Weeks after rumored reports hit the Internet about World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) not releasing Daniel Bryan and the former World Heavyweight champion close to being medically cleared for a return, the charismatic Superstar has dropped a bombshell on professional wrestling — he's walking away from the squared circle.
Due to medical reasons, effective immediately, I am announcing my retirement. Tonight on Raw, I'll have a chance to elaborate. #gratitude
— Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) February 8, 2016
If Bryan indeed announces his retirement on Monday Night Raw, it will mark the end of months of speculation on whether he was going to return — not to mention the end of a short-lived but dynamic career.
Bryan's abrupt tweet and impending explanation on Raw already mark a sharp contrast to just this past October, when Bryan seemed to be holding onto hopes of being medically cleared by WWE from his serious head and neck injuries for a return to the ring.
"One neurologist who specializes in concussions — who was the neurologist for the Super Bowl last year — cleared me with no limitations," Bryan told IGN at the time. "All my testing came back excellent. But the WWE's medical doctor is skeptical, because of my history of concussions and that sort of thing. So they will not clear me."
He added at the time: "So now, we have two doctors — one saying no, one saying yes. They're going to send me to a third doctor at some point in the near future and that doctor will decide my fate."
If this is the end of his career, there's no doubt that Bryan had the entire WWE Universe eating out of the palm of his hands — whether it was for his arena-rising "Yes!" chant or penchant for delivering high-risk moves on a nightly basis.
It will be interesting to see if mixed martial arts (MMA) will be part of Bryan's future plans as well. This past December, reports surfaced about Bryan training in MMA.
WWE conspiracy theorists will also hold onto hopes that this could be part of an emerging storyline on the road to WrestleMania 32, which will be held April 3.
Until then, though, let's hear his explanation on Raw.
