What if Daniel Bryan Hadn’t Retired In 2016?

#3 General Manager Ric Flair

Ric Flair may have been pegged as SmackDown general manager.

When WWE created the current brand split, it appointed buzz-worthy, near-universally loved figures Mick Foley and Daniel Bryan to the general manager positions of the respective brands. If Bryan had remained active in the ring during this period, someone else would have had to have filled his spot.

WWE has no shortage of well-liked legends they might have drafted, but arguably the greatest legend, not to mention a great talker who has succeeded as an authority figure before, would have been Ric Flair. This is particularly because of the traditional breakdown of the brands. Raw is known for being the more sports entertainment heavy brand, such that Foley worked as a representative of the Attitude Era.

Meanwhile, Flair could have successfully headed up a brand more geared toward traditional wrestling fans, not unlike the style Bryan represented. For better or worse, of course, Flair’s story wouldn’t have culminated in him ultimately getting back in the ring alongside blue brand commissioner Shane McMahon.