Somehow Daniel Bryan and Shelton Benjamin have never faced each other in a WWE ring. Tonight (Jun. 12) on SmackDown, Bryan and Benjamin squared up for the first time in the opening match on Tuesday night.
The match did not disappoint and turned into a technical affair.
For the first time EVER, @Sheltyb803 is encountering @WWEDanielBryan in the ring, and it seems he may have found the #YESMan's weakness! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ofSUoDHaIY
— WWE (@WWE) June 13, 2018
The story heading into the match-up was Bryan nursing injuries prior to his bout with Big Cass this Sunday at Money in the Bank. Early on in the match Benjamin began to methodically work over Bryan’s left knee.
Bryan took a ton punishment on a go-home episode of SmackDown.
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) June 13, 2018
Down and out, Bryan threw up a desperate attempt at a Yes Lock on Benjamin. With his injuried knee holding him back, the Yes Lock was broken but Daniel Bryan was able to roll into a nasty heel hook submission.
Shelton Benjamin would quickly tap out and Bryan now has some momentum going into Money in the Bank.
Size doesn't matter when you can work the knee and slap on a heel hook like @WWEDanielBryan! pic.twitter.com/WA5iGrpSFi
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) June 13, 2018
Will nagging injuries cost him or can Bryan topple Big Cass this Sunday?
Get complete SmackDown results and coverage here