Update on Daniel Bryan’s Upcoming WWE Return

The latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided an update on Daniel Bryan’s upcoming WWE return. As previously reported, Bryan announced that he would be returning to in-ring competition on Jan. 25, as he will enter the 28th annual Royal Rumble Match in hopes of returning to WrestleMania as the No. 1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

According to the report, Bryan was cleared to compete again almost a month prior to his announcement being made during the Dec. 29 edition of “Monday Night Raw.” WWE officials were likely told that Bryan was ready to return when he hosted “RAW” the night after The Authority was removed from power at the “Survivor Series” in late November.

They decided that Bryan’s return would be better off being something promoted as major, and on a big stage. They want Bryan to return at the “Royal Rumble” on Jan. 25, which has sparked further speculation about who will win the annual 30-man Battle Royal.

As previously reported, WWE officials have talked about whether or not they still want Roman Reigns to win the match and head on to WrestleMania 31 to defeat Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. However, they are still on-track with this plan as of this report, and Bryan’s addition to the Rumble has not adjusted the creative team’s booking just yet.

Editor’s Note:
I’ll say this. If Bryan gets eliminated by Reigns in the Royal Rumble Match, we may see another “Boo-tista” situation unfurl. Did you hear the pop that came from Bryan announcing that he would be in the Battle Royal? It was the most explosive since Dolph Ziggler pulled the IC title down while on a ladder at “TLC” in his home town of Cleveland. Reigns will be an instant heel if he eliminates Bryan. So, someone else as a monster heel HAS to take Bryan out and kickstart a WrestleMania 31 program with the former champion at some point during the annual 30-man spectacle.