WWE's Daniel Bryan Says Wrestlemania 34 Return Is Possible

It's been nearly two years since former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan was forced to retire from active competition due to health-related issues--namely concerns over concussions he had sustained while wrestling. However, things may be changing for the Smackdown Live general manager after a new interview.

In fact, Bryan is hinting that there is a plan in place, should he be cleared for active competition ahead of Wrestlemania 34. "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," he tells The National, while promoting WWE. "There is one way to go if I don't get cleared 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."

According to Bryan, at this very moment, he is not cleared. However, he's adamant that he has done everything he possibly can to get cleared by the company--including getting cleared by every doctor he's seen. However, WWE has always maintained that the only way he'd wind up back in the company's ring is if he was given the green light by one of its own doctors. WWE executive Triple H explained in January, "If the belief is that he's not healthy enough and it is a risk for to perform, then I don't know why we would ever allow him to step in the ring unless it can be proven otherwise."

These new developments are interesting, given that Bryan's contract is reported to be expiring later in 2018. Making things even more intriguing is the rumor that WWE has already approached Bryan about a smaller role at Wrestlemania.

Twitter account Wrestle Votes, which has broken WWE news in the past, cites a source claiming WWE wanted Bryan involved in a match, though he would take very few bumps and only do light work in the ring. According to the source, Bryan turned down the offer as he wants to do more.

Whether this all amounts ti Bryan returning to the ring at Wrestlemania 34 remains to be seen. However, nearly two years after his retirement, it's never seemed more likely that he would lace up his boots for one more match. As for where he'd be most effective on the card, the easiest choice would be turning Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn into Owens and Zayn teaming against Bryan and Shane McMahon. It would give all four men a marquee match on the show and allow Bryan a chance to ease his way back into active competition. Then again, there's also a ready-made feud with The Miz, stemming from their heated Talking Smack exchange in 2016.

Wrestlemania 34 airs like on the WWE Network on April 8. Currently, other matches on the show include Charlotte vs. Asuka for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship, and AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship. John Cena is also expected to face The Undertaker on the show.