Daniel Bryan was the victim of several concussions, which led to WWE not clearing him for a return to the ring, and as a result, he had to retire. It was quite tragic given the popularity and connection that Bryan had with the fans.
However, 5 months after his sad retirement, the leader of the Yes! Movement returned to WWE television as the new Smackdown Live General Manager.Smackdown Live was in Philadelphia for this week’s episode. While in Philly, Bryan threw out the first pitch at a Philadelphia Phillies game the night before Smackdown Live went on air. Bryan spoke to the Associated Press about his injuries and his retirement from active competition earlier this year."I honestly do.All the real concussion specialists who deal with concussions every day, all of them think I am fine." . This is not to say that he does not understand WWE’s perspective. On that he said:"You can see it from their point of view," Bryan said. "If something happens to me...and then they let me back in the ring, and something happens to me, even if these other doctors say I'm cleared, they're not the ones who the media will blame.
Because concussions are such a hot topic issue and everyone's afraid of that sort of thing, that's one of the reasons why I wasn't cleared."Bryan admitted that there have been many times where he has gotten agitated and had wanted to call WWE and asked for a release and that if he didn’t have a family to look after, he would have fought tooth and nail to get out of his contract that expires in 2018.
"Hell, I might even be wearing a mask at an independent show next week dressed up as Star Man," Bryan said. "Because it's what I love to do. But, it becomes different when you have a wife and you're trying to have kids."Bryan also said that he wasn’t asked about whether he wanted to be Smackdown Live General Manager or not, but that he was just called and told that he would be the General Manager. Since he is still a contracted performer, he has to show up when he is told to.Perhaps it may be another couple of years until we see whether Bryan decides not to renew his contract and to pursue his passion once more. However, by then, it is very likely that he will have a baby as well to take care of, so his perspective may change on the whole situation.
