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Folks, it’s been a long time coming but here we are. It’s finally time to announce the headliner of the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 2025. This year’s class has been the most gradual rollout of inductees thus far, but I ultimately think it was well worth the wait. We got our first tag team inductees, first non-wrestler inductee, first female inductee, and our first inductee who has won a World Championship within the same year of being inducted… it’s been a monumental class and it’s time to reveal the crown jewel at long last.
This year’s headliner was a nearly unanimous choice among our voter base, topping a majority of the lists submitted once the 10 finalists were announced. Given the recent developments of this performer’s career, it should come as no surprise. We’re talking about one of the first names that comes up in any conversation about the GOATs of pro wrestling. His induction into this Hall of Fame was never truly in question, it was just a matter of waiting for the right moment. Having retired from full-time in-ring competition a bit over a year ago, the writing was on the wall. This man is a true technical marvel, accruing World Title reigns at every level of the sport, even with the deck occasionally stacked against him. Truly emblematic of his unparalleled grit and unwillingness to settle for second best. In any arena, in any part of the world, this man’s name carries weight. No matter the culture, the style or the product, this man’s skill is simply undeniable, and his command of the audience resonates – oftentimes taking the form of the resilient underdog, but equally capable of portraying the methodical and ruthless ring general. For two decades, he has been the measuring stick for in-ring performers in North America. Similar to what fellow Hall of Famers Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels did for the sport in the 90s, this man did in the 2010s, breaking through barriers, rewiring the brains of wrestling fans and paving the way for others like him, who may not have fit the mold of what constituted a superstar at the time, proving that the art of pro wrestling is timeless and, when executed properly, will forever be impossible to suppress. Despite the adversities faced, from being considered undersized or even (laughably) “bland”... to the injuries that derailed his career at his peak of success… this man stuck to his guns, overcame all roadblocks and molded a career drenched in blood, sweat and tears that will forever be etched in history. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame –
“THE AMERICAN DRAGON”
BRYAN DANIELSON
This year’s headliner was a nearly unanimous choice among our voter base, topping a majority of the lists submitted once the 10 finalists were announced. Given the recent developments of this performer’s career, it should come as no surprise. We’re talking about one of the first names that comes up in any conversation about the GOATs of pro wrestling. His induction into this Hall of Fame was never truly in question, it was just a matter of waiting for the right moment. Having retired from full-time in-ring competition a bit over a year ago, the writing was on the wall. This man is a true technical marvel, accruing World Title reigns at every level of the sport, even with the deck occasionally stacked against him. Truly emblematic of his unparalleled grit and unwillingness to settle for second best. In any arena, in any part of the world, this man’s name carries weight. No matter the culture, the style or the product, this man’s skill is simply undeniable, and his command of the audience resonates – oftentimes taking the form of the resilient underdog, but equally capable of portraying the methodical and ruthless ring general. For two decades, he has been the measuring stick for in-ring performers in North America. Similar to what fellow Hall of Famers Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels did for the sport in the 90s, this man did in the 2010s, breaking through barriers, rewiring the brains of wrestling fans and paving the way for others like him, who may not have fit the mold of what constituted a superstar at the time, proving that the art of pro wrestling is timeless and, when executed properly, will forever be impossible to suppress. Despite the adversities faced, from being considered undersized or even (laughably) “bland”... to the injuries that derailed his career at his peak of success… this man stuck to his guns, overcame all roadblocks and molded a career drenched in blood, sweat and tears that will forever be etched in history. Please welcome to the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame –
“THE AMERICAN DRAGON”
BRYAN DANIELSON
The body of work that “The American Dragon” crafted during his 25-year career speaks for itself, and it proclaims all-around excellence in the field of pro wrestling. From humble beginnings, chasing a dream and seeking out the tutelage of the greats that came before him, Danielson would rapidly rise up the ranks of independent and international competition, first making his name on a large scale on the sacred mats of Ring of Honor, New Japan and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Within years of his debut, he would become an emblem of the exceptional quality of wrestling that could be found on the American independent circuit throughout the 2000s, plying his craft in numerous promotions, but most famously ascending to the top of the ROH ranks, where he’d hold the ROH World Heavyweight Championship for 462 days in one of the most prolific reigns any wrestler has had with any title in the entire 21st century. Going to war with famous rivals like Nigel McGuinness, KENTA and Samoa Joe in some of the finest contests ever held on American (or British) soil, Danielson helped to cement the ROH style as the gold standard for wrestling in North America, serving as perhaps *the* face of what most still regard as the highest peak of independent wrestling in American history.
