WWE News: Daniel Bryan attacked by Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens

What's the story?

Hours after Daniel Bryan was medically cleared by doctors to compete in a WWE ring, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn laid waste to the SmackDown General Manager.

In case you didn't know

Owens and Zayn had been feuding with Shane McMahon for the better part of summer but Bryan became involved towards the end of 2017 when he counted the pin that allowed them to keep their jobs during their career-threatening match at Clash of Champions.

Bryan showed favoritism to Owens and Zayn on multiple occasions since the new year began but was forced to fire them after their assault on McMahon the week before.

The heart of the matter

After saving the WWE careers of Owens and Zayn back in December, Bryan was forced to fire his fellow Ring of Honor Alumni and tried to end the show on a good note.

Owens and Zayn would shake hands with Bryan, but would immediately turn that goodwill into ferocity and violence.

The duo began beating Bryan down, but the former WWE Champion fired back and hit both men with his signature dropkicks in the corner before being caught up by Zayn.

#SDLive General Manager @WWEDanielBryan seems to have more FIGHT in him than ever, but the now-FIRED @FightOwensFight & @SamiZayn may have just extinguished it... pic.twitter.com/GhUMf8MTNx

— WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018

This eventually lead to Zayn hitting Bryan with the Helluva Kick and Owens driving Bryan back-first onto the ring apron with a powerbomb.

Just like his fellow SmackDown authority figure, Bryan was tended to by WWE doctors and was loaded onto a gurney to receive medical attention.

McMahon was not on the show, but responded on Twitter condemning Zayn and Owens for their attacks.

On a night that should have been one of @WWEDanielBryan's finest...Sami & KO proved they are vile, spineless cowards. Neither of them belong in @WWE and #SDLive...I just hope this didn’t set back Daniel’s in-ring return even further.

— Shane McMahon (@shanemcmahon) March 21, 2018

Owens responded after the attack with the following tweet:

#FightForYourDreams

— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) March 21, 2018

What's next?

Though not officially announced, these past few weeks have been building to a tag team match where Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan put their differences aside to take on Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 34.

Hopefully, next week the match is booked for the show so fans can see Daniel Bryan make his grand return to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where his legacy was cemented.

Author's take

SmackDown's buildup to this fight has been fantastic and the news of Bryan being cleared for competition couldn't have come at a better time.