WWE Throwback Thursday: Daniel Bryan Becomes World Heavyweight Champion

Daniel Bryan has had many historic moments throughout his career, but the night he truly became a main event player in WWE was December 18, 2011.

Big Show won his first world title in nine years after defeating Mark Henry in a chairs match at Tables, Ladders and Chairs, but his celebration was short-lived.

Yet before we get to the big moment, let's review how the situation came to be in the first place.

Daniel Bryan won the Money in the Bank contract that granted him a title shot at the time and place of his choosing in July 2011.

For several months after his win, the WWE treated Bryan as little more than an enhancement talent. He regularly put others over and looked like he would never get out of the rut he found himself in.

But it was all part of the master plan. Wrestlers who cash in their Money in the Bank contracts often go through periods of stagnation right before they win the title.

After Big Show defeated Henry, the former champion took his rage out on his successor by suplexing him onto a steel chair, leaving him completely vulnerable.

This gave Bryan the opportunity he was waiting for. Once Big Show was down, Bryan ran to the ring, handed over his briefcase, covered the giant and won his first World Heavyweight Championship.

The crowd erupted for the underdog as he grabbed the belt and started screaming, "Yes, yes yes" at the top of his lungs. He even got in Michael Cole's face and yelled at him for not believing he would ever win the title.

Bryan's actions shocked Big Show as he wondered why his friend would do that to him, but it was hard to blame Bryan for capitalizing on a golden opportunity.

Not only was this the start Bryan's rise to the top, but it was also the beginning of the Yes Movement. From that night on, fans would either chant "Yes" or "No" at Bryan every time he came to the ring. Which chant he received depended on his status as a heel or babyface.

"

Oh man turned up just in time to see Daniel Bryan snag the world title. Suck on that large men everywhere.

— Donkey Kong Daddy (@ReneeYoungWWE) December 19, 2011"

Winning the title that night was the boost Bryan needed to go from midcard standout to the most popular Superstar in the entire company.

It was also the catalyst for the heel turn that saw Bryan come into his own as a mic worker. He had always seemed bland, but once he had the belt, his confidence grew and his promos became significantly better.

The night Bryan won the World Heavyweight Championship gave fans hope that WWE would finally start to let him reach his full potential.

It takes a special kind of talent to be both an underdog and a heel at the same time, but Bryan pulled it off and made himself into one of the biggest stars in the world.

The following night on Raw, CM Punk, Zack Ryder and Bryan celebrated with the WWE, world and United States titles, respectively. They were three men nobody expected to succeed, yet they proved everyone wrong.

It was a great night for Bryan, the WWE Universe and the wrestling business because it showed how hard work and dedication can pay off in a big way.

Thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter @BR_Doctor.