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WWE News
WWE/DGUSA News: Gabe Sapolsky blogs on "getting the call" about Bryan Danielson signing with WWE Sep 2, 2009 - 3:00:12 PM
Gabe Sapolsky, the Dragon Gate USA executive and former Ring of Honor head booker, posted a blog describing what Bryan Danielson meant to him as a booker. Sapolsky said "getting the call" about another talent signing with WWE was different with Danielson.
Excerpt from Sapolsky's blog: "Normally, I don't sweat the WWE call. Don't get me wrong, it's never pleasant emotionally and I was always sad to see whatever talent got the call go. It was always The End of a span of time with someone I enjoyed working with and most likely shared some good times. However, after the initial despair faded I would get excited about the opportunity to push fresh talent and work with new people. I would always be happy for the person that signed since they would now have an opportunity to make a large amount of money and get security for life. However, with C.M. Punk and Bryan it was different. With Bryan it was very different.
"I have reached the point in life that when that phone call came from Bryan I didn't feel panic or despair. Instead, I was overcome by a feeling of justice and happiness. Bryan is an inspiration. Here is a guy who has dedicated himself to his craft and made it into his own artform. He has put in the work over the years. He has overcome pain and injury to become a franchise athlete. He has defeated emotional and mental frustrations to lead by example. He heard all the reasons he would fail and laughed at them. He has not let anything stop him from progressing forward. This is an example all of us can learn from."
Sapolsky also talked about Danielson toughing out injuries, which ironically factored into him signing with WWE to pay for future medical bills. Sapolsky recalled Danielson's 60-minute draw against Colt Cabana in August 2006 at the ROH "Gut Check" show when Danielson didn't call an audible to end the match early despite suffering a shoulder injury.
Excerpt from Sapolsky's blog: "Bryan comes to the back wincing in agony. After a few seconds it was obvious the burning in his shoulder was excruciating. 'Why did you go an hour instead of going home early?' I asked. Bryan, while clutching his shoulder and trying to maintain his composure through the pain, said: 'You reach a point where you either say I can do this or I can't and I worked through it. Anyway, otherwise I would have had to go over in two falls and that would have killed Cabana in his hometown.'"
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