Nothing is ever straightforward when it comes to the WrestleMania build-up but sometimes, it’s those twists and turns which make this season perhaps the most entertaining time of the year.
On this occasion, though, it’s not positive news which has fans talking. Although fans rejoiced when it was revealed that WWE had finally cleared Daniel Bryan to return to in-ring action, the company broke some more news on Monday evening which has Shane McMahon’s involvement at the Grandest Stage of Them All in serious doubt.
DIVERTICULITIS
The original plan WWE looked to be going ahead with was Bryan teaming up with Shane O’Mac to take on the team of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.
According to WWE.com, Shane is recovering from acute diverticulitis and an umbilical hernia which he suffered while on vacation in the Caribbean with his family, before being hospitalised in Antigua for several days. They added that he is currently being treated with heavy doses of antibiotics and once the infection has been cleared, Shane’s hernia will require surgery.
This means that the WrestleMania 34 contest isn’t going ahead. So, the expectation is that WWE will move forward with a Plan B which starts tonight on SmackDown, with less than two weeks remaining until WrestleMania. When speaking about this situation on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Live, Dave Meltzer noted that Shane is in rough shape.
PLAN B
According to Ringside News, he said: “Shane McMahon was diagnosed with diverticulitis. So that match at WrestleMania is going to have to be changed. Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan vs. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens match which is likely going to be announced tomorrow. I guess that he went to the Caribbean. While there, he developed a massive infection due to diverticulitis. He was hospitalised in Antigua, flown back to New York and he’s currently hospitalised with a heavy dose of antibiotics.
“He also suffered an umbilical hernia, which they are crediting to the attack by Owens & Zayn but he suffered a hernia as well. He had surgery on that after the infection goes away. So, he’s in really rough shape. The hernia surgery is a pretty bad one. It’s not unusual but it’s a very painful surgery.
“The diverticulitis is a pretty bad deal as well, so he’s probably not going to be around for a while. I asked around about what’s going to happen and it all kind of broke in the last couple of days. Tomorrow we will have a lot better idea, but they are probably going to have to switch courses. Go in another direction. Probably Daniel Bryan in a tag team - getting another tag team partner would be the most likely situation.”
While Bryan Alvarez claimed that Chris Jericho would be the perfect replacement, it’s near-impossible as he has a concert on the same night. Now, WWE needs to scramble to put together Plan B in time for WrestleMania and give Bryan’s return the importance it deserves.
What do you think WWE has planned now for Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 34? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.