Ali Discusses Daniel Bryan's Influence In Him Getting His Recent WWE Push

Ali was just floating around in 205 Live and in an out of the Cruiserweight Title picture when his world flipped upside down in December. He got the opportunity to have a one-on-one match with Daniel Bryan on SmackDown and he parlayed that performance into a full-time roster spot with the blue brand.

Ali credits Bryan for wanting to work with him and then praising him after the match. Ali talked about Bryan's influence in an interview with TalkSport.com.

"I'll never know the full story because Daniel is not the type of guy that would put his hat on anything," Ali started. "That's the kind of guy he is. But, the way it went down was I showed up to TV one day and I was told 'Hey, don't get your hopes up, it's a one time deal, but you're working Daniel Bryan on SmackDown. It's just to highlight you and the 205 Live division, it's a one-time deal. It's an opportunity, but don't get any ideas! You're not getting moved to SmackDown'.

"So we went out there and had this once in a lifetime ? I thought ? match with Daniel Bryan and I came back, it was a positive reception and what not, but it wasn't until the following week till I came back to TV that I was told 'Hey, we've made the decision to move you over to SmackDown, you're going to be a full-time member and you're in the main event of the night,' so it was a lot to take in in two weeks. Thinking that you kind of have this opportunity to show people what you're made of, to 'OK, not only do we want to see what you're capable of but we're also putting you in the mix.'"

Even though Ali was on the losing end of his singles match with Bryan, Ali was victorious in a tag match a week later when he and A.J. Styles defeated Bryan and Andrade.

That then led to a triple threat match for the WWE World Championship against Bryan and Kevin Owens at Fastlane. Ali's profile went from being an afterthought in 205 Live to main eventing cards and competing for world titles.

"As far as Daniel's involvement in it, I've heard a bunch of different stories, but I refuse to believe anything other than Bryan saw I was capable of doing or he wanted to give back because Bryan himself is a guy who struggled at cruiserweight just like we did," Ali continued. "You know, smaller guys, work-rate guys, guys that might not get the best story or chance to show personality and he saw whatever he saw and I was fortunate enough to work him. I would directly say if Daniel Bryan wasn't involved I wouldn't be where I'm at right now."