'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
The backstage saga between the WWE officials and Daniel Bryan could finally come to an end if Mike Johnson's revelations are anything to go by.
On the latest edition of the PWInsider Elite Radio, Johnson stated that Bryan's contract with WWE will expire on 23 September 2018 and that the SmackDown General Manager will not be able to appear for a major rival show.
In case you didn't know...
WWE and Daniel Bryan have been at odds regarding the former WWE Champion's in-ring return ever since the fan favourite was forced to announce his retirement.
Bryan has claimed that WWE doctors are unwilling to give him the green signal when doctors outside the company have found no issues with him wrestling again.
Vince McMahon and WWE have been really apprehensive of letting Bryan get back into the ring and have reportedly been given an ultimatum by the leader of the Yes! movement himself.
The heart of the matter
Former WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes recently expressed interest in getting Bryan for his 'All-in' show that is scheduled to take place on 1 September in Illinois. Cody hoped to bolster his chances of getting in an unprecedented 10,000 fans for the show by luring Bryan into making an appearance.
However, Mike Jackson claimed that due to Bryan's deal not ending until the final week of September, Cody and his troupe have passed on the lucrative idea.
What's next?
Whether Daniel Bryan leaves WWE or stays all depends on if he is allowed to wrestle at WrestleMania 34. The four-time WWE Champion is well-versed with WWE's strict protocol when it comes to career-threatening injuries and has made peace with the fact that he will wrestle in the indies if WWE fails to give him the go-ahead to work a match in New Orleans.
Bryan in all likelihood will return to SmackDown next week to address the beatdown of Shane McMahon at the hands of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
As of this writing, Bryan is not expected to tag with McMahon and wrestle in the match as he is reportedly pencilled in to be the special guest referee in a potential triple threat between McMahon, Owens, and Zayn.
Author's take
It's highly unlikely that we see Daniel Bryan have another match in a WWE ring as Vince McMahon would rather avoid taking the risk. But as the age-old saying goes, never say never in pro wrestling.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
