Daniel Bryan: Recreating with Chris Jericho did in 2018 would be special

Every week has its ups and downs in the professional wrestling industry. The biggest news from this week came from Fightful Select when it was revealed that Daniel Bryan’s WWE contract ended the night Roman Reigns sent him packing from SmackDown. Speculation ran wild as to what is next for the multiple-time champion. Bryan could make whatever decision he would like but imagine the buzz he would create if he had a year that was like what Chris Jericho did in 2018.

Step into the time machine to take a trip back to 2018. Chris Jericho was coming off his last, full-time run with the WWE. He and Kevin Owens had imploded with the Festival of Friendship, one of the most enjoyable WWE segments in recent memory. Even as he faced his 48th birthday, Jericho was poised to have one of the most important runs of his career as he helped build the bridge to what would become All Elite Wrestling. He did things that no one thought was possible, pushing open what is now the widely-swinging “Forbidden Door.”

Start with January. Jericho stood across from Kenny Omega at New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom 12, losing in a bid for the IWGP United States Heavyweight title. Jericho made it clear that he was not done with New Japan, but just a few weeks later, he returned to the WWE taking part in a backstage segment with Elias at Raw 25. He would then be a surprise entrant in the Greatest Royal Rumble when the WWE put on a showcase event in Saudi Arabia.

Two months later he went back to New Japan to defeat Tetsuya Naito to claim the IWGP Intercontinental title. October and November would see Jericho’s face in both Ring of Honor, then back to New Japan. Three of the biggest promotions in the wrestling world in less than ten months.

Those are major moves for a massive personality like Jericho. Bryan has the leverage and name value to do something along the vein. Imagine Bryan showing up for special matches in Ring of Honor, Impact, and even All Elite Wrestling. Perhaps the 2021 edition of the G1 Climax. Then closing things out with a brief return to the WWE during a segment on a feature show. If WWE is truly open to the idea of working through the “Forbidden Door” as they claim, Bryan is the pathway to doing so and creating some interesting, goodwill with fans.

At the end of the day, Daniel Bryan can re-sign with the WWE and stay with that brand through the end of his career. Or he can find some fun in experimenting across other promotions. Chris Jericho set the model back in 2018 and Bryan could take that example and build on it with a final, special run to close out his career on the other side of the “Forbidden Door.”