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What's the story?
Daniel Bryan returns to the ring for the first time in three years on April 8 at WrestleMania 34 and the wrestling community was ecstatic to find out.
Among those happy to hear the news, was Bryan's former teacher, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels.
In case you didn't know
Bryan was forced to retire in 2016 due to injury and would spend the last two years working as the SmackDown General Manager.
Bryan was cleared in March to return to in-ring action and would set up his WrestleMania match against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens in the following week.
The heart of the matter
The WWE Hall of Famer said he expects Bryan to make the most out of his opportunity because it was hard for him to hear that his time in the ring had to come to an end. Walking away from the ring should be your own choice, Michaels said.
Michaels expressed his happiness in Bryan being allowed to return to the ring and reflected on the talent he saw on display during his time as Bryan's teacher.
After Michaels retired during the Attitude Era, the Heartbreak Kid opened The Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy where Bryan was a student and wrestled for Michaels' promotion, the Texas Wrestling Alliance.
During his time at the school, Michaels would give Bryan "The American Dragon" moniker and had his tryout match for WWE alongside Lance Cade on February 2000.
What's next?
Daniel Bryan is scheduled to team with Shane McMahon to face Owens & Zayn at WrestleMania 34 on April 8.
McMahon's injuries may lead to him being replaced, but that is pure speculation and WWE has pushed ahead with the idea of the match regardless.
Author's take
The similarities between Bryan and Michaels continue to grow with both men retiring and returning to the ring.
HBK had a great second run with WWE, so hopefully Bryan can recreate that success or surpass it.
