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own tie leading WWE to legitimately release him for being too violent.

Following his release he returned to the independent circuit where he wrestled for CHIKARA, NWA, PWG, EVOLVE and Dragon Gate USA. A few months later WWE announced they had resigned Danielson and he returned to the company at SummerSlam as a surprise member of Team WWE in a seven-on-seven elimination tag team match against his former stable Nexus. During the match, the Miz rekindled his rivalry with Bryan by attacking him. Over the following month, Bryan the Miz would feud and at Night of Champions Bryan defeated The Miz to win the United States Championship.

In 2011, Bryan won the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match thus earning a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. Bryan successfully cashed in his contract at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs against Big Show, who had just defeated Mark Henry for the title. The gruelling match allowed Bryan to secure a pinfall victory and become the World Heavyweight Champion, and the first-ever wrestler from NXT to win a WWE world championship.

As champion, he began to turn heel. He displayed a new-found ignorance and overconfidence. He also began an on-screen relationship with AJ Lee. However, her feelings for him were not reciprocated and after his 18-second loss to Sheamus for the title at WrestleMania 28 he publicly chastised her and ended their relationship. Following the loss, Bryan entered a feud with Kane, WWE Champion CM Punk and a jilted AJ Lee.

Lee cost Bryan and Kane the title in a Three Way Match at No Way Out and then officiated a No Disqualification championship match between Punk and Bryan at Money in the Bank, which Bryan also lost. To get his career back on track Bryan proposed to Lee, who accepted only to stand him up at the alter. Lee then took on the role of Raw General Manager and continued to make his life on the brand hell. She denied him another title shot and forced him to face Kane at SummerSlam. In turn, Bryan became angry and unhinged repeatedly shouting “NO!” at every decision that went against him.

As Bryan and Kane’s feud spiralled out of control, Lee enrolled them in Dr Shelby’s anger management classes. The duo were then forced to team up and despite their hatred and constant bickering, they won the win the WWE Tag Team Championships at Night of Champions. Known as Team Hell No they successfully defended against the Rhodes Scholars, 3MB, before along with Ryback were attacked by The Shield resulting in all six men facing each other in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match at TLC.

In 2013, after another defence against Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston, they once again got crossed paths with the Shield. At Extreme Rules, they lost their titles to Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, ending their reign at 245 days. The loss caused, the team to break up and Bryan to thrive in singles action and headline SummerSlam against John Cena for the WWE Championship. However, WWE chairman Vince McMahon was against Bryan stating his look was not that of a WWE champion. Triple H came to Bryan’s defence and inserted himself as special guest referee in the match in order to cease McMahon from trying to affect the outcome.

Bryan defeated Cena to win his first WWE Championship but Triple H screwed him and dropped him with a Pedigree allowing Randy Orton to cash in his Money in the Bank contract to take the title from Bryan. At Night of Champions, Bryan defeated Orton to regain the WWE Championship, but he was stripped of the title the following night on Raw by Triple H. Bryan challenged Orton for the vacant championship on Hell in a Cell, but was screwed once again when special guest referee Shawn Michaels hit Bryan with Sweet Chin Music on behalf of Triple H.

The screw job manifested insurmountable support from the WWE fanbase. The audience was fully behind him every step in his fight against the Authority who were hellbent on stopping Bryan from becoming champion. This support was in full effect in the lead-up to WrestleMania XXX as the live crowd refused to accept anyone in line for the championship other than Bryan.

Bryan fought his way back into World Heavyweight Championship contention and competed in the Elimination Chamber match with the title on the line. He reached the final two participants but interference from the Authority made sure he remained title-less again.

