Hey Kevin, I think the Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson names are key here. Although Daniel Bryan may have been released, I can see the WWE resigning Bryan Danielson.

RESPONSE FROM KE: WWE referred to him by both names on its website:
WWE has come to terms on the release of NXT first season rookie Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) as of today June 11, 2010. We wish Daniel Bryan the best in all future endeavors.

My guess? This Daniel Bryan choke on Justin Roberts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giSCNJfhT_U&feature=related

WWE actually removed that part from their video package when they recapped the incident on NXT and Smackdown.

Just Sayin...

Remember his promo after being booted off NXT? He made specific mention of Bryan Danielson and how he may soon make an appearance.

It has to be all a work.

for me it looks like bryan danielson being fired is real. It´s damn real!

Apparently it's legit. He was released because the choking of Justin Roberts during the heated Raw angle was deemed to have been too violent. This is a real shame.

If this is real (and I won't be getting my hopes up that it's a work), then it is extremely unfortunate. After all this "guys like Evan Bourne need to be taken seriously" stuff that's been going around, I was really hoping to see guys like Bryan actually get a chance.

If this is a real release, I can't help but wonder if Bryan wasn't supposed to yell that he was "better than Cena" like he did. Or maybe he just didn't like that Barrett was going to be the main recipient of a push? What do you think Kev?

I don't think it's part of a storyline. None of the NXT rookies other than Barrett are supposed to be under WWE contract kayfabe-wise so it would not make sense for any of them to be fired in the storyline.

hes gone for choking out Justin Roberts with his tie.To Extreme for PG tv.

Because the recaps haven't shown him spitting in Cena's face, I wonder if that was a factor?

The mystery only deepens. Whether or not bryan is actually fired, this is just one more intriguing element swirling around the coolest WWE storyline in a long, long time. The armbands, everything about it. Wade Barrett did promise the "Winds of Change," but who expected this!!?

Kevin, if this is legit there can only be one reason for this. Linda McMahon. Becuase of her stupid dive into politics they are afraid of being connected to wrestlers choking non wrestlers out with ties. Although they clearly don't have a problem with Batista trying to run over Cena with a car or HHH using sledgehammers, or Sheamus using led pipes, or Orton ddting a woman.

WWE are nothing more than gutless hypocrites if this firing is legit due to the tie choke and it will lead me to doing a few things.

First I dump all my wwe stock first thing monday.
Second I cease watching wwe and stick with TNA, UFC, and ROH I was already down to watching only raw but the stories had been so terrible and embarrassing lately I was watching more baseball than Raw. This new angle actually had me watching NXT and smackdown for the first time ever.

From a business standpoint this firing makes zero sense you never let a talent leave on top and with heat. Think about this if this firing is true then the last time we saw Bryan was him standing over the Face of the WWE spitting in his face and kicking his head off while screaming YOU ARE NOT BETTER THAN ME ! If he is now fired that would imply Cena complained and actually got him fired which would validate everything he said and now the viewers are more interested in Bryan than in the WWE and that is bad because you are encouraging your viewers to follow him to programing other than your own. It is a business decision that loses money not earn money.

I hope this is a work but I fear it is just another terrible business move.

His release still hasn't been made official on the WWE Corporate website.

I'm not believing anything, yet.

I've been reading that this is a legit firing by WWE, as the higher-ups were notified before the information was released on the website.
In the event this is a part of an elaborate storyline, it will be some of the best work WWE has done in a long, long time.

This seems to take away from whatever reality NXT had to begin with. Okay, I thought that the whole concept was to see who would win and get a WWE contract. Now it turns out that they were all already under contract and I guess all but Danielson still are even though they were voted off the show and told to leave the building. Makes no sense to me even in the non-logical world of wrestling----er-----sports entertainment.

Okay, here's most of the story, according to Dave Meltzer:

- Bryan Danielson is gone. This is not a work or a swerve. Creative and higher Ups have had this confirmed to them.

- This is not a sign that officials have soured on him. All the right people (Vince, Stephanie, Michael Hayes, JR) were really high on his work with Cole, Miz, and even this Monday's angle.

-His mistake was his choking of the announcer during Monday's hot angle. The wrong people found it to be disturbing. It is not sure who this person is, but the rumour is that it is very powerful executives, possibly from Mattel (a new huge source of revenue for WWE) but take that as a grain of salt.

