10 Shortest Retirements In WWE History

10. Daniel Bryan - 790 Days

Retired from February 8, 2016 to April 8, 2018

This is without a doubt the saddest retirement on this list. A world class performer cut down in the prime of his career, it was an absolute joy when he was cleared by WWE's doctors in March this year.

Daniel Bryan had just won the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 31 when he was forced out of action because of issues brought on by concussions. Everyone assumed that Bryan would eventually return to the ring. He continued to make appearances, including crowning Ryback the new Intercontinental champ and we all waited with baited breath for the announcement of his return.

Then the bomb was dropped on February 8th 2016 that because of concussive seizures and a lesion on his brain that he would have to retire from in-ring competition - a decision that hit fans hard but none harder than Bryan himself, who was visibly crushed that his dream job was done.

He took on the role of SmackDown General Manager but all could see his heart was in the sport. He worked day in and day out, earning clearance from multiple doctors and eventually, WWE themselves, announcing he was fit and healthy on March 20th 2018. He made his official competitive return at WrestleMania 34 alongside Shane McMahon against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Daniel Bryan was home, and we couldn't have been happier for him.