Ring Of Honor (ROH) veteran Roderick Strong recently spoke with the Pancakes & Powerslams podcast about his history with former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, as well as Bryan’s recent retirement. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On his 2005 match with Daniel Bryan in ROH:
“That was one of the best things working with Bryan. He could paint a picture really well, and know the next one before he was even done with the first one. We kind of had a vision and it played out the way we wanted it to. I was just nervous. That’s why you do it; to get those nerves, and to overcome them. That was the biggest feeling that I had, because I knew I was going for so long, and I knew I was in there with someone so good, I felt like I could keep up.”
On if the match was planned out ahead of time or if it was called live in the ring:
“Me and Bryan always wrestled a lot on field, so that was what we did. That was why that was such a pinnacle part of my career; to be in those situations, and to be led through them to hopefully, one day, be able to do the same thing for somebody else.”
On Daniel Bryan being forced to retire due to physical issues, such as concussions:
“Obviously just doing what we do, it may be something as simple as locking up and bumping heads to give him a concussion. So, I think [him retiring] is good. I think financially it’s the best place he could possibly be, I’m assuming, at this point. He’ll do alright for himself.”
On his most memorable moment with Daniel Bryan:
“At the end of every match that I had in my feud with him, basically. And beating him for the FIP title was a big accomplishment, because I really don’t think I beat him in Ring of Honor (laughs). Maybe once. I believe I did once.”
On why Daniel Bryan received a WWE opportunity ahead of so many other talented ROH performers:
“He just earned it. It was his time to go do what he needed to do.”
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