Watch Daniel Bryan’s ‘WWE Raw’ retirement speech

After announcing his retirement from professional wrestling on Twitter, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan came to “WWE Raw” to address the live crowd and explain the situation.

While he was previously cleared to wrestle by doctors, a recent test showed his brain was stiff suffering from the effects of multiple concussions sustained over his career. With that information, Bryan says he’s putting his family and future first and ending his career after 16 years of performing in the ring.

Watch Daniel Bryan’s ‘WWE Raw’ retirement speech

It was an emotional affair for Bryan, who was appearing in front of his hometown crowd in Seattle, Wa. and joined by his wife — WWE diva Brie Bella — at one point.
To cap off the night, Bryan led the crowd in a final yes chant as the entire WWE roster crowded the stage to help celebrate his career — with Vince McMahon, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon leading the cheers. As things came to a close, Bryan walked back up the ramp for the final time with his wife, as commentator Michael Cole noted he was taking a “hall of fame walk.”

With “WrestleMania 32” less than two months away, Bryan becomes a prime contender for the 2016 class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Currently, the only announced member of the class is Sting.