WWE News: ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin Comments On Daniel Bryan’s Retirement, Says ‘It Left Me With A Tear In My Eye’


On last week’s RAW, Daniel Bryan announced his retirement from professional wrestling in one of the best, most emotional segments in WWE history. During his speech, there were many, including Bryan himself, who teared up, and it looks like the toughest S.O.B in WWE history was one of the many that shed a tear during Bryan’s 25-minute long farewell to the WWE universe.

On the live Steve Austin Show podcast following Monday’s RAW, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin gave a shout-out to Daniel Bryan, and congratulated him on a successful professional wrestling career. Austin said that he was proud of Bryan, and that his speech “brought a tear to my eye.”

“I’d like to give a shout-out to Daniel Bryan… That promo, last week at the end of the show, riding off into the sunset… I’m gonna be real honest with you, I’m known as the toughest S.O.B to ever lace up a pair of boots in the squared-circle in WWE, and that promo left me with a tear in my eye. Daniel Bryan, you had a hellacious career, I enjoyed all of your work, you earned my respect, and I’m so proud of everything that you were able to accomplish. Sorry to see you go, I’ve been down that road before too, but I’m proud of you.”

Steve Austin vs The Rock
(Image via WWE)

Austin can certainly relate to Bryan having to hang it up before he’s ready to, as “Stone Cold” was forced to retire due to a neck issue in 2003, following his match with The Rock at WrestleMania 19, but, unlike with Bryan, the door was open for Austin to return to the ring several years after his retirement, however, he never decided to do it, and he likely never will.

Big Show, who was Austin’s guest on the podcast, also said that Daniel Bryan’s farewell brought a tear to his eye, saying that it was a very emotional moment.

Bryan’s retirement speech brought out a wide variety of emotions in people, and because of that, some, including Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, are saying that the Daniel Bryan farewell segment was the greatest segment in the history of professional wrestling.

Before Bryan’s farewell, most considered Ric Flair’s farewell to be the greatest segment in the history of wrestling, and the two segments were very similar, but unlike with Flair, most truly believe that Daniel Bryan will never have another match, unless, of course, he ends up leaving WWE, which isn’t likely to happen.

Daniel Bryan WWE Hall of Fame
(Image via WWE)

There’s been some talk of Daniel Bryan possibly headlining this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Dallas, Texas, which would be a great idea. If he is inducted, he’ll be the youngest wrestler, by far, to ever go in at 34 years-old.

WWE has already announced that Sting will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year, so, if Bryan doesn’t go in this year, WWE already has a headline act for the event. But, so far, WWE hasn’t announced any other inductees, so there’s at least still a chance that Bryan will go in this year, and be the event’s headliner.

As for who would induct Daniel Bryan if he were to go in, well, there’s a few options – William Regal, who was Bryan’s mentor throughout his pro wrestling career is an option, Shawn Michaels, who trained Bryan, would be a good choice, and, of course, his wife Brie Bella is an option as well.

Whenever Bryan does go into the Hall of Fame, whether it’s this year or in a couple of years, it’ll definitely be another highly-emotional night for the WWE universe, and for Daniel Bryan himself.

(Featured image via WWE)

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