- After receiving complaints about the nature of Danielson's choke ("too violent", "children will copy"), Vince - not wanting to rock the boat- simply used Danielson as a scapegoat. Apparently, WWE hope and expect Danielson to return once the situation settles down a bit.

If this is an angle fair enough, but if it's for real this is exactly the reason why people get so frustrated with the company.

To pull the plug on Danielson without ever even giving him a fair chance at succeeding is reprehensible, just as he looks to be getting placed into a hot angle where he can show his talents he gets 'future endeavoured' whilst the likes of Michael Tarver, Skip Sheffield and Darren Young remain in a job? Totally baffling to any sane fan.

Danielson has the potential for the most compelling angles, the whole 'im better than you' and 'im being held back' angle was ideal for him and he would have got over.

Real shame.

I had a feeling that from the beginning he was only brought in in order to be buried and then tossed out by WWE. Why would Danielson agree to something like that? First, to be handsomely compensated. Second, he was guaranteed a pinfall victory on Raw over Miz, along with a significant storyline, both of which will help him back in the independents. (Similar to The Blue Meanie/JBL situation.) Just a theory, and an admittedly unlikely one.

It would really suck if this isn't a work.

These days, it's hard to tell what is really storyline anymore.

I have a tough time believing they would release someone so heavily involved in their biggest angle. After the Jeff Hardy posting on their website about being found in a stairwell, I tend to take their "news" with a grain of salt.

The key is they said we wish Daniel Byran the best.....Its a work

What doesn't make sense to me is why have him wrestle and sell the invasion angle at an FCW show on Wednesday if he was going to be released anyway. I don't know how long the process takes, but I have to assume, if the rumors are true that he was fired for "choking" Justin Roberts, that by Tuesday morning people who matter in the WWE would have already set the wheels in motion for his release. Nevermind the fact that they didn't edit him yelling at Cena or choking Punk out during the NTX Attack replay on Smackdown that hadn't even been aired in the west before they announced his release. In the end, I think this is a horribly executed legit release, but I hope that I'm wrong

Kevin, I've read reports (accurate or not, who is to say) that Daniel Bryan was released for choking Justin Roberts with his tie. Obviously much of what was done during that angle was on the fly, but to single that out as going over the top after the mass destruction that occured is ridiculous.

If the rational (as I've read) is that kids may think that's cool and attempt to copy it, I think Justin Gabriel's 450 splash is way more exciting to a kid and can you imagine how many kids would break their necks trying to duplicate that? So I guess that needs to go next.

Man, I was very excited about this angle, but now I have serious doubts. If there isn't a HUGE follow up next Monday to make up for the Bryan loss, I'm out.

If it's true, it's just... amazing. Perhaps the most disappointing release ever. I hope it's just a way to put the Daniel Bryan name to bed, but I guess we'll find out Monday.

Maybe it has something to do with him spitting in Cena's face

While the PG rule-breaking I have been seeing on the 'Net seems like a completely plausible thing that the WWE could use to let Danielson go, I would like to point out that at the WWE Corporate site, his release is not listed with the other news items.
When Carlito was let go back in May, they were quick to let company personnel and investors see the release. Bryan's release has yet to appear. That might be laziness on the WWE's part, or this could be more of a work than a lot of people know.
The fact of the matter is that regardless, it has gotten people to talk. I'm sure McMahon is loving the fact that a wrestler he has invested just a small amount of time into can generate buzz in such a fashion that people are dying to know the truth.
While Danielson can work ANYWHERE (please not TNA though), I would honestly hope that the WWE would keep such a talented wrestler on their roster, he gives a legitimacy and some credibility to a group of "Rookies".
Barrett leads in having the WWE look, but Danielson leads in having the game to back up his fans lofty expectations.
As you said Kevin... time will tell.

I'm sure you probably visit the wrestling observer site, but they are reporting that the release is legit and it's because of Danielson choking Justin Roberts with his tie. If it is legit and that's the reason I have to think there is more to it than that. It seems like a small reason to release someone. How can that be too violent but Cena can throw Batista off the top of a car through the stage and that's OK. I get Danielson is not Cena and that was PPV not Raw but that seems silly.

And just like that, the best thing going on in the WWE in years is over. Bryan is out and mediocrity settles upon the WWE once more. Just as the NXT Rookies have begun to make their power play.

At least Bryan Danielson was able to beat up Cole, Cena, and the Miz before leaving.

