"It's so much fun," Bryan told MSG+ of watching Islanders fans mimic his chant. "There's so much energy and enthusiasm. That's one of the things I love about coming to live sporting events, is the excitement and enthusiasm and passion of the fans, and you can feel it tonight."
Sunday was the first hockey game Bryan attended, and he sat in the stands in a blue Islanders home jersey with his name and No. 1 on the back. It's the third straight season of Islanders fans chanting "Yes! Yes! Yes!" after their team scores, and the former WWE world heavyweight champion admitted he initially was taken aback when he heard about the fan using it.
"A buddy of mine … he's a huge hockey fan, and he called me and said, 'Did you know the Islanders are doing the "Yes!" chant?' And I was like, 'No,'" Bryan said. "I looked it up online, and it was super cool."
Bryan also provided a window into the chant's origin and why it is so catchy with fans of wrestling and hockey alike.
"I had just won a championship, and I was out celebrating. I was like 'I'm the champion! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Bryan said. "I was being obnoxious about it, but it's fun. I think that's why it catches on, because it's a fun way to celebrate."
