It was 2016 when Daniel Bryan retired as a professional wrestler in WWE due to injuries sustained in the ring–specifically concussions. Since then, Bryan has been very open about his speaking with multiple doctors specializing in brain injuries with hopes of one day competing for WWE again. Thus far, though, he’s been unable to get cleared by the company’s medical team.
Speaking at the Television Critics Association winter press tour panel for the 25th anniversary of WWE Raw, Triple H, who serves as a WWE executive in real life, shed a little light on the situation and what it would take for the company to allow Bryan to compete. “There can be no exception, medically,” he says. “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.”
Triple H continues, “We have some of the best medical people in the world working for us. Our wellness policy, our concussion programs, out protocols–I’ll put them up against any on the planet.”
Thus, the company is standing by their own doctors, regardless of the specialists Bryan sees on his quest to wrestle again. “The medical experts will make the determination of whether Bryan can set foot in that ring or not,” Triple H explains. “Personally, for him, I know it’s something he loved doing and I hope he has that opportunity. But at the same point in time, he’s married and has a child. We serve the human being first.”
For his part, Bryan recently said in an interview that he would likely step away from his current role at Smackdown Live general manager once his contract expired, should he not be cleared to wrestle again. “When my [WWE] contract is up, I would wrestle elsewhere if WWE would not clear me,” he admitted on Rosenberg Radio.