This is more than likely a legit firing (kayfabe wise, it makes no sense because Barrett is the only NXT guy with a contract). Daniel chocked the ring announcer with a tie, which is a little too threatening for WWE PG. What a lame company. TNA better pick him up this time.

Didnt Daniel Bryan choke Justin Roberts out with his tie>>?
Wouldnt that kinda hit home with the whole Benoit murder/suicide. I also noticed it was edited off the replay the other night.. Just a thought.. If thats the case i could see Vince firing him regardless of the push, Kinda a lesser comparison Jeff hardys drug issues, Cryme time attacking the referee for real, Some things you cant turn your back on. Unless your Randy Orton destroying a hotel room, Hey wait didnt Rhyno destroy a hotel?? Ok im losing focus, sorry!!

Legit according to reports, his choking of the timekeeper went against the "Benoit Code" (no using the ropes or any object to "strangle" anyone) and was not PG. I didn't help that the Announcers, Cameramen, Timekeepers, and Security didn't know about the "Invasion" angle. So I would be a little upset with being thrown around and strangled off guard.

Bring Danielson back to the WWE by signing the petition

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/bdaniels/

Looks like it's legit from what I'm seeing on other sites. The rumor is that he was fired for choking out Justin Roberts during the beatdown, and some one from Mattel got upset over it. It would explain why that part was noteably cut out of the replays on NXT and Superstars.

word is its because of him choking out the ring announcer with the tie and they thought that was too much for PG. Why they wouldn't just fine him or something i don't get. TNA is going to have a loaded roster soon. There are Mickie James, Hurricane Helms, Shelton Benjamin, and Bryan Danielson all free agents now.

I'll be interested to see if this is going to be all part of the NXT faction plot or if it's the real deal. If they really released him, I wonder if he'll head over to TNA or go back to the indy's?

Maybe I'm alone but I was never impressed by Daniel Bryan / Bryan Danielson.

I think the last straw was the invasion of Raw. The NXT Rookies played their parts perfectly but where was Daniel Bryan? He did nothing...I guess other than yelling at Cena, "YOU ARE NOT BETTER THAN ME!"

Sad.

I'm not buying the tie choking incident as the reason for the firing. Wasn't Cena being choked by a ring rope at one time?

I've read the reason for this is he choked Justin Roberts with his own tie, and that was too violent......WHAT?? Eight men attacking everything and everyone in sight isn't violent?? Those same eight men beat John Cena into the ground, and THAT'S not too viloent??? C'mon...........

Word going around the web is that it's because of him choking Justin Roberts with his own tie and it was deemed to violent for WWE. Hopefully this doesn't mean the complete end of Bryan on WWE. Would completely suck if he went back to the Indy's or worse...TNA.

Hey Kevin,

I think that the WWE is going out of their way for an elaborate work here, and I couldn't be happier. The whole time they've brought up the Internet, Twitter, etc with Danielson, and I think this is an angle made specifically for the Internet fans.

By the same token look at Matt Hardy, Cena and Danielsons' Tweets lately, all storyline oriented. I believe creative is finally utilizing the Internet in a more, ahem... creative fashion.

Your thoughts?

I read it was due to him choking Justin Roberts, which was apparently too much for wrestling fans to witness.

Yeah, it's not like Batista destroyed Mark Henry with a steel chair a few weeks ago.

Maybe that's why Batista is gone though...

So I hear he has been released because of the stranguling of ring announcer Justin Roberts. It has been banned from the WWE since the Benoit tradgedy. But wouldn't you give someone a warning and maybe even possibly have him lose his star power for awhile before you would fire him?

I've heard from a very reliable source that our own Kevin Eck will be revealed as the NXT leader. Congrats Kevin!!

PWInsider is reporting he was released because he went over the "PG" line when he choked the ring announcer Monday night. Apparently it has something to do with the Benoit situation, WWE doesn't want to promote choking, or something along those lines. Looks to be legit, but who knows if it will last or if he will be brought back if the angle starts to fizzle.

I'm going to an ROH show in July, so I hope this is legit.

It would be a big mistake if this proves to be true. The nXt faction was the best thing on Raw certainly since the guest hosts have been used

wow i wish he goes on raw

he always looked out of his element, not everyone can play with the big boys

I think we have to reserve judgement for a while. I hope that this is all a work.

I refuse to believe that WWE have let him go. So soon after that attack on Raw? Rubbish.

