[Report] WWE Officials Expect Daniel Bryan To Return To The Company
WWE officials are reportedly confident that Daniel Bryan will end up staying with the company.
Bryan's WWE contract ran up last week, following his loss to Roman Reigns on SmackDown. As part of the match stipulation, Bryan was banished from the show.
With his contract up, Bryan is now free to sign elsewhere. But it sounds like it's only a matter of when — not if — the 39-year-old returns to the WWE.
According to Paul Davis of WrestlingNews.co, WWE officials are optimistic about Bryan staying with the company. One source told WrestlingNews.co "Vince (McMahon) thinks he will be back but he just needs time to recharge his batteries."
The same source added that they're "ready to have" Bryan back for a SummerSlam match. The source added that McMahon has a "has a full-time job behind-the-scenes ready for him when the time comes for him to retire."
Bryan hasn't given any hints about wanting to leave WWE altogether. However, he recently expressed an interest in working for other companies.
Ring of Honor is reportedly planning to make Bryan an offer. He wrestled for the company from 2002 to 2009, winning the ROH World Championship once. For what it's worth, multiple talents in AEW reportedly expect Bryan to stay with WWE.
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Bryan feuded with Reigns for more than two months before his contract ran up. They squared off for the Universal Championship four times (Elimination Chamber, Fastlane, WrestleMania 37 and last week's episode of SmackDown), with Reigns winning every match.
Looks Like He's Staying
Obviously, McMahon and WWE officials are keen on keeping Bryan around. The latter has talked about wanting to work a reduced schedule so that he can spend more time with his family, and WWE shouldn't have any problem with that.
It's not official until Bryan actually signs a new deal. But at this point, it's safe to guess that Bryan will end up staying with WWE.
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