The leader of the "Yes" movement is still hoping to be cleared by WWE.
One of the bigger success stories in WWE is the story of Daniel Bryan's rise to stardom. Within the span of a year Bryan seemingly became one of the most beloved stars on WWE's talent roster. Unfortunately due to concussions issues, WWE doctors felt that he was not able to return to in-ring action. Now, Bryan is currently the GM of the SmackDown brand, and over the weekend while Bryan was in Abu Dhabi checking out the 'Special Olympics IX Mena Games', he spoke with The National and shared some of the pluses of not being an active competitor on the roster.
“My last full year of wrestling was 2013 and I did 227 matches. That does not give me much time to come to Abu Dhabi for the Special Olympics. It is one of the great things about being the General Manager. Not only does it allow me more time with our new-born child but it also allows me to do things like this, which is awesome.” Bryan says.
Although Daniel Bryan has not competed in a WWE ring in nearly three years, to this day whenever his theme music hits, the crowd no matter the city erupts in "Yes" chants.
“That is actually the hard part. Because I still really deep down really want to wrestle still and that is no secret. But when you go out there and people are so into it and then you can’t do what you love to do. That sometimes makes it harder.”
The culmination of Bryan's hard work climaxed at WrestleMania 30 in New Orleans. In one night, he bested Triple H to place himself in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match with Randy Orton & Batista. The closing moments of that title match saw Bryan secure Batista in the "Yes Lock", which the Animal eventually tapped out to and that caused the roof of the Mercedez-Benz Superdome to come off.
"It is interesting. Because when I think of the memories honestly, I think of the night [itself] because everything else was a blur. We were filming my wife’s reality TV show and then the WWE cameras were following me around. My wife and I were also getting married the following Friday. Then you have all the appearances you have during WrestleMania week. So, as far as that goes, the week itself was a blur. If you were to ask me where anything was in New Orleans I would have no idea." Bryan continued, “I don’t even remember what the backstage arena looks like because I was hustling back and forth so much. I hurt my shoulder pretty bad in the first match and then I ended up having neck surgery and having a horrible pain down my arm at the time. After the first match I was getting taped up and trying to get myself back to where I could compete so it will be interesting to go back there and be like ‘Oh, this is what the arena is like’.”
The former 2-time WWE Champion was asked about the rumors that have made the rounds about him possibly competing in a tag team match along with Shane McMahon to take on Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 34. Bryan made it clear that he has not been given the green light by WWE doctors, but is still hopeful for a return.
“I don’t know and I don’t think they know. I think it all depends on whether or not I get cleared. As of this moment, as of today, I am not cleared by WWE." Bryan expressed. “I have done everything in my power, everything they have asked me to and I have gone above and beyond as far as ‘Ok, what doctors do you need me to see, send me to any doctor you want, any doctor that you want and lets get their feedback on what is going on with me’. So far every doctor has cleared me that they have sent me too and so there is a chance. I used to think that the percentage of the WWE ever clearing me was low. I think with the stuff that I have done it has gone a little higher but I don’t know how much higher. With how everything is there is one day to go if I don’t get cleared [storyline wise] and then there is another way to go if I am cleared. I am hoping to be cleared but I don’t know which way it goes.”
Bryan would also share his thoughts on the current storyline that he is involved in with Shane McMahon, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn. He would talk about the 'Greatest Royal Rumble' event that is coming to Saudi Arabia next month, and more. To check out the rest of Daniel Bryan's interview, click here.
