Daniel Bryan Says He's 85% Likely To Wrestle Again
The SmackDown Live General Manager believes he'll hit the ring again - but not necessarily for WWE...
Daniel Bryan was recently interviewed on the New Jersey Devils' All-Access Podcast, and addressed the possibility of him returning to wrestling.
His answer was very forthright; Bryan claimed that he is 85% likely to wrestle again, but only 15% likely to be cleared by WWE. Should this be true, a return to the independent scene seems the most probably outcome.
Bryan has made no secret of his desire to wrestle again, and his frustration with being sidelined by WWE. He has occasionally made posts on social media that - one would assume - would land a superstar of lesser standing and popularity in hot water.
A crucial example would be his challenge aimed at current ROH World Champion Cody Rhodes, where he openly stated his desire to wrestle the Bullet Club member for the title he held earlier in his career.
In contrast, WWE fired writer (and fellow former ROH wrestler) Jimmy Jacobs after a selfie taken with Bullet Club members during their 'invasion' of Monday Night Raw in Ontario, California.
Bryan last wrestled on April 14th 2015, competing in a tag match alongside John Cena on a London edition of SmackDown. He is currently General Manager of the blue brand, but unlike fellow authority figure Shane McMahon, has not been cleared to compete by WWE.
The 36 year old is a three time WWE Champion, most notably winning the title in an emotional main event at WrestleMania XXX. He also enjoyed a critically lauded indie career prior to joining WWE, most notably with promotions such as Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.
A key factor in Bryan's decision to return is his young family (wife Brie Bella recently gave birth to a baby daughter), something he has been open and honest about. He told the New Jersey Devils' podcast that should he not feel confident in returning safely to the ring, he won't do so for his daughter's sake.
His answer was very forthright; Bryan claimed that he is 85% likely to wrestle again, but only 15% likely to be cleared by WWE. Should this be true, a return to the independent scene seems the most probably outcome.
Bryan has made no secret of his desire to wrestle again, and his frustration with being sidelined by WWE. He has occasionally made posts on social media that - one would assume - would land a superstar of lesser standing and popularity in hot water.
A crucial example would be his challenge aimed at current ROH World Champion Cody Rhodes, where he openly stated his desire to wrestle the Bullet Club member for the title he held earlier in his career.
In contrast, WWE fired writer (and fellow former ROH wrestler) Jimmy Jacobs after a selfie taken with Bullet Club members during their 'invasion' of Monday Night Raw in Ontario, California.
Bryan last wrestled on April 14th 2015, competing in a tag match alongside John Cena on a London edition of SmackDown. He is currently General Manager of the blue brand, but unlike fellow authority figure Shane McMahon, has not been cleared to compete by WWE.
The 36 year old is a three time WWE Champion, most notably winning the title in an emotional main event at WrestleMania XXX. He also enjoyed a critically lauded indie career prior to joining WWE, most notably with promotions such as Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.
A key factor in Bryan's decision to return is his young family (wife Brie Bella recently gave birth to a baby daughter), something he has been open and honest about. He told the New Jersey Devils' podcast that should he not feel confident in returning safely to the ring, he won't do so for his daughter's sake.
Written by Jack King
jack.king@cultaholic.com Twitter: @JackTheJobber