Daniel Bryan shouldn’t immediately return to full-time action
Daniel Bryan must employ a slow return in order to ensure the longevity of this comeback run.
Excitement isn’t a strong enough word to describe the wrestling community when news broke that Daniel Bryan was medically cleared to return to the ring. After months of speculation, the former champion is prepared to once again become an active competitor on the WWE roster. As ideas of dream matches against the likes of AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura run wild, we should all pump the brakes. Bryan’s return should be taken slow not just for his sake, but to help build what can become a truly special moment.
Everyone remembers the scene when Bryan announced his retirement in February of 2016. Being forced from the ring at a point where he was his most popular left a void in his life and on the entire WWE roster. Getting him back at a time when the organization needs a galvanizing star is a boost that should get everyone out of their seat. But we’ve been here before with Bryan and should all learn from the first time he was inactive due to serious injury.
Daniel’s first injury in 2014 had many thinking his career was going to be cut short at that time. When he found a way to return nearly a year later, he went right back to his high risk style in-ring style. While that is entertaining to fans, it played a part in his second injury which led to his retirement two years ago. With all this time away it’s important that Bryan doesn’t dive right back into high impact wrestling. Leveraging Bryan as a “part time” talent in the ring is best for both Bryan and the WWE in this immediate moment.
The first concern should be Bryan’s health. As Triple H tweeted out this afternoon, health and wellness are the “primary concerns” within the WWE. With that in mind, Bryan should not immediately return to the dangerous style that made him into a star. Instead, slower paced matches, mixed in with risk-averse spots need to be the go-to format at this time. Bryan has the ability to give fans an exciting match without all of the dives and heavy shots of the past. Bryan has shown that he can put together a grappling-based match that keeps the attention of the fans and that should be his go to methodology at this time.
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Then there’s what the WWE has to gain with using Bryan as a part time wrestler. Some of the biggest names in the organization are athletes who don’t step into the ring on a weekly basis.
While the likes of Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, Dolph Ziggler and others compete day in, and day out; it’s the infrequent appearances of those like The Undertaker, The Rock, Triple H and more that cause needle spikes in popularity. Bryan could be used in the same way, building to big moments that have a potential to turn into bigger ratings.
This doesn’t mean that Bryan should be kept off of television entirely. Instead, WWE Creative must come up with compelling storylines that do not result in him taking damage right out of the gate.
Bryan has an innate ability as a storyteller both inside and out of the ring; it’s time the WWE leverages those skills to protect him as a part time talent.
Next: The emotions behind Daniel Bryan's return
Much like other athletes have limited duty when they return from serious injury, the WWE should employ the same tactics with Daniel Bryan. Yes, the excitement about his return is palpable, but throwing him back into the action head first can cut into the possibilities of this being a true, long-term comeback story.