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What's the story?
In another twist in the never-ending saga between WWE doctors and Daniel Bryan, it now seems like the former WWE Champion could indeed make his in-ring return in a WWE ring.
Dave Meltzer stated on the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio that backstage talk of Bryan's comeback has gathered steam in recent weeks and it could lead to the inevitable.
In case you didn't know...
As we all know, Bryan was forced to retire from in-ring action owing to a long history with concussion-related seizures and has been lobbying for a return ever despite being barred from doing so by WWE doctors.
WWE doctors didn't give Bryan the clean chit, forcing the creative to book him as the SmackDown General Manager.
While Bryan has been great in his new role, the fans and the man himself would rather prefer to see him wrestle than make matches on a weekly basis on SmackDown.
That day may not be that far away...
The heart of the matter
According to Meltzer, Bryan has worked extra hard in the recent month in order to get himself cleared by WWE's medical personnel.
Details of Bryan's rehabilitation have also supported reports of a successful in-ring return. The 4-time WWE Champion began undergoing Hyperbaric treatments a year ago and was told he will gradually feel better after the completion of 50 sessions.
Bryan too opened about his current status and claimed that he has done everything that the WWE has asked of him. WWE sent him to for tests with doctors outside the company, who have all given Bryan the green signal to wrestle again.
However, the final call rests in the hands of the WWE doctors who also have the job of protecting the company from unwanted lawsuits.
Bryan, though, has been optimistic about wrestling again and said that the morale wasn't the same a few months back.
"I used to think that the percentage of the WWE ever clearing me was low. I think with the stuff that I have done it has gone a little higher but I don't know how much higher. With how everything is there is one day to go if I don't get cleared [storyline wise] and then there is another way to go if I am cleared. I am hoping to be cleared but I don't know which way it goes."
What's next?
The SmackDown GM is scheduled to return to TV this week on SmackDown to address Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn's brutal assault on Shane McMahon from last week.
On-going speculation points towards a triple threat match between the three with the possibility of it also being converted into a handicap match.
Daniel Bryan is rumored to be the special guest referee but could also insert himself into the match of WWE doctors and Bryan have already come to a positive conclusion.
Author's take
WWE should either just let Bryan have a match at WresteMania 34 or just let him go back to the indies. The Leader of the Yes!Movement has been honest about wresting elsewhere if WWE doesn't give him the go ahead and could leave the promotion in September after his contract expires.
However, Bryan is one of the most popular creations of WWE in recent years and I'm sure they won't cut him off so easily.
