WWE Royal Rumble 2018: Does Daniel Bryan Even Make Sense As Winner?

The WWE Universe has always been behind Daniel Bryan, and many fans are starting to put their stock into the SmackDown Live GM being the WWE Royal Rumble 2018 winner. But does that actually make sense?

Even though the WWE doesn’t have a reputation for being the promotion with the best technical wrestling in the world, the WWE Universe has been blessed to witness several technical wizards perform at a high level in the company. Few can approach Daniel Bryan’s level of skill, and his ability, heart, and determination made him a fan favorite. There isn’t a single wrestler in the world today who is as universally admired by the fans as Bryan, which is why everyone has been wondering if he will be cleared to wrestle.

By his own admission, if Bryan isn’t cleared to wrestle before WrestleMania 34, it is likely that he won’t ever wrestle for WWE. This information, combined with his current storyline with Shane McMahon on SmackDown Live, has led some fans to believe that Bryan could make his return to a WWE ring soon.

Now, Bryan can always wrestle outside of WWE, and that seems to be the plan if he isn’t cleared by the company. His wife, Brie Bella, has already stated that she supports Bryan continuing his wrestling career, even if some, including ostensibly WWE itself, deem that it is too risky.

If he does return this year, then many expect it to happen at WWE Royal Rumble 2018, because the timing seems to be perfect. Bryan is mired in an on-screen storyline that quietly pits him against SmackDown Live commissioner Shane McMahon. The two authority figures haven’t seen eye-to-eye in months, specifically when it comes to handling Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who have consistently caused problems for Shane.

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Bryan has been siding more and more with Owens and Zayn, leading many to speculate that he will be the one turning heel. After all, it would be uncomfortable to see both WWE shows led by heel McMahons.

So the logic is that Bryan could have a match against Shane or even AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34 after making his in-ring return at the Royal Rumble in Philadelphia on Jan. 28. There’s some history there, and, again, it’s an understandable starting point to being the story.

But it isn’t that easy. Because whenever Bryan is in the Rumble, everyone in the crowd wants him to win, to the point where the crowd will hijack the show if he is eliminated.

If Bryan returns as a babyface, then this is less of a problem. But if the whole point is for Bryan to turn heel against Shane (saving Shane from a possible heel turn), then the crowd would be hot for somebody who is supposed to be a villain.

Worse yet, if Bryan is in the Rumble, then how did he get there storyline-wise? Bryan is an authority figure as SmackDown Live’s GM, so if he’s in the Rumble, he very likely inserted himself into the match for a shot at the main event of WrestleMania. Does that sound like a babyface thing to do? I get that Bryan is a legendary in-ring talent and is extremely likable, but that sounds an awful lot like something a McMahon would do.

If a part-time wrestler and multi-time world champion who is already “over” needs to win the 2018 Royal Rumble, then it’s safe to say Bryan would be a much more popular choice than Cena or the Undertaker.

Everyone thinks of a potential in-ring return from Bryan as a wrestling fairytale, and Bryan winning the Rumble would qualify as a storybook ending.

The issue is that it seems too bold of a call for the WWE to give the green light to, and, well, they haven’t exactly set it up like a fairytale. After all, Bryan put AJ Styles in a handicap match at the Rumble, and he’s been quite bitter towards Shane, repeatedly insulting his family line.

I know how magical it would be to see Bryan back in that ring in a venue like the Rumble – and in Philly of all places. But the fact is that the only storyline explanations for him being in the event would make little sense, the WWE probably isn’t willing to give him this kind of win, and they likely have something different planned for him at WrestleMania than a title opportunity.

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So despite the increased rumblings and the rumors, I wouldn’t put any stock into Bryan being a surprise entrant or winner for this year’s Rumble.