Wrestling fans around the world let out a collective “YES!” this week when everyone’s favorite underdog announced he has been cleared by WWE doctors for his in-ring return. Daniel Bryan addressed SmackDown Live on March 2oth and it seems we now know where that first match is going to happen. Outside the ring Bryan is known as a down to Earth guy and enjoys to live simply. But how he lives may be misleading. Weekly TV appearances with WWE, two reality TV shows, and a book have to add up to something right? So how much is Bryan actually worth?
Daniel Bryan Net Worth: $8 Million
Turns out it does add up to something, $8 Million. Bryan hasn’t always been at the pinnacle of the wrestling world, how did he get there?
Early Life
Bryan was born in Aberdeen, Washington. His father worked in logging and his mother was a Therapist. They divorced when Bryan was young. He grew up an avid wrestling fan often trying moves out against his friends in the living room. When he was young he cites The Ultimate Warrior as his favorite wrestler but as he grew older, but not taller, his taste changed. He started seeing guys like Dean Malenko and began to see how he could make his dream of wrestling come true. There was a place at the table for small technical wrestlers and he was going to take it.
1999-2000
Bryan originally trained at the Texas Wrestling Academy which was owned by Shawn Michaels. Bryan learned from Michaels and the other trainers and also became close with Brain Kendrick in this time. Bryan also lists William Regal as a major mentor in his career even going so far as to incorporate Regal’s signature Maroon into his own gear.
2001-2009
Bryan really cut his teeth as the American Dragon on the Independent circuit. He often toured the UK and Japan. He spent a short time with New Japan Pro Wrestling and even had a stint as one half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions with Curry Man, who was fellow Ring of Honor all-star Christopher Daniels. The Promotion he is most synonymous with outside of WWE is Ring of Honor. He spent years as a mainstay and held the promotions top title for an incredible 462 days.
2009-Present
Bryan finally signed with WWE in 2009 and has spent most of his career there since. He has found incredible success winning the United States Championship, the Intercontinental Championship, The Tag Team Championship with Kane as Team Hell No, Money in the Bank 2011, 12 Slammys, The WWE Championship, and The World Heavy Weight Champion. You name it Bryan has won it. He also met his wife, who wrestles under the name Brie Bella, while there. Since his tenure, he has been a prominent figure on both Total Divas and Total Bellas, the former actually paying for and televising his wedding to Brie. He also wrote a book titled Yes!: My Improbable Journey to the Main Event of Wrestlemania that chronicled his journey to Wrestlemania 30.
Daniel Bryan has had an amazing career and it looks like it’s about to add a few more chapters. Great ready for a whole lot more YES chants.
