Bryan Danielson and WWE: What We Know About the Fight Over the “Yes!” Chant

Bryan Danielson may have moved on from WWE, but the company still isn’t done with him—especially when it comes to his iconic “Yes!” chant.

During his panel at Starrcast, Danielson confirmed he was recently asked by WWE to stop using the chant that helped define his rise to superstardom. But those familiar with the situation would know it goes way back.

As previously reported, WWE first asked Danielson to stop using the chant immediately after he left the company. The reason? WWE claimed it would “infringe on their intellectual property.”

Danielson reportedly honored that request throughout most of his AEW run, choosing not to lead the crowd in the chant—even though it remained a fan-favorite part of his legacy.

In 2024, Danielson made a move to reclaim the chant legally by filing a trademark for “Yes!” himself. WWE didn’t take that lightly. The company opposed his filing and even went as far as sending him an email accusing him of “infringing on their intellectual property.”

As of now, it’s unclear how far the legal back-and-forth has gone, but one thing’s certain—Danielson’s most famous chant may no longer be his to use freely.

WWE may have owned the ring where it was born, but fans will always associate “Yes!” with Bryan Danielson. Now it’s just a matter of whether he can ever fully own the phrase that changed his career.