WWE might be planning on life without Daniel Bryan.
Bryan had neck surgery earlier this year, but needs a second surgery on his right arm as well. That surgery still has not happened, and has a three month recovery time, meaning that it’s unlikely that Bryan will return to the ring in 2014.
With WWE booking building towards a Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns match for Wrestlemania 31, there is no clear top tier match for Daniel Bryan. In some situations like this, WWE creative would be reserving some top spots for possible Bryan returns late this year or early next year. But at this point, it seems WWE has not made active plans for Bryan’s return.
Backstage, some people consider the return of Daniel Bryan to be more a matter of “if” than a matter of “when”.
If Bryan returns in December 2014 or in 2015, it’s largely expected that he will tone down his in-ring style either way. Some of his more high impact moves, such as the top rope headbutt, will need to be reduced or eliminated altogether.
It is not out of the question, at this point, that Bryan would not be able to return at all. If Bryan cannot regain feeling in his arm, or has a possibility of permanent injury if he were to return, he might opt for retirement instead. Bryan is said to have his post-wrestling plans in place. He has made good money and been frugal, and wants to shift towards something that will have a positive impact on the world.
