8 Stars Daniel Bryan Needs To Wrestle Outside WWE

4. Jon Moxley

In 2019, Jon Moxley allowed his WWE contract to expire. Passionate about wrestling, Moxley is one of the biggest stars in the sport today.

Bryan has expressed a desire to wrestle for other promotions. With his contract reportedly expired, Bryan could easily follow in Moxley’s footsteps, wrestling for anybody willing to book him.

The duo wouldn’t even have to go head-to-head in AEW if Bryan wanted to remain a free agent. If the former WWE Champion wanted to wrestle in an NJPW ring, he could easily challenge the current IWGP US Champion to a match on the cerulean blue mat.

Moxley has completely repackaged himself since leaving WWE. It would be fun to see how Moxley’s unscripted violence fairs against Bryan’s pure wrestling.

Most recently sharing the ring in 2018, Bryan and Moxley would tear the house down if they fought again, without limitations.


3. Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe was one of the more surprising names released by WWE in April. While the futures of both Joe and Bryan are uncertain, it would be amazing to see the two former WWE stars put on an instant classic, proving their worth.

Joe hasn’t wrestled since February 2020, with WWE reportedly reluctant to clear him for competition. If Joe wants to make an impactful return to action, a match with Daniel Bryan would get the world talking.

Bryan and Joe both became stars in ROH prior to their WWE runs. The stars faced off a number of times outside of WWE, most recently in 2006, for the ROH Heavyweight Championship.

The duo shared the ring a number of times in WWE too, last in action together in February 2019. With lots of speculation surrounding Joe and Bryan’s WWE departures, who wouldn’t want to see the 2 do battle, one last time?

Both performers were forced to sit on the side-lines for long periods of time due to their respective injuries. If Bryan and Samoa Joe returned to action together, the match would feel like a celebration, a feel-good moment for two wrestling veterans.


2. Zack Sabre Jr

Before arriving in WWE, Daniel Bryan had made a name for himself as one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the world. Bryan’s mat-based legacy was so certain, the Wrestling Observer even re-named their annual technical wrestling award in his honor.

The former WWE Champion won this best technical wrestler award for 9 consecutive years, from 2005 to 2013. Since then, the Bryan Danielson Award has been given to submission specialist Zack Sabre Jr each year.

Most recently awarded the prize in 2020, Sabre Jr has been recognised as the best technical wrestler for 7 years running. While this award doesn’t definitively decide anything, the symbolism cannot be ignored.

Bryan hasn’t shared a ring with Sabre Jr since 2009, losing to the British star at WXW 16 Carat Gold. Two of the greatest technicians in the game today, it would be interesting to see the duo trade holds.

Both men are extremely good at mixing old-school grappling with innovative offence. If Bryan and Sabre Jr get to share a ring again, it is highly likely fans will witness sequences they’ve never seen before.


1. Kenny Omega

According to the Leader of the Yes Movement, every time he steps into a ring, he wants to prove that there’s nobody better than Daniel Bryan. Outside of WWE, there aren’t many competitors doing better than Kenny Omega.

Omega currently holds the AAA Mega Championship, plus the IMPACT and AEW World Titles. If there is anything close to a “Final Boss” in wrestling, Kenny Omega fits that role.

Bryan recently praised Omega’s unique mind in an interview. Omega has also noted his respect for the former WWE Champion. With both performers respecting what the other brings to the table, a match between the two would be magical.

Throughout their careers, both men have proven their excellence on the mat. With Bryan and Omega both making a name for themselves internationally, the whole world would be watching if the two stars went head to head.

Bryan has only faced Omega one-on-one once, at PWG One Hundred in 2009. If there’s a non-WWE rivalry that Bryan needs to revisit, it’s this one, without question.

What are your thoughts on the above story? Let us know in the comments on Twitter or Facebook.

3 years ago by Sanchez Taylor

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