During a recent chat with SoloWrestling, Daniel Bryan has revealed that his heel run in 2018-2019 was “by far” his favourite as WWE Champion.
In November 2018, Daniel Bryan shocked the world when he defeated AJ Styles with a low blow to begin his fourth reign as WWE Champion. In the process, he turned heel for the first time since 2012 and introduced the WWE Universe to the “Planet’s Champion” and “The New” Daniel Bryan.
One question host Miguel Uceda asks Bryan is “So far, what has been your favourite reign?“. A question which the answer might surprise you.
Being the Planet Champion was by far my favourite. It’s interesting because in WWE my reigns have never been very good.
I won the championship at WrestleMania XXX but had to vacate it some time later due to a neck injury, and I also won the World Heavyweight Championship in 2011 but lost it in 18 seconds at WrestleMania XXVIII. Those reigns didn’t feel as special as when I was Planet Champion and a bad boy.
Bryan makes the point that one of the key factors in the success of his “Planet’s Champion” run was how it ended. Dropping the belt to Kofi Kingston at Mania being a great match, and moment to be a part of.
I loved the way it started, and everyone who competes hates to lose a championship, but if we’re going to lose it, let it be in a great match at WrestleMania against someone who really deserves it, and that’s what happened when I lost that one against Kofi Kingston. I had a lot of fun with that reign and I loved the hemp championship.
The Grand Slam Champion goes on to explain his thoughts on wrestling long into his tenure and whether retirement is on his mind just yet.
I’m still a full-time wrestler today but I don’t think I’ll be a full-time wrestler for much longer, but it’s weird because I’ve never considered the option of retirement.
I want to fight until I’m old, and I mean very old. I love wrestling and have always been inspired by people like Jerry Lawler and Terry Funk, and even European wrestlers like Jonny Saint, who was fighting in his 60s and 70s, and not because they needed the money, they did it because they loved to do it.
39 year old Bryan is currently one of the favourites to win the men’s Royal Rumble match next Sunday and potentially face Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 37. You can keep up with all the details for the Royal Rumble PPV at Inside the Ropes here.
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