10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (March 23)
3. Daniel Bryan's SmackDown Beating Was A Last-Minute Decision
The Wrestling Observer are reporting that Daniel Bryan wasn't booked to do anything physical on this past Tuesday's SmackDown until just a few short hours before the show started.
Though Daniel was going to appear and celebrate news of his medical clearance with fans, he wasn't initially supposed to take a beating from Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Specifically, that ring apron Powerbomb used to end their segment (leaving Bryan on a stretcher) wasn't considered part of the plans until the last possible minute.
WWE didn't book Bryan to do any in-ring work as soon as they found out he was healthy and doctors would allow it either. That's fascinating insight, and it shows that things all happened so quickly on the day of the show.
It's a good thing WWE leapt on the opportunity, because the Bryan beat down was one of the best angles the promotion have produced this year.