4 wrestlers who had to retire prematurely due to injury and 3 who came back

#6 Returned: Daniel Bryan performed a miracle by returning to WWE after having to retire in 2016

Daniel Bryan

Wrestling fans around the world felt their hearts shatter when Daniel Bryan retired back in 2016. Unfortunately, a couple of major injuries forced his hand.

Daniel Bryan was at the height of his popularity following the Yes! Movement when his run at the top was cut short by an injury that caused him to lose all of the strength in his right arm and needed neck surgery. However, the arm didn't recover and he was stripped of his world title. He'd be gone for several months.

Bryan was able to return from this arm issue, despite some doctors telling him he wouldn't be able to wrestle again, but WWE's booking prevented him from getting back near the main event.

Still, Bryan would win the Intercontinental Title before another injury, this time a concussion and then a discovered lesion on his brain, would cause him to relinquish that title belt and retire for good in February 2016.

Bryan then spent several years onscreen as a commentator and SmackDown General Manager, whilst offscreen he worked hard to get in shape and get cleared to compete again. The hard work paid off as Bryan was eventually cleared by three separate neurologists and concussion experts, as well as WWE's doctor to compete again in March 2018.

BREAKING: @WWEDanielBryan has been medically cleared to return to in-ring action! https://t.co/9GE9KfpeEV

— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2018

Bryan has been an active wrestler for WWE ever since, although there are now signs that he is starting to wind down his in-ring activities. If he's looking to retire within the next few years, it's good to know that he got to reach the top of the mountain one last time.