Following yet another title defeat the members of the ‘Yes! Movement’ took an episode of Raw hostage. They stormed the ring and refused to leave until Bryan received a championship match at WrestleMania XXX. A furious Triple H agreed to their demands but he would have to go through him first. At the show, Bryan defeated Triple H in the opening match and therefore inserted into the championship bout. Bryan prevailed over Batista and Orton in the main event to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

Unfortunately, Bryan’s crowning achievement was short-lived. He successfully defended the title against Kane at the next PPV, Extreme Rules but a neck injury derailed his championship run. After successful surgery, Bryan was stripped of the championship and removed from television to rehab his injury.

Bryan returned to WWE the following year and inserted himself in the race for the Intercontinental Championship. He won the multi-man ladder match at WrestleMania for the title for the first time in his career becoming Grand Slam Champion in the process. Shortly after the victory issues stemming from his previous injury resurfaced. Bryan relinquished the Intercontinental Championship and was removed from active competition for the rest of 2015.

The following year Bryan announced his retirement due to concussion related issues. He remained in WWE and was revealed as the General Manager of SmackDown Live! Alongside Shane McMahon, Bryan was influential in re-establishing SmackDown and WWE’s second brand. In 2018, Bryan and McMahon became embroiled in feud with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. After nearly 2-years out of action Bryan announced he would return to the ring at WrestleMania 34 to team with McMahon against Owens and Zayn.

Back on the active roster, Bryan resigned as SmackDown GM. A feud with the Miz resulted in Bryan qualifying for a shot a the WWE Championship held by AJ Styles. Bryan defeated AJ Styles to win the Championship for the fourth time following a low blow turning heel in the process. At the following PPV, Survivor Series, Bryan faced Brock Lesnar in a champion vs. champion non-title match.

As champion Bryan declared himself as the Plant’s Champion and unveiled a new title, made from sustainable materials. He successfully defended the title against Styles, Owens and Mustafa Ali before losing it to Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 35. After the loss, Bryan and Eric Rowan defeated The Usos for the vacant SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

Bryan then entered a feud with Universal Champion, The Feind Bray Wyatt. Bryan unsuccessfully challenged for the title at Survivor Series and Royal Rumble.

In 2021, Bryan once again pursued the Universal Championship this time against Roman Reigns. Bryan won the Elimination Chamber, where the winner would immediately receive a title match, but he was quickly defeated by Reigns. Bryan received a rematch at Fastlane that ended in a no-contest after special guest referee, Edge struck champion and challenger with a steel chair. This resulted in a Triple-Threat Match at WrestleMania 37, in which Reigns emerged victorious. Bryan challenged Reigns once again in a title vs career match, which would be his final match in WWE.

At AEW All Out, Bryan Danielson made his surprise debut. He confronted the Elite and challenged Kenny Omega to a match. At the inaugural Grand Slam, they fought a critically acclaimed 30-minute time-limit draw. Danielson then challenged Adam Hangman Page for the AEW World Championship at Winter is Coming, which resulted in a 60-minute time-limit draw.

Alongside John Moxley and William Regal, Danielson formed the Blackpool Combat Club and entered a lengthy feud with the Jericho Appreciation Society. During the feud, Danielson unsuccessfully challenged for both the ROH World Championship and the ROH Pure Championship.

Net Worth

Bryan Danielson has an estimated net worth of $12 Million.

Family

Bryan Danielson is married to Brie Bella. The couple got married in 2015 and have two children – a son named Buddy and a daughter called Birdie.

Income

Daniel Bryan’s Salary In 2022 is a reported $1.1 million a year.

Record

According to Cagematch.net Bryan Danielson has wrestled a total of 1911 matches during his 14-year career. Of those matches, he has won 1158, lost 692 and drew 61. These statistics give him a winning percentage of 60.6%

Figure correct on January 6th 2023.

WWE Career

• World Heavyweight Champion – 4 Times
• Tag Team Champion – 2 Times
• Intercontinental Champion
• United States Champion

Foundation and Charity

During his time in WWE Danielson was heavily involved in Conner’s Cure as well as the Make-A-Wish foundation. In 2015 he cut and donated his hair to Wigs 4 Kids.