5 Possible Summer Feuds For Daniel Bryan

It's been almost three months since Daniel Bryan was cleared to compete by WWE doctors, and so far his comeback has been - well, a little disappointing.

Despite returning to a hero's welcome at WrestleMania 34, the ex-Ring of Honor star is yet to put on a technical masterclass of the kind he was once famous for. His match opposite Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn on the Grandest Stage of Them All was decent but not spectacular, while the ongoing feud with Big Cass has been largely forgettable.

The good news is that we're fast approaching the summertime, a period in which Bryan has traditionally produced his best in-ring performances. Take, for example, his brilliant encounter with CM Punk in 2012, or the SummerSlam bout he shared a year later with John Cena, culminating in one of the biggest victories of his WWE career.

Of course, great matches more often than not require great opponents. That's why, in order for the creative team to bring the best out of the former SmackDown general manager this year, they need to pair him up with someone equally capable between the ropes.

Here are five stand-out candidates.

#5 - Randy Orton

Randy Orton hasn't been seen on SmackDown over recent weeks, owing to a planned sabbatical in which he has finally received surgery to correct a long-lasting problem with his knee. No return date has been provided by his employers, although he may well be back in time for the summer.

If he is, then a feud with Daniel Bryan seems like a sensible move. The pair have been natural enemies in WWE since butting heads over the World Heavyweight Championship several years ago when Orton cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase at SummerSlam.

In order for them to resume their rivalry in 2018, we will probably need The Viper to turn heel again - but that's not a bad thing in itself. He's always been much more convincing as a bad guy, and Bryan is the perfect opponent to help turn the fans against him.

#4 - Samoa Joe

This one is something of a dream match for wrestling fans. Both Daniel Bryan and Samoa Joe have been two of the industry's most revered and respected technicians over the last couple of decades after making their names in Ring of Honor.

Now that Joe is on SmackDown, it's a good time for them to properly meet acquaintances inside the WWE ring. The feud could potentially serve as a precursor for one of them challenging for the world title in the fall.

Apart from that, it's also a rivalry that is virtually guaranteed to produce great matches. Joe has always produced his best work opposite comparatively small wrestlers like AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels - and Bryan is cut from the same cloth.

#3 - AJ Styles

Since neither Daniel Bryan nor AJ Styles are well poised for a heel turn, this rivalry would most likely have to take the form of a face versus face feud in which both competitors are respectful of one another's athletic prowess.

This dynamic needn't harm the overall quality of the feud, though. For proof of that, you only have to look at the brilliant match AJ shared with fellow good guy Finn Balor at Tables, Ladders & Chairs last year.

WWE often prioritises big names over great matches, but this one has both. We're talking about two of the most popular stars in the company, and two of the best in-ring workers. Booked correctly, it would be a massive box office draw for casual fans and the die-hard internet types.

#2 - Shinsuke Nakamura

Perhaps the most natural summer opponent for Daniel Bryan is Shinsuke Nakamura, who could be set to win the WWE Championship next week at Money in the Bank when he meets AJ Styles in a Last Man Standing match.

Should he emerge with the belt, it's hard to imagine him going through 2018 without butting heads with Bryan. The pair already have some history, with the then-SmackDown GM being the one who helped introduce him to the main roster last year.

In terms of match quality, you would expect this to be a winning combination. Both of them are brilliant technicians with the ability to tell compelling stories in the ring. Provided they get enough time - 25 minutes, at the very least - this should be absolutely awesome.

#1 - The Miz

While Nakamura looks to be the most likely summer opponent for Bryan, The Miz is arguably the more appealing option - especially for die-hard fans who have followed their on-again, off-again feud over the last couple of years.

Given all of that, the storyline basically writes itself. After watching Bryan's fairytale comeback unfold at WrestleMania 34, The Awesome One must have been seething with jealous rage. He would be absolutely desperate to put his long-time rival back on the treatment table.

The promos - provided WWE writers don't decide to burden them with corny one-liners - would be absolutely fantastic, The matches, meanwhile, would likely be solid as well. Miz may not be a great technician, but he's an incredible showman, making him the perfect foil for a top babyface.

Who would you like to see Daniel Bryan feud with? Let us know in the comments.