Update On The Complaint That Got Bryan Danielson Fired Inside

By Ryan Clark

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

As noted earlier here on the website, word is that someone outside of WWE with a lot of power made a complaint to Vince McMahon about Bryan choking Justin Roberts with his own tie on RAW because a scene like that was too violent for WWE. The belief among some is that in that incident, Bryan broke a company protocol that was put in place after the Chris Benoit tragedy that no talents were to use ropes or other objects to choke opponents. Obviously this has been done other times since the Benoit tragedy but the feeling is that it was this particular angle with Bryan and Roberts that got someone powerful enough to complain.

The footage of Bryan choking Roberts was edited off replays as was the footage of him spitting on John Cena. As of late last night, the footage of Bryan choking Roberts was still on WWE's YouTube page but it has since been removed.

Who exactly made the complaint isn't known yet but it had to be someone with a lot of influence to get a name like Danielson released. There's speculation that it could be anyone from Mattel to people in Linda McMahon's Senate campaign. Vince McMahon called WWE's partnership with Mattel a game-changer and it's possible that we're really seeing Mattel's influence now. It's important to note that Mattel making the complaint is not confirmed.

Danielson's last match with WWE was on Wednesday night at the FCW event in Florida where he took part in a continuation of the NXT invasion. Obviously the invasion angle will be hurt now with his departure as he was considered the most well-rounded star of the group.

Again just to recap, here is what we know. Check out the bullet points below:

  • The Justin Roberts spot was deemed too violent and it led to the firing, in a call made by Vince, but forced upon him by an "outside force who is important"
  • Complaints came in very quickly.
  • The decision was explained to the merchandise and marketing people, PR team, company doctor before it was announced that it was a legit firing.
  • The person who complained was someone from the "outside, important to the company"
  • Danielson is being called a "scapegoat"
  • No timetable has been given, but he was said to be left with the impression that he would be welcomed back at a later time once things pass over.
  • Danielson is now looking for indy dates.
  • Danielson has a 90 day no-compete clause.
  • With respect to the possibility of Vince working his own employees, he's definitely capable of it, and a much more "insane" situation is currently going on with a much bigger name than Danielson in WWE right now.
  • Sources in WWE believe they will lose him to TNA, One source said they just "made a TNA main eventer"
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