5 rumors surrounding Daniel Bryan after his return

Well, it finally happened - after two years, Daniel Bryan has finally been cleared to compete in a WWE ring again.

As expected, the news sent the WWE Universe and the world of wrestling as a whole into a frenzy - and perhaps sprung us more questions than answers.

I'm going to round up the top five rumours surrounding Daniel Bryan's return, and hopefully, try to provide some answers.

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#5 When will Daniel Bryan's first match be?

Well, let's start with what may be the easiest to answer the question, when will Daniel Bryan return?

While Bryan played coy on SmackDown this week when announcing his comeback, the cameramen and the crowd were not quite so shy. For the first time possibly ever, the talent didn't point at the sign, the WWE Universe did!

The fact that WWE tweeted out the above photo may have confirmed what was already pretty much a stick-on when the news came out.

While nothing has been confirmed, after this week's SmackDown, it looks like Daniel Bryan's first match back in a WWE ring may fittingly be in New Orleans at WrestleMania, four years on from the Yes! movement's biggest triumph.

The most obvious match looks like being Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon going up against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn -- but I guess we'll find out over the next few weeks.

#4 When does Daniel Bryan's current contract run out?

Well, it had been rumoured for a while that Daniel Bryan's contract was nearing expiry and that Bryan himself said if he was not wrestling at WrestleMania, then he didn't think he'd ever wrestle again in WWE.

News emerged today that Daniel Bryan's current contract runs out on September 1st. Of course, an extension or a new contract could easily be agreed at any point now that Daniel Bryan has been cleared.

With rumours that Bryan may be ready to wrestle elsewhere if WWE did not clear him, and with no non-compete clause in his contract, the ALL IN event may have been ideal for a comeback had WWE not cleared the GM.

So, is Daniel Bryan now a permanent fixture in WWE? Are WWE bringing Bryan back to stop him from going elsewhere for his big comeback? Either way, the former WWE Champion has said WWE is where he wants to be, so we'll see if a new contract is on the table soon.

#3 If offered a new contract, is Daniel Bryan back for good?

Enter captiBryan's contract expires in six months — Will Bryan stick with WWE?

Well, obviously there's the contract issue, but one other major factor is Daniel Bryan's health.

Whether Daniel Bryan signs a new contract may depend on both parties being happy that the former WWE Champion can continue to wrestle long-term and not just as a one-off.

We know that Bryan is cleared to get physical, otherwise, he wouldn't have been powerbombed on the apron on SmackDown Live.

We also know that Daniel Bryan wants to wrestle, but what are the conditions? Could Daniel Bryan's medical clearance be revoked at any point?

The reason this question is prominent is that one condition rumoured for Daniel Bryan's comeback is constant impact testing and neurological assessment.

It's thought that Daniel Bryan may be medically evaluated after every "match" or physical altercation to risk assess Bryan for potential injury until WWE is happy that he's fine to wrestle.

Bryan has previously said on Edge and Christian's podcast that he is mindful of his health.

If at any point along with all of this if somebody said there's a real indication that I should not be wrestling, I don't want to wrestle. My health is 100% more important than coming back to wrestling. Being a good father is more important than going out there and expounding on my belief that doing more hammerlocks in wrestling is good for the business!

Given what we've seen this week, though, it doesn't look like Bryan nor WWE will be holding back with the physicality.

#2 Will Daniel Bryan remain as SmackDown Live General Manager?

Well, who knows? This one really could go either way.

One dream match for many would be Daniel Bryan vs Kurt Angle. If Daniel Bryan is to face Kurt Angle, the story is already there. They're both General Managers. Just have them butt heads over which brand is better, or even go with the invasion angle again, and you could easily have these two go head-to-head at Survivor Series - either one-on-one or in a traditional ten-man tag team match.

Well, WWE could really go anywhere here. Bryan could stay as GM or go back to just being a Superstar, and that may all depend on rumour number one.

#1 What kind of schedule will Daniel Bryan be on?

Daniel Bryan will soon be competing again!

Well, while Daniel Bryan has fought for his comeback for over two years, while recently appearing on Edge and Christian's podcast, Bryan stated that he may never return to a full time schedule.

During an appearance on the Edge & Christian podcast last August, that he might not be interested in wrestling full-time.

There's no reason why I can't return to doing what I love [wrestling]. It may never be full-time and it may never be this idea of 'I'm going to go in and be the guy who main events every live event and stuff. I'm not even sure I want that. Now that I have a child, I don't want to be away from her that much.

Daniel Bryan did give a hint as to how many matches he may aim to have, though, and it's not exactly a small amount, but longevity is important...

[That's not] to say that I can't wrestle say 50 to 100 matches a year or to say that I can't do Jerry Lawler and Terry Funk are still doing in their 60s.

So, while Daniel Bryan may not return to a full-time schedule, at least he's returning - and I can't wait to see him back in the ring!

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Edited by anirudh.b