Daniel Bryan's WWE Contract Expired Last Week
It turns out Daniel Bryan's SmackDown loss to Roman Reigns wasn't just for show...
Daniel Bryan's WWE contract either expired or was set to expire after his match with Roman Reigns on last week's episode of SmackDown.
This is according to Fightful Select, who are working for official confirmation of Bryan's status. The outlet's sources state that while Daniel hasn't openly spoken on his contract status, they have heard his deal expired, though there's no word on whether or not the former WWE Champion conducted any backstage farewells.
Bryan's WWE contract was originally believed to expire in September. Here's what Daniel had to say on that when interviewed by TV Line last week:-
"It’s funny that people gravitate towards the date “September,” and I think it’s because that’s when my last contract ended, but it doesn’t end in September. [Note: Bryan was tight-lipped about when his contract actually runs out.] I’m still trying to figure out what that looks like… I had a tag team match on SmackDown last Friday, and it was a lot of fun, but my neck was just wrecked"
As enticing as the prospect of Daniel Bryan: Free Agent sounds, Fightful notes that his contract expiring doesn't indicate that he is leaving the company, won't re-sign, or won't work without a deal, as Bryan has reportedly been vocal about doing "unconventional work" with WWE going forward.
Either way, WWE talent has indicated that they've heard Bryan's deal was due to expire last week.
Daniel was "banished" from SmackDown after losing to Universal Champion Roman Reigns in a "title vs. career" match last Friday.