In 2009, Danielson made the bold move to join WWE, where there were immediate doubts by his devoted fans as to whether the company would be able to utilize him to his full potential. Being rechristened to Daniel Bryan, his early days in the “Land of the Giants” felt like a bad omen, fielding constant criticisms from his NXT Pro, The Miz, and everyone’s favorite heel commentator, Michael Cole. Though presented initially as a fish out of water in the WWE system, it soon became apparent that Bryan had a penchant for violence (as Justin Roberts learned the hard way) and he would, in fact, “kick your fucking head in”. Bryan’s rise in WWE was gradual, spurred on by a groundswell of support from the crowd who clamored for his success, as he clearly demonstrated the skill to not only deliver excellent matches, but also portray a compelling character, as both a heel and face. Despite some speedbumps along the way, such as the 18-second loss to Sheamus at WrestleMania XXVIII, the audience never lost faith in Bryan. Through sheer force of will, Bryan would ultimately be at the center of perhaps WWE’s all-time most organic and emotionally driven rises in the form of the “Yes! Movement”, culminating in him capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in triumphant fashion in the main event of WrestleMania XXX – a moment that will live forever as one of the most cherished title wins in the history of wrestling. The glory of the win was bittersweet, as he would soon find his career derailed by injury, being forced into retirement in 2016, having already crafted a Hall of Fame quality career.. While many fans were resigned to accept this fate, 2018 would see Bryan shockingly cleared to return to action, and he would act fast to cement his legacy in WWE with yet another storied run featuring the rise of “The Planet’s Champion”, where he would poetically enough be on the opposite side of yet another historic, fan-driven WrestleMania moment in the form of “Kofimania”. As his career in WWE continued, Bryan always found a way to bring his A-game to any situation, adding onto his already impressive resume of matches with such stars as CM Punk, John Cena and Bray Wyatt, with new classics against the likes of Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and Edge, fluctuating between main event level feuds, and midcard classics with fellow workhorses to close out his WWE run, while a new destiny awaited him in the 2020s.
As the WWE machine continued to churn, the pro wrestling landscape was evolving and Danielson made the leap in 2021 to join the young and hungry promotion known as All Elite Wrestling. Joining a company that aligned more with his early pro wrestling theology, “The American Dragon” was reborn and a new chapter of violence soon unfolded, with Danielson continuing to stir audiences with his gutsy, or sometimes domineering, performances, free to display his trademark hybrid-style of wrestling against top talents from across the globe as he sought to fit as many dream matches as possible into his final run. His debut at All Out 2021 is one of the company’s finest moments, and a true legitimizer of the up-and-coming federation. His battles with Kenny Omega at Grand Slam 2021, Hangman Page at Winter Is Coming 2021, MJF at Revolution 2023 and Will Ospreay at Dynasty 2024 are just a sample of the many instant classics that Danielson would turn in during this run, while also checking off previously unimaginable bouts against the likes of Kazuchika Okada, Zack Sabre Jr. and Blue Panther. The formation of the Blackpool Combat Club featuring Danielson, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, their pupil Wheeler Yuta and their mentor William Regal not only created one of the most respected groups of in-ring performers in wrestling history, but its impact and legacy continues to reverberate throughout AEW to this very day. In his final stretch as an in-ring competitor, Danielson would add one final iconic title win to his catalog, overcoming Swerve Strickland in the main event of All In 2024 in front of approximately 50,000 fans at the legendary Wembley Stadium in London, holding the title for several months before finally being vanquished and sent into retirement by his longtime friend and rival Jon Moxley at WrestleDream 2024, in front of an adoring hometown crowd in the Tacoma Dome, bringing his momentous and storied career to an end in a properly symbolic manner. Danielson has now found his way to the announce desk, where he looks to add another chapter to his career post-retirement, and of course continues to bestow wisdom on future generations of wrestlers who would seek to reach the kind of mythical status that Danielson procured through 25 years of unforgettable matches, moments and characters.
Everyone, thank you for your involvement in deciding this year’s Class, and for following along with this induction ceremony. This prestigious class is finally complete, welcoming the 4-time WWE Champion, 1-time World Heavyweight Champion, 1-time AEW World Champion, 1-time ROH World and Pure Champion, Money in the Bank, Owen Hart Cup, Survival of the Fittest, many-times PWI, WON and Slammy Award winner, “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson into the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 2025! YES! YES! YES!
