Superstars React to Daniel Bryan Being Cleared to Wrestle Following 2016 Retirement

The wrestling world had a massive surprise delivered to them yesterday when WWE announced that former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan had been cleared for a return to the ring, following his 2016 retirement.

At three o’clock eastern time yesterday, WWE revealed the announcement and it wasn’t long before social media exploded in a powerful and very fitting collective “Yes!”

Bryan himself first spoke on being cleared, with a passionate tweet:

Saying goodbye to the ring was one of the hardest moments of my life. But thanks to the amazing people supporting me, I was able to keep fighting for my dream. This moment feels surreal and I'm glad to be able to talk to you all at the beginning of #SDLive tonight.

— Bryan Danielson (@bryandanielson) March 20, 2018

His Talking Smack co-host in Renee Young chimed in.

So happy for @WWEDanielBryan !!!!! Can’t wait to hear the crowd react when Sweet Beets makes his entrance pic.twitter.com/6WL9WGgQrZ

— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) March 20, 2018

In typical cocky fashion, WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz tweeted on the announcement.

https://twitter.com/mikethemiz/status/976202576709464064

Bryan’s ally in the former ‘Smackdown Live’ commissioner Shane McMahon congratulated the former Champion on being cleared.

Congratulations to @WWEDanielBryan on being cleared for in-ring competition. We’re all happy to welcome you back. #YesYesYes https://t.co/cHjl61trec

— Shane McMahon (@shanemcmahon) March 20, 2018

Before what transpired at ‘Smackdown Live,’ Owens considered Bryan a good friend and ally. He had the following to say on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/976204755738427392

WWE Champion AJ Styles commented on Bryan finally making it back to this point.

I couldn’t be happier for Daniel. Being away for two years must have felt like an eternity…but today, he’s back and where he belongs. https://t.co/HNtSw1RwKI

— AJ Styles (@AJStylesOrg) March 20, 2018

2018 Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura was quick to suggest a match between himself and Bryan – something fans would love.

This is great news. No one needs to wish anymore. They can see it with their eyes. #NakamuravsBryan

— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) March 20, 2018

‘Raw’ General Manager Kurt Angle teased a future match against his counterpart in the ‘Smackdown Live’ General Manager.

So @WWEDanielBryan is cleared to wrestle…. hmmmm. I’m liking this a lot. #itstrue #WM35

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) March 20, 2018

Even Sheamus, who defeated the former World Heavyweight Champion in a matter of seconds at ‘WrestleMania’ had to tweet a congratulations.

Welcome back Danny Boy @WWEDanielBryan #yesyesyes pic.twitter.com/uDe89NswkO

— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) March 20, 2018

Paige, who is seemingly retired from the ring tweeted the veteran performer, implying she could one day be cleared to compete again herself.

https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/976208256929599489

Seth Rollins tweeted Bryan, mentioning what the clearance to compete could mean for others in the professional sports industry.

This may be a first in all of professional sports. So stoked for Bryan and for what it could mean for head trauma research and rehabilitation in contact athletics. https://t.co/g3nnD11wVM

— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) March 20, 2018

Even the Smackdown Women’s Champion had something to say.

DANIEL BRYAN ???? ?????? #DanielBryan

— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) March 20, 2018

‘Woken’ Matt Hardy believes the WWE Universe was rewarded with Bryan being cleared after Bray Wyatt was DELETED in the Lake of Reincarnation.

The #7Deities have BESTOWED a KINDNESS upon the @WWEUniverse..

In return for DELETING Bray & ABIGAIL into The Lake of Reincarnation, we've all been REWARDED with a REGENERATED VESSEL for The Dragon of America.

It truly was The #UltimateDELETION. #YesYesYes https://t.co/pPllow5xAh

— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) March 20, 2018

Goldust joined in.

https://twitter.com/Goldust/status/976185449038401537

Sin Cara welcomed the former Champ back and explained that the wrestling world is partying.

Bienvenido @WWEDanielBryan , ahora el mundo de la Lucha Libre esta de fiesta ????!

— CintaDeOro (@CintaDeOro) March 20, 2018

NXT commentator Mauro Ranallo was ecstatic.

https://twitter.com/mauroranallo/status/976177262520360961

NXT’s Kassius Ohno only had 0one word to say on the matter. Can you guess what it was?

Yes. pic.twitter.com/fV3fqElMbg

— Chris Hero (Is Back) (@ChrisHero) March 20, 2018

205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick tweeted the ‘American Dragon.’

https://twitter.com/WWEMaverick/status/976205799679815680

Shayna Baszler even took to her Instagram account to share a photo of her and Bryan to commemorate the moment.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgjzzgshoD8/

We all know what happened to end ‘Smackdown Live,’ but the huge story here is what Bryan had to say in his address to the WWE Universe on being cleared. It is very inspiring and touching to watch. If you missed the segment, check it out here:

Daniel Bryan thanks the WWE Universe after being cleared to compete: SmackDown LIVE, March 20, 2018

Did you ever expect him to be cleared by WWE? Where were you and what were you doing when you found out he was cleared?

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