Shawn Michaels on Daniel Bryan, First Meeting with Bryan, Bryan’s Career

WWE held a recent interview with Shawn Michaels discussing Daniel Bryan being medically cleared, his first ever meeting with Bryan, and Bryan getting to resume his active wrestling career.

On the topic of WWE medically clearing Daniel Bryan, Michaels stated he was thrilled to hear the news and knows how much it means to Bryan because he experienced a similar feeling during his own career.

“I like everybody was thrilled for him because I know what it’s like to be forced away from this before you’re ready to let go. I know this is a special moment for him, clearly it’s an unbelievably special moment for the fans. This isn’t a comeback, this is a second chance. He’s a wonderful young man and I know he’s going to make the most of this opportunity, that’s for sure.”

On the topic of his first ever meeting with Daniel Bryan, Michaels stated he knew from initial impressions Bryan was a very talented person and his rise as a big star was going to be inevitable despite his lack of size.

“I knew he was talented from the day I saw him, from the first time he walked into the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy. He’s a hard worker, he was unbelievable talented but like me, one of the things I knew he was going to have an uphill battle with was his size. You know that he’s going to be successful but I don’t think any of us anticipated this. He’s become the underdog. I don’t know that anybody’s ever captured people quite like Bryan has, certainly at this time and it’s a great thing to see.”

On the topic of Bryan getting a second chance for his wrestling career, Michaels stated not being in control of how your career ends can be very heartbreaking but for Bryan, he will get to experience what only a few wrestlers have managed to do so during their careers.

“When doctors tell you you can’t do this anymore, it’s heartbreaking. Truth is, it’s a lot easier to leave on your own terms than to be forced out on someone else’s terms. Now he’s got the opportunity that very few people have and that’s to have everything. He’ going to have that wonderful family, he’s going to get an opportunity and a second chance at a career he loves being in and as far as I’m concerned, that’s living Heaven on Earth.”