The 'N' Faction has the potential to be really good. That was definitely the best ending for a Raw show for a long long long time.

I was kinda half expecting them to make an appearance on Smackdown, just to add Heat to their attack on Raw.

This is the dumbest decision WWE ever made....why would they release a guy just because he choked justin roberts with a tie?????I still hope its just a work.......Bryan is the most compelling among those "Rookies"...

Btw Kev...a totally off-topic question....Do you watch Soccer?....The World Cup has started,so I am just asking.....

RESPONSE FROM KE: Not a soccer fan. Won't watch one second of the World Cup.

Here's a thought, maybe he ad-libbed the part where he spat on John Cena and that cost him his job? I could see that being the 'final straw' if he had some other backstage heat on him. For example, I thought he had a stiff shot to The Miz's jaw a few weeks back when they scuffled on the entrance ramp as he was leaving. I also thought he got Michael Cole at least once with a punch that seemed a little hard. Perhaps he's letting his emotions get the best of him when he's 'working' and has taken his "I'm not a rookie/I'm better than you" attitude off-the-screen and into the locker room. If so, I could see him getting bounced no matter how popular he is with the fans. Anyway, it's just a thought.

If Danielson really is gone from the WWE, that's too bad. He was poised to be a key member for nWo yellow (my official nickname for the invading graduates of NXT Season 1).

The WWE pretty much buried this guy from the get go -- with the long losing streak against inferior competition, portrayal as a novice rather than an experienced pro, silly name change, and Michael Cole drivel (putting him in a feud with an announcer rather than a top wrestler).

Something appears off with this whole situation. The WWE's Kremlin like secrecy is in also evidence again.

Actually Jerry Lawler went and complained about him choking Justin Roberts and thats why he got released

From what I have read, the reason behind Danielson's release was because he choked WWE announcer Justin Roberts with his tie. Apparently, the WWE brass thought this was too violent for their PG programming.

Now I can still see this being a work. But if it isn't TNA should sign Danielson up forthwith. Signing Danielson would be a coup for them. If in fact Danielson was dismissed for being too violent then TNA could rub it in the face of the WWE for a long, long time.

The Wrestling Observer says it's for real, and that it's because of the bit with Justin Roberts and the tie. Do you think that's legitimate?

Reports that is is legitimate are flying in, from those reports it is believed he was the sacrificial lamb to appease TV execs and Linda's political opponents after he choked Justin with Justin's tie. It is believed the WWE has a strict rule about choking , since 2007.

I don't understand why they needed to release him, when a suspension would have sent the same message

I think it was the spitting in Cena's face that got him fired. It looks like he might not have gotten permission for that or the Tie Choke.

However, both were brilliant. If I was WWE, I'd have left well enough alone.

But Cena's ego has to be catered to. Gross. Bye Daniel Bryan, we barely knew thee . . . .

Many are speculating that the firing was due to the "strangulation" of ring announcer Justin Roberts. I thought that they editted it out of the replays because of the goofy look he had on his face whilst being choked with a pink tie. Ugh, didn't Heath Slater press the middle rope across Cena's neck, I guess that's ok though.

I thought he went way too far by spitting in John Cena's face during the invasion. It was disgusting and I found that far more disturbing than the strangling with the tie thing.

If he was really fired just for the strangling thing I'd be annoyed since Heath Slater did a similar thing with the ropes to John Cena.

But still I'm not sure I care now since I thought the spitting thing was just so over the top and gross.

Hey Mr. Eck, I just read on Wrestlezone that it appears the firing is legit. Looks like his choking out Dave Penzer (sp?) with his tie crossed the line. It was considered too violent for WWE-PG.Yes, choking a guy out with his tie is too violent for WWE.If you'll notice on the site, the only video of the nxt attack has been edited so you do not see Danielson's choke out move that was featured prominently earlier in the week.Back to ROH for Mr. Danielson...Sort of pathetic that they're giving these guys that little rope to work with. I could see if he was a locker room problem. Unless he was insubordinate, this was a silly reason to can him. His storyline was one of the few things I was looking forward to seeing how it developed.Oh well.

It doesn't sound like a work. It does sound like a major fubar.

Okay, I've seen it reported that the release is because of Danielson choking Justin Roberts with his tie, and the WWE having a policy against such a thing post-Benoit. If this is the case (and I'm not sure it is, because I don't think they'd have him work the FCW show if it were), it raises a couple thoughts:

1. Didn't someone choke out Cena with the ropes during the attack?

2. If they were so concerned about this image, why make a point of showing it?

3. If this is a WWE policy, and Danielson wasn't aware of it, or it's one of those unstated rules, doesn't Danielson have the grounds for a wrongful termination suit?

