WWE News: Daniel Bryan Teases Return To Indies If WWE Will Not Clear Him
Daniel Bryan has been dealing with concussion issues for most of 2015 but if he isn’t cleared by WWE to wrestle, he may continue his career on the indies, as he stated to IGN.
Promoting the new WWE 2K16 video game, Bryan was asked about his shaky health. The last two years, the “YES!” man has been forced to vacate two championships and take extended periods to recover from a bevy of injuries. Bryan claims to be ready to return but WWE’s doctors view the situation differently.
“One neurologist who specializes in concussions – who was the neurologist for the Super Bowl last year – cleared me with no limitations. All my testing came back excellent. But the WWE’s medical doctor is skeptical, because of my history of concussions and that sort of thing. So they will not clear me.”
After realizing his childhood dream of main-eventing Wrestlemania and winning the WWE World Heavyweight championship last year, a neck injury forced Bryan to vacate the title. He would be out of action until the Royal Rumble this year. But Bryan was able to to wrestle at Wrestlemania 32 this year, winning his first Intercontinental title.
However, reoccurring neck and concussion issues ended that reign even quicker than his world title reign last year. The former longtime Ring of Honor mainstay admits that sitting at home and not being able to wrestle is taking a mental toll on him.
“As I’m gardening, I’m thinking about wrestling. I’m thinking about different [things]– like, it would be cool if I did this. And I watch wrestling. And when I’m watching it I’m thinking, ‘why didn’t they do this’, or–‘ooh! That sparked an idea.’ Then I’m thinking about that for a long time.”
No matter how strongly Bryan fights to don his maroon gear and wrestle in a WWE ring, the company will do what it feels is right. That means there is a possibility that Bryan may never be cleared to compete in WWE again, which for all intents and purposes would end his WWE career.
Bryan did say that he is open to the idea of taking a different role in WWE. He went as far as saying that he would “really enjoy being a commentator.” However he would have issues seeing other people doing what he wants but can’t. With that in mind, Bryan brought up a recent conversation he had with John Cena.
“John Cena and I actually had this discussion. He said, ‘if something were to happen to you and the WWE, would you go back to doing the indies?’ Absolutely!”
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Bryan could possibly end up with New Japan Pro Wrestling once he is no longer a contracted WWE employee. However, if he does return to the indies, Bryan mentioned that it may end up being in a lucha libre capacity.
“I’ve gotten this sudden fascination with the lore of lucha. The idea of doing a mask vs. hair match is appealing to him, as is main eventing a CMLL anniversary show.”
In the end, concussion issues are a serious thing. If not treated appropriately and put in danger, Bryan could jeopardize his everyday life by stepping into the ring. With that in mind, Bryan is understanding that if another respected doctor advises him to not wrestle, calling it quits may be the right decision.
“The WWE doctor Joe Maroon [is] amazing and highly respected in the concussion field, and if they send me to a third neurologist who’s also highly respected in the concussion field and they say literally no…well, then is it really smart to go against two doctors? I get all fired up…and then I’m like, maybe that’s not the best thing for me and my family going forward.”
[Images by Valerie Macon and Steve Haag/Getty Images]
