Daniel Bryan cleared: WWE legend able to return to ring two years after retirement
After a stint in a non-wrestling on-screen role, Bryan can get back between the ropes
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Your support makes all the difference.Wrestling fans around the world got the news they’ve been hoping for this week – WWE legend Daniel Bryan is again able to compete in the ring.
The hugely-popular superstar has been medically cleared to compete over two years after being forced to retire due to injury due to concussion-related issues.
His efforts in spending much of the intervening period battling with specialists across the States have paid off, though, as it was announced prior to Tuesday’s Smackdown Live episode that the former WWE Champion will, after all, be able to resume his career.
Reflecting on the incredible turnaround, he commented: “A little over two years ago, when I was forced to retire, it was one of the hardest days of my life.
“There were times when I was depressed about not being able to do what I love to do, but I focused on being grateful, and I have a lot to be grateful for, but my wife [told me] ‘you need to fight for your dreams.’
“I don’t know exactly when or where I will be back in this ring… but will Daniel Bryan compete in a WWE ring again? Yes!”
It marks a drastic turn of events for the wrestler, real name Bryan Danielson. After being pulled from live events and pay per views in the spring of 2016, the 36-year-old would go on to relinquish the WWE Championship and confirm his break from active competition having undergone an MRI – it was later revealed that Bryan had suffered at least ten concussions during his career to that point, and far likely more.
More disturbingly, he noted in an interview with ESPN the following day that tests had revealed a small subacute or chronic brain lesion, which had resulted in several post-concussion seizures.
Remaining under WWE contract, Bryan has been utilised as the on-screen General Manager of Smackdown Live – a role he’s certainly delivered in when it comes to effort and enthusiasm. He made no secret, however, of his desire to wrestle again – event hinting at doing so for another company once his current contract had come to an end.
Now, though, he’ll get his wish after rigorous testing gave Bryan the all-clear- but not before being passed by three external independent neurosurgeons, neurologists and concussion experts.
He added: “Over the last two months I have asked WWE to re-look at my case and they have sent me to the best neurologists in the country. All of these neurologists, every specialist and every doctor I’ve seen has said ‘you are cleared.’
“I want to say thank you to the WWE and their doctors, because first and foremost they looked at me as the person and not the wrestler, and for that I’ll be forever grateful to them.
“I am also grateful that they were willing to give my case a second look. I want to say thank you to [WWE fans], because they have supported me for this entire time.”
The news was greeted with unanimous joy across the world from wrestling fans and Bryan’s fellow superstars.
His on-screen foe, Kevin Owens, Tweeted: “Congratulations, man. I was in the crowd the night you won the WWE Title at WrestleMania in New Orleans... I was on the stage the night you announced you had to walk away from the in-ring competition in Seattle... I can’t wait to be in the arena tonight in Dallas to see this.”
In true Bryan and WWE style, it didn’t take long for the Washington-native to get back into the thick of the action – barely minutes after the announcement was made, he was being carried out of the arena on a stretcher having been beaten down by Owens and Sami Zayn as the build continues to a match involving the two, Bryan and Shane McMahon at Wrestlemania.
Welcome back, Daniel Bryan!
WWE Wrestlemania takes place on WWE Network on Sunday, April 8th and streams live on WWE Network. For more details visit wwe.com
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