In December 2014 the WWE universe was awaiting the return to action of former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan. A year later Daniel Bryan, WWE and the fans are in the same predicament. 6 months ago I wrote a piece detailing Bryan’s latest injury scare and his departure from WWE programming, when Bryan and WWE announced he was relinquishing the IC title in May there was a collective sigh. Since Bryan stepped away there have been very few comments surrounding his departure. WWE & Daniel Bryan have kept quiet about the reasons behind WWE’s reluctance to allow him to return to the squared circle.
Daniel Bryan returned to in ring action in January 2015, soon after he declared his intentions to enter the Royal Rumble match and reclaim the WWE World Title. A majority of the fans took his words as gospel, and why not, for it was only a year prior that the WWE universe coerced WWE creative to change their Wrestlemania plans. However lightning would unfortunately not strike twice, Daniel was eliminated early from the Rumble event by Bray Wyatt. There was another collective sigh from the fans, many saw no other alternative than Daniel Bryan being in the main event of Wrestlemania 31. However WWE decided to tease us one more time by inserting Bryan into a number one contenders match at Fastlane in February. Roman Reigns took on the challenge of Daniel and again the ‘Yes Man’ crashed and burned, the IC title awaited him at Wrestlemania.
7 superstars took part in the Intercontinental Ladder match at Wrestlemania 31. WWE had weeks prior quietly stated that they wanted the IC title to regain the prestige it had so obviously lost, Daniel Bryan was chosen as the man to lead that resurgence. Lead he did, until he was removed from the UK tour in April, WWE stated it was a precautionary measure. So once more Daniel Bryan, so early into a planned title reign fell down at the first hurdle. His planned title defence against Bad News Barrett at Extreme Rules was also cancelled, WWE this time declared Bryan was “medically unable to compete”. A short while later WWE also announced that Bryan had been pulled from future live events and appearances. After a month of silence he returned to Raw and spoke about his recent MRI scan, the amount of time he may be out and the possibility of retirement. Still however Bryan nor WWE would state why he was removed from the active roster.
At the Elimination Chamber PPV Daniel’s now vacated IC title was up for grabs in a chamber match. Ryback was the victor and afterwards Bryan awarded him the championship. Bryan at the event stated that he would wrestle again. In July Daniel Bryan personally declared that his injury was concussion related, he commented how good he was feeling, but WWE was yet to give him the all clear to return. And that was that, since the Elimination Chamber appearance both WWE and Daniel have been quiet. But for what reason?
In April 2014, Bryan reached the pinnacle of his career when he became the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestlemania 30. After years of paying his dues and perfecting his craft Daniel had finally won the big one on the grandest stage of them all. He then followed up his title win by marrying Brie Bella, this came only days after his title victory. Tragedy soon struck as only days later Daniel’s father passed away. As many highs as Bryan had in 2014 he also had his lows, his father’s death, followed then by his injury must have taken its toll. My personal opinion is that Bryan, since Money in the Bank 2011 had given everything he had to succeed. Much like CM Punk, Bryan bucked the trend, he was an international wrestling sensation who, when he signed with WWE wasn’t expected to prosper.
Below is an extract from Daniel Bryan at the Q&A session, Wizard World, in August 2015
“Yes, there is that chance [WWE may never clear me to wrestle]. But I told them, regardless of them, if they won’t clear me, we’re independent contractors, in theory, and I will wrestle again. I am cleared by the neurologist in Phoenix that I’ve been going to see. It’s not like he’s a quack doctor. He was the neurologist for the Super Bowl, who has no problems in clearing me with no limitations. But you have to understand that WWE is not only looking out for my best interest, but they have to look out for their company as well, and I understand all that, too.”
“There is nothing vindictive or anything. There’s just a lot of hurdles to go through at this point with getting cleared by WWE. I had a sit-down with Vince and Hunter about this and said, `Hey, this is my passion. I understand why you guys wouldn’t clear me, but we only get, as far as we know, one life. And you’re not going to let me do my passion.’”
When you start to look at the issues surrounding Bryan and WWE, you can draw similarities to the Kurt Angle situation of 2005, when upon suffering multiple injuries WWE neglected to use Angle and soon after his contract was terminated. However in the decade since his departure from WWE Kurt has gone on to wrestle some of the best matches of his career. Yes he’s had his injuries and faced his demons but Kurt is still walking upright and wrestling. Kurt Angle, like Daniel Bryan loves the wrestling business, and in 2005 when WWE took away the chance to wrestle he looked elsewhere. In the statement above, Bryan clearly states his intentions to continue wrestling, whether it be in WWE, TNA, ROH or Japan.
In 2014, after a handful of concussion related injuries Corey Graves decided to retire from in ring competition. Corey was on the NXT roster for 3 years, but after his latest injury he and WWE made the swift decision to step down from the ring. Obviously the decision wasn’t easy for either party, yet the decision was made for the good of Graves and the company. So therefore was hasn’t Daniel Bryan, who has a history of concussion related injuries not be given the decision either way, to retire or leave?
WWE know the repercussions if they allow Bryan to return prematurely, however they also know the fan base Bryan has and the merchandise he can sell if actively on television and PPV. In April 2014 Daniel Bryan became WWE’s top star, with arguably the potential to rival John Cena if allowed to do so, at 34 Bryan has time on his side. After returning in early 2015 Bryan incorporated and evolved his repertoire to ease the pressure on his body, and if he does return in 2016 he will do the same again. WWE has changed some much in the last year alone that, upon Bryan’s return he would have fresh opponents and scenarios to face. If WWE clear him the possibilities are endless for WWE, straight away fan interest would return. If he were to return for example in time for Wrestlemania 32 then almost immediately the PPV itself seems better.
If Daniel Bryan was to return to WWE, which I hope he does I would love to see him develop a more serious character, similar to Kurt Angle. Bryan I feel would suit a mat based skill set, add in a perceived Japanese stiff style and you have a deadly wrestling machine. The alternative to not returning to WWE is TNA and the independent scene, reading Bryan’s comments it’s clear that he would be happy to do that if WWE don’t clear him. As we near the end of 2015 the mystery surrounding Daniel Bryan continues to mystify the wider wrestling community. The Internet and social media have become the sources for multiple reports and rumours on Daniel Bryan, and they will continue to be that until either Daniel or WWE make a decision…….is it ‘YES’ or NO’
@ciaran_1986
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