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Daniel Bryan’s time in WWE was largely successful, with him becoming one of the most popular babyfaces in the history of professional wrestling during his rise to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. During his major rise between 2013 and 2014, there was a period of time in which he took a direction away from trying to win championship gold, as he became embroiled in a feud with The Wyatt Family. It would lead to a forgotten team as he would actually join Bray Wyatt’s faction, teaming up with Wyatt and the other members of the stable. This was a storyline which had some strong moments and matches, but often goes forgotten due to it taking place in the midst of Bryan’s ascent to the top.
Daniel Bryan Was Targeted By The Wyatt Family
At SummerSlam 2013, Daniel Bryan achieved the ultimate goal of becoming WWE Champion, only for it to be stolen away almost immediately due to a Money in the Bank cash in. The logical story was for Bryan to find his way back to eventually getting a shot at the gold and winning his rightful prize back. However, those weren’t WWE plans, as they instead entered Bryan into a feud with The Wyatt Family, who decided Bryan would be their next target.
For several months, Bryan fought The Wyatt Family in several matches, teaming up with the likes of CM Punk at times too, notably at Survivor Series. Bryan would also take on and lose against the team of Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan in a three-on-one handicap match at TLC. No matter how hard Bryan fought, Wyatt and his cronies continued to target him, grinding him down week after week in attempts to make him join their cult. Finally, on an episode of Raw in which he faced all three Wyatt Family members in consecutive singles matches, he succumbed to their pressure, joining their ranks.
Daniel Bryan Joined The Wyatt Family For All Of Three Weeks
This was mostly an unpopular decision on WWE’s part, as it put into doubt the prospect of Bryan reaching the main event scene once again in time for WrestleMania, with this storyline coming just prior to the Royal Rumble event. Bryan would dress up in overalls and accompany the Wyatt Family to the ring, undertaking their creepy promo style and vicious in-ring work. He didn’t look out of place though, as his hair and beard suited the other members, although it was clear that fans wanted him out of the storyline.
WWE tried their hardest, but fans didn’t give up in their cheering and support for Bryan. On the first episode of Raw in 2014, Bryan teamed up with his new teammates, Harper and Rowan, though it came in a losing effort to the trio of Rey Mysterio and The Usos. A week later, Bryan and Wyatt would team up for the first time as they would take on The Usos once again, this time inside a Steel Cage. The bout was decent, but the post-match became an iconic Raw ending.
During the contest, Bryan showed some signs of dissent, with cracks showing in his allegiance to Wyatt already. Following the conclusion of the match, Bryan finally broke free of Wyatt’s control, fighting back to one of the biggest pops of the entire year. From there, the crowd erupted as Bryan shed his Wyatt Family attire in favor of his classic boots and trunks, unloading a flurry of offense on his rival, before leading the crowd in one of the most thunderous “Yes” chants ever, as the show went off air.
WWE Made The Right Decision To End The Alliance Between Daniel Bryan And Bray Wyatt
The tandem between Wyatt and Bryan lasted all of three weeks, but this was certainly for the best, as fans couldn’t help but show their love for Bryan. This would lead to a great match between the pair at the 2014 Royal Rumble (adding yet another great bout to Bryan's never-ending list), which Wyatt would win, but that loss didn’t matter as Bryan fought his way back up the card and towards the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which he would claim in the main event of WrestleMania 30.
The plan was likely more of a long-term thing between Bryan and Wyatt, as just a few weeks of teaming up felt very rushed, especially after months of build up. However, the rushed nature was welcomed as it ensured that the crowd got what they wanted in Bryan winning the big one. Seeing Bryan play a heel in the middle of his most popular phase was a little surreal, as it was a baffling booking decision, but thankfully logic prevailed as Bryan returned to his old self in next to no time, continuing with his unreal momentum.