Former WWE Superstar Bryan Danielson, widely regarded as one of the finest wrestlers in modern history, experienced a notable setback during his iconic WrestleMania 30 victory. On that night, then known as Daniel Bryan, he defeated Batista and Randy Orton to claim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. However, WWE’s decision to bar his then-fiancée Brie Bella from joining him inside the ring to celebrate the milestone sparked backlash and accusations of pettiness within the wrestling community.
Vince Russo Criticizes WWE’s Decision During Wrestling Podcast
Vince Russo, former WWE head writer, expressed strong disapproval of WWE’s choice to prevent Brie Bella from entering the ring to share the moment with Danielson. Speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s The Wrestling Outlaws show, Russo questioned the rationale behind the restriction and insisted that such a decision was unnecessarily petty. He highlighted that if he had been the writer, allowing Brie in the ring would not have been an issue, especially given there was no storyline conflict between her and Danielson.
“The thing that stands out to me is the pettiness. Brie can’t go in the ring and celebrate that victory. Like why? That’s the wrestling pettiness. Now the difference would have been if I was the writer and he said, ‘Vince, would it be okay if she came in the ring with, we’ll just get married in two days.’ I would say, ‘Brian, that’s not a problem.’ It’s not like bro, they were in some angle against each other. I mean, if they were in an angle against each other, that’s one thing, but that wasn’t the case,” Russo said. [3:19 onwards]
Bryan Danielson’s Ongoing Legacy Beyond WWE
Following his celebrated run in WWE, Bryan Danielson reached new heights outside the company, currently competing in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He captured the AEW World Championship before retiring from full-time wrestling after his loss to Jon Moxley at AEW WrestleDream. Despite moving on from WWE, the incident during WrestleMania 30 remains a widely discussed event among fans and industry insiders alike, underscoring the emotional importance of recognition during career-defining moments.
Lasting Impact of the WrestleMania Celebration Controversy
The denial of a simple celebration moment for Bryan Danielson and Brie Bella at WrestleMania reveals the sometimes strict and petty nature of wrestling promotions concerning personal relationships and on-screen appearances. This story highlights the tension between creative decisions and the personal significance of milestone victories for wrestlers. Fans and commentators continue to reflect on what might have been a more heartfelt and memorable moment had WWE been more accommodating.
