8 Ups & 11 Downs For WWE In 2018 (So Far)

4. Daniel Bryan, Post-Return

There's a lot to unpack with Daniel Bryan's WWE return. We'll get to the positives later, but the way the former SmackDown General Manager has been booked since re-entering the fray leaves much to be desired.

Big Cass was a terrible first feud partner, as while the Money In The Bank match overdelivered, the "me big, you small" narrative was pure poison. If the rivalry's goal was to normalise a red-hot star, then WWE succeeded. The story's only saving grace is that Cass' release prevented it from stumbling into a third tedious month.

WWE have hinted at a big programme with The Miz, but will Bryan even be around to see it through? His current deal expires in September, and with new rumours suggesting WWE are rushing through Daniel's "dream matches" ahead of this date, he may well be on his way. If it happens, who could possibly blame him? He's a wrestler in a sports entertainer's world, and a colossal fan favourite stuck working fun (but ultimately meaningless) midcard scraps.

To Bryan's credit, he always works his tail off in whatever he's doing, and his high-effort performances have helped elevate recent clashes with Jeff Hardy, Harper, and Shelton Benjamin. WWE only have themselves to blame if he walks.