4 reasons why Daniel Bryan returning to WWE is NJPW's loss

#3 He would have grown NJPW's presence in the US

At the conclusion of the G1 Special last year, Kenny Omega made his intentions known that he wished to grow NJPW into an internationally recognized juggernaut. It has been an almost impossibly long time since the WWE had a legitimate rival, but with Omega at the helm over in Japan, there's always the possibility that this may change.

The problem is, in order for New Japan to grow in the US, they need to attract fans who currently have no reason or motivation to watch the product. Omega might be seen as a kind of saviour by those who are already aware of him, but if you've never watched the NJPW product, why would you be tempted over by somebody who has never set foot in a WWE main roster ring?

Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho have both played their part in supporting Kenny's ambitions over the past couple of years, but it hasn't proven to be enough. Rhodes, despite his many talents, was not a main-event star over in WWE and Jericho is seen as somebody on his way out.

Daniel Bryan, on the other hand, would have been the perfect catalyst for the rise of New Japan in the Western world. WWE fans not only recognise him, they adore him. The heartache we all felt at Bryan's retirement speech last year soon turned into hope that one day he would be back, and for a while the most likely place appeared to be New Japan.

For now, at least, Omega will have to do the legwork on his own.