WWE gave Daniel Bryan a send-off on RAW fit for a Hall of Famer. After months of uncertainty, the
company finally closed the ongoing issue of Bryan’s likelihood of returning to
a ring. In private they made it clear they were never going to clear him to
wrestle. But that doesn’t mean the former World Champion is finished with
wrestling.
It’s been a standoff that has dragged on for months. Bryan
has been cleared by a multitude of private doctors but has been unable to
convince WWE medical staff that there is no danger after years of consecutive
concussions.
The writing was on the wall for him when they failed to give
in to his demands despite Vince McMahon’s outfit suffering injury after injury
to top level stars. There must have been a temptation to agree with Bryan’s
private doctors. But the WWE is currently being sued by former wrestlers (that
never made the main roster) for concussion injuries. They just couldn’t take
the risk.
Vince no longer sees the point of in-ring dangers, or even
entertaining storylines, his risks are all on the stock market. The days of
making the best product to ward off WCW have been replaced by keeping profit
margins up. This method is bearing financial fruits; there was no reason to
take a risk that could have cost him millions.
Bryan is somewhat tied to WWE. They handled his autobiography
release and helped market it. His wife works for the company on the active
roster and they both feature in Total
Divas. His unique connection to the WWE Universe forced the company to
elevate him to the main championship.
But before all this he is a wrestler.
Severing ties with WWE was his way to seek his
thrills elsewhere. In July 2015 he told Sirius XM 92's: “I told them, regardless of them, if they won't clear
me . . . we're independent contractors, in theory . . . 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.”
That was a not-so subtle warning to WWE: “Use me or lose me.” After much
deliberation they have decided to let him go.
Why they took so long only Vince can answer honestly – and probably never
will.
Did they want to ensure they had all the facts and gave the docs enough
time before axing him? Did they want to kill his momentum before he competed
elsewhere?
It’s likely a little bit of both.
One thing’s for sure, even though WWE said, “No!” to a return we’ll see
Bryan back in the ring before he retires for real.
Am I happy about this?
“Yes! Yes! Yes!”
