From the WWE Rumor Mill: Shane McMahon to return as early as next week

What's the story?

This week's episode of WWE SmackDown Live saw the match between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon against the team of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn announced by the SmackDown Live GM.

With Shane hospitalised last week for Diverticulitis, it is not yet confirmed whether he will be fit to return before April 8th, though Daniel Bryan said he will be. Now, Cagesideseats has speculated that McMahon could return sooner than expected.

In case you didn’t know…

Shane, Bryan, Zayn and Owens have been embroiled in a feud for a few months now. Two weeks ago, the duo of Kevin and Sami gave Shane O'Mac a brutal beatdown, after which he has not been seen on WWE TV. Last week, it was Bryan who was the victim of an assault by the two, after he fired them for their actions in the previous week.

On this week's episode of SmackDown, General Manager Bryan set the tag team match for WrestleMania, with the stipulation that if Owens and Zayn win, the would be rehired to SmackDown Live.

The heart of the matter

Last week, it was reported that Shane O'Mac suffered a serious infection due to acute Diverticulitis, while on vacation with his family at the Caribbean. After being hospitalised and treated over in Antigua, he was flown back to New York where he was diagnosed with umbilical hernia.

On this week's SD Live episode, Daniel Bryan revealed that the Prodigal Son was discharged from hospital and would be ready to get back inside the ring for WrestleMania.

Cageside Seats now reports that Shane might return as early as next week. It is not clear how this is possible though since Diverticulitis is a serious infection, which almost ended Brock Lesnar's career back when he was signed to UFC. While some believe that the injuries are part of a storyline, from the current standpoint, the infection and hospitalisation seem pretty legitimate.

What's next?

Shane McMahon is announced to return to the ring in less than two weeks' time for WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans. Whether this will actually happen, or whether Bryan will have to look for a new tag team partner remains to be seen.

Author's take

While it was believed until yesterday that Shane's WrestleMania status was in doubt, the announcement on SmackDown has set the rumor mill churning once again.

We just hope Shane McMahon makes his health the first priority, and would like to wish him a speedy recovery from all of us here at Sportskeeda.