Word broke today that, after two years, Daniel Bryan would be returning to in-ring action. The Smackdown GM was officially cleared today by the WWE, as reported earlier, and it looks like he will more than likely be a part of Shane McMahon’s match at WrestleMania.
Saying goodbye to the ring was one of the hardest moments of my life. But thanks to the amazing people supporting me, I was able to keep fighting for my dream. This moment feels surreal and I'm glad to be able to talk to you all at the beginning of #SDLive tonight.
— Bryan Danielson (@bryandanielson) March 20, 2018
Daniel Bryan getting cleared is something that many felt would never happen. WWE has gotten very strict when it comes to dealing with issues involving concussions, and after revealing that he was also having seizures back in 2016, the assumption was that WWE would never allow Daniel Bryan to compete in the ring again.
However, with the announcement today that the leader of the Yes Movement has been allowed to compete once again, the wrestling world has been blowing up. Various wrestlers, personalities, and fans from across the world have gone to Twitter to show support for the G.O.A.T.
Wow quite the news Daniel Bryan cleared to get back in the ring. Will definitely be my top story on Coach em Up Live tonight at 7p east. ok @facebook live @twitter @periscope. See you then.
— The Coach (@TheCoachrules) March 20, 2018
This may be a first in all of professional sports. So stoked for Bryan and for what it could mean for head trauma research and rehabilitation in contact athletics. https://t.co/g3nnD11wVM
— Seth “Freakin’” Rollins (@WWERollins) March 20, 2018
DANIEL BRYAN HAS BEEN CLEARED!!! pic.twitter.com/DRNh4F9nPR
— Noelle Foley (@NoelleFoley) March 20, 2018
Daniel Bryan being cleared by WWE is the biggest wrestling story of the year. This man's career would make a remarkable movie. I may need to turn on the notsam studio. Facebook Live or YouTube???
— Sam Roberts (@notsam) March 20, 2018
I couldn’t be happier for Daniel. Being away for two years must have felt like an eternity…but today, he’s back and where he belongs. https://t.co/HNtSw1RwKI
— AJ Styles (@AJStylesOrg) March 20, 2018
Some wrestlers even teased a possible feud with the former WWE Champion, now that he’s eligible. Even his old rival, The Miz, had something to say about Bryan’s return.
This is great news. No one needs to wish anymore. They can see it with their eyes. #NakamuravsBryan
— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) March 20, 2018
Good. I’ve been meaning to punch him in the face for years now. https://t.co/PlSWmNm86k
— ecIII (@therealec3) March 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/mikethemiz/status/976202576709464064
Sam Roberts is right. Daniel Bryan getting cleared is so far the biggest wrestling story of the year, and I doubt any news story in wrestling will top this in 2018. While we don’t know what WWE’s plans are for Bryan, or if he’ll be used as a part-time or a full-time talent, we do know that there’s a lot of potential for great feuds.
With the stacked roster that the WWE has now, there’s no shortage of fantastic matches Bryan can have. Who would you like to see Bryan feud with after WrestleMania?