Daniel Bryan is back where he belongs - in a WWE ring - after being cleared for in-ring competition by the company following several years of being shelved.
Bryan has suffered from 20 concussions over the course of his career, and a lesion in his brain had led him to suffer from two seizures as well. It was because of this WWE decided to medically suspend him from ever being eligible to compete inside their ring again.
After several second opinions from specialists around the globe, however, Bryan began campaigning to WWE's medical staff about once again getting cleared for a return.
WWE's medical director listed out several specialists that they were comfortable with, sent Bryan to them for testing, and once he was given the green light by them Bryan was once again cleared for WWE action.
The news flipped the professional wrestling world upside down, and even helped boost WrestleMania 34 ticket sales once it was announced he'd be making his official in-ring return at the event.
Bryan will team up with SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to settle a feud that has been months in the making. Fans were ecstatic to get the news that their hero would be back in the center of the ring doing what he loves.
The SmackDown General Manager's former trainer, and WWE Hall Of Famer, Shawn Michaels was particularly happy for his former student. Bryan was a product of the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy in Texas during his early years.
In a recent interview with WWE, "The Heartbreak Kid" explained the talent he saw in Bryan when he first laid eyes on him, and the uphill battle he knew he'd struggle with in the business due to his size (quotes via Ringside News):
"Like everyone else I was thrilled for him because I know what it's like to be forced away from this before you are ready to let it go. I know it's a special moment for him.
"Clearly, it's an unbelievably special moment for the fans. this isn't a comeback, this is a second chance.
"He's a wonderful young man and I know he's going to make the most of his opportunity that's for sure. I knew he was talented from the day that I saw him.
"From the first time he walked into the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy he was a hard worker, he was unbelievably talented. But, like me, one of the things that I knew was going to be an up-hill battle for him was his size.
"You know that he's going to be successful but I don't think any of us anticipated this. I mean, he has become the underdog.
"I don't know that anybody's ever captured the people quite like Bryan has, certainly at this time, and it's a great thing to see. When doctors tell you "you can't do this anymore" it's heartbreaking.
"The truth is, it's a lot easier to leave on your own terms, and now he's got the opportunity that very few people have, and that's to have everything.
"He's going to have that wonderful family. He's going to to get an opportunity and a second chance at the career he loves being in. And that as far as i'm concerned, that's living heaven on earth."
What are your thoughts on Michaels' comments regarding Bryan's return to WWE in-ring action? Do you think that Bryan will be the same in-ring competitor now that he's back? And how excited are you for his in-ring return? Have YOUR say in the comments section below, and the fourth episode of GiveMeSport’s WWE podcast is here!
Check it out via this link: https://soundcloud.com/user-818579649/gms-wwe-podcast-money-in-the-bank-fallout
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