In 2009, Danielson made the bold move to join WWE, where there were immediate doubts by his devoted fans as to whether the company would be able to utilize him to his full potential. Being rechristened to Daniel Bryan, his early days in the “Land of the Giants” felt like a bad omen, fielding constant criticisms from his NXT Pro, The Miz, and everyone’s favorite heel commentator, Michael Cole. Though presented initially as a fish out of water in the WWE system, it soon became apparent that Bryan had a penchant for violence (as Justin Roberts learned the hard way) and he would, in fact, “kick your fucking head in”. Bryan’s rise in WWE was gradual, spurred on by a groundswell of support from the crowd who clamored for his success, as he clearly demonstrated the skill to not only deliver excellent matches, but also portray a compelling character, as both a heel and face. Despite some speedbumps along the way, such as the 18-second loss to Sheamus at WrestleMania XXVIII, the audience never lost faith in Bryan. Through sheer force of will, Bryan would ultimately be at the center of perhaps WWE’s all-time most organic and emotionally driven rises in the form of the “Yes! Movement”, culminating in him capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in triumphant fashion in the main event of WrestleMania XXX – a moment that will live forever as one of the most cherished title wins in the history of wrestling. The glory of the win was bittersweet, as he would soon find his career derailed by injury, being forced into retirement in 2016, having already crafted a Hall of Fame quality career.. While many fans were resigned to accept this fate, 2018 would see Bryan shockingly cleared to return to action, and he would act fast to cement his legacy in WWE with yet another storied run featuring the rise of “The Planet’s Champion”, where he would poetically enough be on the opposite side of yet another historic, fan-driven WrestleMania moment in the form of “Kofimania”. As his career in WWE continued, Bryan always found a way to bring his A-game to any situation, adding onto his already impressive resume of matches with such stars as CM Punk, John Cena and Bray Wyatt, with new classics against the likes of Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and Edge, fluctuating between main event level feuds, and midcard classics with fellow workhorses to close out his WWE run, while a new destiny awaited him in the 2020s.
As the WWE machine continued to churn, the pro wrestling landscape was evolving and Danielson made the leap in 2021 to join the young and hungry promotion known as All Elite Wrestling. Joining a company that aligned more with his early pro wrestling theology, “The American Dragon” was reborn and a new chapter of violence soon unfolded, with Danielson continuing to stir audiences with his gutsy, or sometimes domineering, performances, free to display his trademark hybrid-style of wrestling against top talents from across the globe as he sought to fit as many dream matches as possible into his final run. His debut at All Out 2021 is one of the company’s finest moments, and a true legitimizer of the up-and-coming federation. His battles with Kenny Omega at Grand Slam 2021, Hangman Page at Winter Is Coming 2021, MJF at Revolution 2023 and Will Ospreay at Dynasty 2024 are just a sample of the many instant classics that Danielson would turn in during this run, while also checking off previously unimaginable bouts against the likes of Kazuchika Okada, Zack Sabre Jr. and Blue Panther. The formation of the Blackpool Combat Club featuring Danielson, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, their pupil Wheeler Yuta and their mentor William Regal not only created one of the most respected groups of in-ring performers in wrestling history, but its impact and legacy continues to reverberate throughout AEW to this very day. In his final stretch as an in-ring competitor, Danielson would add one final iconic title win to his catalog, overcoming Swerve Strickland in the main event of All In 2024 in front of approximately 50,000 fans at the legendary Wembley Stadium in London, holding the title for several months before finally being vanquished and sent into retirement by his longtime friend and rival Jon Moxley at WrestleDream 2024, in front of an adoring hometown crowd in the Tacoma Dome, bringing his momentous and storied career to an end in a properly symbolic manner. Danielson has now found his way to the announce desk, where he looks to add another chapter to his career post-retirement, and of course continues to bestow wisdom on future generations of wrestlers who would seek to reach the kind of mythical status that Danielson procured through 25 years of unforgettable matches, moments and characters.
Everyone, thank you for your involvement in deciding this year’s Class, and for following along with this induction ceremony. This prestigious class is finally complete, welcoming the 4-time WWE Champion, 1-time World Heavyweight Champion, 1-time AEW World Champion, 1-time ROH World and Pure Champion, Money in the Bank, Owen Hart Cup, Survival of the Fittest, many-times PWI, WON and Slammy Award winner, “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson into the Wrestling Smarks Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 2025! YES! YES! YES!
