What a difference seven days makes. From one broadcast of WWE’s SmackDown to the next, Daniel Bryan has gone from defeated to, seemingly, defunct. Ahead of their bout for the WWE Universal Championship, the stipulation of which was that Bryan would leave SmackDown if he lost, Roman Reigns promised to end Bryan’s career. He seemingly kept that promise, retaining the title and defeating Bryan. From one week to the next, speculation swirled that the leader of the “Yes!” Movement would join the rosters of RAW or NXT, but with word that his contract with WWE has expired, it appears that Bryan is truly a free agent. On May 7’s broadcast, Paul Heyman satirically eulogized Bryan’s career with a mimic of a ten bell salute for Bryan’s career, usually performed for a wrestler who has passed away.
Bryan, of course, is still alive and well, but has yet to release a statement about his status with the company where he became a grassroots legend, a household name, a creative force, and now, an enigma. There is no clear answer, but much speculation about when and where we will next see Bryan appear. One can only wonder if this is a legitimate departure or a “work.” There are several possibilities.
End of a #SmackDown era. #ThankYouBryan @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/gbwqGUxb3b
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021
Has Daniel Bryan Gone International?
In the weeks leading up to his dramatic faceoff with Roman Reigns, and his contract’s expiration mere hours later, Danuel Bryan expressed an interest in fighting wrestlers at other promotions outside of WWE. He name-checked NJPW and AEW, especially. In a comment on My Mom’s Basement With Robbie Fox, Bryan had flattering comments about NJPW’s training tactics of up-and-coming wrestlers. On a recent installment of WWE After the Bell with announcers Corey Graves and Vic Joseph, Graves recounted a conversation in which Bryan expressed an interest in wrestling in Mexico.
These options would afford Bryan the opportunity of exhilarating, physically demanding, and creative matches that fit his deep arsenal of technical skill perfectly. However, is this realistic to expect of him, or for Bryan to expect of himself, after stating that he felt what amounted to an out-of-body experience during his triple threat match at Wrestlemania 37 with Roman Reigns and Edge. If he does decide to pursue opportunities abroad, his name recognition will be sure to put over new and exciting talent from outside the U.S. to the international audience.
AEW
Again, whilst speaking to Robbie Fox, Daniel Bryan praised AEW talent like Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers. Whenever an athlete leaves or is released by WWE, these days, rumors begin to swirl that they will soon appear on AEW. Similar stirrings were attached to the recently released Samoa Joe, but in the case of both Bryan and Joe, there seems to be more smoke than fire. Fan favorites from WWE will most likely always be more than welcome at All Elite Wrestling, but no reps from either side have yet released any word on whether Bryan will join the roster.
If he were to do so, what role will Bryan play? Chris Jericho is the undisputed de facto locker room leader in that neck of the woods, and Bryan is not one to be a follower or shrinking violet. He is known for his singular vision and vocal opinions, but it is undoubtedly Jericho who has clout as a creative consultant. Although there is no history of beef between the two, that could change with differing backstage visions. At AEW, will Bryan find himself in a power struggle with yet another “head of the table” figure?
It's been awhile.. pic.twitter.com/4OFYXOMPup
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) May 1, 2021
NXT Or RAW
For a minute, let’s entertain that this is a “work.” Pro wrestling is known for tweaking the truth visually but also with innuendo and rumor, involving the audience in visceral crowd participation in which what you know, what is likely, and what is real is all blurred, for the sake of storyline. Daniel Bryan lost the “Banned From SmackDown” match; his contract expired at midnight hours later. However, there is no report currently that he did not sign a new deal with WWE, but one that lands him at another brand. If Bryan is heading to the red or black-and-gold brands, respectively, what role could he play on either roster?
RAW could use a creative shot in the arm, as of late. Bryan’s presence would be a boost thrown in amongst veterans like Sheamus, A.J. Styles, Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, and Jeff Hardy, but also newcomers to the roster like Damien Priest and Mansoor. Just as he helped promote the rise of underutilized Cesaro before leaving SmackDown, perhaps his interest would extend to those languishing in RAW’s locker room like Angel Garza and Ricochet.
However, it was current NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano who alluded to Bryan joining the NXT roster with a social media post reading “It’s been a while” above a picture of a match between the two in the past. Although the last year and a half saw NXT become more of a legitimate third brand than a training ground, it still functions developmentally; the up-and-comers could use Bryan’s expertise of stunning technical tricks. His mentor, Shawn Michaels, is one of NXT’s behind-the-scenes pillars: could Bryan be joining him? Bryan could split his time on both sides of the curtain, training new talent but also getting in the ring with NXT headliners like Finn Balor and Karrion Kross.
Bryan still seems passionate about pro wrestling, and will surely find a way to stay involved and continue to innovate the industry.
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