Daniel Bryan def. Triple H

NEW ORLEANS — The catchphrase that launched a movement became a triumphant battle cry at

WrestleMania 30, as 75,167 WWE Universe

members rallied Daniel Bryan to victory against

Triple H with thunderous “Yes!” chants in the sold-

out Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Bryan’s hard-

earned win over WWE’s Chief Operating Officer propelled the galvanizing Superstar to the night’s

WWE World Heavyweight Championship main

event, where he would do battle with Batista and

reigning titleholder Randy Orton. However, the celebrations were short-lived.

Moments after Bryan connected with his signature

running knee and felled the mighty King of Kings,

Stephanie McMahon entered the ring and

“congratulated” Bryan with a succession of stinging

slaps. Distracted, Bryan was vulnerable to a savage post-match assault by Triple H, who went

after Bryan’s already injured shoulder — a tactic

Triple H utilized throughout this emotionally charged

encounter.

Still feeling the effects of a similarly brutal attack

by Triple H weeks earlier on Raw, Bryan “Yessed”

to the ring at WrestleMania with bandages wrapped

around his chest, an accessory that stood in stark

contrast to the opulent gold skull helmet and

crimson robe of the man Stephanie referred to as “the most powerful man in WWE.” In a show of

what appeared to be sportsmanship, The Game

began the bout by extending his arm for a

handshake — a move that was countered by a kick

to the palm by the bearded revolutionary. Risking further injury, Bryan nevertheless launched

his body at the sadistic COO with reckless

abandon, but it was Triple H who gained an early

advantage by zeroing in on Bryan’s all-too-obvious

weak point. Twice, Triple H tore at Bryan’s

damaged limb with wince-inducing crossfaces, but it was The Game’s second application of the hold

that allowed Bryan to reverse the maneuver into his

own “Yes!” Lock. Watching at ringside, Stephanie’s

malicious grin morphed into a look of genuine

concern as Triple H barely made it to the ropes.