4 reasons why Daniel Bryan returning to WWE is NJPW's loss

It is hard to find fault with the recent news that Daniel Bryan has been cleared to wrestle by the WWE. Watching him achieve his dream of becoming WWE Champion at Wrestlemania 30, only to see a series of injuries force him into early retirement, was a true tragedy for many of us.

With Bryan's return now confirmed, many are looking ahead to the inevitable dream matches he can now enjoy. For WWE fans at least, this is the greatest news we've received in a very long time.

That being said, some wrestling fans were still holding out hope that rather than stay on with the WWE, Daniel Bryan would make a triumphant return to Japan and join the ranks of the increasingly impressive New Japan Pro Wrestling roster. There are many reasons why this move would have resulted in a match made in heaven, here are four of them:

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#1 He could have joined the Bullet Club

If you've never watched New Japan Pro Wrestling before, there is still an outside chance you would have heard of the Bullet Club. Despite having one or two Japanese members in their ranks, Bullet Club are essentially a 'Western-led' faction that appeals to US and British fans by speaking in English and fighting a kind of style more familiar to them.

Over the years, the Bullet Club have managed to transcend NJPW, appearing for multiple Independent promotions across the world, and being a mainstay of the ROH roster. Later this year, the Club are even planning to hold their own special event which they have named 'All In'.

You might also be aware that a power struggle of sorts is taking place within Bullet Club at present, with Kenny Omega being usurped by WWE alumnus Cody Rhodes. Bringing former WWE Superstars over the NJPW/ROH has been crucial in growing the faction's brand overseas, and for a short while, it appeared as though they would be acquiring the services of Daniel Bryan.

With speculation that the WWE were refusing to clear the former World Champion despite contrary advice from doctors, many believed Bryan would make the switch to the land of tomorrow where Bullet Club might have been the ideal calling.

Sadly, for anyone hoping to see New Japan ascend the ranks of the wrestling world, this now appears to be improbable.

#2 He would have had several 5 (or 6) star matches

Led predominantly by the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, NJPW has been clocking up a series of 5-star matches recently, with 2017 being one of the most impressive years for Pro Wrestling from an in-ring point of view.

The series of matches involving Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada, in particular, have been a testament to how high the bar has been raised. Not content with awarding them the full 5 out of 5, Meltzer decided to grade them off the scale with their first match earning 6 stars and their second 6.25.

If there's one thing fans normally associate with Daniel Bryan, it's his in-ring work. The mere mention of Bryan returning to Japan to take on the current roster of superstars is enough to make you salivate. If taking on Omega and Okada in one-on-one action isn't enough, imagine the bouts he could have with the likes of Tetsuya Naito, Kota Ibushi, Zack Saber Jr and Hiroshi Tanahashi.

The WWE landscape may have changed since Bryan announced his retirement, and there are still many dream matches the American Dragon can have by staying, you can't help but feel a little disappointed when you consider what could have been.

#3 He would have grown NJPW's presence in the US

At the conclusion of the G1 Special last year, Kenny Omega made his intentions known that he wished to grow NJPW into an internationally recognized juggernaut. It has been an almost impossibly long time since the WWE had a legitimate rival, but with Omega at the helm over in Japan, there's always the possibility that this may change.

The problem is, in order for New Japan to grow in the US, they need to attract fans who currently have no reason or motivation to watch the product. Omega might be seen as a kind of saviour by those who are already aware of him, but if you've never watched the NJPW product, why would you be tempted over by somebody who has never set foot in a WWE main roster ring?

Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho have both played their part in supporting Kenny's ambitions over the past couple of years, but it hasn't proven to be enough. Rhodes, despite his many talents, was not a main-event star over in WWE and Jericho is seen as somebody on his way out.

Daniel Bryan, on the other hand, would have been the perfect catalyst for the rise of New Japan in the Western world. WWE fans not only recognise him, they adore him. The heartache we all felt at Bryan's retirement speech last year soon turned into hope that one day he would be back, and for a while the most likely place appeared to be New Japan.

For now, at least, Omega will have to do the legwork on his own.

#4 He could have legitimately ended Okada's title reign

In addition to the problems inside Bullet Club and the rise of new stars like Zack Saber Jr. and Will Ospreay, another big talking point over in NJPW is the title reign of IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada.

The Rainmaker has been champion since 2016, spanning two Wrestle Kingdoms and a plethora of incredible matches. He has taken on and defeated the very top of the roster including Kenny Omega, Tetsuya Naito, and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Many are now asking whether there are any legitimate candidates left.

If Daniel Bryan had decided to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, he could have been the ideal person to finally bring Okada's reign to an end. It would have helped the American Dragon make immediate impact and would likely have resulted in scores of WWE fans flooding over to the product. Not only would Bryan be wrestling for the promotion, he would have been doing it as their champion.

It still remains to be seen what will come of Okada and his celebrated reign, but seeing him go down to a rejuvenated Daniel Bryan would have resulted in one of those iconic moments where the wrestling world stands still.

Edited by Nishant Jayaram