Daniel Bryan: The American Dragon Part 4

By CJ Blaze

Part 4: United States Championship and Various Feuds

Daniel Bryan continued to feud with The Miz after coming back to WWE. At Night of Champions, Bryan defeated The Miz to win his first United States Championship. At Hell in a Cell, Bryan successfully defended it against Morrison and The Miz in a triple threat submissions count anywhere match. At Bragging Rights, he beat the Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler in a champion vs. champion match, and then he beat Ted DiBiase at Survivor Series.

In the latter part of 2010, Daniel developed a relationship with The Bella Twins, and he became the mentor for Derrick Bateman in season four of NXT. In an odd turn of events in January 2011, it was revealed that Daniel had a secret relationship with Gail Kim. On the March 14 edition of Raw, Sheamus defeated Daniel Bryan for the US title. I actually attended that Raw. The rematch was supposed to take place at WrestleMania 27, but it ended up being a lumberjack match that turned into a battle royal. Not to mention, this all took place before ‘Mania went on air.

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As apart of the Supplemental Draft of 2011, Daniel Bryan was drafted to SmackDown. His direction was up in the air, as he teamed with Sin Cara for a short feud with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. 

Bryan managed to qualify for the SmackDown Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Being up against seven other men, Daniel Bryan shocked the WWE Universe, and won the match! The briefcase allowed Daniel to cash it in for a World Heavyweight title match anytime and anywhere for the next 365 days. In the following weeks, Bryan declared that he would cash-in at WrestleMania 28, and that he would grow his beard out until he was champion. 

Bryan began to get involved with the World champion, Mark Henry, and Big Show in early November. Daniel won a fatal-four-way match to earn another opportunity at the title.On November 29, Mark Henry retained the title in a steel cage match. Soon after, AJ and Daniel started to show affection for each other, which led to AJ accompanying him during his matches. 

Next Time: Part 5- Holding Gold on the Road to WrestleMania