Daniel Bryan announced his shocking retirement from the world of professional wrestling on Monday, and he later explained on RAW that the medical issues he’s dealing with have to do with concussions.
Speaking to a packed house of his hometown fans at KEY Arena in Seattle, the Washington native said he underwent tests recently that showed he shouldn’t be wrestling anymore.
An emotional Bryan told his fans and viewers that he began wrestling at 18 and suffered three concussions in his first five months in the sport. He then got them here and there as he continued to wrestle.
“When you’ve been wrestling for 16 years, it adds up to a lot of concussions,” Bryan told the crowd on RAW. “And it gets to a point where they tell you you can’t wrestle anymore. For a long time I fought that because I have loved this in a way that I have never loved anything else.”
Bryan was choked up and fighting back tears throughout most of his speech.
“A week and a half ago I took a test that said maybe my brain isn’t as OK as I thought it was. I have a family to think about. And it is with a heavy heart and the utmost sadness that I officially announce my retirement.”
Bryan did say he had plans to start a family and have kids with his wife, Brie Bella, an announcement that drew a roar from the crowd.
Bryan mentioned multiple times how grateful he was for the fans, and he closed things out with a huge YES! chant.
Bryan is a lovable wrestler and his YES! movement is one of the most fun gimmicks the sport has seen. He will be greatly missed.