Still hoping it's a work....

Apparently, someone (probably with a lot of power) complained to the WWE about Bryan choking ring announcer, Justin Roberts, with his own tie because it was too violent for PG TV. Also, word is that he broke a company protocol that forbids talents to use ropes or other objects to choke an opponent.

Some people are also describing him now as a scapegoat. In my understanding, a scapegoat is "someone who gets blamed for another person's mistake or wrongdoing". I'm not trying to be mean or anything (I do feel bad for him), but unless someone explicitly ordered him to do that to Roberts, then I think it is his own fault and there is no one else to blame. Your opinion?

This was shocking to me. If the firing was legit, the reason is because he choked Justin Roberts with his tie during the angle, which WWE thought was "too violent for 'PG' programing." Newsflash: Nothing about that angle was PG! Attacking defensless people who arent wrestlers, including a senior official, and destroying the place doesnt sound very PG. The NXT invasion was the best thing Ive seen on RAW in a long time. If Danielson's really gone, this angle will suffer greatly.

However, one thing that makes me think this is apart of the angle is that the camera stayed on Justin Roberts for a few seconds, so if that was too much, why was the camera on him? Granted, the camera man couldve been told to go away ASAP, but it still makes me wonder.

Hi Kevin - shortly after the name change on Danielson's Twitter account, and the details of his release on WWE.com, comes a new Twitter account @WWEMichaelCole - with Cole taking responsbility for Danielson's sacking and practically gloating over it.

It's unknown for sure whether this new Twitter account is genuine at the moment, but the Tweets so far are pretty much Cole in a nutshell, and all geared towards hyping up Danielson's release.

IF the Twitter account proves geniune, (and there's been a HUGE push from WWE.com on engaging the fans through social media recently) this could be one of the most engaging storylines in quite some time!

I wonder if that kick Cena took Monday night was a little too stiff. I'd think if he pushed hard enough he could keep Danielson out of the WWE being the top star. Do you think that's possible?

Supposedly some "important" entity didn't like the choking. Speculation seems to be centering on a sponsor or Linda McMahon's campaign. It is being treated as a shoot. But suppose the important entity turns out to be Michael Cole. And suppose Cole is not the leader of the NXT invasion but rather turns out to be a storyline WWE executive who gets his revenge of Bryan for not apologizing.

Hey Kev,

I don't know if you heard, but I read somewhere that one of the reasons that Bryan was released was because he chocked ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own tie and someone important outside of WWE complained about it.

For the record, WWE HAS faked the release of a superstar on their website before - Drew McIntyre. Only, no one cared enough to notice.

Now, let's all take solace in the best moment of WWE TV this year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPEjG9fqYuM

I'm still thinking the release is a work. Doesn't WWE own Danielson's Twitter feed? I thought I remember him say that WWE set up those accounts for the NXT rookies. If that's the case, I wouldn't expect him to keep using it if he were truly released from the company.

I read somewhere that he was fired for choking ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own tie. Oh, that's right, it was posted here about a hundred times already!

How big of a wuss is someone who is in the Wrestling Business and whines about being choked by a tie? Well, JJ Roberts can tell you as soon as he looks in a mirror.

ou must remember that tecnically all NXT rookies were "released." And I highly doubt that he was fired for the tie thing. Him and Justin roberts made it look so real that some people found it to be to hard to look at. However, he was told to do that and he did it well.

wwe is just stupid if they really got rid of him. he was known all around the world and they lost fans

Danielson is back in indy; that says it all. There is no need to look beyond this. He was not 'known all around the world'; this grossly exaggerates his status, and is a reflection of the dreamland some Danielson fans seem to live in: he was/is a jobbing indy wrestler, no more, no less. He got fired by WWE; no keyfabe, no hype, just plain simple fact; and, despite the protests and petitions by his fans for his reinstatement it was pretty obvious to the neutrals that he was never going to be a 'presence' in the WWE.

The show moves on: the NXT 'seven', under the leadership of Wade Barrett, are looking mightily impressive as they establish themselves with WWE audiences. I expect to see all of them eased into the big shows during the autumn, and I'm looking forward to seeing them performing at this level.