Daniel Bryan Update

[The Rick Jericho]

There has been no internal discussion about Daniel Bryan possibly returning to WWE as of late.

It was noted today by PWInsider that Bryan is also not listed on the internal WWE roster. There are some people within WWE who take this as Bryan is signing or will eventually sign with AEW, but there is no confirmation that this is true. The WWE website still has Bryan listed on the Alumni roster.

What can be confirmed is that Bryan was not a part of a recent list of talent plans for licensing and merchandising for 2021-2022 that was put together by the company for internal use. Furthermore, Bryan is not scheduled for any future Mattel action figure releases.

There was some fan speculation on Bryan possibly returning to WWE last month after he was name-dropped on SmackDown, but that was just for the build to the Money In the Bank match between WWE Hall of Famer Edge and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, not a sign that he was returning.

Bryan’s future has been up in the air since losing the Career vs. Title match to Reigns on the April 30 SmackDown. His contract reportedly expired at that time, and while at one point he was expected to remain with WWE in some capacity, there has been no update on his status.

Bryan’s Twitter handle is still @wwedanielbryan but he has not been active on any social media, with his last tweet coming on February 10, and his last Instagram post coming on April 22.

www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/07/daniel-bryan-status-notes-and-wwe-speculation/

[WIENERS=$$$]

Selfishly, I want him anywhere else. However, if he plans on transitioning into a backstage role then stay with WWE.

If he wants to wrestle, then please go somewhere I'm watching.

[Mochi Lone Wolf]

That’s big for sure but, it could also be something his people have leaked out to shop for possible bigger deals.

This sort of thing happens in sports all the time.

[Deleted]

I don't care where he goes, as long as him and his family are happy that's what matters. I'm at the point where what I want see doesn't really carry any weight in regards to these people and what they wanna do. I'm always gonna place their opinions and views under my fan interest. What I want just isn't what they wanna do and I respect that.

As long as he's happy, I'm there wherever and whenever.

[Zone Was Wrong]

Jul 20, 2021 15:09:23 GMT -5 @kn said:

I don't care where he goes, as long as him and his family are happy that's what matters. I'm at the point where what I want see doesn't really carry any weight in regards to these people and what they wanna do. I'm always gonna place their opinions and views under my fan interest. What I want just isn't what they wanna do and I respect that.

As long as he's happy, I'm there wherever and whenever.

Right. Like, selfishly I'd love to see the fresh match ups (and potentially Final Countdown as a theme) in AEW but family and personal happy is number one.

[Deleted]

Him being healthy and happy is what really matters. I guess I'll have to settle for booking Bryan vs. Dunne in my 2K19 Universe.

[Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story]

Jul 20, 2021 15:00:54 GMT -5 The Rick Jericho said:

There has been no internal discussion about Daniel Bryan possibly returning to WWE as of late.

It was noted today by PWInsider that Bryan is also not listed on the internal WWE roster. There are some people within WWE who take this as Bryan is signing or will eventually sign with AEW, but there is no confirmation that this is true. The WWE website still has Bryan listed on the Alumni roster.

What can be confirmed is that Bryan was not a part of a recent list of talent plans for licensing and merchandising for 2021-2022 that was put together by the company for internal use. Furthermore, Bryan is not scheduled for any future Mattel action figure releases.

There was some fan speculation on Bryan possibly returning to WWE last month after he was name-dropped on SmackDown, but that was just for the build to the Money In the Bank match between WWE Hall of Famer Edge and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, not a sign that he was returning.

Bryan’s future has been up in the air since losing the Career vs. Title match to Reigns on the April 30 SmackDown. His contract reportedly expired at that time, and while at one point he was expected to remain with WWE in some capacity, there has been no update on his status.

Bryan’s Twitter handle is still @wwedanielbryan but he has not been active on any social media, with his last tweet coming on February 10, and his last Instagram post coming on April 22.

www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/07/daniel-bryan-status-notes-and-wwe-speculation/

PWInsider usually gets news like this from inside WWE (feels like they're WWE's go-to sheet while Meltzer is AEW's), so it's interesting to see this leak out through them. Leads me to speculate that maybe he has chosen to go elsewhere and this is WWE trying to spoil the surprise a bit. Keyword: speculate.

[Deleted]

Bryan Danielson being both healthy and happy is my top want.

