WWE's Daniel Bryan retires at age 34 due to medical reasons

WWE superstar Daniel Bryan, who has reportedly been sidelined since last April due to a concussion, announced on Monday that he was retiring from professional wrestling at the age of 34.

 

	Daniel Bryan @WWEDanielBryan
Due to medical reasons, effective immediately, I am announcing my retirement. Tonight on Raw, I'll have a chance to elaborate. #gratitude 10:07 AM - 8 Feb 2016

The former independent wrestling star (real name Bryan Danielson) has battled injuries over the last two years. Shortly after defeating Randy Orton and Batista for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30 in 2014, Bryan underwent neck surgery and had to vacate the title.

He returned to the WWE prior to the 2015 Royal Rumble and was victorious at WrestleMania 31 — this time for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Bryan’s reign as champion was even shorter as he announced on May 11, 2015, that he would be out of action for a prolonged period of time.

The consummate underdog due to his stature, Bryan made his debut in the WWE in 2010 as part of NXT. Following a brief firing due after choking announcer Justin Roberts with his necktie during a scripted segment, Bryan returned in August 2010 and his career and popularity started to take off. He’s best known for the “Yes!” movement that took off in 2013 and became a popular chant across multiple sports.

His retirement comes one day after a new Tide commercial playing off Bryan’s underdog status debuted.

	Jonathan Stewart @Jonathanstewar1	Feb 6
	It took a whole season for everyone to believe. Time to #KeepPounding to a championship. #SmallButPowerful @Tide #ad pic.twitter.com/2XtDeuaT6L
	View photo·

	Emmitt Smith @EmmittSmith22	Feb 7
	I’ve been there @JonathanStewar1. I silenced the critics just like @MiaHamm. You can too #SmallButPowerful @Tide #ad pic.twitter.com/xOS905iEMZ
	View conversation·

	Mia Hamm @MiaHamm	Feb 7
	The best motivation is "you can't," @EmmittSmith22. I know @DanicaPatrick agrees. #SmallButPowerful @Tide #ad pic.twitter.com/awZWZLZXkW
	View conversation·

	Danica Patrick @DanicaPatrick	Feb 7
	They say NO, we say YES. That's how to prove 'em wrong @MiaHamm. Right, @WWEDanielBryan? #SmallButPowerful @Tide #ad pic.twitter.com/Ssd1lzBC4O
	View conversation·

	Daniel Bryan @WWEDanielBryan
People are STILL telling me no, @DanicaPatrick. It’s my job to change their answer to… #SmallButPowerful @Tide #ad pic.twitter.com/Jw1KcqhPiv 3:00 PM - 7 Feb 2016

Bryan will further elaborate on his retirement later this evening on “Monday Night Raw."