Backstage News on Daniel Bryan’s Return to the Ring

The latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided some backstage news on Daniel Bryan’s return to the ring. As we previously reported, an advertisement for a WWE Live Event at Madison Square Garden on July 12 is claiming Bryan will be facing Triple H in a Street Fight for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, but Bryan could be returning prior to that date.

According to the report, many backstage would like to see Bryan return for the “Money In The Bank” PPV on June 29, although the latest word on his recovery says he may not be ready in time. WWE officials are reportedly creating two cards for the event in the case that Bryan can’t compete.

“Battleground,” which will be the next PPV, will take place on July 20 in Tampa, Fla. Bryan is expected to be ready for the MSG house show on July 12, but if he cannot make that, WWE officials would seemingly like to have him return at “Battleground” as opposed to “SummerSlam,” which air four weeks following “Battleground.”

The report claims what will happen with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is unclear at this time still, regardless as to wait the ad for July 12 has to say. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter goes on to suggest that the company should put the company’s top guys, i.e. The Shield, Kane, John Cena, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Bad News Barrett, and others in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match on June 29. The difference would be the ladder match would actually be for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship instead of a guaranteed contract for a title match.

As far as Bryan’s in-ring move set, it may have to change upon his return. Meltzer claims a number of the biggest names in wrestling history, who are following his situation, noted to him that Bryan really needs to start toning down his in-ring style. Some have suggested giving up certain moves, because of the way he lands when performing them. Meltzer writes,

“The missile dropkick, the diving head-buttm and the topes, because he often crashes into the barricade, were the three moves mentioned the most. But that’s a tough deal. I know that with Chris Benoit, who had a more serious neck surgery, the idea of giving up the diving head-butts was suggested to him, he continued to use that and said that when he could no longer do the move, that’s when he would probably want to retire.

Harley Race, who pioneered the move in the U.S. in the 70s, has stated on many occasions the unnatural way of landing is brutal on the neck, and even though it was his trademark, recommended people not do it. Race did more of a falling off the top rope version and not a soaring version like Benoit, Dynamite Kid and Bryan are known for. Just a few weeks ago, Bryan did the move off a forklift two-thirds of the way across the ring in an angle with Kane on Raw.

Another way this could be handled is to not drop the moves completely, but save them for only big singles matches, so the long-term wear-and-tear won’t be as bad, and he would still do what he wants in the big matches that he’ll be most remembered for.”

Editor’s Note:
I really hope Bryan is going to be able to return quickly, but most importantly 100% healthy. He does have a very dangerous move set, and that’s one of the reasons he is so fun to watch. He’s all over the place. However, he should definitely tone it down a bit if he continues to feel compression on his nerves and begins losing feeling in his arms again. No amount of passion for this business is worth killing yourself over in that ring.