No, Daniel! Stay Gone (or Yes! Wrestling Again Would Be a Bad Idea)

Daniel Bryan returned to GM duties on Smackdown this week, on the heels of becoming a dad, to sort out the controversy following the inaugural women's Money in the Bank Match (more on that in my next post).  Whatever brings him back to TV, having Bryan on SD is terrific -- and frankly, the brand needs him.

But Bryan refused to leave it at that this week; unsatisfied as only an on-air authority figure and no doubt wanting to please his fans, the perennial underdog said in an interview he was "working on" an in-ring comeback.  While we all can hope that Daniel will be well enough one day to step in the ring on the active roster, it's important not to get carried away or expect too much.  Bryan being back on the show is good; back in the ring, not so good (for him, his family, or anybody involved).  And there are two big reasons why.

Digressing a little, I rewatched Wrestlemania XXX recently, getting to (play, rewind) relive Daniel's epic WHC win.  It was the highlight of his already storied career, the culmination of the Yes Movement and everything he'd worked so hard for.  Another small but consummate wrestler, a la Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio, did what was considered impossible and won the biggest title in what is commonly a land of giants.  As anticlimactic as his reign was, cut short by injury, it was the feel-good moment of the year and a classic one that will live on in wrestling's annals.

Sadly, two years later, Daniel left us with another poignant and unforgettable moment when he announced his retirement from competition.  Any hopes of further occasions for him to exhilarate us with a five-star performance were dashed (so we thought).

Things weren't exactly clear-cut, after all.  Talk arose, shortly after his tear-jerking goodbye to fans, of Daniel eventually returning.  Doctors could clear him, it turns out, and WWE is actually the one refusing to give the green light.  All that needs to happen is for Daniel to not renew his contract and we, the fans, will get everything we want.

To which I'm here to say -- no! No! No!  Don't be selfish.  And, Daniel, don't indulge us (even if you want to).  Why (you may ask)?  We all know why.

First of all is the big elephant in the room: concussion trauma.  This isn't something you can discount or trifle with.  The fact is Bryan has been getting them since his career started and will suffer long-term effects and complications for the rest of his life.  There is no reason to risk worsening his condition for one more match or run, particularly not when a man has a family to think about and be around for, healthy(ish) and happy.  Things you did in your younger years need to be put away as a matter of life and death.

Given the rash of brain injuries plaguing sports, it's no
wonder WWE exercises caution with Daniel's return.

WWE may seem unfair or overwrought for not letting him wrestle, but you can't blame them for showing caution.  They're not stupid.  Having weathered enough storms (from steroid scandals to Owen Hart and Chris Benoit), they know they have to be smart, self-aware, and the price to pay when they're not.

Other promotions should follow their lead, mainly anyone tempted to make a buck off Bryan's return to the ring.

ROH, for instance, the place Daniel called home for so many years and where he had a plethora of his star-making matches, ought to be realistic about the situation.  If they persuade him to come back, anything that happens is on them.  A small company (even with Sinclair Broadcasting behind them, they're still a small outfit) like them can't afford the hit their reputation would take in potential legal costs, public backlash, and other ramifications.  Sinclair could dump them and cut their losses over the liability if it hits the fan after Bryan possibly gets hurt.

That is a worst-case scenario, yes, but a very real and tenable one.  Controversy might hit a CMLL or New Japan differently, but they'd still be liable.  They were dealing with a man who has concussions and knew full well: they were warned.  Someone that injury prone could be hurt again, seriously.

That in mind, it would be wise for Daniel to honor the other aspect of this, best reflected by his mentor, Shawn Michaels.  When Shawn retired, that was it, and he's kept that promise to the dismay of those clamoring for "one more match."  And why not?  Michaels proved he is the Showstopper without any doubt and went out on his own terms.

The same is true for the Undertaker presently, whose body was beyond ready for him to stop after leaving it all in the ring.  There is nothing left to prove so he can ride off into the sunset.

I'm reminded of Hugh Jackman, also taking a bow this year from his two-decade run as Wolverine. His connection to WWE is small but his story can add perspective in this case.  Jackman claimed he wanted to play Wolvie forever at one point; that is until he watched an interview with Jerry Seinfeld where the comedian commented on leaving his eponymous sitcom at the height of its popularity.  Seinfeld, in a nutshell, wanted to go out on top and that mindset spurred an epiphany in Jackman which gave us Logan.

Bryan's retirement segment on RAW was his Logan, his moment to go out on top.  He has his health, he has said his goodbyes, time to ride off.  Keep it pure, a moment captured in time.  Don't taint it!


We saw how it worked out for the Flairs, the Hogans, and the Stings who didn't know when to hang it up.  Age and old wounds caught up to them and it either blemished their legacy or they didn't exit of their own accord.  That could be you, Bryan.

Heartbreaking as it was, the retirement speech was a special
moment. Don't ruin it!

Daniel Bryan left a momentous career behind with his head held high and his place etched in history to start a new chapter in life.  He got to say goodbye and thank you to us on a high note.  Can't everybody be happy with that?  An attempt to recapture the old magic could fall flat or, worse, jeopardize his well-being.

We won't keep the Daniel Bryan we all know and cherish if that happens, no one will, and that goes double for his loved ones.  Forget the itch to come back.  There are worse things than early retirment.