7 Big Talking Points For Daniel Bryan Wrestling In 2018

Part of what made Bryan such an exciting competitor was his style. Though small in stature, he was capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone, throwing elbows, forearms, and kicks with the stiffness of a shoot-style worker. He also took an immense amount of big bumps himself, hence the concussion issues, and while this created plenty of memorable spots, they came at the cost of his health.

Wrestling is an inherently risky business, and there'll always be an element of danger, no matter how "safe" somebody works. Regardless, Bryan became famous by working a style that placed great strain on his own body, and he'd likely need to tone things down in the event of a return.

This would probably mean a greater emphasis on mat work, and less on spirited strike exchanges and big head drops. There's no doubt that he's skilled enough to make such an adaptation, but would it be enough to help him stand out when guys like Kenny Omega are out there risking life and limb?

An unfortunate part of wrestling's athletic evolution is that it has forced performers to take far greater risks in order to maintain their spotlight. This wouldn't be an option for Bryan.