YES! YES! YES! The Night Daniel Bryan Defied the Odds at WrestleMania 30

On April 6, 2014, the WWE Universe witnessed one of the most emotionally charged and unforgettable moments in professional wrestling history. WrestleMania 30 was already poised to be a historic event, marking the 30th anniversary of WWE’s grandest stage. However, by the end of the night, it would become the ultimate proving ground for one of the most beloved underdogs in wrestling history—Daniel Bryan. Against insurmountable odds, injuries, corporate roadblocks, and two of WWE’s most dominant competitors, Bryan rose to the occasion and etched his name in the annals of greatness.

From the opening bell to the final, triumphant tap-out, the night belonged to Daniel Bryan. The WWE World Heavyweight Championship was the prize, but the battle was far bigger than gold—it was about validation, justice, and proving that passion, determination, and the will of the people could overcome any obstacle.

The Road to WrestleMania 30: An Underdog’s Struggle

Daniel Bryan’s journey to the main event was anything but easy. Despite being one of the most technically gifted and charismatic wrestlers on the roster, WWE’s corporate powers—led by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, collectively known as “The Authority”—viewed him as unworthy of being “the face of WWE.” Bryan’s size, appearance, and independent wrestling background made him an unconventional superstar in a company that favored larger-than-life athletes.

His path to WrestleMania began with injustice. After he won the WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2013, his reign was instantly cut short when Triple H, acting as special guest referee, betrayed him by delivering a Pedigree, allowing Randy Orton to cash in his Money in the Bank contract and steal the title. What followed was months of manipulation, betrayal, and Bryan being systematically kept away from the championship.

At the 2014 Royal Rumble, the WWE Universe reached its boiling point when Bryan wasn’t even included in the match. Batista, a returning veteran, won the Rumble, setting the stage for what seemed to be a Batista vs. Orton main event at WrestleMania. But the fans refused to accept it. The “Yes Movement” was born, and the crowd hijacked shows, demanding Bryan get his rightful spot.

In response to the overwhelming fan support, WWE reluctantly booked Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H at WrestleMania 30, with the stipulation that if Bryan won, he would be added to the main event against Orton and Batista for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Opening the Night: Bryan vs. Triple H

The show opened with one of the most anticipated matches of the night—Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H. It was clear that The Authority’s game plan was to eliminate Bryan before he could even reach the main event.

Triple H, a seasoned veteran and one of the most dominant wrestlers in history, pulled out all the stops. He targeted Bryan’s arm viciously, attempting to cripple him before he could even think about winning. Bryan fought through the pain, enduring brutal punishment, but in the end, he shocked the world by hitting the Running Knee and pinning Triple H clean in the middle of the ring.

Despite the victory, Bryan paid a heavy price. His left arm was severely injured, and after the match, Triple H launched a post-match assault, further damaging the arm with a steel chair. The question loomed—could Bryan even compete in the main event?

Main Event Begins: The Odds Stacked Against Bryan

As the WrestleMania main event began, the Superdome crowd was on fire. Randy Orton, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, made his entrance with his signature swagger, confident in his ability to walk out as champion. Batista, the 2014 Royal Rumble winner, came in looking to reclaim his place at the top.

Then, Daniel Bryan entered to a deafening ovation. Despite his injury, despite the odds, he was here. The chants of “YES! YES! YES!” echoed throughout the arena, drowning out the commentary team.

The match began with a furious pace. Bryan, knowing he had no choice but to fight smart, used his speed and striking ability to take the fight to both Orton and Batista. He landed stiff kicks, leaping knees, and high-flying moves, but the numbers game quickly caught up with him.

Bryan Targeted: The Apex Predator and The Animal Unite

Recognizing Bryan as the biggest threat, Orton and Batista formed a temporary alliance. They took turns pummeling Bryan, focusing on his injured arm. Every attack was methodical—Orton’s calculated backbreakers and Batista’s raw power moves ensured that Bryan was kept on the defensive.

Bryan mounted small comebacks, landing bursts of offense, but every time he gained momentum, he was cut off. The assault reached a new level of brutality when the action spilled to the outside.

Destruction at Ringside: The Announce Table Carnage

The battle intensified as Orton and Batista’s alliance began to crumble. Orton, ever the opportunist, attacked Batista, nearly securing a pinfall. The fight soon spilled outside the ring, and the announce table became a deadly weapon.

In the most devastating moment of the match, Batista delivered a Batista Bomb to Bryan onto the Spanish announce table, and Orton followed up with an RKO through the debris. The impact was sickening. Bryan lay motionless as medics rushed to his side, placing him on a stretcher.

It seemed like the match was over. The commentators speculated that Bryan was done, and the match had effectively turned into Orton vs. Batista for the title.

The Authority Interferes: A Last Attempt to Kill the “Yes Movement”

Just as Batista and Orton squared off, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon made their way down the ramp. They had seen enough—they wanted to ensure Bryan stayed out of the match. Triple H even brought along his “crooked” referee, Scott Armstrong, to guarantee a favorable outcome.

But just as The Authority prepared to declare victory, Daniel Bryan somehow rolled off the stretcher, refusing to quit. The Superdome erupted. Bryan charged down the ramp, adrenaline pumping, and delivered a running knee to Armstrong before knocking Triple H out cold with a sledgehammer.

With The Authority neutralized, Bryan turned his attention back to the ring.

The Final Struggle: Submissions, Finishers, and the Fight for Glory

The closing moments of the match were an all-out war. Each man hit their finishers, but no one stayed down.

• Orton landed a vicious RKO on Batista but couldn’t capitalize.
• Batista nailed a Batista Bomb on Orton, only for Bryan to fly in with a running knee.
• The match came to an end when Bryan trapped Batista in the YES Lock, wrenching back with every ounce of strength he had left.

The crowd was on their feet. Batista fought, clawed, and screamed in agony, but there was no escape. With nowhere to go, Batista tapped out.

Daniel Bryan had done it. He was the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

The Celebration: YES! YES! YES!

The Superdome exploded in celebration as Bryan held both championship belts high. Confetti rained down, the crowd chanted in unison, and for one night, the impossible had become reality.

Tears welled up in Bryan’s eyes as he celebrated with the fans. He had defied the odds, shattered The Authority’s plans, and proven that he was not just a B+ player—he was the best in the world.

As the broadcast faded to black, Daniel Bryan stood atop the turnbuckle, both titles in hand, leading the WWE Universe in the most emotional “YES!” chant of all time.

This was not just a victory. It was a movement. It was a moment that would live forever in wrestling history.