Side Project: Wrestling Posters (Part 2)

Last year, I posted my custom poster designs for some of my favorite WWE wrestlers. Since then, I've been working on a new set and have whipped up four more in anticipation of Wrestlemania. I was unsure of what wrestler I wanted to round out this set of four, and then this afternoon around 5:00, some very exciting news came across my desk. WWE shared breaking news over social media, and it stated that the impossible had just happened — Daniel Bryan had been medically cleared to return to the ring.

For those of you who don't follow professional wrestling, Daniel Bryan is arguably the best underdog story in the history of professional wrestling. He's not the biggest or the strongest, but he fought his way to the top despite impossible odds (both scripted and unscripted) to become not only the WWE Heavyweight Champion, but the WWE Universe's champion hero, too. He brought a voice to the fans that had never been broadcast quite that loud. And he did it all with the "YES!" movement. When someone told Daniel Bryan he couldn't, he shouldn't, or he won't, he always responded in the same way — throwing both index fingers into the air, slightly bending his knees, and thrusting himself upwards, he'd scream, "YES! YES! YES!" And often times, thousands upon thousands of fans would join him in unison, and the arena would go absolutely electric.

But very suddenly, it all ended. See, WWE has a very strict policy on concussions, learning from the issues NFL alumni often face with health during and after retirement. And Daniel had endured a lot of concussions in his pre-WWE career, so when he had a few too many too quickly during his WWE run, doctors were watching him closely. And finally, it all came crashing down. Daniel suffered one concussion too many, and doctors performed tests and brain scans and the decision was made — for Daniel's future, he could not be medically cleared and would not be legally cleared to compete with WWE again. Ever.

So you can imagine my excitement and complete surprise to read today, "Daniel Bryan Cleared for In-Ring Action." My eyes rushed over the lines of the article to find the catch, but there wasn't one. Daniel Bryan was cleared. He was back. And just in time for Wrestlemania. And suddenly, my well of inspiration was brimming.

So here are the four posters, which show some of the baddest and the best in the game, face and heel, alike. I am so (much more) excited for Wrestlemania now. YES! YES! YES!

Daniel Bryan is just as much an everyday hero as he is a professional wrestling superstar. He's built his career on beating the odds, and I'm so excited to learn and celebrate that he's done it yes again. In his poster design, I chose to relay a calmer, more confident, steadfast, singular "YES," and display it against an overwhelming number of "NOs" in the background. From doctors, trainers, and WWE leadership, Daniel only heard "No" for a long time. But here he is, overcoming all the No's and giving the final, affirming answer of "Yes." I can't wait to see what happens when the grandest stage of them all finally re-features one of the greatest wrestlers of them all, my hero, Daniel Bryan.

If you'd like to see this year's Wrestlemania (and not pay ticket or PPV prices), head over to wwenetwork.com and sign up for a free trial. You'll actually be able to watch Wrestlemania for free, where you'll see not only the return of Daniel Bryan but the highly touted debut of Ronda Rousey in her first wrestling appearance of all time. I'd say it's worth the money, but it's free. So it's definitely worth that.