From the WWE Rumor Mill: Daniel Bryan and Dean Ambrose to miss WrestleMania?

What's the story?

Much has been made of Daniel Bryan's potential in-ring return and Dean Ambrose's return from injury with many people hoping they'll get to see either, or both, return to the ring in time for WrestleMania 34. However, some new information has come to light from PWInsider.com, suggesting that neither Bryan, nor Ambrose, will be at WWE's biggest Pay-Per-View.

In case you didn't know...

Daniel Bryan has retired from in-ring action in the WWE after suffering a series of concussions that eventually led to WWE doctors refusing to clear him for in-ring action. Since then he's been the subject of intense speculation regarding a potential return, with the hype around him reaching a fever pitch in the run-up to the Royal Rumble.

As for Dean Ambrose, he picked up a legitimate arm injury that required surgery. He was written off WWE television by making him the subject of a brutal attack from Samoa Joe. It is not yet know when Ambrose will return, with many hoping it would be before 'Mania.

The heart of the matter

PWInsider.com recently released the schedule for the VIP AXXESS autograph signing sessions over the WrestleMania weekend, and with it comes some potentially bad news for fans of Daniel Bryan and Dean Ambrose.

Dean Ambrose is doing a premium VIP session Sunday morning at 10am and Daniel Bryan is doing a VIP session Sunday morning at 8am. Why is this relevant? Well, historically for the WWE, the Superstars who are on these slots have not appeared during the WrestleMania pay-per-view.

Historically, the WrestleMania Axxess VIP schedule has revealed clues as to who isn't working Mania. For example, 32 had Rollins & Orton. 33 had Angle & Edge. They usually don't make guys who are wrestling appear on Sunday morning. This year? Dean Ambrose & Daniel Bryan. Sorry...

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) January 25, 2018

What's next?

Despite at one point being the third favourite to win the Royal Rumble, Daniel Bryan has plummeted back down the odds and the idea that he'll appear during the men's Royal Rumble match is starting to die down a bit.

Ambrose remains injured with no current timeline for his return known. So we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Author's take

I'm not sure we can place stock in this as a surefire indication that neither Ambrose nor Bryan will wrestle at the event. It could just be mere coincidence, or if it has actually been a thing in the past, the WWE could change their mind this year. There is also the possibility that they are intentionally trying to swerve us.