There were rumours circulating yesterday (February 8) that Daniel Bryan would be appearing on WWE Monday Night Raw, and before the show went to air the former World Heavyweight Champion made an announcement via social media - he would be addressing the WWE Universe to tell them about his retirement from the business.
Speaking to thousands of his fans - who continued to chant his name throughout the night - Bryan closed out the show explaining just why he wouldn't be returning to in-ring action whilst looking back at some of his best moments in his WWE career.
Sporting a reduced look with a trimmed beard and chopped locks, Bryan explained: "So, just now I was able to close my eyes and feel that (the audience cheering), literally feel it in a way that I've never done to feel it before, because when we're here we always have to keep our eyes open. Just that experience, literally I'm never gonna forget it.
"I've been wrestling since I was 18 years old and, within the first five months of my wrestling career, I'd already had three concussions and, for years after that, I would get a concussion here or there, and it gets to the point where you've been wrestling for 16 years, that adds up to a lot of concussions. It gets to a point where they tell you that you can't wrestle anymore and, for a long time I fought that because this, I have loved this in a way that I have never loved anything else.
"But, a week and a half ago I took a test that said that maybe my brain isn't as OK as I thought it was and, I have a family to think about and, it is with a heavy heart and the upmost sadness that I officially announce my retirement. But if there's one thing, I've gone through all these complex emotions in this last little bit. I've been angry, I've been sad, I've been frustrated, I've been all of that but today, when I woke up this morning, I felt nothing but gratitude.
"I have gotten to do what I love for nearly 16 years. I am grateful. I am grateful because of wrestling, I got to meet the most wonderful woman in the world, who's beautiful, she's smart, and she completes me in a way that I didn't even think was possible, and that's because of wrestling. I am grateful.
"Now, tomorrow morning (February 9), I start a new life. A life where I am no longer a wrestler. But that is tomorrow and that is not tonight and by damn, I have one more night to feel this energy and to feel this crowd, so if I can just get one last YES chant, I would really appreciate it."
After the show went off the air, there was a special career celebration for Daniel Bryan as the company's roster and officials came out to cheer on the sportsman.
Tagged in WWE Daniel Bryan