For the second time in as many years, Daniel Bryan's health is in question and, unfortunately, may cost him a championship reign. During the recent WWE tour of Europe, news broke suggesting that Bryan was not 100-percent. A day later, he was removed from the tour. Three days later, details began to emerge revolving around a potential concussion. Commentator Michael Cole openly acknowledged Bryan's injury, stating that his intercontinental title defense against Bad News Barrett will only occur at Extreme Rules if Bryan is cleared to compete. With that championship bout looking less likely to happen with every passing day, it appears as though Bryan's latest injury will force WWE into reshuffling the deck for a second consecutive year. After putting so much faith into Bryan, and booking shows around him as both WWE World Heavyweight and Intercontinental champion, WWE management finds itself in a situation where it must take a step back and reexamine both the longterm viability of Bryan as one of the faces of its brand, not to mention the way it schedules its talent. The constraint strain put on their bodies during weekly tours is a major contributor to injuries that have struck the likes of Bryan, John Cena, Roman Reigns and Sheamus over the last two years. Is it time for WWE to consider an "off season" for talent? And with Bryan appearing more and more likely to miss television time over the next month, does WWE have the star power on its roster to step up and fill the void left by the leader of the Yes Movement? These questions are just two issues facing WWE in the wake of Bryan's latest health setback.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
