WWE’s Daniel Bryan Braces for Career-Threatening Neck Surgery

This year has been a roller coaster of emotions for WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, but he's facing his toughest challenge yet on Thursday -- he's undergoing neck surgery that threatens his career.

I've always been a huge fan of Bryan for a number of reasons, one of which is the man won't quit. He leaves it all in the ring and has always wrestled like that. Every time he suicide-dives out of the ring I cringe, and when he throws both knees into his opponents you know they are not getting back up. Bryan was born to wrestle. He was destined to be one of the greats.

I can vividly remember the Dec. 9 RAW in Seattle's Key Arena for the Slammys, Bryan's hometown crowd went bonkers for the Aberdeen-born superstar. The final segment that night was basically hijacked by the fans when Triple H and Stephanie were setting up the title unification match between Randy Orton and John Cena. Bryan chants put a huge smile on the face of the future champion, but received a mixed reaction from the superstars in the ring. The crowd continued to chant until Cena acknowledged that Bryan was not to be ignored by WWE. This would put Bryan on the path to overcome the odds at Wrestlemania 30.

Bryan vows to return to WWE, but surgery this serious puts his wrestling future at risk. One thing that won't change is my support for Bryan. He has given us fans so much over his career, and now we can give back by showing our support and waiting for the verdict from his neck surgery. Good luck, Daniel. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

RAW 12/9/2013 Slammy Awards

RAW 5/12/2014 Daniel Bryan Promo