10 WWE Wrestlers Who Came Back From The Cold

Daniel Bryan's relationship with the WWE hierarchy has never seemed entirely rosy, but both parties appear to recognise that there is a mutual benefit to their remaining cordial.

The only time you can really say Bryan was in the cold was for that month in 2010 when he was released after angering sponsors by strangling Justin Roberts during the Nexus Raw invasion - and even then the company realised within weeks that bringing him back was ultimately best for business.

It's possible Vince actually served him his marching orders with a knowing wink that said, "you can have your job back once the heat dies down a little," although the fact Bryan worked a couple of indie dates during his month off, as well as entertaining a full-time offer from TNA, perhaps suggests otherwise.

His crime being so minor, the future SmackDown GM wasn't really in great danger of being left out in the cold permanently, but - without fans demanding he be brought back - the next four years of wrestling history might have looked very different.