WWE Clears Daniel Bryan to Return for WrestleMania 34
It has been years since Daniel Bryan has been able to compete in WWE. Now he might make it to WrestleMania 34.
You can almost hear the crowds now …
“Yes! Yes! Yes!”
WWE announced on Tuesday that it has cleared Daniel Bryan for an in-ring return, more than two years after doctors told him he would never wrestle again due to brain injuries suffered over wrestling career.
Bryan’s return comes just in time for him to potentially wrestle at WrestleMania 34 next month in New Orleans. It would be a nice full-circle moment for Bryan, who beat Triple H and then Randy Orton and Batista to win the WWE Undisputed World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 30 in 2014.
Bryan, 36, hasn’t wrestled a match since suffering an injury in 2015.
“Saying goodbye to the ring was one of the hardest moments of my life,” Bryan said on Twitter. “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 (SmackDown Live) tonight.”
According to WWE, Bryan has been cleared for an in-ring return after being evaluated by a team of four doctors, including WWE’s own physicians.
“Following more than two years of extensive evaluations, four-time World Champion Daniel Bryan has been medically cleared to return to in-ring competition by leading neurosurgeons, neurologists and concussion experts, including Dr. Robert Cantu, Dr. Javier Cárdenas and Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher,” WWE said in a statement. “Bryan underwent a full review of his medical history and received comprehensive neurological and physical evaluations independent of WWE. He was cleared by each doctor as well as WWE’s Medical Director, Dr. Joseph Maroon.”
Bryan had been lobbying for an in-ring return not long after he was forced to announce his retirement. Bryan even speculated that he might wrestle on the indie circuit as a free agent when his WWE contract expires later this year. However, if Bryan is cleared to return to the ring, he stands to make more financially by remaining with WWE.
Bryan has made public comments in the past where he talked about wrestling a lighter schedule, as well as changing his style as to not put his body at anymore risk.