Beyond that, I think he'd kill it in AEW as long as they don't pull a fast one and have him be the one to dethrone Omega after building this Hangman story up for over a year.

PWInsider usually gets news like this from inside WWE (feels like they're WWE's go-to sheet while Meltzer is AEW's), so it's interesting to see this leak out through them. Leads me to speculate that maybe he has chosen to go elsewhere and this is WWE trying to spoil the surprise a bit. Keyword: speculate.

I mean, that's petty of them to do, but by the same token.. no one expects him to just flat out retire, either. AEW would be the #1 choice of where to find him with NJPW being a very distant #2. They're the only ones that could afford him, at this point.

[polarbearpete]

Definitely would have fresher matchups in AEW it seems. We’ll see what happens.

[XIII]

If Daniel Bryan is truly available AEW needs to drive the Brinks truck to his house. Dude would be a legit game changer and there are so few of those around and even fewer available. That pop would be insane.

[Deleted]

He's going to blindside everyone and turn up in IWA.

[Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story]

Jul 20, 2021 15:27:01 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

He's going to blindside everyone and turn up in IWA.

PWG Mystery Vortex is August 1. There's part of me genuinely thinking he could show up there.

[Feargus McReddit]

Jul 20, 2021 15:27:01 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

He's going to blindside everyone and turn up in IWA.

Ian Rotten does needs someone to replace Drake Younger.

[The Rick Jericho]

Jul 20, 2021 15:23:20 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

Definitely would have fresher matchups in AEW it seems. We’ll see what happens.

I really hope the AEW wallet isn't getting tighter because of all the other previous WWE signings. But this is a guy you back up the brinks truck for.

Give the man a check!

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

Jul 20, 2021 15:41:56 GMT -5 The Rick Jericho said:

Jul 20, 2021 15:23:20 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

Definitely would have fresher matchups in AEW it seems. We’ll see what happens.

I really hope the AEW wallet isn't getting tighter because of all the other previous WWE signings. But this is a guy you back up the brinks truck for.

Give the man a check!

Tony Khan seems to have a budget but is willing to go out of his way to sign guys when they are worth it. Like if Cena came to him wanting a deal, I doubt he'd go "sorry man, I just don't have the room for it!" 

[WIENERS=$$$]

Jul 20, 2021 15:32:27 GMT -5 Feargus McReddit said:

Jul 20, 2021 15:27:01 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

He's going to blindside everyone and turn up in IWA.

Ian Rotten does needs someone to replace Drake Younger.

I am imagining, because fxxx Drake, but I am imagining myself buying tickets for an IWA show headlined by Drake, only for him to be silently replaced by Bryan Danielson, and looking throughout the attendees for anyone to look disappointed haha.

[Feargus McReddit]

Jul 20, 2021 15:50:08 GMT -5 WIENERS=$$$ said:

Jul 20, 2021 15:32:27 GMT -5 Feargus McReddit said:

Ian Rotten does needs someone to replace Drake Younger.

I am imagining, because fxxx Drake, but I am imagining myself buying tickets for an IWA show headlined by Drake, only for him to be silently replaced by Bryan Danielson, and looking throughout the attendees for anyone to look disappointed haha.

I mean, Ian literally banned him from the locker room which is, like, the most honorable thing he’s ever done, but I do like the scenario.

[WIENERS=$$$]

Jul 20, 2021 15:52:14 GMT -5 Feargus McReddit said:

Jul 20, 2021 15:50:08 GMT -5 WIENERS=$$$ said:

I am imagining, because fxxx Drake, but I am imagining myself buying tickets for an IWA show headlined by Drake, only for him to be silently replaced by Bryan Danielson, and looking throughout the attendees for anyone to look disappointed haha.

I mean, Ian literally banned him from the locker room which is, like, the most honorable thing he’s ever done, but I do like the scenario.

I am blown away that Ian friggin Rotten has the scruples to ban Drake Younger😮

[S-Chrome]

I tend to think he's most assuredly done in a WWE ring. He's done everything he could possibly do there. A jump to AEW would be gigantic to say the least.

I think though, he might turn up in Japan very soon.

[Garyspivey]

Jul 20, 2021 16:30:12 GMT -5 S-Chrome said:

I tend to think he's most assuredly done in a WWE ring. He's done everything he could possibly do there. A jump to AEW would be gigantic to say the least.

I think though, he might turn up in Japan very soon.

Imagine the pop in Arthur Ashe if we hear final countdown